On April 29th, 2025 the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Rodney Lee Smith. The warrant was issued after Smith failed to appear for court on April 28th, 2025, which violated terms of his probation. Smith was placed under arrest and transported to central booking. He was then seen by a District Court commissioner where he was held on $2,500.00 bond. NAME: Rodney Lee Smith AGE: 58 Cumberland, MD CHARGE: Violation of Probation  

Allegany County Public schools are the recipient of funds from the GIANT Company’s Feeding School Kids initiative. Community members who shop at select stores help support school districts in addressing childhood hunger. Shoppers are able to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar or converting CHOICE points into a donation for their local schools’ food program.  Schools use the funds to expand food distribution programs, cover student meal debt, and provide extra weekend meals.

Maryland Public Television is taking to the skies for its newest documentary, “Maryland By Air.” Cal Ripken, Jr. narrates the one-hour program showcasing Maryland from above using drones, helicopters, and a vintage bi-plane. Aerial footage of Western Maryland is featured including the hills of Allegany and Garrett counties, Deep Creek Lake, Antietam National Battlefield, and the C&O Canal. The show airs Thursday at 8pm on PBS.

On April 29th, 2025 at approximately 8:07 p.m. an officer with the Cumberland Police Department was patrolling the 900 block of Frederick Street when they observed a male subject with an active arrest warrant, Jude David Smith. The officer then approached Smith who began to run from the officer. Smith then abruptly turned on the officer and retrieved a large knife from his waistband. Smith then threatened himself and officers with the knife. He was given multiple orders to drop his weapon to which he did not comply. Smith then attempted to flee, once more. After a brief foot pursuit,…

On April 29th, 2025 at approximately 11:23 a.m., an officer from the Cumberland Police Department was patrolling the area of Queen City Drive. When they observed Richard Lee Flowers crossing an area of CSX property that was conspicuously marked "NO TRESPASSING." The officer contacted Flowers and issued him a citation for the offense. He was then released from the scene pending trial at District Court.  NAME: Richard Lee FLowers AGE: 61 Cumberland, MD  CHARGE: Trespassing on Posted Property

During a special visit to the studios of WCBC on Tuesday, Maryland State Senator Mike McKay brought along an early gift, kicking off WCBC’s 50th anniversary year.  McKay presented a special State Senate Proclamation to radio station owner Dave Aydellotte that he read aloud for listeners…    “Be it here known to all that the Senate of Maryland offers its sincere congratulations to WCBC Radio in recognition of celebrating the start of your 50th year in broadcasting. Thank you for your dedicated service to the community and congratulations on this impressive milestone.”

Congress is back in session and the Democratic party is readying for a showdown with the Trump Administration over disagreements on several issues. Maryland Democratic Congressman Jamie Raskin who has been an outspoken opponent of the President, said the United States is in an unsettled and insecure frame of mind…   “The country is in an uproar about this full-blown assault both on democracy and the major achievements of democracy like social security, Medicare and Medicaid where they want to cut $880 billion dollars over the next couple of weeks, so that’s the coming showdown.”

Taking an important step in making Maryland the “Capital of Quantum,” Governor Wes Moore has entered into an agreement with the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency or DARPA to establish a quantum benchmarking hub in the state. The University of Maryland will serve as the home for the project that will build a qualified independent quantum computing test and evaluation team.  Moore spoke about the federal partnership in the project…     “Up to $100 million dollars in federal matches to the state’s quantum investments over the next four years. Quantum is going to have a remarkable impact on the human…

Students in West Virginia schools will now have less screen on their phones during the school day. Governor Patrick Morrisey signed House Bill 2003 into law on Tuesday allowing county school boards to determine the exact procedure for either disallowing phones on school property or storing them during the school day. Morrisey said students need time off from devices for development…     “I think the constant use of phones in day-to-day life – that’s actually been shown to limit age-appropriate development of relationships, of social skills, and other necessary tools to be successful.”

The abrupt ending over the weekend to funding for the Ameri-Corps program by the Trump Administration is directly affecting Frostburg State University’s Appalachian Service Through Action Resources program. The cuts have terminated the ASTAR program immediately.  Lisa Clark, Director of ASTAR, says this will affect over 25 partners in Western Maryland, including Evergreen Heritage Center…     “Through the partners that we have, we have over 25 partners in the Western Maryland region, but in Allegany County alone we served over 15,000—closer to 20,000 community members with our services.”