On Tuesday, January 28, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Dion Alves.  The warrant was issued as the result of Alves failing to appear in court.  He was originally charged with Driving Uninsured Vehicle.  Alves was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  He was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and released on his personal recognizance. ARRESTED:  Dion Anthony Alves                AGE:  53               Cumberland, MD CRIMINAL SUMMONS SERVED On Tuesday, January 28, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Darryl Harris.  The summons was issued as the result of an incident that occurred on November 4,…

At the first press conference of “Team Maryland,” the U.S. Senate and Congressional delegation, the main focus was on Maryland’s citizens who are federal employees. The Trump Administration has plans to reduce the number of government workers. Senator Kweisi Mfume says the plan to cut employees arbitrarily needs addressed by Democrats and Republicans and he is introducing legislation…     “It’s called the Saving Civil Service Act. This is really not a partisan issue. This is about men and women trying to earn a living for their families. And that to have an arbitrary situation where anybody can determine you…

Maryland residents who do not currently have health insurance will be able to sign up with the Maryland Healthcare Exchange while doing their tax returns.  A question on Maryland tax forms will allow persons to indicate they need insurance and they will receive information with the next steps to take, according to David Stewart of Western Maryland AHEC’s Health Insurance Connector Program… “If you don’t have insurance. If someone in your family on your tax household doesn’t have insurance, you can check those boxes. You will get a special enrollment period that allows you to enroll within 35 days of…

A HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM THURSDAY by the National Weather Service. West winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 65 mph. in Maryland, Extreme Western Allegany County. In Virginia, Western Highland County. In West Virginia, Western Grant, Western Mineral, and Western Pendleton Counties until 1AM  Thursday. Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Watch for falling debris and tree limbs. Use caution if…

A Frostburg woman faces arson charges after a grand jury handed up an indictment in connection with setting her estranged boyfriend's home on fire last October. Deputy State Fire Marshals arrested Heather Lynn Hutcheson, 43, this morning after a lengthy investigation concluded Hutcheson was responsible. On October 13, 2024, at around 1:15 p.m., the Shaft Fire Department and surrounding departments responded to 11205 Upper Georges Creek Road in Frostburg for a dwelling fire after a passerby reported seeing smoke coming from the house. Firefighters took nearly ten minutes to control the fire, and the Office of the State Fire Marshals…

On Monday, January 27, 2025 at approximately 10:44 AM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a business in the first block of N. Wineow Street for the report of a stolen motor vehicle in the parking lot. Police arrived and located the vehicle which was confirmed as stolen.  Officers contacted the staff who directed them to the suspects who were then detained. Police identified the suspects and after further investigation, they were placed under arrest and transported to Central Booking.  It was later learned that one of the arrestees who identified herself to police as Megan Duffy and…

17 local business owners and residents expressed concern about paid parking on Baltimore Street at the Cumberland Mayor and City Council’s public forum last night.  Each one agreed the revitalization of Baltimore Street has made downtown better on a number of levels, including more foot traffic in storefronts.  Larry Jackson, chair of the Downtown Development Commission said the revitalization of Baltimore Street is bringing the outcome it was intended to.  He also said it was not a parking project to begin with… “Maybe we need to let the cake bake a little bit before we go do anything harsh, because…

The Allegany County Library System is facing possible closure of three branches if there are cuts in county and state funding.  Library Director John Taube spoke with WCBC saying an advisory committee recommended closing the Georges Creek, Washington Street, and Westernport branches to sustain operations at the more active sites. Taube said there would be no decision until after April when the state budget is passed…    “The library board will look at everything they’ve done and all the various version of the backup budget and say this is the best plan for the money that we’ll be able to…

When the Allegany County Commissioners took a public vote at their meeting last week to fill the open county school board positions, the vote was 2 to 1 with Commissioner Bill Atkinson casting the dissenting opinion.  WCBC reached out to Atkinson to find out what was behind his negative vote and he said it was just a matter of time for him to make a decision…   “I was out of town and doing some other things. I didn’t quite have as much time as I would have liked to look through them and vet through them. That was the…

Interested women in the community may apply for membership with the Allegany County Commission for Women.  The commission is seeking members for several vacant positions on its board.  Members are appointed by the Allegany County Commissioners.  The Commission for Women is charged with identifying and addressing the challenges faced by women in economic, social, and political arenas. Commission chair Kimberley Foley says joining the group allows for personal and professional development.  More information is available at Alleganygov.org.