The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Forest Conservancy District boards invite Maryland fifth graders to participate in the annual Arbor Day Poster Contest. The theme for 2023 is: “Trees Are Terrific … and Cool our Communities!” All entries must be delivered to a local Maryland Forest Service office by noon on Jan. 20. Students are encouraged to share their appreciation for Maryland’s forests and trees through original works of art. Poster size must be no smaller than 8.5 by 11 inches and no larger than 22 by 28 inches. Posters must be drawn in acrylic, crayon, ink, marker, paint…

The City of Cumberland and the Downtown Development Commission (DDC) invite everyone to the New Year’s Celebration, featuring the Annual Ball Drop and Fireworks Spectacular at midnight. Join us on the Downtown Mall on Saturday, December 31 beginning at 10:30 PM as DJ Jimmy Hook provides musical entertainment on the McCoury Stage. Mayor Raymond Morriss and City Council members will mingle as we prepare for the countdown to the Ball Drop at midnight. Immediately following the Ball Drop, the Fireworks Spectacular will begin over the downtown area. A special order from the Mayor and City Council will allow open containers (no glass) on the mall…

On Monday, December 26th, 2022, the Cumberland City Police arrested Anne Grove, 66, of Cumberland MD. Grove was arrested on an active Bench Warrant issued by the Allegany County District Court. The warrant alleged that Grove failed to appear in court on August 13th, 2021, on a previous charge of second degree assault. She was taken before the District Court Commissioner for her Initial Appearance where she was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center. She is currently being held on $2500 bond. Arrested: Anne Grove              Age: 66 Charges:  Bench Warrant – Failure to Appear On Monday, December 26th, 2022,…

Just a few months after a controversial plan to relocate the Union Rescue Mission to North Centre Street was made public, a community meeting has been scheduled to discuss and develop plans to help aid the impoverished population  in and around the Cumberland area.  The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January12th in the LaVale Library at 6:30 PM. Pastor David Ziler,  director of the mission, said the goal  to discuss plans and collect information to help develop a program that  works best for the community.  He says, current homeless, past homeless, community members, community leaders and the URM will  sit…

U.S. Congressman David Trone and U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen announced this week $97,600 to boost broadband services and support educational programming at the Evergreen Heritage Center (EHC) Foundation in Frostburg. The combined funding, with $48,800 made available through Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and $48,800 from the State of Maryland and Allegany County, will be used to create a smart outdoor classroom designed to deploy broadband services to the EHC facility and support students in Allegany County. Congressman Trone said this will provide a boost to the entire region…

The Cumberland Police Department is sad to announce the passing of Canine Officer VooDoo.  VooDoo passed away suddenly overnight as a result of an illness.  VooDoo Has been a faithful partner to Pfc. Trevor Baluch since April 2022.    VooDoo was a German Shepard who was trained in drug detection, tracking and article searches.  VooDoo did a lot of good work for our community and was instrumental in recovering contraband and solving crimes, making this community safer.  He will be missed.    

It is looking more and more like a town hall meeting of address business owners’ questions and concerns about the impact of the Baltimore Street renovation project will take place February 23rd at 6 p.m.. Matt Miller and Stu Czapski of the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation have been working with the Downtown Development Commission on the development of a mitigation plan for the project. Prior to the town hall session, business owners will be given hard copies outlining the plans for the renovations- and there will also be follow up contact…

Maryland voters overwhelmingly approved a referendum in November directing state lawmakers to establish rules and regulations governing the production and sale of cannabis to adults. While legalizing recreational marijuana received 67% percent of the vote and carried broad bipartisan support in the state- concerns linger for some- including outgoing Lt Governor Boyd Rutherford. Rutherford, a Republican, has headed the state’s Opioid and Heroin Emergency Task Force since 2015, views marijuana as a gateway drug…

An 82-year-old Cumberland man received an early Christmas miracle when he arrived for his shift at the LaVale Walmart on December 15th .  Walter S. “Butch” Marion reported to his usual post at register for duty at his usual post, register No. 4 and had a chance meeting with Rory McCarty of Cumberland. A brief chat eventually led to a viral video and a Go Fund Me account for Marion with donations exceeding $100,000 in just a few days. The fund was at more than $110,000 Christmas morning. The Cumberland Times News reports McCarty came to Walmart to purchase batteries…

The operator of the mid-Atlantic’s electricity grid has called on people to conserve electricity as the region continues to deal with weather-related outages and freezing temperatures. Potomac Edison said PJM Interconnection made the request because of high demand because of cold temperatures. PJM operates the electricity grid for about 65 million people in 13 states and the District of Columbia. Many area residents spent Christmas  without electricity after snow Thursday was followed by high winds, including more than 300 Potomac Edison customers in Allegany County; 275 in Garrett; 400 in Hampshire; 195 in Mineral; 150 in Grant and 200 in Hardy.