On Saturday, March 4, 2023, from 8 am – 5 pm, water service will be shut down on N. Mechanic Street from Valley Street to Queen City Drive while the City of Cumberland Water Department replaces a 4" valve.  N. Mechanic will be open to traffic but please use caution if traveling through the work zone.

A Maryland State Police Aviation Command helicopter crew assisted with the rescue of an injured mountain biker, after a mishap on a remote trail at New Germany State Park in Garrett County on Wednesday.   Shortly before 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Garrett County and Grantsville Volunteer fire Department personnel found the injured mountain biker on a remote trail. He reportedly told rescuers he was stranded in the woods for nearly eight hours following the mountain bike accident. The 56-year-old male victim was injured while cycling through Meadow Mountain Trail, a 14-mile trail, which stretches through New Germany State Park and…

The Joint Republican Caucus in the Maryland General Assembly discussed their priority legislation to combat Maryland’s violent crime crisis, including the continued rise in juvenile crime.   “The top issue Marylanders are most concerned about is crime, and this should be the priority for every legislator,” said House Minority Whip Jesse Pippy (District 4 – Frederick). “While there is a great deal of talk about crime, little has been done about it. The crime statistics get worse every year, and thousands of lives have been lost. Crime should not be a partisan issue, but with all this state has endured…

WBAL reports a Maryland-based vaccine maker said it's worried about future sales and funding from the U.S. government. The Gaithersburg vaccine maker Novavax lost $200 million in the fourth quarter of last year. The results were released on Wednesday. While Novavax's CEO told investors he thought the future is bright, he also warned that the company must deliver a "competitive product" for the upcoming fall vaccination season. He also said the company needs to cut spending and find ways to boost sales beyond its COVID-19 vaccine. Novavax got a $1.6 billion federal grant for the COVID-19 vaccine in 2020.  

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) today released the results of the 2021-2022 Maryland Youth Risk Behavior Survey and Youth Tobacco Survey (YRBS/YTS). For the first time, the survey addressed mental health status, COVID-19, screen time, disability, and additional information on adverse childhood experiences. Survey findings show that the COVID-19 pandemic greatly affected the mental health of Maryland youth. The survey also finds a reduction in the use of tobacco products, alcohol, and marijuana for high school students. However, there was an increase in alcohol initiation and prescription drug misuse at the middle school level. “While we see some encouraging…

Maryland Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller urged lawmakers Wednesday to approve an extension and expansion of tax credits for low-income residents that helped them during the pandemic but are set to end. The proposal is a priority for Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat who included $171 million in his $63.1 billion budget plan for the legislation. It would make permanent an expansion of the state’s earned income tax credit approved in 2021 for tax years through 2022. The measure also would expand the state’s child tax credit. “Both of these programs are proven to significantly reduce poverty in the state,” Miller…

On March 1st, 2023 officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a business in the 60 block of Queen City Drive for a reported disturbance and trespassing complaint. Upon officer’s arrival they spoke with a witness who advised that a male inside the store had made threats towards employees, and provided a description. Officers contacted the male who refused to identify himself. The male obstructed and hindered the officer’s investigation into the incident and was placed under arrest. Officers were later able to identify the male as Fon Fomukong, and he was taken before a District Court Commissioner where…

The Cumberland Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in a motor vehicle theft investigation. On March 1st, 2023 officers responded to the 300 block of Footer Place for a reported stolen motorcycle. The motor cycle was described as a Black Kawasaki Ninja, and was stolen between the afternoon of February 28th, 2023 and the morning of March 1st, 2023. Any information can be provided to the Cumberland Police Department at 301-777-1600.

The McMullen Building restoration project is moving at full speed and an open house is scheduled for this Saturday. Located at 138 N. Baltimore St., the building was best known for housing Woolworths and later the G.C. Murphy Co. department store in the 20th century. Local businessmen Chris Hendershot and Garrett Eagan, owners of Cartridges Galore, purchased the four-story building in 2020… Saturday’s open house is scheduled between 10 and 2…

One of the early changes that will be made necessary by the downtown mall contruction- will be the annual Easter event and the Farmers Market. Downtown Development Commission executive director Melinda Kelleher says that after decades downtown on Baltimore Street, the Thursday market is preparing for relocation to Canal Place with an opening on April 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m… The new location is situated along the Canal Place stage accessible via the Howard Street entrance to Canal Place. The new venue offers easier access to parking and restroom facilities. As far as other downtown events, Kelleher says…