In a little more than a month, the downtown Cumberland Mall coud begin to resemble a war zone. City engineer Bobby Smith discussing some of the challenges that are expected to arise during the 18 month $15 million redesign of Baltimore Street. In addition to crews literally tearing up the mall- construction work will continue on the Baltimore Street Bridge. Business owners, residents and shoppers will all have any number of obstacles to deal including with including general  disruptions, possible delays, road closures and accessibility limitations. Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss…            

Maryland Governor Wes Moore is not backing down from his decision to cut funding to a scholarship program that provides low-income families opportunities to send their child to private schools instead of struggling schools. The BOOST Program is a $10 million program that offers scholarships to low-income families so they can take their students out of struggling schools and put them in private institutions. In his first budget proposal, Moore is seeking to cut $2 million from BOOST. Republicans argued Moore faced pressure from teacher’s unions to cut the program, noting historic opposition from the unions to voucher programs. House…

State Senator Mike Mckay tells WCBC News that a proposal to expand MARC train commuter service further west is gaining momentum. The Maryland Transit Administration has prepared  an online survey to find out how much interest there is in a Western Maryland line. It is all part of a  f of the Maryland Area Regional Commuter service to Hagerstown and possibly Cumberland- with that study expected to be completed this summer. MARC trains currently run from Brunswick, Md., to Martinsburg, W.Va., and Washington.  According to Mckay who has discussed the plan with the state’s transportation secretary, expanding MARC service would be transformative for…

With an estimated price tag in the $30 million range- Canal Place officials are continuing to communicate with local, state and federal officials to put together a funding package for a proposed river park along the Potomac River. The proposed park, estimated to cost roughly $30 million, includes installing a moderate whitewater course on the river behind Canal Place, along with docks for canoes and kayaks, walking trails and a viewing area. Dee Dee Ritchie, executive director of the Canal Place Preservation and Development Authority, believes there is momentum with in-person visits to the site late last year by Congressman…

More than 1,000 people took to the streets of Annapolis this week for the 44th annual "March for Life." WBAL reports organizers said this one took on a stronger meaning in a post-Roe v. Wade America. This year, organizers said there's a lot at stake here in Maryland with a controversial piece of legislation in the General Assembly. This is the first march since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade decision, allowing states to decide for themselves whether to legalize abortion. Abortion is still legal here in Maryland, but new legislation in the General Assembly would put…

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is co-leading a coalition of 22 states with Louisiana in an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in support of a broader right to religious accommodations in the workplace.   The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case, Groff v. DeJoy, on April 18. The outcome of the case holds much significance— the possible restoration of fuller protections for employee religious freedom in the workplace under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. A 1977 Supreme Court decision, Trans World Airlines v. Hardison, narrowed protections for religious liberty in the…

One of Gov. Wes Moore's nominees to serve on the state's Public Service Commission has withdrawn following criticism. Moore nominated Juan Alvarado, a senior official at the American Gas Association to serve on the PSC on Feb. 17. He had previously worked on the commission staff. WBAL reports Alvarado was criticized by some Democratic senators and environmental groups for what they said might be his lack of commitment to Moore's climate goals, which included a 100% clean energy by 2030. Alvareado released a statement on Tuesday in which he said "we have real and substantive challenges to meet Maryland's goals…

A late Monday night, three-alarm fire damaged a block of historic buildings in downtown Bedford. According to Bedford County 911 officials, crews were dispatched between 11:30 p.m. Monday and 4 a.m. Tuesday to 119 S. Juliana St., but flames spread to 115 Juliana St., while a fire alarm was triggered as far away as 109 S. Juliana St. The Cumberland Times News reported there are four buildings on the block and it was not immediately clear how many were damaged or their severity. But a Bedford County 911 dispatcher said an apartment building and an art gallery were involved. There…

Winds gusting to 55 mph prompted a wind advisory Tuesday by the National Weather Service for western Allegany County, Garrett County and the Potomac Highlands of West Virginia. The Cumberland Times News reports motorists in high profile vehicles were urged to be cautious of the high wind conditions that were expected to continue into early Tuesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. Power outages were expected in isolated areas as sustained winds in the 30 mph range could gust at times to more than 50 mph. At 8 a.m., more than two dozen residents were without electricity in the…

On Monday, February 27, 2023 at approximately 1:43 PM, an officer of the Cumberland Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Queen City Drive.  A Cumberland Police Department K-9 was requested.  A search was conducted and the operator, Chelsea Thomas, was found to be in possession of controlled dangerous substances.  A passenger, Gregory Robinette, was found to be in possession of CDS paraphernalia.  Thomas and Robinette were arrested and transported to police headquarters.  They were issued criminal citations and released pending trial. ARRESTED:  Chelsea Erin Thomas       AGE:  37            Cumberland, MD CHARGES:  CDS: Possession-Not Cannabis (x2) ARRESTED:  Gregory Shawn Robinette    AGE: …