Allegany County is receiving $16,500 in grant money through the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Greenspace Equity Program. The program benefits local governments working to enhance underserved communities. The Board of Public Works approved the funding, which will be used to restore the Barton Trail, including resurfacing, repairing walking bridges, clearing overgrowth and adding new site amenities.
Allegany County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to the 13000 block of Upper Georges Creek Road for the initial report of a disturbance. Deputies learned from a witness that a female was taken captive by her ex-boyfriend and fled the area. While Deputies were investigating the initial incident, a Trooper from the Maryland State Police Cumberland Barrack was patrolling Allegany County when they noticed a vehicle was traveling at speeds greater than reasonable and in a reckless manner. The Trooper conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and subsequently arrested the kidnapping suspect after a brief foot chase for DUI-related charges….
On Tuesday, June 24th, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department responded to a residence in the 300 block of Woodside Ave for the report of an assault. Before the officer's arrival on scene, they were advised that a victim had been taken to a local medical facility for multiple wounds caused by a knife. The victim advised that the male suspect was still at the home. Upon arrival at the residence, officers located the male suspect, who was observed to have blood on his clothing. The suspect, Jason Warren Allen Wormack, 38, was able to be taken into custody without incident….
On Tuesday, June 24th, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department responded to a residence in the 200 block of Seymour St for the report of an assault. Upon arrival on scene, officers contacted multiple victims and witnesses. During the investigation, it was discovered that a male subject had assaulted two subjects at the home. During the incident, it was alleged that he began to assault the subjects and then attempted to hold one of the victims underwater while in a small backyard pool. As a result, Donald Joseph Pryor, 58, of Cumberland MD, was placed under arrest. During the arrest process,…
Allegany County Public Schools teacher has been indicted on charges stemming from alleged sexual abuse of a minor, according to Maryland court documents. Derek Lindon Shank, band director at Mountain Ridge High School, was indicted June 18 by an Allegany County grand jury on a felony charge of sexual abuse of a minor and misdemeanor charges of second-degree assault and attempted sexual abuse in the fourth degree by a person in a position of authority. The alleged crimes occurred Dec. 1, 2023, according to the court case file information. Shank, 43, is awaiting trial after being presented the charges by…
UPDATE June 25 @ 3:20 a.m. Heidi Marie Studli has been located and returned home. Report June 11th and 16th, 2025. Heidi Marie Studli, 17, W/F, has been reported to the Cumberland Police Department as a missing/runaway juvenile. Studli was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt. She was last seen in the area of the 700 block of Maryland Ave in Cumberland at 3a.m. on 6/10/25. She is approximately 5'1" in height and weighs approximately 110 lbs. She also has shoulder-length black/red hair and blue eyes. If anyone has information on Powell's whereabouts, they are encouraged to contact the Cumberland…
For a change of scenery, the June interim meetings of the West Virginia Legislature were held off site. This time the location was Stonewall Resort State Park in Lewis County. These occasional off-site meetings give legislators the opportunity to see firsthand the issues and economic development projects their colleagues have discussed, and offer a welcome break from the politics of Charleston. The first meeting convened was that of the Joint Committee on Government and Finance, which serves as the leadership committee for the entire Legislature. A key presentation was given by Nicholas Preservati, Director of the West Virginia Office of…
Allegany County Sheriff's Deputies were working criminal enforcement on interstate 68 near Rocky Gap when they observed a vehicle traveling westbound at speeds close to 100 mph. Deputies were able to safely stop the vehicle and make contact with the driver and other occupants of the vehicle. During the traffic stop, Deputies observed indicators of possible drug trafficking and they were able to conduct a search of the vehicle which resulted in a large amount of illicit drugs, a handgun with the serial number removed, and money being recovered. Also, during the traffic stop, information was obtained that indicated the…
West Virginia’s meat and dairy industry may see a benefit from the spending bill being debated on Capitol Hill. If passed, the budget would include increase subsidies for meat and dairy industries – that’s the amount of money that producers receive through a federal price stabilization program. It would also expand the number of producers who are eligible for it, according to Andrew Decorlis with Farm Forward… “If you’re a meat and dairy company, your biggest input costs are feed and these programs are going to subsidize effectively the cost of producing those feed crops.”
