WCBC 1270AM keeps Cumberland area listeners informed on top news events 24 hours a day on the national and local levels.  The WCBC News team has come up with the top 12 local news stories that kept the attention of our audience this year… Our Top Story Of The Year – the Downtown Cumberland Renaissance – For 18 months, downtown Cumberland was a work zone – some would say a disaster zone – as crews from Triton Construction disassembled the work of late 1970s urban renewal in favor of reopening the downtown mall to one-way traffic.  The project has provided…

The budget crisis at Allegany County government has grown since the beginning of the fiscal year, currently running a deficit of over $3 million dollars.  A large chunk of that deficit has been in overtime for emergency services.  Interim Emergency Services Director Roger Bennett said personnel laid off earlier in the year are back at work as floaters, cutting the extreme overtime costs. County Administrator Jason Bennett also said that at least one rescue squad does not need county help now… “For the record, we did pull crews out of LaVale. It’s because of a good thing. It’s because LaVale…

Among the investments announced by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development this month is $175,000 in grant money from the Maryland Façade Improvement Program.   The money is earmarked for commercial business-fronts in the Virginia Avenue business corridor. Mayor Ray Morriss tells WCBC that now the downtown area is complete, it’s time to turn attention to other retail areas…    “As I’ve said for a while, that’s where we’re going next is Virginia Avenue to try to create that business district that was once in place over in the south end.”

Amid plummeting enrollment and financial crises, West Virginia is at the top of a nationwide trend of rural universities eliminating programs and majors. West Virginia University announced last fall that it’s slashing 28 undergraduate and graduate programs, including foreign languages and mathematics. Jon Marcus with the Hechinger Education report says cuts worsen barriers for rural communities and small towns trying to diversify their economies beyond agriculture or mining…     "There's a lot of potential to bring in new industries and new kinds of technologies and businesses and entrepreneurship, but many of those do require some kind of a college…

On Friday. December 27, 2024, Officers of the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Alexis Hall. The originating incident occurred on November 27, 2024. Officers responded to the 400 Block of Virginia Avenue for the report of a female breaking into a vehicle. When Officers arrived, they reviewed camera footage of Hall entering the vehicle. Once the investigation was completed, an application for charges was submitted to the Allegany District Court which yielded a criminal summons. Hall was served with the summons and released pending her trial. Arrest: Alexis Brianna Hall, Age 23, Cumberland, Maryland. Charges: Malicious Destruction…

On Thursday. December 26, 2024, Officers of the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Mark Tallman. The Allegany County District Court issued the warrant as a result of Tallman’s failure to comply with the conditions of his release. Tallman was taken before a District Court Commissioner where he was held without bond pending his trial.  Arrest: Mark Jonathon Tallman, Age 56, Cumberland, Maryland. Charge: Failure to Comply.    

On Wednesday, December 25, 2024, the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Christopher Weimer.  The summons was issued as the result of an incident that occurred on November 14, 2024 at approximately 8:23 AM when police responded to a business in the 300 block of Virginia Avenue for a destruction of property complaint.  The complainant reported that he was inside the business when he heard a loud bang at the rear of the building.  When he went to investigate, he observed damage to the door which appeared to have been caused by a rock.  After further investigation, a…

Vice President Kamala Harris recently visited Prince Georges County where she addressed a gathering of those youth participating in Maryland’s Service Year Option.  Along with Ameri-Corps volunteers, Service Year participants represent all 24 Maryland jurisdictions serving at 150 host sites statewide.  Harris told the attendees that many lives would be touched by their service and dedication… “It is noble work. It is an expression of optimism. And it is being verified to each of you every day. That the work you do that can lift people up has effect. It matters.”

The Cumberland City Police is seeking information about the death of Todd Adams, aka "Peg Leg."  Mr. Adams was known to frequent the downtown area and walked with a prosthetic leg. Adams was found deceased in the Frederick Street Parking garage early on Sunday, December 22.  Information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible may receive a reward of up to $1,500.00.  You may remain anonymous.   Contact Allegany County Crime Solvers at 301-722-4300 or allegany-mineralcountycrimesolvers.com or Cumberland Police at 301-777-1600.  

WCBC’s List of the Most Compelling People for 2024 has been finalized. These individuals or entities have had an influence on the area this past year. DR. WALTER BOWMAN – TEABOW RESIDENTIAL – Dr. Bowman came to Cumberland with the intention of reinvigorating several neighborhoods with new-build housing.  His construction teams are currently putting up new homes in South Cumberland with plans for other in-fill homes throughout the city.  He obtained the building lots through negotiations with the Cumberland Mayor and City Council. JASON BUCKEL – MARYLAND HOUSE MINORITY LEADER – Buckel has continued to provide leadership in Annapolis for the…