An ex-boyfriend is dead and a couple are hospitalized following a shooting in Somerset on Saturday.  A woman went to retrieve belongings from an old boyfriend when he and the woman’s new partner got into an altercation, resulting in the couple being shot. Both were transported to the hospital for treatment but law enforcement found the ex-boyfriend dead in the home’s basement from gunshot wounds.  The investigation is continuing.

“Operation Safe Online Summer” is being promoted by the Maryland State Police, urging the public to prioritize online safety for children as well as senior citizens. Parents are encouraged to monitor their children’s use of digital devices. Seniors are encouraged to use the internet with caution, especially when asked to furnish personal information.  This includes use of laptops, tablets, desktop computers and smart phones.

Maryland State Police Aviation Trooper 5 from Cumberland was called to Preston County, West Virginia the night of July 4th to rescue a driver hurt in a UTV rollover. Trooper 5 responded to an area near Cheat River around 8pm Friday night. The difficult terrain and remote location made the aerial hoist necessary.  The victim was secured, hoisted, and transported to Ruby Memorial Hospital for treatment.

A new report finds Maryland has made progress in providing in-school mental health services for students.  The mental health organization Inseparable says Maryland has improved the ratio of social workers to students, but could do more. Caitlin Hochul with Inseparable says providing mental health services in schools has major impacts on students and parents…     “You’re reducing the financial strain on parents. You’re reducing the need for reliable transportation. You don’t need to be taking a lot of time off of school to go travel to an appointment, so it really helps give kids the resources and tools they…

On Monday, July 7th, 2025, at approx. 2030 hours, the Cumberland Police Department responded to the area of Industrial Blvd and White Oak Ave for the report of a single vehicle crash with injury. Upon arrival on the scene, officers observed that a 2014 Jeep Patriot had left the roadway and struck a large metal sign post in the Burger King Parking lot. Officers then discovered that the 75-year-old male operator of the vehicle was not responsive. Officers removed the operator from the vehicle and began life-saving measures until emergency medical services could arrive. The operator was transported to UPMC…

In early June, Erie Insurance experienced an information security incident that they are continuing to resolve.  Local agent for Erie, Mark Shartiger, was on WCBC after the hack, assuring no personal information was lost…    “No network is safe. Erie had tremendous resources put in to the protection of this system. Fortunately, they were able to detect a malfunction very early in it. No data was lost or transferred.” Shartiger said the incident serves as a good reminder not to share any information online or on the phone unless you are sure of who you are speaking with…    …

FARMacy West Virginia, a state wide organization dedicated to serving West Virginia communities through healthy food-access initiatives has two locations this year – Pyramid Farm in Piedmont and Brookedale Farm in Keyser. FARMacy is a 15-week program to combat chronic disease and food insecurity by offering eligible participants weekly access to locally-grown produce and wellness education. Participants are referred by their primary care provider to receive food, education and exercise techniques.

Residents of Columbia Street in North End are working to follow the example of the Westside Neighborhood Association in efforts to improve their neighborhood within Cumberland. Max Green who heads up the Westside group is hopeful that with the renewed efforts of the Historic North End Association, Cumberland may revive more neighborhood organizations…    “If that association is able to get off the ground and get to the point where they have a good volunteer base that we could maybe come together with South End and then request  the City reinstate the Neighborhood Advisory Commission which I understand to be…

West Virginia now joins Maryland incorporating “Purple Alerts” into their public notification systems. Similar to Amber or Silver Alerts, Purple Alerts are for missing persons who have cognitive issues including brain injuries. Alerts go out when an individual is believed to be missing or in danger. Kristen Cusato of the Alzheimer’s Association says the alerts make the public more aware of people they may come across… “Six out of ten people who have Alzheimer’s will wander. It’s a brain disease that’s really causing an issue as far as them not being able to retrace their steps and not getting back…