The Downtown Development Commission (DDC) is pleased to announce the “Spring Into Cumberland” Window Decorating Contest, taking place from May 1st through June 5th. The contest will provide an opportunity for downtown businesses in the DDC primary and secondary districts and any nonprofits, schools and organizations to create a window display and be eligible for prizes. The contest will help to decrease vacant store-front windows, enhance existing business windows and provide promotion and awareness for businesses and community groups. There are 17 businesses and 11 organizations that are participating, all having windows at their business or organization location, unless otherwise noted. Participants include the following businesses: Ally B…

Governor Larry Hogan today announced the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP/Bureau), an agency of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, is moving forward with locating its new facility in Prince George’s County. The 104-acre site, located at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC), has been officially transferred to the Department of the Treasury, where it will house a new state-of-the-art and environmentally conscious production facility to print U.S. paper currency and other federal security products.  “Over the past three years, the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the state of Maryland have worked…

 The Independent Investigations Division of the Office of the Attorney General has identified the deceased individual and involved officers in the fatal police-involved shooting that occurred on April 25 in Somerset County.  The shooting occurred after officers contacted a man who matched the description of the suspect in a nearby armed robbery.   The decedent has been identified as 24-year-old William Robert Brink of Salisbury, Maryland.  The involved officers have been identified as Corporal Jason Dykes, Maryland State Trooper, a 17-year veteran currently assigned to the Criminal Enforcement Division; Sergeant Kevin Goepfert, Somerset County Sheriff’s Office, a 13-year veteran currently…

Nearly 400 UPMC physicians have been recognized as "Top Doctors" across more than 60 different specialties.The annually published Pittsburgh Magazine “Top Doctors” list is a selection of the region’s top physicians. UPMC doctors represent more than half of the physicians on the 2022 listing. The Top Doctors list is compiled by Castle Connolly and is entirely merit-based.  “UPMC believes the best medical care begins with having the very best clinical professionals. This recognition of our physicians across various specialties reflects our ongoing commitment to provide exceptional care that meets the diverse needs in the communities we serve,”said Joon S. Lee,…

An early morning fire in the basement of a two story row home in Westernport  has been ruled arson. Units responded to 527 Maryland Avenue just after 2 a.m. Wednesday and the fire was brought under control in  a matter of minutes. No significant damage was caused and no injuries reported. Potomac Fire Company #2 responded after a neighbor notified emergency services of the fire. The Maryland State Fire Marshals office preliminary ruling is arson and the investigation is ongoing.

On Monday, April 25, 2022 at approximately 9:58 PM, an officer of the Cumberland Police Department conducted a traffic stop on E. Offutt Street at Virginia Avenue.  The operator was identified as Randy Nelson Jr.  The officer observed signs of impairment and requested Nelson to exit the vehicle.  Nelson was uncooperative and kicked the officer.  Nelson resisted arrest and created a disturbance.  As officers were attempting to place Nelson in hand restraints, the passenger of the vehicle, Shannon Taylor, interfered with officers.  Taylor was also placed under arrest.     Nelson was seen by a District Court Commissioner who remanded him to…

On Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at approximately 9:41 AM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a residence in the first block of N. Chase Street for a disturbance.  Officers contacted the resident who advised that Dylan Hill was causing a disturbance and refusing to leave his residence.  After officers ordered Hill to leave, he walked away from the property.  A short time later, officers observed Hill return to the property.  Hill was then placed under arrest.  During the arrest, Hill resisted.  Hill was later seen by a District Court Commissioner who remanded him to the Allegany County Detention…

On Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at approximately 2:31 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a Baltimore Street residence for a CDS complaint.  Officers contacted the resident, Christopher Tabler, who allowed them to enter the residence.  Officers observed in plain view, a baggie of a suspected controlled dangerous substance.  Tabler advised that the CDS belonged to him.  Tabler was arrested and released on a criminal citation pending trial.   ARRESTED:  Christopher James Tabler             AGE:  32              Cumberland, MD CHARGES:  CDS Possession-Not Marijuana

The former Memorial Hospital site has been officially transferred to the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation with plans now centering on construction of a housing development. City officials approved the transfer at the most recent City Council meeting. The hospital was vacated in 2009 with the opening of a new hospital (now UPMC Western Maryland) on Willowbrook Road.  The former hospital structure was razed in 2015, leaving an 8-acre tract that includes a 300-space parking garage still intact at the south end of the property. Matt Miller, executive director of the CEDC, tells WCBC News that the property is prime for…

Western Maryland Scenic’s historic steam-powered locomotive 1309 will be inaugurated into regular service beginning next Friday, May 6 at 10:30 am. While No. 1309 has made multiple trips for special charters and a brief appearance during 2021’s holiday events, this debut into regular service is viewed as the crowning achievement of WMSR. After enduring seven years of restoration railroad officials and crew are ready to official unveil the very last steam engine built by Baldwin in 1949.  Railroad executive director Wes Heinz tells WCBC News that public is invited to the Cumberland Station located at Canal Place for the ceremony…