One of Gov. Wes Moore's nominees to serve on the state's Public Service Commission has withdrawn following criticism. Moore nominated Juan Alvarado, a senior official at the American Gas Association to serve on the PSC on Feb. 17. He had previously worked on the commission staff. WBAL reports Alvarado was criticized by some Democratic senators and environmental groups for what they said might be his lack of commitment to Moore's climate goals, which included a 100% clean energy by 2030. Alvareado released a statement on Tuesday in which he said "we have real and substantive challenges to meet Maryland's goals…

A late Monday night, three-alarm fire damaged a block of historic buildings in downtown Bedford. According to Bedford County 911 officials, crews were dispatched between 11:30 p.m. Monday and 4 a.m. Tuesday to 119 S. Juliana St., but flames spread to 115 Juliana St., while a fire alarm was triggered as far away as 109 S. Juliana St. The Cumberland Times News reported there are four buildings on the block and it was not immediately clear how many were damaged or their severity. But a Bedford County 911 dispatcher said an apartment building and an art gallery were involved. There…

Winds gusting to 55 mph prompted a wind advisory Tuesday by the National Weather Service for western Allegany County, Garrett County and the Potomac Highlands of West Virginia. The Cumberland Times News reports motorists in high profile vehicles were urged to be cautious of the high wind conditions that were expected to continue into early Tuesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. Power outages were expected in isolated areas as sustained winds in the 30 mph range could gust at times to more than 50 mph. At 8 a.m., more than two dozen residents were without electricity in the…

On Monday, February 27, 2023 at approximately 1:43 PM, an officer of the Cumberland Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Queen City Drive.  A Cumberland Police Department K-9 was requested.  A search was conducted and the operator, Chelsea Thomas, was found to be in possession of controlled dangerous substances.  A passenger, Gregory Robinette, was found to be in possession of CDS paraphernalia.  Thomas and Robinette were arrested and transported to police headquarters.  They were issued criminal citations and released pending trial. ARRESTED:  Chelsea Erin Thomas       AGE:  37            Cumberland, MD CHARGES:  CDS: Possession-Not Cannabis (x2) ARRESTED:  Gregory Shawn Robinette    AGE: …

On Monday, February 27, 2023 at approximately 10:02 AM, an officer of the Cumberland Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Queen City Drive.  A Cumberland Police Department K-9 was requested.  A search was conducted and the occupants, Alana Reeves and Kevin Hewlin, were found to be in possession of a controlled dangerous substance.  Reeves was also in possession of CDS paraphernalia.  Reeves and Hewlin were arrested and transported to police headquarters.  They were issued criminal citations and released pending trial. ARRESTED:  Alana Sue Reeves       AGE:  56            Cumberland, MD CHARGES:  CDS: Possession-Not Cannabis, CDS: Possess Paraphernalia ARRESTED:  Kevin Lee Hewlin  …

On Monday, February 27, 2023, the Cumberland Police Department served an Allegany County Circuit Court bench warrant on Christina Moreland.  The warrant was issued as the result of Moreland failing to appear in court on July 28, 2020.  Moreland was originally charged with Possess Contraband-Place of Confinement.   She was arrested and transported to the Allegany County Detention Center where she is currently being held without bond pending her appearance before the court. ARRESTED:  Christina Marie Moreland     AGE:  45      Ridgeley, WV  

Now in its 19th year, the Hooley Plunge has become the largest single-day fundraising event in Allegany County.  Scheduled for this Saturday, March 4, hundreds will run into the cold waters of Lake Habeeb at Rocky Gap State Park to raise money for local programs supporting the developmentally disabled, including the Special Olympics of Allegany County, Friends Aware, public and private school programs and Boy Scout Troop 89. The Hooley Plunge is coordinated by Alhambra Wamba Caravan 89 and co-chaired by Alhambra member Rob Adams and Northrop Grumman Material Program Manager Stephen Gray.  Adams tells WCBC News that since its…

Maryland Governor Wes Moore pushed lawmakers on Monday to increase the minimum wage to $15 this year — instead of waiting until 2025 — and allow annual increases that are tied to the cost of living. Part of the measure that would tie future increases to the Consumer Price Index beginning in 2025 is coming under particular scrutiny. During a panel discussion with some business leaders who support the Democratic governor’s proposal, Moore acknowledged the challenge of persuading lawmakers to support it. There has been strong push back however to the continued effort to hike the minimum wage from business owners in…

A renewable energy bill being considered in Annapolis has generated strong opposition from the  Allegany County Board of Commissioners. The county officials, during the regular public meeting, had a letter read into the record expressing objections to Senate Bill 590-  citing  concerns that it would have negative impacts on the Western Maryland region. That letter, sent to the Maryland Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee, suggests that the bill as written would eliminate the future potential for biomass systems to qualify for renewable energy credits. This, they say, would cause “severe implications for forestry, wood waste and bioenergy operations that…

Cumberland city officials are continuing to tweak the hotel/motel grant program with City Administrator Jeff Silka outlining a plan to streamline and formalize the distribution process. The annual distribution of funding was a topic of discussion Tuesday during a City Council work session at City Hall. Each year, a portion of the hotel/motel accommodation tax collected by Allegany County is distributed to the city, and officials subsequently make a portion available to organizations located within city limits that help attract visitors to the area. Silka is recommending the process be moved to spring to be included as part of the…