On Sunday, March 5, 2023 at approximately 1:47 PM, an officer of the Cumberland Police Department conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Baltimore Avenue and Marion Street.  The officer contacted the operator and identified him as Bernard Wilcher.  A consent search of Wilcher’s person was conducted and he was found to be in possession of a two different controlled dangerous substances.  Wilcher was issued criminal citations and released pending trial. ARRESTED:  Bernard Eltoine Wilcher      AGE:  34            Washington D.C. CHARGES:  CDS: Possession-Not Cannabis (x2)

The Joint Republican Caucus in the Maryland General Assembly, at a press conference,  discussed legislation they want passed to combat violent crimes in the state. House Minority Leader Jason Buckel urged the passage of four bills in particular. Those bills included kids ages 10 to 12 can be charged with gun crimes, raising penalties for gun thefts and raising the charge of use of a firearm in a violent crime from a misdemeanor to a felony. Buckel, of Allegany County,  said that while they agree with Governor Wes Moore that this is a Maryland problem, they're asking Democrats to join…

Maryland’s lawmaking session has passed the halfway point, and Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson recently offered an assessment of how things are going so far. Ferguson told reporters that things will be getting much more intense in the final month plus with lawmakers focused on the priorities that concern Marylanders mentioning their pocketbooks, their future and their health. He also said that legislators are working on crime, including a package that addresses prevention, intervention, justice and rehabilitation. With significant changes at nearly every level of state government, Ferguson said this has largely been a period of adjustment… Although there is…

While Allegany County is still at just 57% fully vaccinated against COVID-19- health experts provided an update this week on the pandemic landscape with anticipation of new vaccines yet to come. The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has been on the forefront of the COVID-19 response and its experts held an update on the status of the virus and vaccines. As the COVID-19 pandemic enters it’s fourth year, the Hopkins experts said it isn't going anywhere and that we all have to learn to live with it to some degree. But they said newer and better vaccines are in…

Last Friday’s snow day that forced the cancellation of Allegany County Public Schools turned out to be a relatively mild morning in Cumberland and points east- with Frostburg getting the bulk of the ice. Despite that situation the Board of Education made the decision to close the entire system- opting not to do a regional approach. Superintendent Jeff Blank told WCBC News that with ice in the forecast- he felt the prudent thing to do was to err on the side of caution…

I truly appreciate all those around the nation who have for many years encouraged me to run for president. After eight years of pouring my heart and soul into serving the people of Maryland, I have no desire to put my family through another grueling campaign just for the experience. I would never run for president to sell books or position myself for a cabinet role. I have long said that I care more about ensuring a future for the Republican Party than securing my own future in the Republican Party. And that is why I will not be seeking…

Governor Wes Moore released the following statement on the tanker explosion in Frederick: “My heart goes out to those affected by this tragedy in Frederick. I am in touch with County Executive Fitzwater, Mayor O'Connor, and the City of Frederick. The Maryland Department of the Environment, State Police, Office of the State Fire Marshall, and the Maryland Department of Transportation are on the scene of this tragic accident. We are continuing to monitor the situation closely.”

On Friday, March 3, 2023 at approximately 11:36 PM, an officer of the Cumberland Police Department conducted a traffic stop on W. Industrial Boulevard.  A Cumberland Police Department K-9 was utilized resulting in a positive alert.  A search of the vehicle was conducted and the operator, Irving Fletcher Jr, was found to be in possession of a controlled dangerous substance.  Fletcher was issued a criminal citation and released pending trial. ARRESTED:  Irving Charles Fletcher Jr.       AGE:  31        Cumberland, MD CHARGES:  CDS: Possession-Not Cannabis

On Saturday, March 4, 2023 at approximately 7:17 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a residence in the 200 block of Avirett Avenue for a disturbance.  Officers arrived and contacted the parties involved.  The resident explained that Ronald Ketterman came to her house uninvited and she wanted him to leave.  Officers advised Ketterman to leave the property or he would be arrested.  Ketterman was uncooperative and refused to leave.  He was placed under arrest and transported to Central Booking where he is currently awaiting his initial appearance before the court. ARRESTED:  Ronald Wayne Ketterman    AGE:  37      Wiley…

The Frostburg States softball team traveled to Charleston, West Virginia for a Saturday double header match-up. The Bobcats took on Bluefield State for a 2 PM match-up, followed by a 4 PM match-up against West Virginia Tech. The Bobcats split the day, defeating Bluefield State by a score of 13-3 and falling to West Virginia Tech 2-5.