The City of Cumberland Engineering Department, on behalf of Belt Paving, would like to notify the public that beginning on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, through Friday, July 7, 2023, paving will occur on the following streets:  Centre Street from Frederick Street to Market Street  Mechanic Street from Frederick Street to Market Street  Market Street from Centre Street to Mechanic Street  Polk Street from Centre Street to Hanover Street Adjacent Industrial Blvd  Hanover Street from Centre Street to Hanover Street Adjacent Industrial Blvd  Bedford Extended The road will be flagged during construction to route vehicles…

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced that legislation passed during the 2023 General Assembly will increase the price of hunting licenses and some associated stamps beginning with the 2023-24 hunting season. The existing structure and fees had been in place since 2002, and the price of a regular resident hunting license had remained unchanged for 35 years. “Updating our license fees was necessary for the department to continue to offer quality services to Maryland hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts,” Wildlife and Heritage Service Acting Director Karina Stonesifer said. “These funds are essential for managing the state’s wildlife and associated…

Although the weather wasn’t fully cooperative, a record crowd attended the Memorial Service for the Unborn on Saturday at Davis Memorial Church on Uhl Highway.  The annual event was moved to a new date this year to mark the first anniversary of the Dobbs-Jackson Decision which overturned Roe-V-Wade abortion law. The service was held at the Monument for the Unborn located in the church cemetery. The monument was erected in 2004.  Ed Taylor, Jr of the Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization contacted WCBC on Monday with a review of the program for the event and said it was good to see…

Maryland Realtors, a non-profit real estate association, is out with their May housing report.  Montgomery County leads the state in the median price of homes at $610,000.  Much more affordable are prices in Western Maryland -  $127,450 is the median price in Allegany County, sandwiched in between Garrett at $440,000 and Washington County at $372,000.  The Allegany County price is down 3.7% from May last year, but the county still ranks as one of the most affordable housing markets in the country.  WCBC spoke with Liz Rhodes of Coldwell Banker in Cumberland about the May market report that shows a…

A Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development grant for $25,000 has been awarded to the City of Cumberland for its Cumberland Main Street Revitalization Project.  The money comes through the Main Street Maryland program to assist communities to strengthen their economic potential.  With this grant money, the Downtown Development Commission will be able to produce a new thirty-second video for television as well as maintain membership in the Maryland Retailers Association which benefits all downtown businesses.  DDC Director Melinda Kelleher outlined how the grant money will be used for the downtown…

The McMullen Building downtown now has its anchor food establishment.  Garrett Eagan of CG Enterprises confirmed to WCBC this morning that D’Atri’s Pasta & Subs will be located on the corner of the building that has been undergoing a $3.2 million dollar refurbishment.  The Columbia Street location of D’Atri’s will remain open while the new downtown location will have 70 seats, a full-service bar and offer fast-casual fare.  The restaurant is slated to open in late 2023 in the former location of Murphy’s Department Store and most recently the Macy’s hiring center.   

On Monday, June 26th, 2023, The Cumberland City Police responded to the 400 block of Henderson Ave for the report of a violation of a protective order. Upon arrival, officers contacted Crandall, who had an active Protective Order prohibiting him from being at the residence. Crandall was also currently wanted on an active Arrest Warrant for an incident that occurred on June 23rd at the same residence. During that incident, it is alleged that Crandall had violated the same protective order and assaulted a victim inside the home. Crandall was taken before a District Court Commissioner for his Initial Appearance…

School Security is getting a boost for next year in Allegany County.  After approving the budget at the last school board meeting, Board Member Dave Bohn immediately asked for an amendment to the budget to add the money for security. The County Commissioners formally approved the School Board’s request for a transfer amount for hiring more school resource officers. School Board Chief Finance Officer Larry McKenzie told the board this amount is not additional funding but a transfer from the fund balance for the school board that needs commissioner approval…

When the public thinks of first responders, it is often of law enforcement or fire companies. But there are other personnel that respond to emergencies as well. EMS Clinicians are also responding to fires, car accidents, and other calls where they are possibly on the front line of a dangerous situation.  Now, they have an additional tool in their safety arsenal – body armor.  Emergency Management Services Director Jim Pyles explains that the recent purchase through grant money for safety personnel is keeping in line with escalating violence across the country…

Money from the Rocky Gap Fund has been awarded to three local businesses for projects that will benefit their operations and the community.  The money for the funding comes from revenue generated from Rocky Gap Casino’s slot machines.  The county receives 5.5% of that revenue and a portion of that must be awarded for capital requests.  Three businesses were chosen for funding – Basecamp Coffee, Locust Post Brewery, and Wheelzup Adventures.  Allegany County Administrator Jason Bennett said the businesses all work with Rocky Gap in some way so the choices were beneficial to both the county and Rocky Gap Casino…