Chris Myers, WCBC producer and morning news director, performed taps Thursday at Gettysburg   Chris is spending the weekend at America's most famous battlefield before returning for Monday (with Fiona, of course).

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline marked its first anniversary in July.  In its first year, over 5 million calls, chats, and texts were answered through 200 call centers across the country.  Standardizing the dialing to 988 for the nation made connecting to a crisis counselor more simple and available to both landline and cell users. Dr. Emmy Betz of the University of Colorado explained that the 988 line is for more than those who are contemplating suicide…  

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s budget for education has one important item that he says he fought for in his first budgeting process.  In the state’s program for education for the coming year is universal free breakfast – a plan the governor says helps children start out the day on the right footing…

According to Cumberland Times News, Mineral County officials have scheduled four public meetings to explore placing a tax levy on the ballot to upgrade and construct recreational parks in the county. The proposed 1% levy on resident property taxes was discussed at Tuesday’s meeting of the Mineral County Commission. “Your voice can shape the future of Mineral County’s parks and recreation,” officials said in a notice about the meetings. The plan would include acquiring land along state Route 46 near Fort Ashby or along Route 28 in the Wiley Ford/Short Gap area to construct a park that would include a…

CRIMINAL SUMMONS SERVED On August 24th, 2023 the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Isaac Michael Case. The summons was issued after an officer conducted an investigation of a theft that occurred on Oak Street on August 11th, 2023. The officer then filed for charges at District Court. Case signed for his copy of the summons and was released pending trial at District Court. NAME: Isaac Michael Case AGE: 22 Cumberland, MD CHARGES: Theft $100 to under $1,500 CRIMINAL SUMMONS SERVED On August 24th, 2023 the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Shyana Blair Wigfield. The…

Healing Allegany’s Purple Fest takes place this Saturday at Constitution Park. The event will feature vendors of family services, food trucks, games and free pool vouchers for attendees.  Healing Allegany seeks to reduce illness and death in Allegany County related to opioid and substance use disorders.  Katie Brennaman, Program Coordinator for the organization, said the event will have resources for treatment as well as those in recovery and the friends and family giving support to those with substance abuse…

The Fort Hill Potable Water Reservoir will be offline until October 6th, 2023. Contractors are replacing the liner and floating cover on the reservoir. In order for the City’s water system to operate properly while the reservoir is offline, strategic hydrants have been opened throughout the city to help bleed the air out of the system and relieve the higher pressures. Water customers near the open hydrants may experience a moderate decrease in water pressure during this time.  City Engineer Bobby Smith noted that all Cumberland water customers will be affected by pressure issues…     Residents are asked to…

Garrett County Sheriff’s officers are seeking the public’s assistance in the investigation of a shooting on Cranesville Road, west of Oakland. The shooting occurred between 8 and 9:30pm on August 22nd in a fairly remote area.  Anyone that has information is asked to contact the Garrett County Sheriff’s Department at 301-334-1911 or information can be left at www.garrettcountycrimesolvers.org.

A public workshop for the draft version of the Cumberland Historic Preservation Plan is slated for Tuesday, September 12th.  The opinions and insights of the city’s residents will help direct the final plan for execution.  The Lakota Group of Chicago was hired by the city to develop the plan and members of the group were in town this past spring to visit and meet with the public. The plan will facilitate housing and neighborhood revitalization, economic development and heritage tourism.  A digital copy is available for review at www.cumberlandpreservationplan.com

Frostburg State University has a new Bachelor of Science Program within the Biology and Geography departments.  The new degree in Environmental Science replaces previous concentrations in the biology and earth sciences majors. Students enrolled in the new B.S. program will study topics ranging from climate and soil science to ecology and wildlife management while learning to mitigate harm, solve problems, and plan for a healthier future. The degree can serve as an entryway to the new Master’s in Environmental Management in Sustainability.