The National Interagency Fire Center in Idaho has raised the nationwide fire preparedness level one step to level 4. Five is the highest level. The level is dictated by fuel, weather conditions, fire activity and firefighting resources available throughout the country. Maryland experiences an average of 125 wildfires each year. Recently, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said the U.S. Forest Service has hired 99% of its firefighter target to be ready for fire season.
On Tuesday, July 15, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department served three bench warrants on Stephanie Leatherman. The warrants were issued as the result of Leatherman failing to comply with court orders. Leatherman was originally charged with Theft less than $100 (x2), Con-Theft less than $100 (x2), Motor Veh/Unlawful Taking, and Unauthorized Removal of Motor Vehicle. She was arrested and later seen by a District Court Commissioner for a bond hearing. At the conclusion, Leatherman was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center without bond. ARRESTED: Stephanie Sue Leatherman AGE: 32 Cumberland, MD
Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen wants transparency in the child sex-trafficking investigations of Jeffrey Epstein, including evidence and co-conspirators. Following the Department of Justice release that Epstein died in prison by suicide and there is no so-called “client list,” Van Hollen told constituents he added an amendment to the Commerce, Justice, and Science appropriations bill which passed unanimously… “It requires the Department of Justice to preserve all the documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein cases and to report to Congress, answering very important questions about this case.”
Maryland Benefits One, a new mobile-friendly tool that will help eligible Marylanders apply for vital benefits including SNAP, WIC, and temporary housing help has officially launched in the state. Accessible through computer or smartphone at benefits.maryland.gov, Governor Wes Moore says in the first two weeks of the soft launch, there has already been outstanding results… “More than 22,000 Marylanders have completed the application. We have cut down the average application time by nearly a full hour. From 80 minutes for SNAP alone to 28 minutes for all benefits, all at once.
On 07/15/25 at 1040pm Officers with the Cumberland Police Department were dispatched to the first block of Pennsylvania Ave in reference to a home invasion robbery. Upon arrival officers contacted the victim who stated that an unknown male approximately 6'3 forced entry into their residence and demanded money. There were no injuries reported and the Cumberland Police Department is being assisted by the Combined County Criminal Investigations Unit. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cumberland Police Department at 301-777-1600, C3I at 301-777-0326, of the Allegany /Mineral County Crime Solvers at 301-722-4300. The investigation is ongoing at this time.
Cumberland City Police Department responding just before 11:00 p.m. Tuesday to Pennsylvania Avenue address in South Cumberland for home invasion. WCBC news has learned the investigation is ongoing by the Combined County Criminal Investigation unit. No additional information has been released.
On Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at approximately 10:51 AM, an officer of the Cumberland Police Department was patrolling the 700 block of Park Street when a store manager approached him and reported that a female suspect had just stolen merchandise from the business. The officer located the suspect, later identified as Neroli Mae, who was walking away from the area. Mae began to run away from the officer. The officer engaged in a short foot pursuit. Mae resisted arrest and after a brief struggle, she was taken into custody. Mae was transported to Central Booking and later seen by a…
The Cumberland Mayor and City Council announced the official retirement of Chief Chuck Ternent during last night’s City Council meeting. Ternent recently went on health-related leave, and it became known shortly after that he had been considering retirement for some time. In his place, Lt. Eric Bonner will remain as acting chief until a permanent replacement is found. Mayor Ray Morriss thanked Ternent for his many years of service… “We thank him for his 32 years of dedicated service to our community. He had a truly distinguished career, and we wish him well in his retirement.”
The effects of both the recently passed Trump spending bill and the increase in ICE activity against illegal immigrants is something that concerns Maryland’s State Comptroller. Recently, at a town hall hosted by Congresswoman April McClain Delaney, Brooke Lierman was asked what she thought was the worst part of the bill for Marylanders and she pointed to immigration… “It is really a theme of this administration that they are always looking for any tiny or big way to make people from other countries feel like we don’t want them. When in fact we are a nation of immigrants…
The filing deadline for upcoming elections in Allegany County isn’t until February, but already two people are running for county sheriff. One candidate, Rich Godlove, was a guest on WCBC recently to discuss his campaign. Godlove says he has worked for city police, the department of corrections and now for Allegany County schools. He says the position of Sheriff needs someone new… “It’s time for change. That position has been passed down for decades now. I don’t think there’s been a fresh set of eyes to come in and look at it in probably longer than I’ve been alive….
