On 7/11/2021 officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the 600 block of Bedford Street for a reported assault. Upon officers arrival they spoke with a victim who advised that Shantay Jessie had struck them in the face and bit them. Officers observed injuries consistent with an assault and subsequently placed Jessie under arrest. Officers continued their investigation and learned there was a second victim. That victim advised that during the assault Jessie had spit in their face. Jessie was taken before a District Court Commissioner where she was released on an unsecured $2,500 bond. Arrest: Shantay Lorraine Jessie,…

A single-vehicle accident closed a section of East Industrial Boulevard near 2nd Street in Cumberland for approximately 30 minutes on Sunday. No injuries were reported. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

It did not take long for the new executive director of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad to make an impression on the board of directors, staff and employees. The board announced last month that Wesley Heinz had been selected to head the local tourist train operation- essentially replacing John Garner who had held the position since the spring of 2016. Heinz, originally from Memphis, Tennessee, has served as the executive director of the Narrow Gauge Railroad & Museum Co. in Portland, Maine, which runs by steam locomotive. He participated in his first board meeting last week and according to City Councilman Eugene…

In order to continue to facilitate vaccination efforts in Allegany County and to better serve the community, UPMC Western Maryland is reminding the public that COVID-19 vaccines are available seven days a week at several UPMC Western Maryland urgent and primary care locations. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. Maryland Lt Governor Boyd Rutherford said although a return to normalcy has arrived- the pandemic has not ended and vaccinating every eligible Marylander remains the goal…  

Although the deadline to file to run for elected office in Maryland is more than 7 months away- speculation is already rampant in Allegany County- with a particular focus on the state senate seat currently held by George Edwards. Now 73, Edwards, a Republican, is currently serving in his 38th year in the General Assembly. He has talked openly in recent years about the possibility of retiring and he could make a decision as early as next month. If he does opt not to seek another term- there will be no shortage of potential interested candidates most notably Delegate Mike McKay and…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Friday that vaccinated teachers and students don't need to wear masks inside school buildings. The changes come amid a national vaccination campaign in which children as young as 12 are eligible to get shots, as well as a general decline in COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths. The nation's top public health agency is not advising schools to require shots for teachers and vaccine-eligible kids. And it's not offering guidance on how teachers can know which students are vaccinated or how parents will know which teachers are immunized.  Allegany County School Superintindent Jeff Blank…

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan recently announced Project Restore- and Cumberland’s Downtown Development Commission is looking to get the word out to local businesses who could benefit. The program will provide $25 million in economic incentives to businesses and developers to revitalize empty storefronts across the state- offering rental grants and sales tax relief to help offset some startup costs. Small businesses with 50 or fewer employees will be eligible for even more benefits.DDC executive director Melinda Kelleher…   

Congressman David McKinley, who represents West Virginia counties in our listening area, recently participated in an Energy Subcommittee panel discussion on the future of power generation and what cost the proposals might add to current electric bills on an annual basis. McKinley questioned a Biden Administration rep…  

The National Weather Service has posted a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Allegany, Garrett, Mineral,Bedford and Somerset Counties until 9 PM. Storms will approach from the west and could generate winds up to 65 mph and quarter sized hail. Monitor WCBC AM 1270 and FM 103.1 and Classic Hits 107.1 for warnings.

Cumberland Police Saturday responded to a business in the 100 block of S. Centre Street for a reported disturbance and a subject refusing to leave. Upon officers arrival they spoke with an employee who advised that Noah Charles Dicken was spitting food at patrons of the business and was advised to leave. The employee further advised that they told Dicken to leave the business and he refused. Officers advised Dicken that he needed to leave the business, but he continued to create a disturbance. Dicken was subsequently placed under arrest and later released on Criminal Citations.   Arrest: Noah Charles…