Five local businesses, attractions, and events took home Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine’s recently announced ‘Best of Awards’ in its February 2023 issue. This is Blue Ridge Outdoors’ thirteenth annual ‘Best of Awards,’ which consisted of an online nomination then polling process in October of 2022. This year, Blue Ridge Outdoors received 200,000 votes in 50 categories, from best local outdoor experiences, guides and outfitters to best local dining spots and events. Allegany County, Maryland, was well represented in multiple categories. 1st Place Winner: Best Coffee Shop: Basecamp Coffee (Cumberland, MD) Runner-Up Awards: Best Biking Trail: The Great Allegheny Passage Best…

South Mechanic Street will be closed between Baltimore Street and Pershing Street on Feb. 2 between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. to allow First Energy to replace a broken pole.  Trucks will be detoured to Queen City Drive to avoid the closure. Any questions, contact the Cumberland Engineering Department at 301-759-6600.

Tom Brady, who won a record seven Super Bowls for New England and Tampa, has announced his retirement.  Brady — the most successful quarterback in NFL history, and one of the greatest athletes in team sports — posted the announcement on social media Wednesday morning, a brief video lasting just under one minute. “Good morning guys. I'll get to the point right away," Brady says as the message begins. “I'm retiring. For good." He briefly retired after the 2021 season, but wound up coming back for one more year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He retires at age 45, the owner of numerous…

Just two weeks after taking office, Maryland Governor Wes Moore will deliver his first State of the State address today just after noon. Moore is expected to touch on many of the themes he spoke of during his inaugural speech. A brief address is expected in the range of 20 minutes according to the governor's office. WCBC will provide live coverage of the event.

On Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at approximately 2:15 AM, an officer of the Cumberland Police Department conducted a traffic stop in the 400 block of Race Street.  A male subject identified as Malakhi Henderson was a passenger in the vehicle. Henderson had three active warrants for his arrest.  Henderson fled on foot.  Officers engaged in a foot pursuit and were able to take Henderson into custody in the 300 block of Race Street.  The Cumberland Police Department was assisted by the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office. Henderson was later transported to Central Booking.  Additional on-view charges were filed against Henderson.  Henderson…

Canal Place officials hope to get a firm handle on exactly how much the proposed River Park project will ultimately cost- with requests for proposals having been advertised. Located on the Potomac River behind Canal Place, the project includes constructing a moderate whitewater course, docks for canoes and kayaks, walking trails and a viewing area. The Canal Place Preservation and Development Authority has been working with an estimated $20 million price tag-  however the project has reached the point to where some more concrete numbers are necessary to work toward finalizing a funding package. Executive Director Dee Dee Ritchie…

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice continued his road show this week as he continues to try and maintain public attention for his proposed 50% income tax cut. The bill, which has already passed in the House of Delegates by a vote of 95-2, proposes to cut West Virginia’s income tax in half, with a 30% reduction in June 2023, and another 10% in 2024 and 2025. Justice was been joined at the Town Hall meetings by Secretary of Revenue Dave Hardy who has previously said that this tax cut will put more than a billion dollars back into the pockets of West Virginians by…

According to law enforcement statistics- many of the crimes being committed in Maryland are from repeat violent offenders. Law enforcement agencies across the state report that almost 60% of people arrested for violent crimes are repeat violent offenders. It's far from a new problem in Maryland, but one that so far has not been solved. Delegate Jason Buckel, House Minority Leader, says that while he has some concerns about Governor Wes Moore’s proposed budget to address public safety, he is in agreement that there is a deperate need for additional parole and probation officers…

Skyrocketing interest rates through most of 2022 put some much-needed pressure on the housing market after home prices hit record highs across the nation. However, since December, mortgage rates have been on a steady decline which continues now into February.  While the housing market slowing may seem like bad timing for Cumberland where local officials have invested in a number of housing projects in recent years- and have even more in the pipeline- Mayor Ray Morriss is not discouraged…

WHAT…Freezing drizzle and black ice. Snow possible in some areas after midnight. Ice accumulations of a light glaze and snow accumulations of up to one inch. WHERE…Portions of western Maryland, northwest Virginia and eastern West Virginia. WHEN…Until 4 AM EST Wednesday. IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions.\ ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Temperatures are falling below freezing and residual moisture combined with areas of freezing drizzle are resulting in locally hazardous road conditions. AFFECTED AREAS: GARRETT … EXTREME WESTERN ALLEGANY … CENTRAL AND EASTERN ALLEGANY … SHENANDOAH … WARREN … HAMPSHIRE … HARDY … WESTERN GRANT … EASTERN GRANT … WESTERN MINERAL … EASTERN MINERAL…