The leak last week that the Supreme Court is considering reversing Roe V Wade has catapulted the always controversial abortion issue to the top of the charts when it comes to hot button election year issues. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, who has been positioning himself for a run at the White House in 2024, publicly has taken a measured approach to most abortion debates or issues in the state, balancing his personal beliefs with the will of the people. In a recent interview he expressed regret that the Republican party is making this an issue…

The Allegany Museum Crossroads of America exhibit opened Friday. The permanent exhibit is opened Tuesday–Sunday 1PM-4PM and Saturday 10AM-4PM. It displays the first artificial intelligence age regression technology to create a stunning 3D recreation of George Washington as a teenager and also as President during the Whiskey Rebellion. The exhibit showcases Washington's tenure in the area as well as the regions rich history as the gateway to the West. Chris Logsdon, President of Board of Directors for the Allegany Museum spoke with WCBC about the significances of Cumberland and the greater Allegany county region…

Mountain Thunder roared into the Western Maryland Rail Station in Cumberland just before 11 Friday morning- returning to full time service. Following seven years of restoration, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad board celebrated with an  inauguration ceremony for steam locomotive 1309- announcing that it will be running several times a week- and will be put to use at years end once again for  the popular Polar Express excursions. Scenic Railroad board chair Mike McKay… Much of the ceremony focused on Jack Showalter, the veteran railroader who moved to Cumberland with his family in the 1980’s and became the first operators…

June 7th is the final day of school for kids in the Allegany County Public School System- and despite having to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic- which included any number of spikes in the region- it was a relatively smooth year. Board of Education vice president Robert Farrell tells WCBC News that the system is continuing to address the learning loss that occurred during virtual learning +- but other than that- problems were relatively few. He said everyone played a part in successfully dealing with COVID, beginning with Superintendent Jeff Blank…

On May 7th, 2022, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the area of Queen City Drive and Henderson Avenue for a reported motor vehicle crash on the train tracks. Officers arrived on scene and observed a single vehicle to be stuck on the train tracks. Officers contacted the operator Chantel Knieriem, and observed evidence of impairment. After performing standardized field sobriety, the officer observed additional evidence that Knieriem was operating a motor vehicle while under the influence. Knieriem was placed under arrest and later released on citations. Arrest: Chantal Knieriem, age 37, Frostburg Maryland Charges: DUI and Traffic…

On May 6th, 2022 officers of the Cumberland Police Department served an Arrest Warrant on Samantha Louden. The Arrest Warrant was issued by the District Court stemming from a traffic stop in October of 2021 when she was operating an uninsured vehicle with a suspended license. Louden was taken before a District Court Commissioner where she was released on her own recognizance. Arrest: Samantha Jeanine Louden, age 30, Cumberland Maryland. Charge: Driving without a license, and Driving an uninsured vehicle. On May 6th, 2022 officers of the Cumberland Police Department served an Arrest Warrant on Daniel Walker. The Arrest Warrant…

On Saturday May 7th, 2022 officers of the Cumberland Police Department served an Arrest Warrant on Shannon Hewlin. The Arrest Warrant was issued by the District Court when Hewlin failed to appear for her trial on May 5th, 2022. Hewlin was taken before a District Court Commissioner where she was held on a $2,000 bond. Arrest: Shannon Lee Hewlin, age 38, Cumberland Maryland. Charge: Failure to Appear. On Saturday May 7th, 2022 officers of the Cumberland Police Department served an Arrest Warrant on Aaron Clevenger. The Arrest Warrant was issued by the District Court when Clevenger violated the conditions of his probation….

On Saturday May 7th, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the area of Baltimore Street and Liberty Street for a reported disturbance. Upon officer’s arrival they contacted Timothy Spiker in the area after having several contacts with him throughout the day. Contact was made with a witness to Spiker creating a disturbance, and Spiker was advised to leave the area. Spiker then continued to yell, and was advised by officers to discontinue creating a disturbance. Spiker refused to leave the area and was subsequently placed under arrest. Spiker was taken before a District Court Commissioner where he was…

CHARLESTON, WV – Gov. Jim Justice has declared a State of Emergency for Cabell, Putnam, and Roane counties due to heavy rainfall yesterday that caused significant local flooding. A severe rainstorm caused flooding, power outages, and road blockages across all three counties. Further severe rainstorms are expected in the coming days. The Governor has authorized the West Virginia Division of Emergency Management to support local counties and to use all State resources necessary. The State Emergency Operations Center is coordinating with officials in the declaration area to determine their needs. This State of Emergency will remain in effect for thirty days unless terminated by…

For the 7-day period of April 29 – May 5, 2022, Frost Elementary School had one classroom that met the definition of a Cohort Outbreak.  There were no schools that met the definition of a School Wide Outbreak of COVID-19. ACPS had 5 staff members and 6 students reported as positive for COVID-19 during this time.  ACPS had no staff members and 4 students quarantined as a close contact.