The City of Cumberland Engineering Department, on behalf of Rommel Construction, would like to notify the public that N. Liberty Street will be closed to thru traffic between Frederick Street and Pershing Street from 6:00 AM and 4:00 PM on Tuesday, September 5th. Signage will be in place to detour passenger vehicles around the road closure. Pedestrian traffic will also be re-routed around the construction at the intersection with Baltimore Street. Additional information will be released in the event the closure duration needs to be extended. Thank you for your cooperation during this time. Please use caution in the area…

A Hampshire High School student was removed from classes on Wednesday after the FBI reported to the school that a threat had been made over SnapChat.  The threat involved the use of a sword that was discovered at the student’s home after a search warrant was obtained.  As the suspect is a juvenile, not further case information is being released. However, both the Sheriff’s Department and the Hampshire County Board of Education will be handling further disciplinary action pertaining to the matter.

Cumberland’s city-wide nuisance sweep is underway as code compliance officers conduct enforcement inspections on a street-by-street basis.  The sweep will continue for the next few months as officers check for nuisance violations, leaving either a code violation notice or a thank-you for keeping property up to standards.  Denise Adams, Citizen Service Representative, said the inspections should help to improve the appearance of the city and alert citizens to work that needs addressed…  

The Allegany County Sheriff’s Office and Maryland State Police – Barrack C have combined resources to target open and active warrants. As a result, the following individuals have been apprehended. Wednesday, August 30, 2023 Daniel Erwin Smith II, 33 of Cumberland was arrested on a Circuit Court Bench Warrant for Violation of Pre-Trial Release. His original charges include: CDS: Possession With Intent to Distribute: Narcotics, CDS Possession – Large Amount, and CDS: Possession – Not Cannabis. He is being held without bond at the Allegany County Detention Center. Thursday, August 31, 2023 Omar Mohammad Abraham, 40 of Baltimore, was arrested…

On August 31, 2023 an officer of the Cumberland Police Department conducted a traffic stop in the area of Queen City Blvd. The Officer made contact with the operator, Ashlie Rhodes. A K9 was requested and conducted a free air scan of the vehicle for the odor of drugs. As a result of the scan, a positive alert for the odor of drugs was indicated. A search of the vehicle was conducted and a bag of suspected Crack Cocaine was located. Rhodes was released on a criminal citation. Arrest: Ashlie Rhodes, age 29, Cumberland Maryland. Charges: Possession not marijuana. On…

Maryland’s Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller was a featured speaker at the 21st Annual Women’s Equality Day Luncheon, hosted by US Representative Steny Hoyer. The annual event held this year in College Park, commemorates the adoption of the 19th amendment giving women the right to vote.  Miller spoke of her climb through the political ranks as a woman and offered advice to other women in attendance in regards to equality…    

The Allegany County School system is part of a federal class-action suit with over 500 other school districts across the country.  The suit was filed against META, TikTok, SnapChat and other social media companies.  It alleges that the platforms have caused mental and emotional health issues among children and students.  These issues include higher proportions of anxiety, depression and thoughts of self-harm, body dissatisfaction, disordered eating behaviors, and low self-esteem.  Board President Bob Farrell said it made sense for the county to join in the suit…     The lawsuit seeks funding and staffing resources to mitigate costs school systems…

Governor Jim Justice announced the location of a new food packaging production facility for Martinsburg.  Justice made the announcement at the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce annual meeting at the Greenbrier Resort…     Treplar is testing a new generation of food packaging material that is 100% home compostable and plans to introduce a range of sustainable packaging solutions.

The cause of Wednesday’s fire at the former Galliker Dairy on Industrial Boulevard has been ruled accidental.  At approximately 12:16 Wednesday afternoon, Cumberland City Fire responded to the structure that is currently being renovated.  Contractors were on site using an acetylene torch to remove bolts which ignited combustible materials in the ceiling area. It took firefighters ten minutes to bring the fire under control. One construction worker sustained minor burns while trying to extinguish the fire.  Estimated loss is put at $10,000.

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education has a new commissioner.  Frostburg State University President, Dr. Ronald Nowaczyk has been appointed to serve a term that continues through December of 2029.  The Middle States Commission is an institutional agency that provides peer evaluation and accreditation for public and private universities. Dr. Nowaczyk said the work of the commission is crucial in the challenges higher education will face over the next several years.   Frostburg State is currently participating in a self-study in preparation for a 2025 visit from the Middle States Commission.