On November 7, 2020, an officer on patrol in the area of Queen City Drive observed a vehicle commit multiple traffic violations.  The officer conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and made contact with the occupants inside.  Based on the officer’s observations, a K-9 was requested to conduct a free air sniff, which resulted in a positive alert.   A search was conducted and the officer located CDS paraphernalia, a quantity of heroin/Fentanyl packaged in a manner to indicate distribution, and a large sum of currency.  Based on the officer’s findings, Brian Wade Simmons Jr., 30 of Cumberland, MD and…

Allegany County Public Schools canceling all in-person instruction until further notice beginning today, as the rate of coronavirus infections among students and staff continues to rise. On Thursday, a decision will be made as to whether in-person education can resume next week. Late last week, school board members, including board president Tammy Fraley, anticipated that the reclosure of school buildings likely was imminent because of the unexpected surge of covid-19 cases in the Mountain Maryland region…. During the week of November 2nd, ACPS had more than 100 staff members who were unable to report to work due to COVID-related issues. 

The buyout of some Washington Street properties ultimately could be a solution to seeing a new bridge completed. Although bridges on Washington, Fayette and Cumberland streets are in varying states of closure and disrepair, it appears that the Washington Street span will be the most challenging to replace.  Mayor Ray Morriss, appearing on WCBC’s “Dave Norman Show” said city, county, state and federal representatives are in the process of examining options, including the concept of a prefabricated bridge. He said one sticking point centers on how new construction specifications would impact homes and properties in the vicinity of the bridge…

The chair of the search committee seeking the next executive director of the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce tells WCBC News the goal is to have someone in place by the end of the year, but the process is on a fast track. Longtime director Stu Czapski stepped down at the end of October to take a position as an economic development specialist with the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation. Search committee chair Jeff Oneal provided a status report to WCBC News…

The Allegany County Commissioners Thursday approved a bid award of $3.9 million to a Grantsville firm to begin significant renovations to the LaVale library.  The library, built in the 1980s, will have three new additions, including a community room, a reading room, and a new entrance. County Engineer Dan DeWitt presented an update on the project, which will be handled by Daystar Builders Construction…

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Salvation Army is starting its holiday push early this year, anticipating a greater need for services. In Western Maryland and parts of West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle, the Salvation Army served close to 3,800 people in 2019. If it were to see a similar increase as the Salvation Army is expecting nationally, that number would come close to 6,000 this year. Captain Ronnette Smith told the Cumberland City Council that there is concern the pandemic’s impact on the Red Kettle campaign could be devastating. In an effort to spotlight the needs during this holiday season,…

On November 6, 2020, The Cumberland Police Department executed a search and seizure warrant at a residence on Mechanic Street for the illegal sales and distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance. During the execution of the search and seizure warrant, officers located a quantity of heroin/Fentanyl, crack cocaine, and CDS paraphernalia. As a result of the search and seizure warrant, Michael Roy Lantz, 49 of Cumberland, MD, Jodi Nichole Talbott, 36 of Flintstone, MD, and Dianna Rae Wratchford, 41 of Cumberland, MD were taken into custody. Lantz, Talbott, and Wratchford were taken to the District Court Commissioner for their initial…

Photo by Bob Geary Hunters harvested 117 black bears despite challenging conditions during Maryland’s 17th annual black bear hunt. Official results have been compiled and reported by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources following the five-day hunt held Oct. 26-30 in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties. The largest bear taken weighed 537 pounds and was harvested in Frederick County by Wayne Harley of Taneytown. The average weight of harvested bears was 155 pounds.  Natural food shortages in the mountains of Western Maryland coupled with wet, windy weather conditions contributed to the challenges faced by bear hunters this year. “We are pleased with…

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will host a webinar Nov. 12 at 1 p.m. to provide an update and solicit public input for year three of the State Lakes Protection and Restoration Fund. The fund is providing $1 million annually for three years to protect and restore state-owned lakes.  During the webinar, the department will report on projects underway and accept input toward developing a budget for best use of funds for the coming year, in coordination with local governments, organizations, and citizens. The funds can be used for removing sediment, treating contaminated sediment, preventing the spread of invasive species, improving the…

Christmas is arriving in Allegany County as The House and Garden Club of Frostburg is helping to make Main Street festive for the holiday season In 1996, the club purchased 16 metal hayrack baskets from a company in England to brighten up Main Street lampposts. Members, merchants and other interested volunteers’ plant and maintain what now totals 58 lamppost flower baskets on Main, Center and Broadway in Frostburg plus 6 baskets at the WMSR Depot. The baskets are rarely empty. By the weekend before Thanksgiving, volunteers will fill them with pine and lights. Team leaders add bows when the baskets are…