Mayor Ray Morriss of Cumberland received a call this week from the Governor’s office, asking him to serve on the Redistricting Advisory Commission. The commission is Wes Moore’s response to several states redrawing congressional maps ahead of midterm elections. Morriss is the only Republican member; the commission chair is Senator Angela Alsobrooks. Morriss told WCBC he’s already at work ahead of the first meeting…     “Reviewing the maps and my thoughts on it. And I’ll be checking, obviously, with our state senator from this area and also the Western Maryland delegation to get their thoughts and their perspectives so…

The Potomac Highlands United Way hosted a volunteer recognition breakfast at Brookdale farms Tuesday morning.  United Way Director, Michele Walker expressed the organization's appreciations for its volunteers and committee members… "On behalf of Potomac Highlands United Way, Thank you for your unwavering commitment. You are not just volunteers your change makers, role models and living proof that kindness is a force more powerful than we can measure. We see you, we appreciate you and we are endlessly grateful for you.” Receiving this year's youth volunteer award was 10-year-old, Remington Buckbee saying he enjoys activities like Stuff the Bus and Day…

On Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at approximately 3:32 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the first block of Greene Street for a check on well-being.   Police contacted the subject who was identified as Nathan Shell.  After checking on Shell, officers observed him steal property as he was walking away.  Shell was placed under arrest and found to be in possession of suspected heroin.  He was issued criminal citations and released pending trial. ARRESTED:  Nathan Tyrone Shell       AGE:  43      Cumberland, MD CHARGES:  Theft less than $100, CDS: Possess-Not Cannabis  

FEMA’s denial of disaster funds has raised more questions than answers. Many see the denial as a political move from the Trump Administration as pushback against Governor Moore.  Jack Coburn, the mayor of Lonaconing who was also in office during the 1996 flooding, would like his community to have a straight answer as to why the funding was refused…   “There was no real explanation as to why. And I would like to see the explanation as to why and really make sure it’s a legitimate reason – and I don’t believe it is.”

The second annual Mountain Maryland Film Festival is schedule for this coming weekend at the Embassy Theater downtown.  The Allegany Arts Council is sponsoring the event for this Friday and Saturday.  There will be eight short films from local and national independent filmmakers.  One documentary is Sweet Appalachia:  The Story of Delfest and another documentary is Finding Home.  Both documentaries have connections to Frostburg State University. 

With SNAP on hold for the month of November, the Allegany County Library System is partnering with the local food bank and the county animal shelter to collect needed supplies.  For the  month of November, non-perishable food can be donated to the county libraries as well as bags of Purina One cat and dog food.  Ashley Swinford from the Library System says for each item a dollar will be waved from Library fines—theirs or others…     “We’ve set up a brand new pay it forward program for anyone that has donated but they didn’t have any library fines. They…

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey will call the legislature to session if the need for more food bank funding becomes apparent. The governor held a press conference Tuesday to give an update on state efforts to fill the gap of missing SNAP benefits for 275,000 West Virginia residents.  Morrisey said that food is being distributed with the help of the West Virginia National Guard…   “They’ve delivered 6.653 boxes of food to food pantries throughout the state. They’ve supplied another 3,936 boxes directly to citizens at pop-up food pantries, they’ve delivered checks, they’ve helped with a lot of logistics.”

The Cumberland Mayor and City Council recognized the promotion of city police Lt. Eric Bonner to Captain Bonner during Tuesday's council meeting.  Bonner is a Cumberland native, Bishop Walsh graduate, and Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy graduate.  Bonner has served in the Cumberland Police Department since 2002, worked in the patrol division as a Patrol Officer, K-9 Handler, and has held the role of Lieutenant since 2021, according to Police Chief Jim Pyles… “In 2024, Eric was reassigned to Patrol Lieutenant, overseeing the entire patrol division—including the School Resource Officer Program.  In June of 2025, he was tapped as the interim…

ABC News is reporting that President Trump said that no SNAP benefits will go out to Americans until after the government reopens — a day after the Department of Agriculture said in court it would make partial payments. The president posted on social media that those benefits "will be given only when the Radical Left Democrats open up government, which they can easily do, and not before!"

The National Weather Service has issues a Wind Advisory from 1 p.m. Wednesday till 1 a.m. Thursday for portions of western Maryland, central, northwest, and western Virginia, and eastern West Virginia. West winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected. Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution.