On Sunday, May 23rd, 2021, The Cumberland City Police responded to a residence in the 200 block of Memorial Ave for a well-being check. Upon arrival, Officers contacted the resident who was visibly upset. The subject began to yell at officers and slammed the door of the residence, locking it behind themselves. Officers continued to try and communicate with the subject but they refused to answer the door again. The subject then appeared in a window where they then displayed a handgun to the officers on scene. Officers on scene then took cover and called for backup units to respond….

International Bluegrass Music Association 2020 Momentum Award nominee Colebrook Road will be the opening act for the Del McCoury Band’s free concert at Canal Place on Memorial Day. The five-piece band is based in Harrisburg. Their latest CD, “On Time” is available with the band recently releasing a single titled “Back to Where We’ve Been.” Because of COVID-19, Maryland officials decided not to authorize the traditional four-day DelFest event held annually at the Allegany County Fairgrounds on Memorial Day weekend. Instead, DelFest was rescheduled for Sept. 23-26 at the fairgrounds. 

The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad remains on schedule to kick off its 2021 season with Memorial Day weekend excursions. The scenic railroad has been shutdown since March 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it was announced in late April that the plan is for a reopening in stages to allow for the hire of additional staff while easing back into the routine of running what is viewed as the region’s premier tourist attraction. Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss is a member of the WMSRR board of directors…  

The Cumberland Economic Development Corporation, in close partnership with the Downtown Development Commission and The Western Maryland IT Center of Excellence, has formally announced the creation of a new training opportunity aimed to assist downtown Cumberland businesses in strengthening their online presence.  The program, named ‘Reimagine Your Business’, is intended to provide business owners with the tools and knowledge to modernize their online business platform and marketing strategies. DDC Executive Director Melinda Kelleher…  

The help wanted signs are everywhere. Companies are looking for workers in Allegany County with some offering more than the state’s minimum wage of $11.75 per hour. In Cumberland, employers, in a recent survey, identified finding people willing to work as their biggest issue in trying to bounce back from the pandemic. Without question, enhanced unemployment benefits are the main culprit in preventing people from returning to work.  Governor Larry Hogan’s recent decision to reinstate the pre-pandemic requirement that Marylanders who receive unemployment insurance benefits be actively searching for work- while viewed as a step in the right direction-  it falls short of what…

The Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council approved 27 new registered apprenticeship programs from March 2020 to March 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. These new apprenticeships are designed to expand opportunities for jobseekers by connecting them with high-wage jobs in traditional and non-traditional industries while supporting the workforce needs of local businesses. Apprenticeships are full-time careers that include on-the-job training and classroom instruction that allow apprentices to earn while they learn. Anyone 18 or older can be a registered apprentice, while high school students can pursue youth apprenticeships. James Rzepkowski is an Assistant Secretary with the Maryland Department of Labor…

Details concerning an incident that occurred on Wednesday have been released by Cumberland Police. 30 year old Nicholas Craig Moreland was asked to leave a Greene Street business when he allegedly threatened the owner with a knife. He was picked up early Sunday, and charged with assault, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct and marijuana possession.  

There is another retirement pending from a leadership position in the City of Cumberland. Fire Department Chief Donald Dunn will retire on July 1, and in the interim, Department Fire Marshal Shannon Adams will take over on an interim basis until the Mayor and City Council makes a permanent appointment to the position.

On Saturday, Cumberland Police served a Calvert County Circuit Court bench warrant on 36 year old Ernest Thomas Magruder III. The warrant was issued for failing to appear for trial on April 15th for not paying child support. Magruder was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center held without bond until he can been seen by a circuit court judge.

Karleigh Adams passed away yesterday. She would have been 13 on May 31st. Karleigh was struck by a vehicle on Route 36 Thursday afternoon, and thousands of local residents have been praying for her and her family. She was a student at Calvary Christian Academy, which confirmed her death on their Facebook page. We'll have the funeral arrangements when they become available