More than 1,800 acres along Route 36 near Westernport and Barton may be used to build a 300 megawatt solar project. A virtual public hearing on the project is scheduled for April 15 and will include a presentation by Jade Meadow LLC, the applicant for the facility along with statements by the Department of Natural Resources and the Office of the People’s Counsel, the state’s ratepayer advocate. The project also touches a portion of Garrett County. To sign up for the hearing, visit psc.state.md.us.

Update April 8th at 8:50AM… Preston McLaughlin has been located by the police department.  The department would like to thank the public for their assistance with locating McLaughlin. The Cumberland Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing person, Preston McLaughlin McLaughlin is a 72 year-old white male, approximately 5 feet, 10 inches tall and 230 pounds. He was last seen on Baltimore Street in Cumberland, MD on April 7, 2025 at approximately 9:34 am, wearing a brown flannel shirt. McLaughlin is possibly operating a white 2015 Ford Transit Connect van with some areas of the vehicle…

A return to Memorial Day Parades is in the works for Cumberland, although no firm location has been set.  Let’s Beautify Cumberland along with County United Way, WCBC Radio and Cumberland Times-News are laying out plans for a parade on May 26th, but the initial idea of having it go down Baltimore Street was rejected by the city.  LBC’s Ed Mullaney wants officials to come together and discuss the idea…     “I know there’s a little bit of a snafu of where we can have the parade, and hold the parade. I’m hoping we can have a meeting and reevaluate and put the…

On the final day of the Maryland General Assembly, House members debated the final version of the fiscal year 2026 budget. It includes $1.6 billion dollars in new taxes and $1.3 billion in new fees.  House Minority Leader Jason Buckel says it will raise the cost of living across the state…     “We are raising the taxes and fees on every single person at every single business that you know from the poor to the middle class to the upper middle class to the small businesses, to the McCormick’s, to the Northrop Grumman’s. But I’m telling you, at the…

Residents traveling through LaVale have been speculating for some time about the land being cleared at the entrance to the Country Club mall along Vocke Road.  Allegany County’s Economic Development Director Jeff Barclay tells WCBC he is not at liberty to name the developer as they want to make their own announcement soon, but the project bodes well for the area…   “They’re definitely moving forward. There may be good rumors out there, that’s a good thing. We’re hoping it spurs more development. I mean there’s other restaurants and other things that want to be in LaVale and we’re talking…

Municipalities across the nation have been involved for some time in litigation with companies that made, sold, or distributed prescription painkillers and were accused of fueling the opioid crisis. The City of Cumberland, too, has been involved in these cases. A recent case has resulted in a settlement that Cumberland will accept. Though there is no dollar amount assigned, Mayor Ray Morriss says it won’t be a large amount…     “It won’t be enough, I’ll say that. When you look at all of this from what the costs have been for our public safety, for our ambulance service, our EMT…

Maryland’s Department of Health this week celebrates the dedication and achievements of the state’s public health workforce in promoting health, safety and preparedness for Marylanders. Deputy Health Secretary Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman said this year’s theme is “It Starts Here.”  He spoke about his beginnings in the healthcare workforce…     “My public health journey started as a primary care doctor where I was caring for people in the DC jail. Each of us brings our own history, expertise, and passion to our work at MDH. Together, our efforts support a safer and healthier Maryland.”

  On Monday, April 7, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Ronald Giles III.  The warrant was issued as the result of Giles failing to appear for court on original charges of CDS: Possess-Not Cannabis.  Giles was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  He was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and released on his personal recognizance. ARRESTED:  Ronald Lewis Giles III         AGE:  37            Cumberland, MD

West Virginia University saw its highest-recorded freshman retention rate this year with 93.8% of freshmen returning for the spring 2025 semester, according to Interim Provost Paul Kreider.  Kreider told the WVU Board of Governors last week the retention rate gives administrators great hope that many current freshmen will continue their journeys as Mountaineers in their sophomore year.

This week is Severe Storms Awareness Week in Maryland.  The theme is “Don’t Get Caught in the Storm—Be Ready.”  The Maryland Department of Emergency Management and the National Weather Service urge residents to be aware and prepare for spring weather hazards.  Typical spring dangers include floods, high winds, tornadoes, hail, and lightning.