In an effort to continue promoting access to all downtown businesses while allowing the contractor to safely complete downtown construction, the City of Cumberland Engineering Department would like to notify the public of implementation of Phase 2 of the temporary downtown traffic pattern change. Beginning on Monday, February 12th, South Liberty Street between Pershing Street and Baltimore Street will be closed, as well as Baltimore Street between Liberty Street and Centre Street. Additionally, the streets that were closed in Phase 1 will remain closed (North Centre Street between Baltimore Street and Frederick Street, North Liberty Street between Baltimore Street and…

Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has announced he is running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Ben Cardin.  The Republican is entering a crowded field of contenders for the position, currently led by Democrat Congressman David Trone.  Hogan has been active in trying to find a Republican presidential candidate to stand up to Donald Trump, working with the organization No Labels.  He recently threw his support behind Republican Nikki Haley for President.  "I am running for the United States Senate – not to serve one party – but to stand up to both parties, fight for Maryland, and fix…

Long-time entertainer Alice Darr of Cumberland has passed away at the age of 93.  Darr graduated from Carver High School in Cumberland and was discovered by Nat King Cole’s brother who launched her professional career as a singer. She performed all over the country, including various location in New York. Adams Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements…

AFS-USA – the American Field Service – is offering high school students over $1 million in scholarships to study abroad. Countries where students can study include Japan, Ireland, Italy, France, and Kenya. Applications for fall departing programs close in March. Scholarships are based on both merit and need that range from partial to full program fees.  AFS-USA works with over 1,000 high schools annually through its hosting and study-abroad programs.  For more information, visit afsusa.org.

On Thursday, February 8, 2024, the Cumberland Police Department served an arrest warrant on Shenay Bright.  The warrant was issued in connection with a burglary investigation that was initiated earlier in the day at approximately 8:52 AM when police responded to a residence in the 500 block of Cumberland Street.  The alleged victim reported that Shenay Bright broke into her residence and stole various items.  After further investigation, police filed for charges against Bright at the District Court of Allegany County.  Bright was located later in the day and arrested.  She was transported to Central Booking and later seen by…

On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at approximately 5:36 PM, an officer of the Cumberland Police Department conducted a traffic stop on S. George Street and identified the operator as Mark Rankin.  A Police K-9 alerted to the odor of drugs inside the vehicle.  A search of the vehicle was conducted and drug paraphernalia was located.  The paraphernalia was seized and Rankin was issued a criminal citation.  Rankin was released pending trial. ARRESTED:  Mark Allen Rankin          AGE:  43        Cumberland, MD CHARGES:  CDS: Possess Paraphernalia

Delegate Gary Howell from Mineral County is busy in the West Virginis General Assembly this session.  He chairs the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee and tells WCBC that the growth from the expansion at Northrup Grumman in Rocket Center will be bringing at least 200 jobs to the area.  West Virginia as a state is in a housing crisis similar to Maryland – Howell says they are looking for builders…    

Cumberland had its first hearing for Community Development Block Grant Funding at Tuesday’s Mayor and Council meeting.  Lee Borror, Senior Community Development Specialist, says Cumberland gets an average of $800,000 a year in CDBG funding. Several groups presented at the meeting who receive CDBG funds. One organization looking for funding this year is Family Crisis Resource Center. Director Rhonda Pick spoke on their Abuse Intervention Program…    

As predicted near the end of January, there has been a steep increase in the price of gunpowder. Rob Fout of the Gun Shop in Ridgeley had told WCBC that the shortage was coming because of a major supplier cutting off imports… His business, along with other gun shops has seen these increases come to bear on their inventory, though Fout has not yet had to raise the prices on his stock…

Democratic Governor Wes Moore drew on familiar themes for his State-of-the-State speech Wednesday.  Partnership has been a recurring word in his speeches and once again he brought forward the idea, addressing the Maryland House and Senate members… Moore said he wants to use that partnership to better serve the state’s citizens…