City Hall will be closed Monday, May 27, 2024 in observance of Memorial Day, with no employees available on that day. Current regular operations of City Hall will be closed to the public, with staff resuming operations on Tuesday, May 28th. The City of Cumberland also reminds residents that on Monday, May 27th, there will be no trash/recycling collection. Trash will be collected on your next regular collection day. This is a reminder to all City residents and businesses that on Memorial Day, Monday May 27 there will be no trash or recycling collection for the MONDAY routes due to…

Members of Lodge 144 Allegany County deputies want to make it clear that the fight to increase staffing at the Sheriff’s Office was not born of the recent announcement of the looming budget deficit. In a 3 page letter to Allegany County Board of Commissioners Lodge members making the need for additional deputies clear. Lodge 144 President, Christopher Hill says for reasons unclear, the Commissioners have declined to meet with F.O.P. leadership to discuss this critical situation, despite repeated requests. Members of Lodge 144 request the public's support in the allocation of twelve (12) additional sworn deputies to be assigned…

A bit of good and bad news for those waiting on the repair of Cumberland’s damaged bridges on West Side.  Initially, plans for the Cumberland Street Bridge were to have repairs begin this summer. However, federal delays are keeping that from happening as scheduled.  City Engineer Bobby Smith tells WCBC News that plans are held up right now at the state and federal levels…

Congressman David Trone has requested $3.4 million dollars in federal Community Project Funding for two projects in Allegany County. These investments will prioritize public safety and invest in STEM education and community enrichment.  For Fiscal Year 2025, members of the U.S. House of Representatives were allowed to request 15 projects. Projects that received funding for Allegany County included $679,990 for replacement of Potomac Fire Company’s No. 2 Engine and $2.8 million dollars for a remodel of the Frostburg State University Planetarium.

The Maryland Community College Benchmarking project has released data showing Allegany College of Maryland ranks in the upper tier of the state’s 16 community colleges in categories such as support from their college foundation, net assets, and scholarships. Allegany College ranks highly in endowment funds, coming in second in the state. The Willowbrook campus figures are all the more impressive given that Allegany College has the lowest median household income in the state.

Several members of the Cumberland City Fire Department received honors Tuesday evening at the Mayor and City Council meeting for their actions at a residential fire on Arch Street in July of last year.  Mayor Ray Morriss shared details with WCBC about how actions of the department’s “C” Crew on the scene of the fire at 213 Arch Street saved lives and quickly brought the fire under control… Councilman Eugene Frazier praised the firefighters for the quality of their work and dedication during the council meeting…

After two years, the West Virginia National Guard has been relieved of its duties within the state’s prison system.  Critical staffing shortages had led Governor Jim Justice to call in the Guard to fill positions across the state by declaring a state of emergency in 2022. William Marshall, Corrections Commissioner for the state, told a legislative oversight committee that the shortage is now at a manageable level…

Over 100 musicians and singers have been able to learn up-close from top musicians at the DelFest Music Academy.  The yearly academy includes one-on-one instruction, mixed instrument classes, and vocal classes.  Lisa McCoury, daughter-in-law of festival namesake Del McCoury, runs the academy that gives musicians the opportunity to learn from professionals that perform at DelFest and play during the festival soundcheck on Thursday night. Five students were able to attend the academy this year on scholarships from the Troy McKenzie DelFest Academy Scholarship fund, set up by friends of the long-time DelFest fan who passed away in 2023 from cancer.

On Thursday May 23rd 2024 at approximately 2:00 am officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the 100 block of Oak Street for a reported assault. Upon officer’s arrival they spoke with the victim who alleged that Marley Powell had struck them in the face and strangled them after being engaged in an argument. The victim indicated that Marley had fled the residence prior to police arrival. Additional responding officers were able to locate Powell a short distance from the scene where he was subsequently placed under arrest. Marley was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center where he awaits…

On Wednesday May 22nd, 2024 officers of the Cumberland Police Department served a Criminal Summons on Jonathan Walters. The Criminal Summons was issued by the District Court stemming from an assault investigation on May 21st, 2024. During the incident officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the 200 block of Pear Street for a reported assault. Upon officer’s arrival they spoke with the victim who alleged that Jonathan had scratched them, and threw their cell phone onto the ground. The officers spoke with witnesses who corroborated the victim’s statement. An application for charges was completed and this Criminal Summons…