Recent requests to the City of Cumberland for a parade and car show were rejected; opening questions to how exactly the reimagined area should be used.  Mayor Ray Morriss told WCBC the City Council is looking at how to handle requests…     “The whole reason it was opened up was the businesses down there said we need access to our business so that was what actually first initiated the revitalization. But now we have to work our way through the process of how are we going to handle all of these requests and what’s the right entity to make…

A West Virginia bill regarding microgrids passed the house and is now in the senate.  The bill targets Data Center placement in the Mountain State, an investment wherein Governor Patrick Morrisey says they have the energy resources ready to sustain the centers…   “We want to be the state where it is easiest to operate these data centers in.  We want to take advantage of the unlimited energy resources that we have.  And yes, that is gas, but guys, that is also coal.  And there is a big opportunity for gas, for coal, to utilize our water resources.”

Mountain Trifecta Alliance is a new non-profit in Cumberland, aiming to support individuals dealing with chronic illnesses, specifically Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Because of personal experience with EDS, Heather Iser started the organization to support others dealing with the illness and may have to decide between medication and their next meal…     “I don’t want anyone else to have to deal with that, and I know there are a lot of people in our group that do deal with that. So, I want to be able to help financially if somebody gets stuck, because nobody should go without food because they…

The Maryland legislature and governor have agreed to increases in many fees in the state.  They include a 6% tax on all vending machine items, a $5 tax on every new tire, a cannabis tax increase from 9 to 12%, and a sports betting tax increase from 15 to 20%.  The taxes will likely be implemented on July 1 when the new fiscal year begins.

Former West Virginia governor and United States senator Joe Manchin has a memoir coming out in September, calling it his “declaration of independence from the extremes on both sides.”  Manchin's “Dead Center: In Defense of Common Sense” will be released Sept. 16.

A crash that killed a Maryland woman and shut down I-81 in Berkeley County, West Virginia remains under investigation.  The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department says the crash occurred around 10 p.m. Sunday near mile marker 5 on I-81.  A woman from Williamsport died in the crash.

The City of Cumberland Street Maintenance Division would like to notify the public of milling operations in South End.  The following streets will be posted with parking restrictions from 6:00 AM – 4:00 PM on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 & Thursday, April 10, 2025 and may be closed intermittently during work hours. Memorial Ave. – From Quebec Ave. to Elwood St. 2nd St. – From Memorial Ave. to South St. Elwood St. – From Wempe Dr. to Homestead Ave. Chelsea St. & Rose Ave. – From Greenway Ave. to Winifred Rd. Winifred Rd. – From White Ave. to Williams St….

On Monday, April 7, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Robert Brooks. The summons was issued in connection with a theft investigation that was initiated on March 10, 2025 when the alleged victim reported that jewelry had been stolen from a Race Street residence on January 28, 2025.  The suspect was later identified as Robert Brooks.  After further investigation, police filed for charges against Brooks at the District Court of Allegany County.  Brooks signed for his copy of the summons and he was released pending trial. ARRESTED:  Robert Richard Brooks        AGE:  55           Cumberland, MD CHARGES:  Theft:…

The new Maryland budget for fiscal year 2026 is not going to be driver friendly. Many of the $1.3 billion dollars in fees included in the budget target Maryland vehicle owners. Delegate Mark Fisher said the fees amount to a war on cars and the middle class…     “Increasing the vehicle excise tax, increasing the certificate of title fees, a new tire fee – and of course there’s already a recycling tire fee and you already pay 6% when you purchase tires so there are actually three taxes – tires are now triple taxed.”

Ernie Santmyire, 87, passed away on Sunday at his home. Santmyire was a 1956 graduate of Ridgeley High School and was an Air Force veteran. He was the owner and operator of WWPN, “Spirit 101” Radio, licensed to Westernport, Maryland with studios located in Keyser. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 until 7pm at Scarpelli Funeral Home, 108 Virginia Avenue with a funeral service Thursday at 11am.