WCBC News has found that there are precedents for local governments taking over private water services in situations similar to what Bel Air residents are facing.  In Lake Wylie, South Carolina, York County government purchased Blue Granite Water System that shares the same parent company as Maryland Water Service. Negotiations for the sale took over a year, and cost the county $36 million dollars. York County Information Officer Greg Suskin told WCBC complaints had come in for some time…     “The company, Blue Granite, would go before the Public Service Commission about every two years on average and ask…

On Saturday, June 14th, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department arrested Jacob Allen Kasecamp, 39, of Cumberland, MD. Kasecamp was arrested on an active Bench Warrant issued by the Allegany County District Court on June 12th, 2025. The warrant alleges that Kasecamp violated the terms and conditions of probation that had been placed upon him due to a previous conviction for possession of a controlled substance. Kasecamp was taken before a District Court Commissioner for an Initial Appearance, where he was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center. He is currently being held without bond. ARRESTED -  Jacob Allen Kasecamp,   …

Olivera (Olja) J. Finn, Ph.D., a distinguished professor of immunology and surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center was presented with the 2025 PNC Elsie Hillman Distinguished Scholar Award for her decades of research in immunology and groundbreaking work on developing a vaccine to prevent several human cancers, including breast cancer.    The PNC Elsie Hillman award, now in its 14th year, honors advancements in cancer research and treatment and recognizes those who support these efforts at UPMC Hillman, the region’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. The award was presented at…

The Mayor and City Council of Cumberland will meet in public session beginning at 4:00 p.m. in the 2nd floor Conference Room of City Hall on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 for the purpose of immediately closing the meeting to discuss an update regarding the Collective Bargaining Agreement with AFSCME  Authority to close the session is provided by Section 3-305(b)(9) of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The Open Work Session will then begin at 4:30 p.m. in the 2nd floor Conference Room. The Mayor and City Council's regularly scheduled Public Meeting will be held at 6:15…

National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for portions of western Maryland, including the following areas, Central and Eastern Allegany, Eastern Garrett, Extreme Western Allegany and Western Garrett, Virginia, including the following areas, Albemarle, Augusta, Central Virginia Blue Ridge, Eastern Highland, Nelson, Rockingham and Western Highland, and eastern West Virginia, including the following areas, Eastern Grant, Eastern Mineral, Eastern Pendleton, Hardy, Western Grant, Western Mineral and Western Pendleton from noon today through this evening. Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks….

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Allegany County Joint Communications Center reporting this morning that Westernport Road, Route 135 just outside of Westernport closed in both directions due to landslide. Maryland State Highway Administration and community Fire Department presently on scene.

Maryland Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman issued the following statement today in response to the deadly politically-motivated shootings that targeted two lawmakers in Minnesota: “My heart is broken for and my thoughts are with the victims of the politically-motivated shootings in Minnesota, their loved ones, and the communities they represented. I am also thinking of all my fellow lawmakers in Minnesota, some of whom I know from my time working for the late Senator Paul Wellstone. This act is both devastating and horrific. “Running for office takes bravery in a battle of ideas. It should never take bravery in the face of…

Governor Patrick Morrisey has signed proclamations recognizing June 14th, 2025 as the U.S. Army’s 250th Birthday and Flag Day. On June 14, 1775, the Continental Congress authorized the formation of the Continental Army to fight for independence in the Revolutionary War. Two years later, in 1777, the Second Continental Congress adopted the original Flag of the United States. The State of West Virginia honors this day and commemorates those who have served their country and sacrificed so much for the ideals represented by the Flag of the United States.

On Saturday, June 14th, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department responded to a business in the 30 block of Queen City Dr for the report of a theft. Upon arrival, officers contacted store employees who advised that a male subject had attempted to leave the property without paying for a charcoal grill. Officers were able to stop and identify the suspect, Robert Michael Bridges, 48, of Cumberland, MD. As a result, Bridges was issued a Criminal Citation for theft and released, pending trial in District Court.  ARRESTED -  Robert Michael Bridges,     W/F 48 yo CHARGES – Theft less than $100.