A Cumberland Mayor and City Council closed session scheduled for this afternoon looks to be heavily involved with the future of the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation. The meeting notice says it is a discussion over various items including employment, departmental reorganization, and compensation. Sources have told WCBC that personnel is not the issue while others have indicated that the CEDC may be brought back under the umbrella of City government. A statement released by the CEDC Tuesday afternoon says they “are confident that elected representatives will see the vision and value created by the nine-year partnership between the organizations.”

A unique opportunity is taking shape for businesses that would like to open or expand in the Cumberland area.  Project Restore 2.0 is through Maryland’s Department of Housing and Community Development. Grants from the program can be used for rent, renovations, fixtures, or operating costs.  Matt Miller of the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation says the CEDC will be the grantee and are looking for projects to sponsor through the program…

A bill that has passed in the Maryland Senate, now awaiting action in the House is SB873 – updates to Maryland’s Safe Haven Program.  Senator Mike McKay is the sponsor of the bill that would make sure every community has a “baby box” to receive newborns if the mother can’t take care of it. Currently the time limit is 10 days – Senator McKay says this bill would extend that…

On Tuesday, March 19th, 2024, the Cumberland City Police arrested Michael Shawn Fear, 49, of Cumberland MD. Fear was arrested on an active Arrest Warrant issued by the Allegany County District Court for an incident that occurred on February 29th. During that incident, a victim alleged that Fear had choked them while at a Mechanic St residence. Fear was taken before a District Court Commissioner for his Initial Appearance where he was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center. He is currently being held without bond. Arrested: Michael Shawn Fear                      Age: 49 Charges: Assault 1st Degree, Assault 2nd Degree. On…

The Downtown Development Commission's quarterly Town Hall Meeting will be on Tuesday, March 26 at 11AM to provide construction updates. The meeting will be held virtually on the Webex platform The link is: https://cumberlandmd.webex.com/cumberlandmd/j.php?MTID=m27a7edaf4473d445c4586159db7e6928

Abby Beeman will receive the Cumberland area's most coveted sports recognition as she will receive the Top Award at the Dapper Dan Banquet on April 28 at the Ali Ghan Shrine Club.  Beeman earned the George Stevenson-Nick Perlozzo Top Award with her standout season at Marshall University, leading the Thundering Herd to the NCAA Tournament.  Beeman was a standout at Frankfort High School and has been named the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year.  She is averaging 16.8 points per game, along with 5.7 rebounds and 6.4 assists.  Beeman becomes the third Mineral County athlete to garner the Top…

Friday, March 15, 2024 Nakota Cheanta Durham, 32 of Cumberland, was arrested on a Circuit Court Bench Warrant for Violation of Probation. Her original conviction was for Assault 2nd Degree where she was sentenced to a 5-year jail term with all but 244-days suspended and 3-years Supervised Probation. She is currently being held without bond pending a bail review in Circuit Court. Allen Lee Hall Jr., 47 of Cumberland, was served a Circuit Court Bench Warrant for Failure to Comply-Violation of Pretrial Release. His original charges include: Assault-First Degree and Assault-Second Degree. He is currently being held without bond pending…

Jonathan Hutcherson, Chairman, and the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors release the following statement in response to the Public Notice – Cumberland City Council to Meet Wednesday, March 20 (News Flash • Cumberland City Council to Meet Wednesday) released by the City of Cumberland, City Hall on March 18, 2024: The Cumberland Economic Development Corporation wants to reassure the many supporters and businesses who have reached out that Economic Development continues to thrive under the CEDC in the City of Cumberland. While the CEDC is actively involved in discussions with the City concerning the nature and future of…

The Frostburg State University Foundation has announced the recipient of the 2024-25 WCBC Radio Scholarship. Chihoke Elue.  Elue is currently a Senior at Smyrna High School in Delaware and signed his letter of intent to come to Frostburg in February.  He played football and was a wrestler during his senior year.  “Forging Futures: The Campaign for Frostburg State University,” provides students with pathways to better futures, first as students, and then as graduates.

West Virginia is one of six states to participate in a federally funded policy academy to ensure access to 988 Suicide and Crisis Response Lifeline systems for those with intellectual and development disabilities, brain injury, and individuals who cannot rely on speech alone for communication.  This policy academy will provide a framework for leadership to initiate and sustain strategies to meet the immediate needs of children and adults requiring interventions available through 988 and crisis response, and forge cross system strategies to enable longer-term supports and services.