U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen held a special update meeting with the Western Maryland Delegation in Annapolis on Wednesday.  He went over the funding for the region that was approved recently in the Federal budget for Fiscal Year 2025…

Some state residents are concerned about the location of cannabis retail sites, but the Maryland General Assembly seems to be moving in the opposite direction of those concerns.  House Bill 805, now in the Senate, prevents counties from imposing stricter zoning laws on dispensaries than businesses that sell alcohol.  Allegany County Commission President Dave Caporale said the county sticks close to what the state determines…    

A project begun in the mid-1970s is now available to the public online through the Appalachian Collection at Allegany College of Maryland.  Faculty and dozens of ACM student conducted formal interviews with government officials, business owners, and other to create almost 200 oral histories.  ACM Spokesperson Kristen Kerwald says Margie Gacki used the Covid pandemic take time and update the project… Kerwald says that extra time went into enhancing the listener experience for the project available at Allegany.edu/oral-history…

A felony theft in the Finzel area four years ago has resulted in a five year prison sentence for a Darlington, Maryland man.  Aubrey Akers entered an alford plea, maintaining his innocence but acknowledging facts were sufficient to prove guilt.  The case involved the 2020 theft of a firearm, television and a large jug of coins from a residence.  DNA evidence was presented in the case by the Garret County State’s Attorney.

On Wednesday, March 27th, 2024, the Cumberland City Police responded to a residence in the 50 block of Lamont St for the report of an assault. Officers arrived on scene and made contact with a juvenile victim. The victim alleged that they and Toshiba Maldeis, 32, had gotten into a verbal disagreement inside the home. The incident then turned physical, and Maldeis assaulted the juvenile, leaving visible injuries. As a result, Maldeis was placed under arrest. She was taken before a District Court Commissioner for her Initial Appearance where she was released on a $7,500 unsecured bond.   Arrested: Toshiba Maldeis                 Age: 32…

On Wednesday, March 27th, 2024, the Cumberland City Police responded to the 400 block of Springdale St for the report of a disturbance. Upon arrival, officers contacted the caller who advised that a male subject in the home had created a disturbance. The male subject, Brian A. James, 35, was asked to wait outside with officers during the investigation. While outside, James continued being disruptive, causing a disturbance that attracted the attention of bystanders. After refusing to comply with repeated requests to cease his disruptive behavior, James was placed under arrest. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner for…

On Wednesday, March 27th, 2024, the Cumberland City Police arrested Alexander Ray Silvious, 24, of Cumberland MD. Silvious was arrested on an active Arrest Warrant issued by the Allegany County District Court for an incident that occurred on March 26th. During that incident, it is alleged that Silvious engaged in a racially motivated physical altercation in the 900 block of Gay St. During the altercation, two victims were assaulted by Silvious and a vehicle was also damaged. Silvious was taken before a District Court Commissioner for his Initial Appearance where he was released on a $10,000 unsecured bond. Arrested: Alexander…

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen took the time to relay his experiences on a visit to the site of the FSK Bridge collapse in Baltimore. Saying the channel is blocked, preventing 4 ships in the port to depart and 12 ships waiting for entry. The Port of Baltimore is one of the busiest on the east coast of the US and the biggest port for roll on and roll off vehicles in the United States..

Maryland Department of State Police Office of Media Communications identified two of the victims who lost their lives in the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, of Baltimore and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, of Dundalk have been recovered.  

A new mental health outpatient clinic has opened in Cumberland. Maryland Wellness, located on North Mechanic Street, offers outpatient mental health services, providing individualized mental health care and life skills support. Services are offered for adults and minors, including those who are at-risk and under-served, through their Psychiatric Rehabilitation Case Management Program, therapy, psychiatry and addictions counseling services. Maryland Wellness has locations across the state including Oakland and now Cumberland.