The state of West Virginia announced on Monday that schools in 15 additional counties across the state are being added to the roster of schools in the state's Communities in Schools program. A total of 48 schools across 19 counties, including Mineral County, are the newest additions to the initiative.  The program works to forge partnerships and bring resources to schools and help remove barriers to student learning. Mineral County schools now in the program include Keyser Primary, Middle and High School.

The work at the Fort Hill Reservoir in Constitution Park starts this week and may continue into the first part of October.  Residents may notice reduced water pressures during this time as the liner and cover on the reservoir are replaced.  Hydrants throughout the city are being flushed in preparation for the work that begins today. City Engineer Bobby Smith tells WCBC that all Cumberland Water customers will be affected during this work…    

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is celebrating the West Virginia district court ruling that GenBioPro cannot sell its abortion pill in the Mountain State.  The pharmaceutical company had argued that access to an FDA-approved drug was unconstitutional.  The district court judge ruled that the Supreme Court has made it clear that regulating abortion is a matter of health and safety upon which States may appropriately exercise their police power.  The court will let stand the challenge by GenBioPro over telehealth to proceed. The FDA has said that mifepristone can be prescribed via telemedicine, but Attorney General Morrisey is prepared…

On August 27, 2023 Cumberland Police Department served an arrest warrant on Shainia Viola Metzner, 27, of Hyndman Pennsylvania. The warrant was issued by the District Court for Failure to appear. As Officers attempted to serve the warrant, Ms. Metzner provided a false statement to a Peace Officer, provided a false name to avoid prosecution and was in possession of CDS paraphernalia. As a result of this, Metzner received additional charges. Arrest:  Shaina Viola Metzner, age 27, Hyndman Pennsylvania. Charges: Failure to appear, Possession of CDS paraphernalia, false statement to Peace Officer and Fraud to avoid prosecution. Metzner is currently…

Program Open Space funds allowed the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation to purchase 14 land easements across the state that will keep over 1400 acres of farmland safe from development, continuing Maryland’s vision of preserving one million acres of farmland by 2030.  Lands preserved include farms with wineries, dairies, and breweries.  Michelle Cable of the Preservation Foundation says farms are an important part of the state’s economy and some of the farms are not what people envision…  

While Maryland is looking at a budget deficit approaching $1.8 billion in five years, Virginia is following in the steps of neighbor state West Virginia in having a substantial budget surplus for the fiscal year that ended June 30th.  West Virginia finished the year with $1.8billion in surplus funds and Virginia is projecting a surplus of $5 billion going into the new fiscal year.  Governor Glenn Youngkin wants some of that money returned to the taxpayer in the form of long term tax relief for residents. Currently the Virginia General Assembly isn’t ready for Youngkin’s tax cut package that would…

Marylanders are urged to consider whether they may be eligible to receive a homeowners’ or renters’ property tax credit. Nearly 140,000 postcards are being mailed to low-income homeowners who may be eligible to receive a credit. The Homeowners' Property Tax Credit Program provides relief for eligible homeowners by setting a limit on the amount of property taxes owed based on their income. Customers can apply for the 2023 Tax Credit online. The deadline to file is October 1.  

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics released state jobs and unemployment data and according to the preliminary survey data, Maryland gained 2,000 jobs in July.  The unemployment rate decreased two-tenths of a percent to 1.8%. This is the sixth consecutive month of record-setting low unemployment for Maryland.  The “Other Services” sector experienced the most growth with an increase of 2,500 jobs.  Additional sectors that created jobs include Leisure and Hospitality; Public sector; Mining, Logging, and Construction; and Information.  Areas showing a decline include: Professional and Business Services; Financial Activities; Private Education and Health Services; Manufacturing; and Trade,…

Many people can become confused when it comes to choosing the correct healthcare provider for illnesses.  Recently, Dr. Mary Ann Riley, Medical Director for Primary Care Services at UPMC, talked with WCBC about the options available locally.  Dr. Riley said having a primary care doctor looks at the whole health of the individual, not just acute situations that urgent care addresses…   The issue of wait time was also discussed and Dr. Riley said it is their goal to have patients seen at their appointment times…    

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice signed a bill providing over $3million to the state’s National Guard for an ongoing program to reach academically challenged teens, giving them a second chance at their basic education.  Mountaineer Challenge Academies are located in Kingwood and Montgomery and have graduated over 5,000 teens.  The bill provides funding for critical updates to the Guard’s Montgomery campus that formerly operated as West Virginia Tech.  Teens go through a 22-week residential program of mentoring and training which encourages teamwork, problem solving and leadership skills…