Authorities in Virginia have arrested Jesse Glen Settle, age 38, of Winchester, in connection with a shooting death last week.  Hampshire County officials have said the shooting and killing of Joesi Dominion Martin, age 33, of Capon Bridge, was drug related.  The shooting occurred last Friday night.

The new president of West Virginia University has a top-notch salary coming his way.  Veteran higher education leader Michael T. Benson will earn an $850,000 base salary as the next president of WVU, a high dollar amount that is becoming increasingly common among top university leaders.  Mr. Benson signed a five-year contract with the Morgantown school over the weekend. He will take the helm as WVU’s 27th president this summer.

A Pennsylvania man is dead following an accident on Deep Creek Lake Saturday afternoon.  David T. Linsenbigler, 58, of Greensburg, died after falling into the lake on a utility task vehicle near the Glendale Bridge.  The lake was not totally frozen at the time of the accident.  The operator of the vehicle survived the accident.

From  Allegany County Public Schools:  Today, February 24, 2025, Beall Elementary School was placed in a brief HOLD status due to a medical emergency. First Responders arrived on scene and provided medical service. School administrators have given the “All Clear,” and dismissal procedures will not be affected.  

On Sunday, February 23rd, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department arrested Michael Robert Caswell Jr, 38, of Cumberland MD. Caswell was arrested on an active Fugitive Warrant when it was discovered he had an active warrant for his arrest in West Virginia. The original warrant was issued in Mineral County WV, for a charge of larceny. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner for an Initial Appearance where he was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center. He is currently being held without bond., awaiting extradition to WV. Name:    Michael Robert Caswell Jr.                                 Age:   38 Charges:   Fugitive from Justice.  …

Work on the new location for Union Rescue Mission’s programs is progressing. The mission has property at the corner of Franklin and North Centre Streets that will include family rooms, a dining room that will offer a restaurant-like atmosphere, and green space for outdoor activities.  Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss tells WCBC that passersby can see the changes taking place…     “If you drive by down there now, you’ll see four or five of Belt’s trucks, a few of Walter Yoder’s trucks and, I haven’t been in, but just by driving by you can see that they’re really starting to…

Maryland Delegate Nino Mangione has introduced House Bill 85, the Rachel Morin Act. Named after the mother of five who was raped and killed by an illegal immigrant with a criminal record, Mangione wants to make sure cities and counties cooperate fully with immigrations officials to remove dangerous individuals…    “HB 85 takes two important steps. It prohibits a county or municipality from enacting or enforcing a sanctuary policy. It also requires a county or municipality to fully cooperate with ICE, the federal immigration authorities, regarding any individual unlawfully present."

The 911 Joint Communications Center is currently experiencing intermittent phone issues. In some cases, callers can hear 911 operators, but the operators cannot hear the callers. This is not affecting every call, but if it happens to you, 911 staff will reach out via text messages immediately to assist. Verizon is working to resolve the issue. DO NOT hesitate to call 911 in an emergency. Operators are actively monitorinig and responding as quickly as possible.

We are now ending the first full week of the 2025 legislative session.  This session is a little different for the committee process.  Each bill heard in committee will have a public hearing at least one day before amending or voting on the bill.  This makes the process more transparent.  Ironically, the Democrats have been protesting this change of more transparency preferring the old method where only bills that someone requested a public hearing on got a public hearing.  Transparency is never a bad thing. One of the first items to pass the House was HCR 49, which I introduced…

On Sunday, February 23rd, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department responded to the area of Magruder St for the report of a disturbance. Upon arrival, officers contacted the caller who advised that a white male subject was running up and down the street, screaming and causing a disturbance. Officers had previously responded to multiple calls near the area of a similar nature, each time the male was located and advised to cease his disruptive behaviors. On this occasion, the subject was again located and as a result, Christopher Adam Johnston, 39, of Cumberland MD, was placed under arrest. He was taken…