Cabinet members from Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro’s Administration gathered to celebrate the 33rd Annual Holiday Wish Program, which is run by Commonwealth employees. When a family or individual visits a County Assistance Office to apply for benefits, caseworkers identify families and older adults in need to take part in the Holiday Wish program. State employees, private organizations, and individuals sponsor a family or individual to ensure they receive special gifts during the holiday season. Department of Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh revealed how many people will be touched by this year’s program…    

The Bedford Barracks of the Pennsylvania State Police is seeking the public’s assistance with a reported theft/criminal mischief case in Snake Spring Township.  On November 22, a flat screen television and an electric space heater were stolen, for an estimated loss of $400. State Police also say two RVs were severely damaged, with an estimated loss of $43,600.  Anyone with information is urged to contact PSP Bedford at 814-623-6133 or Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers Toll Free at 1-800-4PA-TIPS (8477).

On Wednesday, December 6th, 2023, The Cumberland City Police served a criminal summons on Mark Jonathon Tallman, 55, of Cumberland MD. The summons was in reference to an incident that occurred on November 21st at a business in the area of Queen City Drive. During that incident, the City Police responded for the report of a theft. An employee of the business advised officers that they had observed Tallman conceal items inside the store and not pay for them. The employee then confronted Tallman and advised they were contacting the police. Tallman fled the area on foot. As a result, an…

On Wednesday, December 6th, 2023, The Cumberland City Police arrested Quinton Vaughn Baker, 25, of Cumberland MD. Baker was arrested on an outstanding Bench Warrant issued by the Allegany County District Court on December 5th. The warrant alleges Baker failed to appear in court on that date for a previous charge of animal cruelty. Baker was taken before a District Court Commissioner for an Initial Appearance where he was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center. He is currently being held on $5,000 bond. Arrested: Quinton Vaughn Baker           Age: 25 Charges: Bench Warrant-Failure to Appear On Wednesday, December 6th, 2023,…

The Allegany County Library system has several events planned through the holidays to engage the entire family.  Ashley Swinford of the library system tells WCBC that for those holiday shoppers, special assistance is available at the LaVale library location… Coming up this Saturday at the Frostburg branch of the library is a family-oriented card-making event…

Hikers and bikers along the C&O Canal come through the area year-round. The local visitor center for the national park is maintaining regular visiting hours through the winter and National Park Ranger Josh Nolen talked about upcoming improvements during the recent Canal Place Preservation Authority Board meeting…    

On November 21, 2023, a divided three-judge panel of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 that Maryland’s law violated the Second Amendment. Now Maryland Attorney General Brown is asking for a rehearing of the case before the full 15-judge appellate court. “The Second Amendment does not prohibit states from enacting common-sense gun laws like Maryland’s handgun licensing law,” said Attorney General Brown. “My office will continue to defend laws that are designed to protect Marylanders from gun violence.”

“Christmas Eclectic” is the name given to this year’s Cumberland Choral Society holiday concert. The concert will take place on December 8th at 7:30 pm and Sunday December 10th at 4pm at First Presbyterian Church on Washington Street.  Music Director Judith Brown was a guest on the Dave Norman program and talked about the variety of music performed in this year’s show… Brown also talked about the benefits of singing for physical and mental wellbeing…

The Maryland Department of Transportation is doing what it can to deal with upcoming structural deficits by cutting over $3 billion across the board in funding through 2029.  Both operating and capital budgets are being cut for projects statewide. Locally, Allegany County will see $7 million reduced for projects involving US Route 220 in Cresaptown and Garrett County’s project to extend US 219 to the Pennsylvania state line has been reduced by almost $26 million.  Additionally, Allegany County and its municipalities will lose over half a million dollars in Highway User Revenue from the state for fiscal year 2025.

Congressman David Trone announced the endorsement of the International Association of Ironworkers Local 5 and 568 in his campaign for U.S. Senate in Maryland. Together, Local 5, based in Largo and Local 568, based in Cumberland, represent thousands of construction workers. Trone has gained the support of other unions for his campaign including the MSEA, IBEW and SMART’s international union.