DelFest is back. After two years of cancellations as a result of COVID-19, the DelFest bluegrass and Americana music festival returns to it’s regular Memorial Day weekend at the Allegany County Fairgrounds. The four days of music will take place May 26-29 with headliners including Tyler Childers, Sam Bush and Robert Earl Keen and daily performances by The Del McCoury Band. Bluegrass legend and festival founder Del McCoury tells WCBC News he believes that it is the wide array of musical styles on stage at DelFest each year that that has people flocking from across the country to the Allegany…

WBAL reports the leaders of Maryland's General Assembly say eliminating the legislatively mandated gas tax increase will not reduce prices at the pump and will cost the state when it comes to road safety. In a joint statement released Wednesday, Senate President Bill Ferguson and House Speaker Adrienne Jones pushed back on the proposal to halt the gas tax hike amid calls from the governor, comptroller and the House Republican Caucus to act before the increase is set to take effect on July 1. Due to legislation passed by the General Assembly in 2013, the gas tax will increase from…

The City of Cumberland Engineering Department, on behalf of Belt Construction, would like to notify the public that water service will be shut down in the Decatur Heights region of the City on Thursday, May 26, 2022, from 7am – 11am, in order for the contractor to repair a portion of the existing system. Residents and businesses on the following streets are expected to be without water:   Decatur Street Baltimore Avenue from Front Street to Bellevue Davidson Street from Henderson Ave to Footer Place   Additional information will be released in the event the planned outage area needs to…

UPMC Western Maryland recently honored Tim McGraw, RN, as its 2022 Pinnacle award winner – its Employee of the Year.     Tim is a practice-based care manager in the Center for Clinical Resources and has 37 years of service at UPMC Western Maryland. He is recognized as an excellent nurse with unmatched compassion and uncommon problem-solving ability. “I strive to treat patients as I would my family,” Tim said. He shows patients empathy and compassion when they need it most. Taking the time to identify barriers and solve them is Tim’s forte. He connects with his patients and how they…

A West Virginia man pleaded guilty Monday to sending emails that threatened Dr. Anthony Fauci and former National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins, federal prosecutors in Maryland said. Thomas Patrick Connally Jr., 56, most recently of Snowshoe, West Virginia, pleaded guilty to making threats against a federal official, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron announced in a news release. Connally also admitted threatening former Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine, a Massachusetts public health official and a religious leader in New Jersey. Beginning in December 2020 and up to just days before being arrested…

Traffic somewhat delayed in the area of Braddock Road as a result of a motor vehicle accident on Interstate 68 West At Vocke Road in LaVale. Fire and emergency units are on the scene. 

On Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at approximately 8:55 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the 400 block of Arch Street in reference to an assault.  Upon their arrival, police contacted residents who reported that they were assaulted by Janice Lease.  Officers observed that the victims had sustained injuries.  Lease was placed under arrest and transported to Central Booking.  Lease was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and released on her personal recognizance.   ARRESTED:  Janice Lynn Lease        AGE:  62          Cumberland, MD CHARGE:  Assault-2nd Degree (x2)

On Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at approximately 5:50 PM, an officer of the Cumberland Police Department was on patrol on Frederick Street when he observed Shayna Fitzwater sitting on the steps of an apartment.  The officer knew Fitzwater to have an active warrant for her arrest.  The warrant had been issued as a result of Fitzwater failing to follow the conditions of her probation.  She was originally charged with Assault-2nd Degree. The officer approached Fitzwater, identified himself, and informed her that she was under arrest for the warrant.  Fitzwater immediately got up and walked away.  The officer followed her and…

It’s DelFest 2022 eve with the popular bluegrass and Americana music festival set to return  this Memorial Day weekend after a two year COVID hiatus.  DelFest week activities thus far have included the DelFest Academy and last night’s first ever DelVille Pub March in Downtown Cumberland.  WCBC was live on the streets and spoke with Stan Strickland of DelFest… The festival is set for Thursday through Sunday- once again at the Allegany County Fairgrounds. Thursday’s opening night lineup includes: the Del McCoury Band; Robert Earl Keen; Leftover Salmon; Anders Osborne; Jackie Greene; The Lil Smokies and Fireside Collective. The bluegrass…

Comptroller Peter Franchot Tuesday sent a letter to Governor Larry Hogan, Senate President Bill Ferguson and House Speaker Adrienne Jones urging them to convene a special session of the Maryland General Assembly to pass emergency legislation granting the Comptroller the authority to waive the 18% increase to the state gas tax, scheduled to be implemented on July 1. The Comptroller also called on the legislature to pass another state gas tax holiday through September 30, 2022, similar to the 30-day gas tax holiday adopted in March. At the request of the Governor, the Comptroller’s Office reviewed all available regulatory and legal powers…