On Wednesday, March 12th, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department arrested Maranda Chere Pearson, 27, of Cumberland MD. Pearson was arrested on an active Bench Warrant issued by the Allegany County District Court on February 19th, 2025. The warrant alleges Pearson failed to comply with an order of the court that stemmed from a previous theft charge. She was taken before a District Court Commissioner for an Initial Appearance where she was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center. She is currently being held without bond. At the time of her arrest, Pearson was also found to be in possession of…

Maryland’s sports wagering market completed its ninth-best month in February, generating over $6 million dollars in tax revenue to the state. The first 8 months of tax collections for FY2025 has surpassed the total of 2024 collections. Sports bettors in Maryland wagered $475.7 million dollars in bets in February and won $415.7 million dollars. The state had 11 mobile sports books and 13 retail locations operating in February. Tax revenues from wagers go to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Education Fund.

A large structure fire on First Avenue in Friendsville remains under investigation by the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s office.  The fire was discovered shortly after 3pm Monday afternoon and Accident Volunteer firefighters responded to the blaze. The occupant smelled smoke and found a blaze in the corner of their kitchen, called 911 and attempted to retrieve her dogs from the residence.  One dog was rescued from under a bed by firemen.  The estimated loss is $90,000.  The Fire Marshal is still investigating.

Cumberland’s Historic Preservation Commission met Wednesday afternoon at City Hall to review a request for public art on a privately-owned downtown building. Awesome Gifts and Collectibles located at 100 Baltimore Street owned by Jim Weir commissioned a local artist, Elijah Thane to develop and place a mural on the Baltimore Street and North Centre Street side of his building.  Based on federal, state and local guidelines the commission did not approve the mural facing Baltimore Street sighting that it would take away from the architectural design of the property and surrounding streetscape. The commission however did approve the mural on…

County residents have through March 17 to give feedback on the planned housing community at the former site of Allegany High School on Cumberland’s West Side. The plans were rolled out at the March 6 County Commissioner’s meeting and include single-family homes, town homes, and aging-in-place options. Feedback can be given through the county website. Commissioner Bill Atkinson tells WCBC that over 25 people have submitted their thoughts on the project…     “No real major issues have come up. Some things that we’ll be able to discuss at our public meeting when we have it. But, yeah, there’s been a…

The annual Hooley Pub Crawl will take plance in Downtown Cumberland this Saturday to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Beginning at Noon, 21 restaurants are participating with specials and entertainment throughout the day. One of the restaurants, Mezzo’s on South Centre Street, will have several bands performing, according to co-owner Bernie Nichols…    “We’re going to have bands like Dry Spell, Surrender Dorothy, and 28 Speedway. On the third floor, we’re going to have DJ Brian Roberson, and at the underground we’re going to have kind of like a chill area. We’ll have lots of seating, we’ll have bards down there,…

Allegany County Habitat for Humanity ReStore is holding a grand re-opening this Friday, beginning at 10am.  ReStore, on Lane Avenue in LaVale helps fund Allegany’s branch of Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit housing group working in local communities. Allegany’s ReStore originally opened in October but has moved to a larger space, according to Kathy Miller, president of the organization.  To celebrate, Friday will offer a fun Saint Patrick’s Day theme. “We’ll have things hidden through the store that will give discounts and gift certificates.  This is the only place I know that you can shop or donate and make someone’s…

The “mid-town” façade grant program still has enough money for one large project or a few small projects.  Last year, the City of Cumberland opened the opportunity for businesses located on North Centre Street and North Mechanic Street.  The grant program requires a dollar for dollar match from the business.  Historic Preservation Coordinator Ruth Davis-Rogers says many have taken advantage of the grants and a few more could also be helped…     “We have maybe 11 to 14,000 dollars left.  Because people are eligible only up to 10,000 dollars, we could pay for one large project or a few…

West Virginia lawmakers want to increase the length of prison sentences for serious crimes such as murder. But, justice advocates say it likely won’t serve as a deterrent but could cause overcrowding in the prison system. Senate Bill 136 is in the House for consideration. Ken Matthews with American Friends Services says extending sentences would pack prisons with more inmates waiting for conditional release…     “Increasing penalties for offenses will create an increase in the prison population that’s already overpopulated and create an increase in the aging population in the state, which is also overpopulated.”

The future of the Western Maryland Economic Development Fund, or the George Fund as its known, has support in high places in Annapolis.  Currently, bills are in the House and Senate to create annual appropriations to the fund through 2031.  House Minority Leader Jason Buckel tells WCBC the Western Maryland Delegation is optimistic…     “Even if we can’t guarantee the continued automatic ten million dollar a year funding, I can tell you that Governor Moore came to our committee on a separate bill – one of his administration bills – and he said very clearly in response to some…