On December 29, 2023, Officers of the Cumberland Police Department were contacted by CSX employees regarding subjects. A CSX Manager of Train Operations was present and was concerned for their safety of the trespassers. With the subjects being on CSX property and the concern for their safety, a CSX conductor stopped train movements. During the investigation it was learned that the subject has provided a false name in recent interactions. The trespassers walked past numerous clearly Marked “CSX Property No Trespassing” signs. The signs were placed in the location were there is heavy train movements. Riddle was transported to the…

WCBC’s List of the Twelve Most Compelling for 2023 is now official. These individuals or entities have somehow influenced the area this year – for good or bad…  Dan Bible worked tirelessly to organize volunteers for Unite on the Rock at the Allegany County Fairgrounds in September.  An idea hatched after meeting evangelist Jay Lowder, the event drew crowds for three nights to hear Lowder and included hundreds of volunteers. Katie Quinonez is the executive director of the Women’s Healthcare Center on Route 220.  The abortion clinic relocated to Allegany County when abortions became illegal in West Virginia, saying that…

When Pastor Michael Mudge ran for Cumberland City Council in 2002, he lost by less than 80 votes.  But that hasn’t stopped him being a force to be reckoned with in the Western Maryland region. Since then he has worked to build monuments, establish a church, write local histories and lead the fight against the opening of an abortion clinic.  Michael Mudge is WCBC’s 2023 “Person Of The Year.” This annual award, patterned after Time Magazine’s Person of the Year, has been presented annually since 2002.  It goes to an individual deemed to have had the most influence on local…

Governor Wes Moore has ordered the Maryland Flag be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset, Saturday December 30th. This is for former Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Henry Allan “Bud” Virts, who passed away on Wednesday, December 13th. Virts was the Secretary of Agriculture from 1998-2001.

Public Notice The Mayor and City Council of Cumberland will hold a Public Work Session on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at 5:00 PM in the 2nd Floor Conference Room of City Hall. The Mayor and City Council's regularly scheduled Public Meeting will be held at 6:15 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers. Meeting agendas are attached and may be further referenced through the City's website at http://www.cumberlandmd.gov/129/Agendas-Minutes   

 The Western Region Office of the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal is investigating several trash cans that had been set on fire at Constitution Park in Cumberland, MD between 12/27/2023 and 12/29/2023. Anyone with information is urged to contact the WRO at 301-766-3888. Those providing information can remain anonymous.

UPDATE – ALL LANES ARE NOW OPEN -  Due to a vehicle accident in front of Burger King in LaVale, Route 40 Westbound is closed at this time. Please avoid the area if possible.

With New Year’s Eve quickly approaching on Sunday, Maryland State Police are urging those who plan to celebrate to be safe and smart and avoid impaired, distracted, and aggressive driving.  State troopers from all 23 barracks, including the State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort team, will be conducting saturation patrols on roads with high DUI incidents. Police urge motorists to plan for a safe drive by avoiding impaired, aggressive, and distracted driving. Adhere to Maryland’s Move Over laws, which require motorists to safely make a lane change or slow down when approaching a vehicle displaying warning signals.

On December 28th, Officers from the Cumberland Police Department (CPD) located Trevon Mercel Emerson in a residence in the 700 block of Baker Street. At this location he was arrested and served a Bench Warrant. Upon incident to arrest he was found in possession of a suspected crack cocaine. He was written two Maryland Criminal Citations. He was transported to Allegany County Detention Center to await his hearing. Arrest: Trevon Mercel Emerson, age 31, Cumberland MD Charges: Bench Warrant Failure to Appear on original charges of Burglary 4th degree and Disturbing the Peace/Disorderly. Two citations for Possession of a Controlled…

Allegany College of Maryland Nursing students attending the ACM Garrett County Nursing Site in Oakland will have the opportunity for financial assistance and employment in their field at Garrett Regional Medical Center following graduation as part of the WVU Medicine Aspiring Nurse Program. The program helps new nurses by providing direct financial assistance to nursing students at participating campuses. In return, upon graduation, these students commit to three years working as a nurse at a hospital in the WVU Health System.