On Thursday, November 27, 2025, at approximately 1:36 am, Officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a business in the area of Pershing Street for the report of a large fight in progress. Upon the Officers' arrival, they were able to locate a victim of the assault needing medical attention. While completing the investigation, two subjects, Erwin McCary Jr. and Gregory Bender, were placed under arrest for their actions during the incident. The area was cleared out, and Officers canvassed the scene for other suspects. The investigation is currently ongoing, and anyone with information related to the case is…

The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad is offering free shuttle bus rides on Saturdays and Sundays during the Polar Express season. Wes Heinz, Executive Director says the shuttle will continuously run from the train station, up Baltimore Street, and back around with several stops along the way…     “We’re gonna stop at the Christmas tree, we’re gonna stop at the Rosenbaum, and then circle back past the parking deck there near the Ramada Inn. We’re gonna just be running in that circle – that way, people don’t have to walk all the way from the parking garage but even more…

This Saturday is Small Business Saturday – an annual nationwide event that takes place the weekend after Thanksgiving celebrations. Shop Small is a promotional move to support independent businesses. Shop owner Jennifer Johnson works with the Small Business Administration to promote the importance of the event for local business…   “It comes on the heels of fourth quarter. We’re trying to go out of our year stronger than when we came in and this gives us that extra boost. And it also is a day dedicate just for small businesses to tell people, hey, we’re here.”

The Canal Place Authority is hosting their second Celebration of Lights and Holiday Market on Saturday between 2 and 8pm at the Western Maryland Railroad Station. DeDe Richie, Canal Place Director, says the event will promote local vendors and feature their tree lighting…    “We have all kinds of vendors. We’re going to light our tree that evening at six o’clock. Businesses will be open. The train’s running. We’re hoping for good weather. I have no idea what it’s going to be like this weekend, but anybody that can show up, show their support, it would be greatly appreciated.”

Ashli Workman, Director of Tourism for the county, spoke at the recent River Park Project update saying outdoor recreation is a major U.S. economic engine.  Outdoor recreation makes up $374 billion of the GDP, making it three times larger than oil and gas extraction and one of the fastest growing sectors in the country…   “Regions that invest in outdoor assets consistently see small business growth, better business, attraction, better talent attraction, and overall higher quality of life metrics.  When we say outdoor recreation represents 2.3% of the U.S. economy, about $1.2 trillion, it’s bigger than agriculture, bigger than utilities…

Governor Morrisey issued the following statement on the passing of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, :A few moments ago, Specialist Sarah Beckstrom passed away from the injuries sustained during yesterday’s horrific shooting. This is not the result we hoped for, but it is the result we all feared. Sarah served with courage, extraordinary resolve, and an unwavering sense of duty to her state and to her nation. She answered the call to serve, stepped forward willingly, and carried out her mission with the strength and character that define the very best of the West Virginia National Guard. Today, we honor her bravery…

Data analyst company Adobe is predicting shoppers will spend over 250 billion dollars online this holiday season. That would be a 6.3% increase over last year. Lead Insights Analyst for Adobe, Vivek Pandya, says that includes the big shopping days, like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and most shopping is expected to happen on people's phones… We're anticipating about 14.2 billion dollars to be spent on Cyber Monday. Black Friday we'll see about 11.7 billion dollars. When we think about the earlier spending, that applies on a micro level to that Thanksgiving week.

The Vatican's first American Pope has a Thanksgiving message. Pope Leo XIV said he was thankful for many things, urged everyone to recognize the blessings they have whether they practice a faith or not – and to share that gratitude. Leo will spend his first Thanksgiving as pope in Turkiye then Lebanon. It’s his first foreign tour as the head of the Catholic Church…     “Say thank you to someone, to recognize that we all have received so may gifts, first and foremost, the gift of life, the gift of faith, the gift of unity.”

On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, Officers of the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Andrew Seifert. The summons was issued as a result of a citizen complaint. On November 22, 2025, Seifert was observed defecating in a public place. Officers searched the area for Seifert but were not able to immediately locate him. Once the summons was issued.  Seifert was located and served with the summons. He was released pending his trial at the Allegany County District Court. ARRESTED: Andrew Jeremiah Seifert    AGE: 46       Cumberland, Maryland CHARGES: Indecent Exposure, Public Urination/Defecation.

Downtown Cumberland’s Christmas tree lighting will take place on Friday night. Several temporary traffic closures will be in place for the event. Traffic changes will be in effect from 3pm to Midnight. Baltimore, Centre, Liberty, and Bedford Streets will be closed for the evening to allow for the holiday parade and tree-lighting ceremony. Traffic will be temporarily halted on Frederick Street while the parade progresses to Liberty Street.