On January 2nd, Officers from the Cumberland Police Department (CPD) were dispatched to a disturbance in the 200 block of Decatur Street. Upon arrival Officers conducted an investigation where they learned that Summer Lynn Bowman was in possession of crack cocaine, a Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS). She was arrested on scene and taken to Police Headquarters where she was served two Maryland Uniform Citations. She was then released from Police Headquarters pending a court date. Arrest: Summer Lynn Bowman, age 22, Luke MD Charges: Possession of Controlled Dangers substance of crack cocaine. Possession of Paraphernalia  

On January 2, Officers from the Cumberland Police Department (CPD) served a criminal summons on Natasha Marie Groves for a theft. Natasha signed for the summons and was released from the scene. The summons stems from an incident on December 22nd at a local department store to where Natasha stole items from another customer and then left the store. Officers conducted an investigation and through video. Officers were able to identify Natasha Marie Groves as the suspect. One summons was issued from District Court. Arrest: Natasha Marie Groves, age 40, Cumberland MD    Charges: Theft less than $100  

An innovative proposal between Cumberland and Allegany County is in the works to develop housing on empty lots across the City.  The Infill Development Incentive Program would sell off buildable lots owned by the City at their assessed base to developers, spurring private investment in neighborhoods and bringing in new housing stock.  Cumberland Director of Administrative Services says he has seen growing interest to build in the area…     

Making the list this year of WCBC’s Most Compelling People is Ruth Davis-Rogers, the Historic Planner for the City of Cumberland. Her biggest project to date has been working with the Lakota Group from Chicago to develop a preservation plan for the City.  Mayor Ray Morriss made a special call to WCBC to further highlight the work Davis-Rogers continues to do for Cumberland…    

A severe case of animal hoarding was uncovered on Route 220 near Bedford on New Year’s Eve.  Two people were found to be living in a residence with over 90 dogs, cats, and a turtle. The animals were crowded in cages stacked floor to ceiling in the house, many with severely matted fur and open wounds.  Volunteers from the Bedford Humane Society as well as veterinarians have taken the animals into their care. Donations of blankets, food, and shampoo are being accepted. The investigation is continuing.

The Cumberland Mayor and City Council issued recognition certificates at Tuesday’s public meeting honoring not one, but two football teams from Fort Hill High School.  The Unified Flag Football team won the inaugural Gold Medal in the Maryland Special Olympics while the Varsity Football team won the Class 1A Maryland State Football title. Councilwoman Lauri Marchini remarked that she has heard good things about the Fort Hill teams when talking to others around the state…  

The Mountain Maryland PACE (Postive Attitudes Change Everything) Reception is coming up on January 18th in Annapolis, but most of the work of advocating for Allegany and Garrett counties takes place before that evening get-together.  Jeremy Irons who is co-chair of the PACE Committee, says there’s lots of work taking place that week… Tickets are still available for the reception at the Westin Annapolis, which Irons said will be crowded…

One of the events making this year’s list of WCBC’s Top News stories involved a murder in Merchant’s Alley. Gunshots rang out through downtown Cumberland in the early morning hours of October 28th, resulting in one dead and three others wounded after underage drinking at a local bar spilled out into the Merchants Alley area. A suspect from Hagerstown was arrested and charged with first-degree murder as well as drug charges. Here’s what the chaos sounded like that erupted that night…    

Cumberland Mayor and City Council accepted a $378,336 bid from Global Action Sports Solutions of Wisconsin during Tuesday’s meeting for design and construction of a multi-use mountain bike and pedestrian trails in Constitution park. A proposed two to five mile trail will loop within the park. A perimeter loop of trails connecting attractions within the park and connections to adjacent neighborhoods surrounding the park while incorporating existing plan recommendations for recreation initiatives. The plan includes 73 acres of proposed development space and will use city and Community Development Block Grant funds.

PUBLIC NOTICE This is to notify the public that beginning on January 2, 2024 the City of Cumberland is soliciting for Community Development Block Grant Project Requests for the 2024 Annual Action Plan which begins July 1, 2024. Read the full public notice at: https://www.ci.cumberland.md.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1112 For more information about CDBG Grant Program and how to apply: https://www.ci.cumberland.md.us/515/Public-Notice-CD-Block-Grant-Program