On Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at approximately 10:51 AM, an officer of the Cumberland Police Department was patrolling the 700 block of Park Street when a store manager approached him and reported that a female suspect had just stolen merchandise from the business.  The officer located the suspect, later identified as Neroli Mae, who was walking away from the area.  Mae began to run away from the officer.  The officer engaged in a short foot pursuit.  Mae resisted arrest and after a brief struggle, she was taken into custody.   Mae was transported to Central Booking and later seen by a…

The Cumberland Mayor and City Council announced the official retirement of Chief Chuck Ternent during last night’s City Council meeting.  Ternent recently went on health-related leave, and it became known shortly after that he had been considering retirement for some time.  In his place, Lt. Eric Bonner will remain as acting chief until a permanent replacement is found.  Mayor Ray Morriss thanked Ternent for his many years of service… “We thank him for his 32 years of dedicated service to our community.  He had a truly distinguished career, and we wish him well in his retirement.”

The effects of both the recently passed Trump spending bill and the increase in ICE activity against illegal immigrants is something that concerns Maryland’s State Comptroller.  Recently, at a town hall hosted by Congresswoman April McClain Delaney, Brooke Lierman was asked what she thought was the worst part of the bill for Marylanders and she pointed to immigration…     “It is really a theme of this administration that they are always looking for any tiny or big way to make people from other countries feel like we don’t want them. When in fact we are a nation of immigrants…

The filing deadline for upcoming elections in Allegany County isn’t until February, but already two people are running for county sheriff.  One candidate, Rich Godlove, was a guest on WCBC recently to discuss his campaign. Godlove says he has worked for city police, the department of corrections and now for Allegany County schools. He says the position of Sheriff needs someone new…    “It’s time for change. That position has been passed down for decades now. I don’t think there’s been a fresh set of eyes to come in and look at it in probably longer than I’ve been alive….

West Virginia saw a pro-life victory in the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals.  The case challenged West Virginia’s ban on abortion medication sales.  After the Supreme Court decision returning the issue of abortion to the states, West Virginia enacted a law prohibiting abortion in most circumstances and included a ban on the sale of abortion medication in the state.  Governor Patrick Morrisey had argued the case when he was the state Attorney General.

Maryland’s House Minority Leader tells WCBC that he does not expect significant fiscal impacts on Maryland in the short-term from the DC Mega-bill.  Jason Buckel told WCBC most changes in the legislation do not come into law until between 2026 and 2028.  Right now, he says there are many scare tactics touting the loss of benefits…     “There’s nobody who’s losing food assistance this month. There’s nobody who’s losing Medicaid. In fact, there’s nobody who’s losing food assistance or Medicaid at all unless you’re an able-bodied individual without young children at home and you don’t work. If you work…

The Allegany County Administrative Charging Committee will meet Wednesday at 1 p.m.  This committee is related to the Police Accountability Board.  The committee reviews investigations and complaints about police conduct and whether to administratively charge a police officer.  The agenda for Wednesday includes a public session and a closed session to discuss personnel matters.

Dr. Michael Martirano, the new Superintendent of Schools for Allegany County, is presiding at today's board of education meeting.  One of the agenda items is a second reading of a revised cell phone policy.

The city of Cumberland's Roman Catholic parish, Our Lady of the Mountains, has announced that this Sunday Father Gregory Chervenak will celebrate Mass at 9 a.m. at St. Mary's on Oldtown Road.  Following Mass, there will be a celebration of his ministry in the church hall.  Father Greg has been pastor at OLM since its formation in 2011.  Father Stephen Fernandes will be the new pastor later this summer.

The Washington Commanders have announced that they will retire Wide Receiver Art Monk's jersey.  Monk's #81 will be retired in a midseason game vs. Seattle.  He spent 14 years with the Washington franchise.