The West Virginia Human Services is recognizing April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month highlighting the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect.  Governor Jim Justice also proclaimed April as Family Strengthening and Child Abuse Prevention Month in West Virginia.  To show support and give attention, West Virginians are encouraged to participate in “Wear Blue Day” on Friday, April 5th.  The colors blue and silver and blue pinwheels are the recognized symbols for child abuse prevention.

Cumberland’s “mid-town” façade improvement program will be taking applications beginning April 29th through May 31st.  Projects will be selected in June 2024.  This program is for commercial properties within Cumberland located in the “mid-town” district – North Centre and North Mechanic streets between Bedford Street and where the two streets connect at Southern States. The maximum funding per project is $10,000.  Applicants are required to provide a 100% cash match from private investment. For more information, contact Ruth Davis-Rogers, Historic Preservation Planner with the City of Cumberland.

J&J Truck Bodies and Trailers has opened a new location on Elizabeth Street in Cumberland. The Cumberland location will serve as a satellite operation to the main business in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.  J&J is a manufacturer of custom truck equipment including bodies, dump trailers and transfer trailers.  The business chose Cumberland because of the workforce training available through Allegany College of Maryland and Western Maryland Works.

Bedford Road Volunteer Fire Department is reporting that Pea Vine Run Road, between Bedford Road and Valley Road, is closed due to high water.  Please find an alternate route.

On Monday April 1st, 2024 at approximately 11:33 PM officers of the Cumberland Police Department and members of the Combined County Criminal Investigative Unit responded to 900 block of Gay Street for an assault investigation. Upon officer’s arrival they contacted the victim who advised they had been stabbed. Officers observed evidence of the assault and established a crime scene, a perimeter, and began interviewing witnesses to the incident. Throughout the officer’s investigation, and collection of evidence, they were able to identify the suspect as David Leon Powers of Cumberland Maryland. Officers were able to locate Powers at his residence, where…

Cumberland Fire department investigating an electrical transformer that is a arcing along Bedford Road in the area of the Sunset Memorial Park. Fire crews unable to locate the transformer. Presently there are 396 customers without power along Bedford Road.

A multi-agency response for a working house fire in the 1300 block of Barnes Road in Artemas PA. Allegany County units supported by Washington and Bedford County units. One individual transported by EMS with burns had to be transferred to a secondary ambulance after the primary ambulance became stuck. Overhaul operations are underway and the Pennsylvania Fire Marshal has been requested to the scene.

UPDATE – Missing juvenile has been found   The Cumberland Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing juvenile, Robert Nelson. Robert is a 15-year-old white male, approximately 6 feet 2 inches tall and 180 pounds. Robert was last seen on Decatur Street in Cumberland on April 1st, 2024 at approximately 11:30 am, wearing a black baseball cap, gray hooded sweatshirt and checkered pajama pants. Anyone with information as to his whereabouts please call the Cumberland Police Department at 301-777-1600. Callers can remain anonymous.

Western Maryland’s “Senator Smiles” has had another piece of legislation passed on to the Governor for signature this year in Annapolis.  Senator Mike McKay’s SB799 will help communities in the state with dentist shortages, allowing a limited license for dental students to gain hands-on experience before officially starting their careers….    

Maryland State Comptroller Brooke Lierman spoke with WCBC News this week about a hot topic – tax season.  The filing deadline is April 15th and Lierman says last minute tax filers in the state should use the internet to complete their filing… The Comptroller says there are plenty of ways to get assistance if you need help getting your taxes completed…