Cumberland’s Fire Chief will be continuing in his position for the coming three years. The Mayor and City Council approved an employment agreement with Shannon Adams at Tuesday’s meeting. The agreement has automatic one-year renewals and pays the chief $108,347 per year.  Chief Adams extended his thanks to the council for their support…     “I’d like to thank the Mayor and Council, Mr. Silka for the past three years of support in the fire department and support in myself as being the Fire Chief. And I do appreciate renewing my contract. Thank you for allowing me to be the…

The WCBC/Frostburg State University Student Salute program continues this year, with the opportunity for area high school seniors to have their accomplishments highlighted on the air. The Student Salute is a joint effort with the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce.  Juli McCoy, Chamber President and CEO says the program is available to students across the county… “Any high school senior that is in Allegany County Public Schools, Bishop Walsh, or Calvary Christian Academy are eligible to apply. That application be found on the Chamber’s website at alleganycountychamber.com under Programs, FSU/WCBC Student Salute.”

While the Blueprint for Maryland education plan intends to improve outcomes for students, it needs teachers to make it happen.  The state, along with other areas of the country, is dealing with teacher shortages.  Governor Wes Moore recently talked about the pause he would like to bring to rolling out certain aspects of the blueprint in order to get teachers into schools…     “We need to do the hard work of first strengthening the teacher pipeline before these other structures can work. Because it’s hard to have meaningful collaborative time for people when no one is even in the…

Although it isn’t under his authority, Mayor Ray Morriss was asked his thoughts on the open position with the Allegany County School Board when he was on the WCBC Dave Norman program.  County officials are currently reviewing applications to fill the spot of Bob Farrell who passed away in early December.  Morriss said he has heard a few names, but one stood out to him…     “I’ve heard a couple of names, but the main one I think I’ve heard is Linda Widmyer. I think Linda may be interested in that position. She’s been involved with the board of…

The Town of Piedmont has received $775,000 from the West Virginia Water Development Authority for construction of a groundwater well to serve as the town’s water source. Greg Harvey, Piedmont’s Water Commissioner said a matching grant from the West Virginia Infrastructure Jobs Development Council would cover the $1.5 million project.  Piedmont has been purchasing its water from Westernport. Harvey says the project will start soon…     “Hopefully, it will put our water situation to rest.  We hope it moves quickly and we hope to get started soon to getting the line laid.  Our well has been drilled and tested,…

On Wednesday, January 8, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Noiel Massey.  The warrant was issued as the result of Massey failing to comply with a court order.  He was originally charged with a DUI offense.  Massey was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  He was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center without bond. ARRESTED:  Noiel Massey                AGE:  50                Cumberland, MD  

Two Preston County health care workers have been charged in the death of a patient in Terra Alta.  Registered nurse Delilah Clyburn-Hill and certified nursing assistant Kylah Beard were charged with felony neglect of an incapacitated adult by a caregiver after leaving a 61 year old patient in a bathtub of scalding water at 134 degrees Fahrenheit for 47 minutes.  A typical bathtub temperature is around 100 degrees Fahrenheit.  Larry Hedrick was a nonverbal patient who died a week later in Pittsburgh.  The two health care workers are scheduled for an initial appearance in Preston County Magistrate Court on January…

The Cumberland Police Department continues to investigate the death of 42-year-old Todd Adams, who was found deceased in the parking garage at the corner of Frederick and Mechanic Streets in Cumberland on December 22, 2024. Todd was well-known in the community and often frequented the downtown area, particularly the services catering to the homeless population. He was known to travel on foot and was easily recognizable due to his prosthetic leg. Friends affectionately called him “Peg Leg.” Todd was last seen walking around the downtown area on Saturday, December 21, into the evening hours. He was discovered deceased early Sunday…

On Tuesday, January 7th, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department served a Criminal Summons on Cyrus James Turney, 24, of Frostburg MD. The summons was issued regarding an incident reported to police on December 7th, 2024.  On that date, it is alleged that Turney knowingly used forged currency to buy electronics from the victim, a private online seller. On this date, he was served the summons and released, pending trial in District Court. Name:    Cyrus James Turney                                 Age:   24 Charges:    Possess/Issue Forged Currency, Theft $100 to under $1500.    

Two Western Maryland women participated in the Miss America Pageant held over the weekend at Disney World in Orlando, Florida.  Miss Maryland, Bridget O’Brien, was Miss Allegany County before winning the state prize and moving on to the national pageant.  Zoe Zuzak of Frostburg was crowned Miss Maryland Teen in June.  Zuzak won the preliminary competition in evening gown for the teen class.  Miss Alabama, Abbie Stockard, was crowned Miss America.