It was February of 2020 when the Western Maryland Health System officially merged into the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center hospital network and became UPMC Western Maryland. Now entering year three, UPMC Western Maryland President Michele Martz tells WCBC News that the benefits for the region are continuing to expand. One of the areas that has improved dramatically for the local health system has been the ability to work in collaboration with other regional UPMC systems in neighboring Pennsylvania facilities…

Allegany County Commissioner Jake Shade Thursday proposed a reduction in the income tax known as the piggyback tax. The piggy tax is essentially a local income tax that is  collected by the state and is remitted to the county. However, Commissioner Dave Caporale express some reservations…

There are three open seats up for election this year on the Allegany County Board of Education- and one of those will be wide open as only two of the three incumbents are seeking a return to office. As of today there are seven candidates who have filed headed by incumbents David Bohn and Robert Farrell. Others running include Janet Heavner; Lori Lepley; Keesha Marie McClellan; Meggin Miller and Linda Widmyer. Although Board member Deb Frank has announced that she will not seek another term- she says with the system finally recovering from the pandemic challenges and with unprecedented financial…

Demolition of the old Allegany High School on Sedgwick Street will begin this week, marking the beginning of the end for the structure which was a base for secondary education in Cumberland for 90 years. On Thursday, the county commissioners did a final walkthrough at the facility, which has been stripped of many items of historical significance by officials. One of the problems with an empty building is those entering it unlawfully. On Friday, Cumberland police arrested two 19 year olds and a juvenile, charging them with trespassing. The future of the property remains undetermined, as it sits in the…

On March 26th, 2022 the Cumberland Police were called to a residence on the 1000 block of E. Oldtown Rd for a report of an assault. Upon arrival officers contacted a male and a female victim. Both advised that Jeffrey Scott Ritchie, age 52 of Cumberland, MD had assaulted them inside the residence. Officers learned that Ritchie currently had a Protective Order against him, which prohibited him from being at the residence. Ritchie was placed under arrest and charged with two counts of Second Degree Assault, and Violation of a Protective Order. He was taken to Central Booking for his…

The Cumberland Police served two arrest warrants on Carl Spates Stallings Sr. age 60 of Cumberland, MD. Both warrants were for Failure to Appear for two separate court dates for original charges of Trespassing and Fail to Obey a Lawful Order. Stallings was taken to Central Booking for his initial appearance with the District Court Commissioner. He was held on $1,000 bond for each warrant.   Arrested: Carl Spates Stallings Sr Age: 60 Cumberland, MD Charges: Fail to Appear (x2)

The Cumberland Police served a Grand Jury Indictment Warrant on Carl Nelson Bohrer, age 46 of Cumberland, MD. The warrant charged Bohrer with CDS Possession Not Marijuana. He was taken to Central Booking where he is currently being held without bond.   Arrested: Carl Nelson Bohrer Age: 46 Cumberland, MD Charges: CDS Possession Not Marijuana  

The Cumberland Police Department has served a Criminal Summons on Jerica Brooke Weedon, age 30, of Cumberland, MD. The Summons charged Weedon with Second Degree Assault from an incident that occurred on March 22nd, 2022. She is currently awaiting trial in the matter.  

On Saturday morning at approximately 5:00 AM, Troopers from the Hagerstown Barrack responded to a motor vehicle collision westbound on I-68 at the 77 mile marker.  The first arriving Trooper located a tractor trailer off the roadway and overturned.  The driver and only occupant of the tractor trailer was pronounced deceased at the scene.  No other vehicles were involved in the collision.               Preliminary investigation revealed that the tractor trailer was traveling westbound on I-68 in the area of the 77 mile marker, Sandy Mile Road overpass, when the driver traveled off the right side of the roadway for…

Governor Larry Hogan today joined federal, state, and local elected officials for the Maryland Day Weekend celebration in Historic St. Mary’s City, which was the site of Maryland’s first capital. During the event, the governor was presented with the Cross Bottony award—the museum’s highest honor—for his many years of support for Historic St. Mary’s City. “The recognition of Maryland Day began in 1903 as a simple observance by school systems, but over the many years it has grown into something much bigger—a wonderful celebration of our state’s history, our culture, achievements, and traditions,” said Governor Hogan. “My hope is that…