Western Maryland AHEC West is sponsoring a special candlelight vigil on Saturday as part of International Overdose Awareness Day. The event will be at Cumberland’s City Hall, starting at 7pm.  Melissa Clark, AHEC Associate Director, says there will be scheduled speakers and time for others to share their stories as well…   “We will hear from three presenters that will talk about their story or how overdose has affected their family.  It will be individuals and family members.  One lady has lost her son to overdose so she is going to be speaking and then some other folks.”

Medical Director for the Wound and Hyperbaric Center Dr. Julie Bielec spoke with WCBC last week about the Wound and Hyperbaric Center at UPMC Western Maryland.  The hyperbaric chamber helps with diabetic foot ulcers or infections that have occurred from a bone fracture.  Dr. Bielec explained the hyperbaric chamber encourages the healing process with oxygen…   “Most wounds that are chronically not healing are lacking those blood vessels so they are lacking the necessary oxygen.  So we are basically creating new blood vessels in the wound area to bring the oxygen for healing.”

Cumberland City Police are reporting that Robert Kyle Ashalt who was reported missing yesterday, August 29th, 2024, has been located and is safe.

Governor Wes Moore released the following statement on his military record: “I am proud of my service in the U.S. Army, I am proud of the soldiers I served with in combat, and I love my country. I’m never going to back away from that. The military taught me to put the safety of others over my own, leave no one behind, and live “Mission First, People Always.” These are the values that drive my work as governor – and that will not change. Most importantly, the military showed me the importance of living with integrity, discipline, and transparency in…

A caller to WCBC's Dave Norman program on Thursday was questioning the viability of the relocation package offered through the City of Cumberland to attract remote workers to move here. The caller said that such money could be better spent helping those already living in the community to create a more desirable area…   “I have tremendous sympathy for people that are on fixed incomes, that own their homes, they’re 80 years old, the roof is falling, or the driveway looks bad, or they need home repairs but they don’t have the $20,000 whatever to do it and there’s no…

The 6th annual Western Maryland Craft Beverage Festival is taking place on Sunday at Hoffman Park in Frostburg. The event promotes Maryland’s breweries, wineries, and distilleries and is a major fundraiser for the Allegany County Animal Shelter. Over twenty beverage vendors will be set up along with food and craft vendors. Bryan Vought, Frostburg’s Director of Parks and Recreation talked with WCBC News and says new to this year’s event is Allegany College of Maryland’s brewing operations first home brew contest…   “We have about 10 or 12 locals that are submitting their entries for the home brew contest.  We have some…

Questions continue to swirl around the empty property that once housed Memorial Hospital near Fort Hill High School.  The Cumberland Economic Development Corporation has been in talks with real estate developer RAZ Development for some time about the property. The Cumberland Times news reported on Thursday that Paul Kelly, a spokesperson for RAZ, says the company is still under contract with the City.  Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss had told WCBC News last week that a new developer for the property is being sought and on Thursday said now it’s a matter of working out details with RAZ…   “That’s something…

The first case of West Nile Virus has been detected in Maryland this year. The patient has recovered but the Maryland Department of Health wants to remind Marylanders that infected mosquitoes transmit West Nile virus. WCBC News talked to Dr. Diane Griffin, Professor of Infectious Diseases at Johns Hopkins University and said residents should monitor yards for mosquito activity, get rid of standing water, and take precautions to avoid the insects…   “The best way for individuals to eliminate the possibility of developing West Nile Virus infection is to eliminate exposure to mosquitos which insecticide repellent is what an individual can usually…

Adult Arrest: On Thursday, August 29, 2024, the Cumberland Police Department served a Criminal Summons on Billy Bradfield II. The Allegany County District Court issued the summons for an incident that occurred on August 25, 2024. Officers responded to a sporting event taking place on public school property in the City of Cumberland, for the report of a sex offender on the property. Upon arrival, Officers contacted Bradfield, who advised he was not aware of any restrictions barring him from the property. Bradfield was removed from the property at the time of the incident. Further investigation revealed Bradfield was not…

Downtown Cumberland wraps up August with a weekend of music and comedy. Shane Meade and the Sound will be live at the Gallery Stage on Friday night form 8pm to 10pm with folk rock. At the Embassy Theatre, Luke Raible returns with his comedy both Friday and Saturday. There’s a Meet & Greet with author Larry Bartlett at Noon Saturday at Azad’s on North Centre Street for his book “Poems From A Black GI 1974”. At the Gallery Stage on Saturday night at 8, Sweet Megg will perform her blend of country and jazz inspired by 30s and 70s sounds.