No injuries were reported when a lone suspect brandished a handgun and robbed the Bank of Romney branch at Augusta early Wednesday afternoon, according to West Virginia State Police. The suspect, armed with a silver handgun, fled on foot after demanding money from tellers. A K-9 track of the suspect led to the rear parking lot of the nearby Nationwide Insurance business.The suspect was wearing a mask and gloves, a long-sleeve hoodie with hood up, sunglasses, ball cap, pants and shoes at the time of the 12:29 p.m. incident that was reported to authorities in a 911 call. The investigation…

The 25th anniversary edition of the Western Maryland Health System Foundation Golf Classic was held in mid-September at the Cumberland Country Club, raising nearly $180,000 to support patients and healthcare staff in need of special assistance.The event included a dinner, auction and two-flight golf tournament. In the morning flight, winners in the gross division:  Moran Coal with a score of 60, Fundamental with a score of 61, and UPMC Rehabilitation with a score of 62. In the net division, Cintas won with a score of 54, followed by Chemstar at 56 in a card-off with Western Maryland Dentistry.  Individual winners…

The Tribune-Democrat reports Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Lynn Thomas was arrested Wednesday and charged with raping a woman on Sept. 18 after showing up at her Windber Borough residence late that night, Pennsylvania State Police said. In a criminal complaint filed against him Wednesday, Thomas is accused of entering the woman’s home without permission after sending her a message on the social media app Snapchat. Thomas allegedly arrived with several cans of beer and became “agitated” after the woman rejected his advances, told him to leave and slapped him. Thomas then struck her in the face, grabbed her by…

The City of Cumberland Downtown Development Commission announces the installation of artist renderings around the downtown area to highlight the upcoming changes slated to take place during the Baltimore Street Revitalization project. Members of the public will find large renderings placed at the Liberty Street Plaza, on the Mall by the Town Center Fountain and at the corner of Baltimore and North Mechanic Streets. These designs will provide insight into the improvements and how these areas will appear at the conclusion of the project. Additional renderings are also displayed in the Rotunda at City Hall. Questions may be directed to…

The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a fire that occurred at Wendy’s Restaurant , National Highway in LaVale Tuesday evening at 6:39. One employee was checked on the scene for smoke inhalation but did not need to be transported. The fire began in a storage area with total damage estimated at $10,000. There was no smoke alarm present and the fire was discovered by an employee. 50 firefighters responded and the fire was under control in 15 minutes. The restaurant is temporarily closed and the investigation into the cause is ongoing.  Restaurant/employees  

On Wednesday September 22nd, 2021 officers of the Cumberland Police Department served an Arrest Warrant on Aerron Mykel Whetzel. The Arrest Warrant was issued by the District Court when stemming from a May 28th, 2021 incident in which a vehicle registration plate was stolen. An investigation was conducted and it was learned that Whetzel was using the registration plate on a different vehicle. Whetzel was taken before a District Court Commissioner where he was released on his own recognizance. Arrest: Aerron Mykel Whetzel, age 29, Fort Ashby West Virginia. Charges: Theft Less than $100, Rogue and Vagabond, and Tampering with…

There's growing concern about a nursing shortage in the state as hospitals are reportedly struggling to meet patients' needs. The president of the Maryland Nurses Association said this week that the trend is toward a critical nursing shortage in the state- while one nursing school dean said the shortage is the worst she has seen in the past 40 years. Nurses are stretched thin, stressed out and spent. Locally, UPMC Western Maryland, like the entire system, has implemented a program designed to incentivize nurses. Dr Rachel Sackrowitz… She said that the real solution lies with the general public- and their…

In the fall of 2019, Cumberland city officials began exploring options for a possible relocation of the Union Rescue Mission if a suitable alternate site could be found. Amid COVID-19 delays and the failure to find a suitable site- those talks ended last year. Now however talks have resumed and they are centered on 11 Columbia Street- a target location that is not being warmly received by residents there.  Cathy Robinson is president of the North End Crime Watch organization and a Columbia Street resident brought her concerns to the Mayor and City Council… Mayor Ray Morriss said that no final…

Had it not been for the latest surge in COVID-19 cases- tonight would have seen the start of DelFest 2021 at the Allegany County Fairgrounds.  Earlier this year it was decided to move the festival from Memorial Day weekend to the weekend of September 23-26. However COVID continues to create issues and the festival was forced to cancel- unable to staff the event. Bluegrass legend Del McCoury says he was greatly disappointed to see the event canceled for a second consecutive year- and he asked fans to be patient as every effort is being put into returning next Memorial Day…

Representative David Trone announced that four health centers within the Sixth District of Maryland received a total of $8,085,750 in American Rescue Plan funding that helped with the expansion of the COVID-19 vaccination and treatment operations. More than $8 million dollars is being split between four federal community health centers in Western Maryland including $1.6 million for the Western Maryland Healthcare Corporation in Oakland and more than $3 million for the Tri-State Community Health Center in Hancock. Allegany County’s vaccination rate is among the lowest in the state- some 20 points lower than the state average. Congressman Trone tells WCBC News…