On Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at approximately 2:57 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department conducted a traffic stop in the area of N. George Street.  Two of the occupants were identified as Jolene Fischer and James Lewis.  A police K-9 was utilized which resulted in a positive alert for the odor of drugs in the vehicle.  A search of the vehicle and occupants were conducted.  Fischer was found to be in possession of two different controlled dangerous substances.  Lewis was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia.  Fischer and Lewis were arrested and transported to police headquarters.  They…

Friday marks the 48th anniversary of 1270AM WCBC Radio.  In 1976, WCBC set up to broadcast from studios on the sixth floor of the Algonquin Motor Inn, now home to the Kensington Algonquin.  From there, the station moved to offices on North Centre Street before finally settling in to new studios built on the Downtown Cumberland mall.  Local and national news, sports, and daily discussion on local issues continues to drive the station’s success as it heads toward its 50th anniversary as Cumberland’s only locally owned radio station.

Just a little over a year after six highway workers were killed on I-695, the Maryland Department of Transportation held a special event atop the I-695/I-70 interchange highlighting National Work Zone Awareness week.  Lt. Governor Aruna Miller was pivotal in the passage of the Maryland Road Worker Protection Act that expands the use of speed cameras and raises fines for violations within highway work zones.  Will Pines, MDOT Administrator, said a safer work zone benefits everyone…    

April is National Confederate History Month and the Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization is planning its annual Historic Pollack Cemetery Ceremony and Tour. The  family cemetery is located at the end of River Road in Mexico Farms and was restored by the organization in 2001.  CHCO President Ed Taylor, Jr says several monuments have been erected since the restoration… The ceremony is scheduled for this Saturday, beginning at 2pm. The cemetery sits close to the C&O Canal and can be reached by car, bike, or on foot.  Taylor said there will be some important attendees… Pollack2   9 secs        …

Congressman David Trone questioned Attorney General Merrick Garland this week at a House Appropriations meeting about problems around staffing shortages in Federal prisons such as FCI Cumberland in Mexico Farms.  Attorney General Garland, is asking for $205 million dollars for hiring and retention of staff to cut turnover, spending that Trone agrees on…    

Frostburg State University and the West Virginia School of Pharmacy have a new partnership that will give FSU students a shorter route to a Pharmacy degree. Dr. Matthew Crawford, Chair of FSU’s Chemistry department, says the college has been searching for another school to partner with… Dr. Crawford explains that the partnership with WVU essentially takes a year off the time required for a Pharmacy degree…

Citizens are able now to donate toward the purchase and placement of a new town clock through the efforts of the Let’s Beautify Cumberland Committee.  The clock will be located at the intersection of Greene and Washington Streets in Hendershot Park, named after former city councilman Butch Hendershot. Ed Mullaney of Let’s beautify Cumberland said the clock will be adjacent to Downtown… Greg Hendershot is the chair of the clock committee and said donations can be made through the Community Trust Foundation. Construction is continuing around the proposed location of the clock:

On Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at approximately 11:42 AM, an officer of the Cumberland Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Park Street.  One of the occupants, Dana Harris, was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia.  Harris was issued a criminal citation and released pending trial.   ARRESTED:  Dana Renee Harris         AGE:  42           Ridgeley, WV CHARGES:  CDS: Possess Paraphernalia

The City of Cumberland Shade Tree Commission is seeking to fill a Board member vacancy. This membership seat requires City residency and the availability to attend meetings. The Shade Tree Commission is a 9-member commission created to advocate sound urban management practices, to preserve and enhance the beauty of Cumberland, and to study the problems and determine the needs of the city with regard to tree planning and maintenance programs. The Mayor and City Council appoint 7 members of this 9-member commission for 4-year terms. Please fill out the interest form at the following: https://tinyurl.com/ycxxhrtk

Allegany County Tourism has launched the 2024 Visit Mountain Maryland Destination Guide to inspire visitors to explore Allegany County, the Mountain Side of Maryland.  This year’s guide features 92 pages of photos and content highlighting the region’s outdoor economy, arts culture, and history. The county’s official travel guide features lodging, dining, camping, event, trail, and museum guides.  70,000 guides were printed for Maryland travel and welcome centers and travel centers in target markets within Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Washington, DC.