On August 13th, 2023 officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the 400 block of Virginia Avenue for a reported disturbance. Upon officers arrival they observed Amanda Swauger to be acting in a disorderly manner. She was ordered to discontinue her actions and to refrain from causing any further disturbances. A short time later officers were dispatched to the ten block of Virginia Avenue for another disturbance involving Swauger. Upon officers arrival they observed Swauger to again be acting in a disorderly manner and was placed under arrest. During a subsequent search incident to arrest officers located items of…

Transportation came up as a challenge during the State of the County event held this week at Allegany College of Maryland. Developing ways for residents who would like to live in the region and work in the metro areas to the East were discussed.  Jason Bennett, County Administrator, reminded those in attendance of the study being done on the Marc Train’s possible expansion to the area… Bennett also discussed the status of construction at the Cumberland Regional Airport…

While most of the grant-sponsored renovations in Cumberland seem to come in the business sector, Ruth Davis-Rogers of the City’s Historic Preservation Commission was happy to share some news about residential rehabs using grant money as well.  During the Downtown Develop Commission’s monthly meeting, Rogers shared that two homes in the Washington Street Historic District are benefiting from grants received through the Maryland Historic Trust…

The plight of the homeless and how they are affecting Cumberland, specifically the downtown area, was discussed this week during a downtown stakeholder meeting.  John Buchanan of CBIZ said that he noticed someone was sleeping in front of the synagogue on South Centre Street and questioned what the city could be doing to address these increasing situations in the wake of the downtown’s redesign… City Council member Lauri Marchini said the city has been working on addressing the subject of the homeless for a long time, but it is difficult… Sandi Saville replied that what the City can and can’t…

Senator Joe Manchin still keeps beating the drum for an alternative candidate for the upcoming Presidential election but now he’s using a new word – independent.  In a recent interview, the West Virginia Senator spoke about the extremes in the two leading political parties and people in those parties who feel lost and left out… Democrat Manchin has been supportive of a third-party candidate if no one steps rises up to be a true challenger to President Biden or former President Trump. He has participated in the No Labels organization headed by Joe Lieberman, but when asked if he would…

The Allegany County Commissioners heard the preliminary recommendations for Open Space Funding at Thursday’s monthly meeting.  Commissioner Bill Atkinson was a guest on the Dave Norman program and spoke about the origins of the money for the program that comes through the Maryland Department of Natural Resources… Atkinson said that 17 of 18 projects that submitted requests for funding were accepted, enabling the County to spread the funding around the region to benefit the citizens.  Projects selected have to meet certain requirements to receive the Open Space Funds…

Horseracing’s Triple Crown may see a shift coming to its annual schedule.  Right now, the races are run over a 5- week period in May and June but there is now talk of stretching out that schedule.  Discussions are in progress that would move The Preakness to four weeks after the Kentucky Derby instead of two and then push the Belmont Stakes to a new date as well.  The main benefit would be to the horses that train and run in the races.  This past season, a rash of horse deaths raised concerns when eight horses died at Laurel Race…

On 8/13/2023 at approximately 7:50pm Deputies responded to the area of the Clarysville Motel for a robbery with a possible weapon. Deputies were advised that the suspect fled on foot into a wooded area near the motel. Deputies along with Frostburg City Police Department were able to quickly surround the area and were able to locate and arrest the suspect who was later identified as Ryan Lee Campbell, 30 years old, of Frostburg MD. Campbell is being charged with the following: Robbery Assault 2nd degree Theft under $100.00 Disorderly Conduct Campbell is currently being held at the Allegany County Detention…

Potomac Edison reports 80 customers without power from last night’s thunderstorm in Maryland and West Virgin reporting 1,537 affected customers Sunday morning. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued last night for Southwestern Allegany and Garrett County in MD and Grant and Mineral County in West Virginia. Severe thunderstorm impacted Piedmont with 70 mph wind gusts.

On August 12th, 2023 officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the 200 block of Springdale Street for a reported assault. Upon officers arrival they made contact with the victim who advised that James Lewis had struck them in the face several times with a closed fist. Officers observed evidence of the assault and placed Lewis under arrest. Lewis was taken before a District Court Commissioner where he was released on an unsecured personal bond of $2,500. Arrest: James Derik Lewis, age 36, Cumberland Maryland. Charge: Assault Second Degree