On Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at approximately 9:19 AM, an officer of the Cumberland Police Department was on patrol in the 400 block of Virginia Avenue when he observed Mary Delisle exit a store with a security officer following her.  Police contacted the security officer and was informed that Delisle stole merchandise from the store.  After further investigation, Delisle was issued a criminal citation and released pending trial.   ARRESTED:  Mary Irene Delisle     AGE:  29        Cumberland, MD CHARGES:  Theft less than $100

On Wednesday, March 6, 2024, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Kristie Dawson.  The warrant was issued as the result of Dawson failing to appear in court.  She was originally charged with Theft less than $100.  She was arrested and later seen by a District Court Commissioner for a bond hearing.  Dawson was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center on a $500 percentage bond. ARRESTED:  Kristie Lynn Dawson    AGE:  38      Cumberland, MD

A man’s body discovered in a wooded area near the Youghiogheny River in Ohiopyle State Park on Sunday apparently died of accidental drowning. People in the area discovered the body and alerted park rangers around 4pm Sunday afternoon. The Fayette County Coroner’s office identified the deceased as Paul Baluch of Perryopolis.  The case remains under investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police, though no foul play is suspected.

Democratic Congressman David Trone voted in favor of Fiscal Year 2024 government funding which includes $1.5 million in Community Project Funding for Allegany County. Allegany County projects secured by Congressman David Trone include  $1,000,000 for the Carver Center Renovation Project and  $500,000 for the Good Will Fire Company No. 1’s Engine-Tanker Replacement   “This Community Project Funding will allow the Carver Center to serve Allegany County at full strength. These funds are crucial in re-establishing the Carver Center as a major asset within the City of Cumberland,” said Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss.

Neil Parrot spent the morning after Super Tuesday sign-waving over I-70 on the Appalachian Trail.  The Republican candidate for the Maryland 6th District Congressional seat had not committed to any presidential runner until today… Parrot was asked if he thought Donald Trump had alienated the members of his own party, but he thinks there is bigger issue at stake…

Richard Reinhardt of Percy Public Affairs represents the interests of Cumberland, Frostburg and local businesses in Annapolis. His lobbying efforts keep the cities informed of legislation that affects them.  The General Assembly has just over 30 days to complete their business for the session, and Reinhardt told the Cumberland City Council that this year has been an exceptionally busy one…    

Well over 150 people attended an information session at the Allegany Museum on Wednesday evening to hear about plans for the River Park at Canal Place.  Representatives for CEC Consultants went over design plans, and County Tourism Director Ashli Workman discussed the economic effect the project can have on the region… Workman said economic development involves more than what people do for a living…

The ongoing issue of the impassable West Side bridges in Cumberland is being brought to the attention of state lawmakers.  Ray Morriss, Cumberland’s Mayor, said that members of the Western Maryland delegation have introduced bills that would benefit the entire state… House Minority Leader Jason Buckel testified about his bill before the House Judiciary Committee…

Opposite ends of the county were affected by brief power outages on Wednesday.  A small fire at a substation on Bedford Road occurred around 8:30 in the morning that took out power to over a thousand customers and then a trailer dragged down power lines near the wastewater treatment plant in South Cumberland, breaking off two telephone poles and trapping the driver for a short time. Power was off for a brief time in that area as well.

The Maryland Chamber of Commerce, along with a coalition of businesses, local and regional chambers and associations from across the state, strongly opposes House Bill 1515. This legislation, titled “Sales and Use Tax – Rate Reduction and Services,” is a misguided attempt to fund critical priorities through a massive $2.9 billion tax increase on Maryland residents and businesses. While HB 1515 proposes lowering the state sales tax rate from 6% to 5%, it would simultaneously expand the sales tax to a wide variety of everyday services that have never been taxed before, including, but not limited to: Accounting and financial…