Two Las Vegas men are facing felony narcotics possession charges after U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered nearly 73 pounds of marijuana in their checked baggage on Thursday at Washington Dulles International Airport. Virginia State Police troopers charged Kaliq Talib McCallister, 33, and Christian Tyler Knight, 28, with felony possession with intent to distribute, transportation, and narcotics conspiracy charges. CBP has observed an increasing trend of United States-based growers and retailers shipping marijuana to Europe and Africa where high-quality weed can fetch prices many times higher than in the U.S. CBP officers usually see the marijuana being exported in smaller…

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement ahead of the February 24 anniversary of Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine. “It’s been two years since Vladimir Putin launched his unprovoked and ruthless attacks on the people of Ukraine. His war continues to threaten Ukrainian sovereignty, regional stability, and the fate of democracy around the world. If this war is not proof enough of Putin’s sinister goal of weakening these institutions, the imprisonment and death of Russian democracy advocate and leader, Alexei Navalny, serves as another stark reminder – and again reveals the depths of depravity to which he and…

Frostburg State University’s departments of Biology, Educational Professions and Recreation and Parks Management will host a presentation by Dr. Mamie Parker, titled “A Black Woman’s Journey: Breaking Concrete Blocks to Help Save Our Planet to Save Ourselves,” on Monday, March 11, from 7 to 9 p.m. in room 208 of the Education and Health Sciences Center. Parker is the former Student Conservation Association chair and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) head of Fisheries and Habitat Conservation. This event is free and open to the public. Parker’s nearly three-decade-long career as a fish and wildlife biologist with FWS took…

The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS), Bureau for Family Assistance (BFA) today announced applications for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) will be accepted beginning Monday, February 26, 2024, through Thursday, March 1, 2024, or until funds are exhausted. The federally funded program assists eligible West Virginia residents in paying home heating bills.  Eligibility for LIEAP benefits is based on income, household size, and whether the household is responsible for paying its heating bill. Income guidelines must be at, or below, 60 percent of the State Median Income. In situations where a heating emergency exists, applicants must be…

As construction progresses downtown, the construction zone is also becoming more congested. The safety of visitors to downtown, as well as the construction workers, is our priority during construction. As such, the City of Cumberland Engineering Department would like to notify the public that the following streets will be closed to vehicular traffic beginning on Monday, February 26th: North Centre Street, between Dexter Place and Frederick Street North Liberty Street, between Frederick and Pershing Streets Baltimore Street, between Mechanic and George Streets Emergency vehicle access will be maintained. Pedestrian access to all buildings downtown will also be maintained. Visitors to…

Wildfires in Maryland last year significantly outpaced the 10-year average, according to the Maryland Forest Service’s Annual Wildland Fire Report.  The report covers data related to wildfires on 3.2 million acres of land overseen by the Maryland Forest Service.  In 2023, 199 wildfires burned almost 4,500 acres. Both figures were higher than the 10-year averages of 127.8 wildfires per year and 2,376 acres burned. The most common cause of wildfires last year was debris burning, which resulted in 71 wildfires, followed by arson, causing 51 wildfires. Arson-related fires caused by far the most acreage burned with those fires resulting in an…

Pennsylvania has launched a $1 million tuition assistance program to help recruit and retain Emergency Medical Services professionals. Funded by $1 million from the Fireworks Tax Act each year for the next three years, the tuition reimbursement builds on the Shapiro Administration’s support of Pennsylvania’s EMS industry after securing $20.7 million in the 2023-24 budget to increase mileage rates for ambulance services. EMS agencies respond to nearly 24 million 911 calls each year and 26% of the residents live in rural areas.

First report of the season – Greg Brown Februay

Today, February 23, 2024, West Side Elementary School was placed in a brief SECURE status due to a medical emergency.  First Responders arrived on scene and provided medical service.  School administrators were then able to give the “All Clear” and the instructional day resumed as normal with no disruption to school operations.

On Thursday, February 22, 2024, the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Charles Mills.  The summons was issued as the result of a private citizen filing for charges against Mills at the District Court of Allegany County.  Mills signed for his copy of the summons and he was released pending trial. ARRESTED:  Charles Dennis Mills              AGE:  72               Ligonier, PA CHARGES:  Malicious Destruction of Property $1000+, Willfully Damaging Motor Vehicle without Owner’s Consent