A Civil Rights group, the Caucus of African American Leaders has voted to present a resolution for slavery reparations to the State of Maryland.   The resolution will be presented in Annapolis next week and to the Governor in August.  Carl Snowden, convener of the caucus, said he is hoping the state will organize a committee to look into how best to move forward with reparations. Evanston, Illinois is proceeding with a program that will give 140 black families $25,000 for home repairs, down payments on property, and interest or late penalties on property in the city.  An advisory group in…

On July 16th, 2023 at approximately 4:30 am, Officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the 200 block of Columbia Street for a reported disturbance. Upon officer’s arrival they spoke with several individuals and advised them to discontinue creating a disturbance. The officers then remained in the area to prevent any further issues when they observed a physical altercation begin amongst the group. As officers separated the fight an officer was kicked by Makayla Sherman. The officers placed Sherman under arrest and continued their investigation. After speaking with other victims and witnesses it was learned that Sherman had continued…

On July 16th, 2023 at approximately 5:40 pm, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the 100 block of Springdale Street for a reported disturbance. Upon officer’s arrival they contacted Keri Donaldson, and learned she had an active Arrest Warrant for violation of probation. Donaldson was placed under arrest and a quantity of three different controlled dangerous substances were located during a subsequent search incident to arrest. Donaldson was taken before a District Court Commissioner where she was held on a $7,500 bond. Arrest: Keri Ann Donaldson, age 33 Cumberland Maryland. Charges: Violation of Probation, Three Counts of Possession…

North Centre Street will be closed to thru traffic between Union Street and Frederick Street from 6:00 AM on Monday, July 17th to 6:00 PM on Thursday, July 20th. 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. Pedestrian access will be maintained to all businesses on N. Centre Street during the closure.

Charles Myers, an Allegany County resident from Flintstone, addressed the Commissioners at their monthly meeting over permitting issues.  Myers says that a site he is working failed an inspection, but he has no evidence of the Megco inspector ever being on his property.  Myers said he checked a camera on his property and can see that no one entered or left the day of the failed inspection… County Administrator Jason Bennett says that the county uses third party inspectors and that the situation is being looked into for Mr. Myers…

The Allegany County Commissioners have again postponed their decision on granting a tax credit for AES Warrior Run.  The commissioners tabled the request from AES for the second straight month.  County Commissioner Bill Atkinson said talks are being planned with AES.

West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin will be one of the keynote speakers at a New Hampshire town hall event this week, sponsored by No Labels, a centrist political group.  He will be joined by former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman. No Labels is looking for an alternative candidate to be included in the presidential election cycle.  The group says they will back a third-party candidate if enough voters who do not want either President Joe Biden or former President Donald Trump in office. 

Friday’s 5:37AM jackhammer start to the day prompted noise complaints against Triton Construction from downtown residents.  City of Cumberland Engineer Matt Idleman said it was a special exemption and that construction equipment operating above 55 decibels is not allowed to start before 7AM… Idelman added that the city is trying to stick to the ordinances as much as possible and use a decibel meter on site to monitor sound levels…

Maryland has its first heat-related death of the year.  A 63-year old Cecil County man died as a result of the high temperatures and humidity that has been occurring across the state. The Maryland Department of Health reported the death in its Heat-Related Illness Surveillance Report.  Anyone can be a victim of heat-related illness. Maryland had 5 heat-related deaths in 2022. 

Join the cool cats Saturday, July 22, as the Downtown Cumberland Business Association continues the Alley Artists Summer Series. We're celebrating summer with live music every other Saturday in Merchants' Alley from 12 – 3 pm. Relax and enjoy the music and outdoor or indoor dining. Use the backdoors of the shops on Baltimore Street and do a little retail therapy. The music is free and so is the parking at Merchant's Alley on Saturdays July 22 The Rhythm Section from Surrender Dorothy