Mayor Ray Morriss of Cumberland spoke with WCBC about Tuesday’s Mayor and Council meeting.  Among the items on the consent agenda were several grants for the city police department.  Mayor Morriss said the grants will be used for bike and foot patrols, pedestrian safety patrols in the fall, and for equipment to assist with reducing the number of open warrants, especially for violent crimes. The grant monies come from the Maryland Highway Safety Office, community grants and the Warrant Apprehension & Absconding Grant…

On Thursday, July 6th, 2023, The Cumberland City Police served a Criminal Summons on Michael Brian Chamberlain, 45, of Cumberland MD. The summons was in reference to an incident that occurred on June 30th at a residence in the 100 block of Gleason St. During that incident, it is alleged that Chamberlain stole multiple tools from the residence, having a total value in excess of $2000. Chamberlain was served the summons and released, pending trial in District Court. Arrested: Michael Brian Chamberlain            Age: 45 Charges: Theft $1500 to under $25000

Allegany County Emergency Services responding to a residential house fire yesterday evening around 7PM in the 300 block of Broadway Street.  Fire and EMS crews across the county responding to the multi alarm fire with Broadway Street command battling the blaze along with yesterday's heat and humidity. Four dogs were rescued from a second floor bedroom, no report of any serious injuries. The Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of this residential fire.

The rumor mill has been grinding about the Hunter Douglas factory property in Mexico Farms.  Hints that the building has been sold have been swirling but Allegany County Economic Director Jeff Barclay told WCBC that is not the case.  The building has not been sold but there has been interest in the property.  Barclay said that the property broker was showing the building to interested parties on Thursday.  Hunter Douglas has ceased operations at the facility. The building is 348,000 square feet, located on PPG Road in Mexico Farms. Factory operations have ceased at the facility. The building is 348,000…

Tonight marks another Friday After Five in the downtown area.  Mayor Ray Morriss took time to remind those wishing to come downtown for Queen City Funk and Soul that the setup is slightly different due to construction… The George Street parking garage is free for the first two hours and is located adjacent to the Friday After Five stage.

So far, the legalization of marijuana has not caused any issues in the City of Cumberland according to Police Chief Chuck Ternent.  The possession of cannabis became legal in Maryland on July 1, but Ternent says the local police are up to date on new policies dealing with the drug.  They have had training on what can and can’t be done when policing situations involving cannabis and Ternent says that so far, there have been no issues… Chief  Ternent also said there are certain issues involved with cannabis that they are concentrating on, including driving under the influence of cannabis as well…

The State of West Virginia announced over $2 million dollars in grants for treatment supervision programs.  The funds will be used to support the continued operation of substance abuse and behavioral programs throughout the state.  Included in the grants is $211,500 for Burlington United Methodist Family Services in Mineral County and $140,900 for the Berkeley County Council.

In 2019, Senator Mike McKay won special recognition as Oral Health Legislator of the Year as a State Delegate.  Now in 2023, he has once again received the recognition, this time serving on the Senate side of the General Assembly – the first legislator to do so. The Maryland Dental Action Coalition presented the award to the Senator in honor of his leadership, commitment, and resolve to improve the overall oral health of Marylanders.  Senator McKay reflected on the importance of bringing oral health opportunities to almost one million residents on Medicaid, saying that good oral health also creates good…

Liberty Street will be closed to thru traffic between Frederick Street and Pershing Street between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM on Friday, July 7th.  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.

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced he has joined a coalition of 26 states and cities in submitting a comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding its proposed greenhouse gas (GHG) and criteria pollutant standards for light- and medium-duty highway vehicles, model years 2027 through 2032, which include passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and vans. The transportation sector is the largest source of GHG emissions in the United States, with light-duty vehicles being the largest contributor within that sector. In addition, light- and medium-duty vehicles are a significant source of non-GHG pollutants that detrimentally…