On Thursday, May 15, 2025, Officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the intersection of Maryland Avenue and Williams Street for the report of a female in the roadway causing a traffic hazard. Upon arrival, Kara Miller was observed attempting to gain access to moving vehicles in the roadway. She was placed under arrest on the scene. A search incident to arrest was completed, which yielded CDS paraphernalia. Miller was transported to the Allegany County Detention, where she awaits her initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner.  ARRESTED:  Kara Inez Miller     AGE: 38           Cumberland,…

Governor Wes Moore wasted no time on his visit to Lonaconing and Westernport to declare a state of emergency for the area to strengthen the state’s coordinated effort in response to flood damage in the region.  Moore assembled state level cabinet heads, Congresswoman April McClain Delaney, and local officials for a special briefing Thursday evening in Lonaconing. Moore praised the community’s response to the disaster…       “That even in a very short period of time, just how well this community has mobilized. Just the fact that we are talking about an event that has significant damage but zero…

The 28th Annual County United Way Day of Caring and Sharing is here with over 500 volunteers tackling projects throughout the community.  Ed Mullaney with Let’s Beautify Cumberland says volunteers will be in special “United Way: Let’s Beautify Cumberland” shirts along roadways and parks, working on ways to improve parts of the city of Cumberland…   “Spread out over the community from Constitution Park to Riverside Park, to Giarritta Park to a lot of private enterprises and so forth, so… We’re just excited people are coming out. We will have this all filmed so you can pick it up on…

Maryland Congresswoman April McClain Delaney hosted a workshop for seniors in Gaithersburg to discuss issues facing the older Americans in her district. Topics such as Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare and access to these services amid staff reductions by the Trump Administration were discussed. Service providers offering information on federal benefits, health programs and aging services, staffed resource tables for the 350 attendees.

The Maryland State Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Carey Wright, has put a strong emphasis on getting students reading early in their education. Incoming Allegany County Superintendent Dr. Michael Martirano tells WCBC that he is also planning to concentrate on literacy levels with students. Martirano says reading sets students up for success…     “Really, really ramp up in terms of those early years on reading. Because reading is the gatekeeper – reading to learn, learning to read. Creating that total community effort about everybody having a role in making certain our young people are reading. And when they’re failing, how…

The Cumberland Main Street organization has achieved Accreditation status, the top designation tier for 2024. Main Street America offers these designations to programs with a proven track record of achieving outcomes in specific areas. Frostburg and Oakland’s Main Street programs were also accredited. Melinda Kelleher, Cumberland Main Street Manager, says the recognition aids the programs they do…     “The biggest thing is that it makes us eligible for grant funding that we get from the State of Maryland and that’s huge because those dollars help run our Main Street organization. The other part is just like branding, we can…

Governor Wes Moore this afternoon declared a State of Emergency to strengthen the state’s coordinated response to historic flood damage in Western Maryland. The governor announced the State of Emergency declaration during his visit to Allegany County to survey the major damage incurred as the result of Tuesday’s statewide storm activity.  “After surveying the damage and receiving updates on the work still ahead in Western Maryland, I’ve declared a State of Emergency to accelerate our response,” said Gov. Moore. “Today, our thoughts are with the Marylanders who have been directly impacted by this storm, and our gratitude is with all…

A major detour is taking place on U.S. Route 219 in Somerset County.  A bridge connecting Boynton to Salisbury will be closed until further notice due to damage caused by flooding this week.  The 80 foot long bridge may need replaced altogether.  Six thousand vehicles travel that part of Route 219 daily.

All Mountain Ridge District schools will be closed Friday, May 16, 2025. This includes Beall Elementary, Frost Elementary, George’s Creek Elementary, Mount Savage School, Mountain Ridge, Westmar Middle, and Westernport Elementary. Westernport staff should not report to work. All other staff are to report, if possible. Those unable to, should contact their school principal. All other schools are following the regular schedule.

On Friday, May 2, 2025, Officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the 700 Block of Greene Street for the report of a theft of a package.  Upon arrival, Officers were able to look at security footage and observed the suspect to be Deron Elbin. An application for charges was completed and submitted to the Allegany County District Court.  The application yielded a criminal summons for theft. On May 14, 2025, Officers located Elbin, and he was served with the summons. Elbin was released pending his trial at the District Court.  ARRESTED:  Deron Michael Elbin     AGE: 50   …