A Maryland measure that would give the state’s attorney general independent authority to prosecute police after investigating deaths, or injuries likely to result in death, when officers are involved moved forward in the state Senate on Tuesday. WBAL reports the bill would expand a part of a package of police reforms approved two years ago in response to concerns about police accountability after the death of George Floyd in Minnesota in 2020. The measure was given preliminary approval, and a Senate vote is expected later this week. The Independent Investigations Division was formed in the attorney general’s office to investigate…

On Monday, March 6th, 2023, The Cumberland City Police responded to an apartment complex in the 100 block of N. Mechanic St for the report of an assault. Upon arrival on scene, officers located a male victim with a large open wound to the head which required immediate medical assistance. The Cumberland Fire Department was called and the victim was transported to a medical facility for further medical treatment. During the investigation, Officers learned that the victim had been attacked with a blunt object after an argument had turned physical inside his apartment. As a result, Gregory Shawn Robinette, 44,…

On Monday, March 6th, 2023, The Cumberland City Police arrested Blair Wayne Braithwaite, 19, of Lonaconing Md. Braithwaite was arrested on an active arrest warrant issued by the Allegany County District Court for an incident that occurred on August 8th, 2022, in the 30 block of N. Liberty St. During that incident, it is alleged that Braithwaite, along with other individuals who have previously been charged in this case, assaulted a male victim and robbed them of personal property. That property was then allegedly destroyed and discarded by Braithwaite. He was taken before the District Court Commissioner for his Initial…

A busy work session agenda today for the Cumberland Mayor and City Council as the city officials will discuss allowing city residents to keep and maintain live chickens; and the council is expected to finalize   the sale of the 19 Frederick Street building. In recent months the City Council has had requests from several area residents who would like Cumberland to allow a limited number of hens to be kept within city limits. Currently, city law prohibits the practice. Although Mayor Ray Morriss has said that he would look at other Maryland jurisdictions to determine if a live chicken ownership…

Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s budget released in January named public education one of his top priorities- and if the General Assembly approves that budget as is- Allegany County’s school system will see a funding boost. The governor reaffirmed his commitment to continue funding the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, which he expects will go a long way toward improving public education. For starters, he plans to spend $8.8 billion on K-12 education. The governor then moved to explain why he's making such a large investment in education. Larry McKenzie, Allegany County School Board Chief Financial Officer, said he can’t project the…

Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said Sunday that he will not seek the Republican nomination for president in 2024, worried that his candidacy in a crowded primary could help former President Donald Trump clear the GOP field and win the nomination. After leaving office in January, Hogan said that he was seriously considering running for president. But on Sunday, the longtime Trump critic said that the stakes are too high to expand the GOP field as that actually might help Trump recapture the nomination. Hogan it called it the toughest decision of his political career… While there were a number of reasons that led…

Cumberland native Ian P. MacFawn will be part of a team planning to bike 2,114 miles across France this summer to raise money for Leukimia research. MacFawn and his teammates will ride all 21 stages of the Tour de France course with a goal to raise more than a million dollars…. Ian says he hopes his friends and neighbors from Cumberland will step up and make a donation… For more information you can go to the website www.justgiving.com/ipmacfawn 

Maryland’s six casinos in February weren’t as busy as a year ago, as measured by total gaming revenue from slots and table games. Maryland Lottery and Gaming reports total gaming revenue of $167.1 million — $5.9 million less than February 2022, or a 3.6% decline. MGM National Harbor had the smallest decline in February gaming revenue, down 0.4% to $65.6 million. Live! Casino & Hotel remains the state’s second-busiest with $55.7 million in February revenue, down 6.3%. The largest decline was at Baltimore’s Horseshoe Casino. Its $16.3 million in February gaming revenue was down 8.1% from a year earlier. Maryland’s…

Attorney General Brown will be joining a lawsuit challenging the current restrictions on prescribing and dispensing the medication abortion drug, Mifepristone. With efforts around the country to erect obstacles to accessing abortions, including the likelihood that a Texas court may soon attempt to deny access to Mifepristone nationwide, the Attorney General will join other states across the country in fighting back to protect access to this important medication. No person should be denied access to medication abortions, and depriving someone of this option will be especially devastating to overburdened and rural populations where other abortion services are more difficult to obtain.  …

Maryland’s Opioid Restitution Fund Advisory Council will be hosting a virtual public listening session on Wednesday, March 8, from noon–1 pm. The purpose of the session will be to give Maryland residents an opportunity to provide input regarding the use of prescription opioid legal settlement funds.   Marylanders are also invited to provide their ideas using the Advisory Councils public input form. More information on how to attend the event and to provide written feedback can be found at https://beforeitstoolate.maryland.gov/orf/.  The Opioid Restitution Fund (ORF) was created in 2019 to receive all money awarded at the state level in Maryland through…