The City of Cumberland Engineering Department, on behalf of First Energy, would like to notify the public that the Merchants Alley Parking Lot will be closed off to traffic from Tuesday, 7/8/25, to Wednesday, 7/9/25, in order to install a new pole/transformer First Energy will block the parking lot off the night before work is to be performed, in addition to, blocking off 3-4 spaces on Monday morning, 7/7/25, in order to dig the hole for the new pole. Individuals may lose service for periods of time while the work is being performed. Additional information will be released in the…

Prison policy advocates in West Virginia are urging state lawmakers to put an end to “prison gerrymandering,” that distorts political representation. The problem stems from a Census Bureau practice of counting people in prison as part of the district where they’re incarcerated and not their home district. Mike Wessler with non-profit Prison Policy Initiative says action needs taken before the 2030 census…     “It’s taking a little bit of political power from just about everyone and giving to a handful of communities that are benefitting overwhelmingly. If West Virginia ended prison gerrymandering, it would make sure that people have…

WCBC spoke with Allegany County Commission President Dave Caporale regarding the County Library System’s release from employment of director John Taube.  Since tensions over the library’s budget began, Caporale has been critical of Taube’s view that libraries had to close to compensate for a budget shortfall.  Caporale told WCBC he and the commissioners …     “Looking back, we were just as concerned as anybody else when you start talking about library closures, and ultimately we just want what’s best for the citizens and the library system.  Whether it’s with Mr. Taube or without Mr. Taube, we just want what’s…

A traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian Institute is now open at the Garrett County Museum of Transportation. “Spark! Places of Innovation” highlights ingenuity in rural communities. Karen White, Garrett County museum curator, says the visitor can go through the interactive Smithsonian Exhibit and then actually travel to unique Garrett County locations with innovative activities continue…     “The visitor can be engaged, they can have an experience, and it’s in surrounding communities. It ranges from individual towns to individual entrepreneurs that have recreated, have had a spark of ingenuity, and have developed something new and exciting.”

A local abatement plan surrounding the use of Opioid Restitution Funds has gotten approval from the Allegany County Commissioners. Tanya Gomer, opioid fund account manager, said many of the projects are a continuation from last year, but one new project includes an addition to county schools for safety…     “One major thing is adding a type of communication in the school system with a radio service that we can utilize to get faster responses between the nursing staff and the classrooms, especially when students are in various locations on properties.”

When Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss talked with WCBC recently, he gave some updates on business development, specifically in the Rolling Mill area. Projects are progressing on Royal Farms and Chipotle who would like to be open by late fall. Also, the new Dunkin Donuts on Miltenberger Place opened this past Thursday. Another lot has seen work starting again on a credit union after almost six years, according to Morriss…     “I think there was a change in leadership at First Peoples and they backed off how quickly they wanted to get it done, but now I think with the…

The annual Frostburg “Pirates Ahoy” event takes place this Wednesday. Starting at 9am, children can gather at City Place and take the “Scallywag Walk” to the Hotel Gunter. There they will meet author Mike Allegra who will read his book “Pirate and Penguin.” Frostburg State University Children’s Literature Center director Sarah O’Neal tells WCBC the Pirate’s special sidekick adds a twist this year…     “The premise of the books are that usually pirates have a parrot as a pet but this penguin would rather be the pet instead of having a parrot, so he pretends to be the parrot…

The Cumberland Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating a missing juvenile, Kaylee Sky Haines. Kaylee is a 16-year-old white female, 5’02”, 100 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Kaylee was last seen on July 3rd 2025, at approximately 05:00 PM, in the area of E. First Street in Cumberland, Maryland. She was wearing a red shirt, and blue jean shorts. Anyone with information as to her whereabouts should call the Cumberland City Police Department at 301-777-1600. Callers can remain anonymous.  

On Saturday, July 5, 2025, Officers of the Cumberland Police Department served an arrest warrant on Keshaun Dada. The warrant was issued as a result of Dada's failure to appear in court on July 1st, 2025. As a result, Dada was arrested and transported to the Allegany County Detention Center, where he awaits his initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner. ARRESTED:  Keshaun Ayodele Dada      AGE:22          Cumberland, Maryland CHARGES: Failure to Appear – Obtain Goods, Money-Forgery.  

Chief Deputy Comptroller Andy Schaufele joined Lt. Governor Aruna Miller and Chief Deputy Treasurer Jonathan Martin for today’s meeting of the Board of Public Works. During the meeting, the Board approved a settlement of nearly $2.9 million under the Walter Lomax Act for Mr. James Langhorne, who spent 9,870 days incarcerated due to a wrongful conviction. Mr. Langhorne then addressed the Board, describing the many challenges and obstacles he and other exonerees still face after their wrongful convictions are vacated.   Later in the meeting, Deputy Comptroller Schaufele highlighted item 38 on the Department of General Services agenda, which involved…