The City of Cumberland presented Life Saving Awards to five fire department members for their response in an emergency call at Constitution Park. Doug Heinz suffered a heart attack while visiting the park and Mayor Ray Morriss related that UPMC’s Dr. Mark Nelson said the crew from the Cumberland Fire Department played a key role in saving his life…     “Within six minutes of call, the crew was there and were able to resuscitate and help save this man’s life. Dr. Nelson, actually, gave a lot of credit to the group that had been there and participated in the…

The state of West Virginia set a new record for returning lost funds to residents, with nearly $40.6 million dollars’ worth of unclaimed property returned in fiscal year 2025. State Treasurer Larry Pack announced that almost 21,000 claims were paid out covering 65,000 pieces of property. Since 1967, the unclaimed property program has returned over $350 million to rightful owners. The state database lists more than $475 million dollars’ worth of property to be claimed.

Congresswoman April McClain Delaney has launched the bipartisan Congressional Deafblind Caucus. Led by Delaney, the group is comprised of 12 founding members promoting legislation addressing the needs of individuals who are both deaf and blind. Delaney says the deafblind community is especially in need in Maryland…   “It is so important to advocate and to show up for our different communities across this country, and I am thrilled to be an advocate for the deafblind community because it is such a rich community within the state of Maryland.”

Maryland Governor Wes Moore has been elected as vice-chair for the National Governors Association – a bipartisan national group of state governors.  He will serve alongside Republican Governor Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma before taking over as chair in 2026.  Moore said he is looking forward to working on bipartisan projects for policy solutions…      “We’re thankful that we were selected by our peers to serve in these roles because we believe that the best solutions for the people of our individual jurisdictions mean identifying best practices that are taking place all over the country -  and making sure that…

On Tuesday, July 29, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Stephanie Oakes.  The summons was issued as the result of an incident that was reported to the Cumberland Police on July 26, 2025.  The alleged victim claimed that Stephanie Oakes violated an active peace order that she had against her.  After further investigation, police filed for charges against Oakes at the District Court of Allegany County.  Oakes was released pending trial.  ARRESTED:  Stephanie Lynn Oakes      AGE:  48       Cumberland, MD CHARGES:  Peace Order: Fail to Comply CRIMINAL SUMMONS SERVED On Tuesday, July 29,…

A Morgan County Sheriff’s deputy was shot four times while responding to a break-in at a Berkeley Springs home. Deputy Bradley Mechem responded early Saturday morning to a home where Melvin Gallion, a Flintstone resident, illegally entered a home. Gallion had also shot two dogs before firing on the deputy. Officers shot Gallion who was transported for treatment. Gallion has been charged with two counts of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer.  He was previously convicted of negligent manslaughter in 2013.

Housing prices continue to be a challenge in Maryland with many renters paying nearly 50% of their income on housing. Prospective home buyers face similar issues as prices climb in the suburbs of Baltimore and Hagerstown as well as the Eastern Shore. Alex Hermann of the Joint Center for Housing Studies says multiple factors are making it more difficult to buy a house…     “The combination of high home prices and high interest rates make the market mostly unaffordable for many buyers. Maryland is a leader on looking to boost the housing supply. That’s the number one thing you…

Aging baby-boomers are entering their retirement years, many unprepared for the transition to social security and Medicare. Recently, Nevin Hersch of American Insurance Center spoke with WCBC about how they can help people who are looking at retirement in a year or so….    “They’re retiring in a year or they’re going on Medicare in a year and they’re not sure if they should be worrying about things – we usually can sit them down, go through the basics of Medicare, sort of give them some general ideas of what costs look like, what coverage looks like.” He said they…

Update August 1 at 304a.m.  The missing juvenile, Arrian George, that was previously reported missing has been located safely.  Report July 29 at 6:15 p.m.  Cumberland Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing juvenile, A'Rrian George. George is a 14 year-old Bi-racial male, approximately 5 feet, 11 inches tall and 170 pounds. He was last seen in the area of Weber Street Cumberland, MD on July 29, 2025 at approximately 4:50 pm. Anyone with information as to his whereabouts is asked to call the Cumberland Police Department at 301-777-1600. Callers can remain anonymous.

National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory from 11 AM this morning to 8 PM this evening for portions of north central and western Maryland, northwest and western Virginia, and eastern and panhandle West Virginia. Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat…