Mountain Maryland’s PACE Reception has been happening in Annapolis since 1977.  The moniker “Positive Attitudes Change Everything” has driven the event-  putting state senators, delegates, agency heads and businesses together to put forward the needs and plans to advance Allegany and Garrett counties.  PACE Co-Chair Jeremy Irons says that people thinking it’s one night of food and drink in January are mistaken…     

West Virginia made a major economic development announcement on Wednesday, welcoming electronics giant LG to the Mountain State. One of the world’s largest manufacturers of home electronics as well as semi-conductors is expanding to become a smart lifestyle company including digital health and  the use of artificial intelligence. The announcement in Charleston indicated a $700 million investment by the NOVA West Investment Fund and the initial creation of 275 jobs, with locations in Huntington and Morgantown.  Senator Shelly Moore Capito spoke about changing the industrial image of the state…     

One of WCBC’s top news stories for 2023 is still developing. Out-of-town investor Dharmesh Kotak has purchased a number of properties in Cumberland, LaVale, and Frostburg.  He has already opened two new businesses – Dunkin’ Donuts in LaVale and Mountain City Liquors in Frostburg. Plans call for other Dunkins in Frostburg and Cumberland along with a liquor store on North Mechanic Street. Land has also been cleared in LaVale for locations of two new fast-food restaurants.

Two Cumberland City Police Officers were recognized at the Mayor and Council meeting this week for five years of service to the City.  Patrolman Korey Smith serves as certified member of Cumberland’s Emergency Response Team and Patrol Officer Cassidy Lease recently joined the Combined Criminal Investigation Unit as a detective.  Captain James Burt acknowledged both officers hard work and highlighted one of the more dangerous situations Officer Lease has found herself in…    

Things are looking up for the Cumberland Gateway project.  Recently on the Dave Norman program, Mayor Ray Morriss discussed news of progress that has been made by the Frederick developer Kline-Scott-Visco on acquiring more real estate in the between Maryland Avenue and Park Street… Developer Edward Scott is aware that he needs to make things happen on the development to get out of the default situation he is in with the City…    

A first of its kind report from Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman shows an economy that needs growth to catch up with neighboring states.  Key findings in the State of the Economy Report show the state trails surrounding states in economic growth and personal income. Private sector job growth is only 1% higher than the end of 2016 compared to 5.3% in Virginia, and the state is experiencing a labor shortage that has not rebounded since the pandemic. Lierman’s report also shows that Maryland’s population decreased for the first time since World War II, possibly due to increasing housing costs and…

On January 3, 2024, Officers of the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Travell Teon Awkward. On December 31, 2023 Officers from Cumberland Police Department were conducting a foot patrol of the River Bend Court. Officers observed Travell Awkward on the property belonging to the Cumberland Housing Group. A check of Mr. Awkward was conducted by the Allegany County Dispatch. Officers were notified that Mr. Awkward is currently trespassed from all Cumberland Housing Property. The criminal summons was issued by the District Court of Maryland for trespass private property. Arrest: Travell Teon Awkward, Age 29, Cumberland Maryland Charges:…

This week the City of Cumberland will begin receiving Community Development Block Grant Project Requests for the 2024 Annual Action Plan which begins July 1.  The City will be receiving an estimated $800,000 in CDBG funds this coming year.  Project requests for funding must be developed to meet one of the national objectives: primarily benefit low-income persons, be of an urgent and otherwise non-fundable need, or address slum or blight.  The City's Consolidated Plan has prioritized identified needs for the area's low-income and special needs populations and projects must also address at least one of those priority goals/objectives described in…

Making the list this year of WCBC’s Top News stories was the Reimagine Cumberland project. Updating ancient infrastructure and undoing the urban renewal of the late 1970s that put a pedestrian mall through the middle of downtown, the construction project started in Spring. Holiday activities including the tree lighting, Winter Market, and New Year’s Eve Ball Drop were moved to Canal Place Plaza this year. Hopes are to have a reimagined downtown ready by next Fall.

UPDATE – Fire was confined to basement of the structure – no injuries. Units have cleared. EARLIER – Frostburg Fire Department and Allegany Emergency Services working a commercial fire at the Allegany Trail House on Main Street in Frostburg, basement fire. Main Street is shut down at this time.