While more discussions have been going on around the Washington Street Bridge that was damaged by a CSX train some time ago, there still seems to be no resolution to the problem.  Mayor Ray Morriss said at the work session of the City Council that a he and City Engineer Bobby Smith attended  a meeting with CSX and others… CSX did say that they plan on doing work on the Greene Street rail bridge, acknowledging that the span does need to be raised, but no timetable was given…

Two historic homes on the Gettysburg battlefield, the Michael Bushman and the John Slyder houses, will be available for overnight stays beginning on May 24. Both houses witnessed the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863. The Bushman farm served as staging ground for Confederate General John Bell Hood and the Slyder farm saw use as a defensive position for Union sharpshooters. The rentals are part of a pilot program providing visitors with an immersive experience on the battlefield. For rental information, visit recreation.gov.

After an 18-month process, West Virginia has become only the second state to receive Broadband Enhancement Access and Deployment funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce.  Over $1.2 billion dollars will be coming to the state for improving reliable high-speed internet for residents statewide. Kelly Workman from the Office of Broadband, part of the West Virginia Economic Development, helped obtain the BEAD funds…     Governor Justice says he is excited to see the results of this historic investment in broadband technology for the state…

Although the city of Cumberland is preparing to raise water rates in the 2025 fiscal year, there was also good news at Tuesday’s meeting of the mayor and council.  Mayor Ray Morriss said the city will be spending a greater chunk of money on city street improvements this coming year…

On Sunday, May 12, 2024 at approximately 7:16 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the 200 block of Oak Street for an assault involving an axe.  Police contacted the parties involved who reported that the suspect, Zechariah Jones, attempted to assault the victim with an axe.  In doing so, Jones struck the victim’s vehicle with the axe.  Jones was placed under arrest and transported to Central Booking.  He was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center without bond.   ARRESTED:  Zechariah Tyler Jones       AGE:  33           Cumberland, MD CHARGES:  Assault-1st Degree, Assault-2nd Degree (x2), Reckless Endangerment,…

On Saturday, May 11, 2024 at approximately 8:48 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department contacted Crystal Grady at police headquarters.  Grady had been causing a disturbance outside of the police station and later entered the station.  It was determined that she had no lawful business to be there and she was ordered to leave.  Grady returned to the police station on Sunday, May 12, 2024 at approximately 1:29 AM.  When officers entered the lobby, Grady pulled out a pepper spray device and pointed it at the officers.  Grady was placed under arrest and transported to Central Booking.  She was…

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey on Wednesday sent detailed guidance to the state’s college and university presidents on how to deal with anti-Israel protests/encampments should those demonstrations make their way to West Virginia campuses. For weeks now, protests and encampments have swept college campuses nationwide, with more than 2,500 people arrested. Many of the protesters have been known to be unaffiliated with the schools—some are even connected to terrorist groups. Attorney General Morrisey pointed out the principles of the First Amendment don’t shield “the kinds of behavior we’ve recently seen,” urging the presidents to enforce their existing codes of conduct,…

Frostburg State Baseball team became just the third program to earn a bid to the Division II NCAA Tournament on Sunday night, being named the seventh seed in the Atlantic Region. FSU got in with a 37-14 record, the most wins for the program since 2015, while it is the team's first Tournament appearance since 2016. The Bobcats won the MEC North Division with a conference record of 24-4, while going 1-2 in the Mountain East Tournament.  The top seven teams in the region receive bids to the Tournament, which will feature two pods hosted by two schools. West Chester, the…

Congressman David Trone and Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks are in a statistical tie according to a poll released last week.  Emerson College reports that Alsobrooks leads Trone, 42% to 41%.  The winner is expected to take on former governor Larry Hogan in November.

Cumberland Times-News is reporting that Greene Street CSX bridge height could be increased. Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss said CSX Transportation has indicated interest in raising its span on Greene Street. Because of the bridge’s clearance, less than 13-feet, it is frequently struck by trucks. The city and CSX have discussed an increase to the span’s height “so the bridge doesn’t get hit,” he said. That would be advantageous for the city, Morriss said. City officials have held several discussions with CSX regarding the company’s replacement of the span and how that would affect the other West Side bridges, he said…