State and county budgets for the next fiscal year are a moving target at this point, with little solid information to be had from Annapolis or Washington. For Allegany County, the budget situation is urgent due to steep increases in state mandated funding on top of an already lean budget.  Commissioner Bill Atkinson said more information needs to be made available to local citizens about potential taxing changes that affect their wallets…     “We need to do some more public hearings and let the folks know that the reason we’re raising these taxes is not because we want to…

Jokingly referred to as the “Freedom Of Leg Cramps” bill, legislation recently passed in Charleston that would allow motorcyclists to stand up while riding. Currently, standing is banned under law, but the bill says that as long as the rider is facing forward with feet on the pedals, it would be legal. Delegate Shawn Fluharty from Ohio County said more important business needs taken care of…     “If we lined up bills that did nothing for the State of West Virginia. Evel Knievel himself would struggle to make it over it. I mean this is insane. So, I’m standing…

A bill in the Maryland General Assembly may help unionization at state universities. The legislation would give faculty at Morgan State, St. Mary’s College, and the University of Maryland system the right to form a union. Another bill offers collective bargaining rights to graduate assistants at Maryland universities. Delegate Linda Foley, a Democrat from Montgomery County, says the legislation gives teachers at each university the freedom to decide…     “Just because they’re not doing manual labor or or you know working in a sweatshop so to speak, doesn’t mean that workers don’t have rights to collective bargaining or that…

Maryland’s Democratic leadership unveiled a revised spending plan with changes in taxes from Governor Moore’s original plan. Instead of doubling the standard tax deduction, a modest increase of 20% is proposed. A new 2% surcharge on capital gains income over $350,000 would generate $367 million. Senate President Bill Ferguson said that money would be used in two ways…     “Use the capital gains particularly for important investments in our transportation systems as well as to help our structural balance. What we do know is that the Trump tax cuts that are focused on billionaires is likely to help those…

On Saturday, March 22nd, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department arrested Robert Lewis Adams Jr, 58, of Cumberland MD. Adams was arrested on two active warrants issued by both the Allegany County District and Circuit Courts. A Circuit Court Bench Warrant alleged Adams violated the terms and conditions on his probation that stemmed from a previous CDS possession charge. A second arrest warrant, issued by the District Court, was in reference to an incident that occurred on December 15th, 2024 at a Park St business. During the incident, it was alleged that Adams had shoplifted numerous items from the store. He…

Congresswoman April McClain-Delaney joined her colleagues on Thursday in a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson calling for bipartisan negotiations for an upcoming Farm Bill.  According to the letter, the current bill proposes the elimination of $230 billion, which would threaten the Supplemental Nutrition Program, known as SNAP.  Congresswoman McClain-Delaney represents Maryland’s 6th District, which includes Allegany and Garrett Counties.  She notes that 1 in 10 households in her district use SNAP benefits to pay for groceries.

A Cumberland native has led his basketball team to a Maryland state title.  Mike Serpone, a 2000 graduate of Bishop Walsh, led North Point High School of Charles County to the 4A girls title with a 61-39 win over Western High School.  North Point finished the season with a 24-3 record.  Serpone has won over 300 games in his high school coaching career.

Princeton Street on the East Side of Cumberland will be closed between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday in order to replace two utility poles.  Signage will be in place to direct traffic.

A Grantsville woman has been charged with stealing money from the Northern Garrett Tri County basketball organization.  Misty Dawn Rollman is accused of stealing $21,000 over a two year period.

On March 21, 2025, Officers of the Cumberland Police Department served a Bench Warrant on Christopher Lynn Cage. The warrant was issued after Mr. Cage failed to appear for his original charge of CDS possession. Cage was transported to the Allegany County Detention Center for his initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner.   Arrested: Christopher Lynn Cage, age 38, Cumberland Maryland. Charge: CDS-Possession of Paraphernalia