A fire in Westernport around midnight Wednesday caused $5,000 in damage.  Crews from the Barton Hose Company responded to Lower Georges Creek Road to a single family dwelling occupied by Patricia McVicker.  An accidental wood fire malfunction in the kitchen caused the fire, which was under control in less than ten minutes.  Residents and pets were alerted by a smoke alarm and escaped to safety.  

Governor Patrick Morrisey will deliver the State of the State Address tonight (Wednesday) at 7 p.m.  Morrisey will deliver the speech at the House Chamber in Charleston.

Frostburg State University will close at 4:00 p.m. today, Wednesday, Feb. 12, and will reopen at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow, Thursday, Feb. 13. All ON-CAMPUS classes and activities scheduled for this evening and tomorrow before 9:30 a.m. are cancelled. Online classes will be held as scheduled. Essential personnel should report to work as scheduled.  The Chesapeake Dining Hall will be open as scheduled.  The Lane University Center will close at 4:00 p.m. today. The Ort Library will close at 7:00 p.m. today.  The Cordts PE Center will close tonight immediately following the men's wrestling match vs. Glenville State.  As always, continue…

On Tuesday, February 11, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Eric Marmaduke.  The warrant was issued as the result of Marmaduke violating probation on an original charge of Resisting Arrest.  He was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  Marmaduke was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center without bond. ARRESTED:  Eric Roger Marmaduke     AGE:  55       Cumberland, MD BENCH WARRANT SERVED On Tuesday, February 11, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Charles Casey.  The warrant was issued as the result of Casey failing to comply…

The recent decision by the Allegany County Commissioners to appoint Linda Widmyer to an open seat on the school board has proven contentious in some quarters.  The commissioners have been publicly bombarded in person and in letters to the editor.  WCBC political analyst Dave Williams said that the lack of specific guidelines from the state in making such appointments has contributed to the ongoing debate.  Williams noted that no firm directives were given to the commissioners. Williams added that after the commissioners opened the process for applications, no one really knows how they arrived at their decision.

National Weather Service issued a WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY in Maryland, Central and Eastern Allegany County and in West Virginia, Eastern Mineral and Hampshire Counties. For the first Winter Weather Advisory, Additional snow accumulations up to two inches. For the second Winter Weather Advisory, mixed precipitation expected. Total snow and sleet accumulations of less than one inch and ice accumulations of one to two tenths of an inch, with around a quarter inch possible over the higher ridges from 3 PM Wednesday to 4 AM Thursday. Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday morning and evening commutes. Light snow…

Water issues continue in the Nave’s Cross Road area.  The city water department has advised residents of Frederick Street from Fectig Avenue to Sheetz of intermittent interruptions of service for the rest of week from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

The CEDC continues to move forward in attempting to market the city of Cumberland.  Executive Director Matt Miller tells WCBC that a six-month grant has enabled the organization to hire a marketing consultant, Lydia Savramis (Sav Ram iss).  Miller said the help from the consultant has been top-notch.  Miller added that an up to date website is now part of the CEDC package. Miller told WCBC that the deadline for RFPs for the Memorial Hospital site is this Friday and almost two dozen developers have expressed interest thus far.

State Highway Administration crews have been busy statewide, including Western Maryland, according to spokesman Charlie Gischlar.  The SHA has pretreated roads and 12 hour shifts are being worked by state crews and contracted crews.  Gischlar reminded motorists that information on roads is easy to find at roads.md.gov.    

Prearrangements have become a vital part of the funeral home industry.  Wendy Upchurch of the Upchurch Funeral Homes advised that prearrangements can take several forms and she detailed dealing with life insurance policies.  She advised using an irrevocable assignment with the funeral home, avoiding access by nursing homes.