From public service to ending child poverty, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore unveiled his priorities Wednesday in his first State of the State address. The State of the State address is a defining moment for Moore with high expectations. Moore has declared on several occasions that his administration aims to move fast and be bold and fearless. His speech revealed more of his legislative agenda and continued his theme of leaving no one behind… The governor on several occaisions seemingly lifted a page from the playbook of former Maryland House Speaker Casper Taylor and his “One Maryland” concept…

Maryland’s House Minority Leader Jason Buckel offered  the Republican View of the State of the State following Governor Moore's noon address Wednesday-  and  while the Allegany County Republican  said he hopes the Governor will reach across the aisle for a productive session- he sees some early red flags.   Buckel said while there are record amounts of education funding contained within Moore’s budget- a closer look shows that some of the poorest of the student population will take a hit… Buckel said the governor’s funding for public safety also seems to be allocated poorly… Closer to home, Buckel notes that UPMC…

In March of 2018 a seven-member task force was created by state legislation to examine the future viability of Canal Place and determine whether any changes are needed.  Four years and one pandemic later-  no final report has been issued. Delegate Jason Buckel is chair of the task force and early in 2019 he said that group was examining a number of different scenarios including one that would abolish the Canal Place Authority and transfer the assets to another agency or private entity. Canal Place executive director Dee Dee Ritchie, during this weeks regular meeting,  was asked for a task…

The 16th annual Groundhog Day Celebration at City Hall Plaza is set to get underway early this morning- and WCBC will be streaming the event live on our Facebook page.  Cumberland’s prognosticator mascot, Queen City Charlie, will be on the steps of City Hall to help answer the question, “Will it be an early Spring or six more weeks of Winter?” On hand to interpret the prediction will be Mayor Raymond Morriss and members of City Council. Downtown Development Commission executive director Melinda Kelleher said the program will begin at 7 a.m. with Mayor Morriss announcing the coloring contest winners,…

On National Unclaimed Property Day today, Comptroller Brooke Lierman urges Marylanders to check the Maryland Comptroller’s Office’s Unclaimed Property database to see if they can be reunited with cash and property that is rightfully theirs.   “The Unclaimed Property program strives to reunite Marylanders with money or items that have ended up in the state’s custody,” Comptroller Lierman said. “Everyone should check the list to see if your name or a family member’s name is there. The discovery could be life changing! The property could include long-forgotten bank accounts, stocks or jewelry left in safety deposit boxes or other items…

Congressman David Trone (D-MD), co-chair of the U.S. Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking; Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), member of the Commission; Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Annie Kuster (D-NH), Trone’s fellow co-chairs on the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force; and 51 other Members of Congress sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to reinstate the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to a Cabinet-level position.    Trone and his Congressional colleagues sent the letter amid rising drug overdoses throughout the United States. Since 1999, one million Americans have died…

Allegany County Emergency Services that a disabled vehicle on Interstate 68 East exit 43A at Johnson Street has the road closed while units clear the scene

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore delivered his first State of the State address Wednesday, two weeks after he was sworn in as the state's 63rd chief executive. Moore gave his address in front of the General Assembly, where he focused on key initiatives that will "leave no one behind" in the state. The governor mentioned that while there are major challenges ahead, he said the citizens will play a role in making Maryland a better state.  

Allegany College of Maryland employees Heather Greise, Shauna McQuade and Kara Riley were nominated and selected by their peers to receive League Excellence Awards from the League for Innovation in the Community College. Greise and McQuade will travel to Tempe to be honored during The League’s annual Innovations Conference held March 11-14. Riley has asked to attend a future Innovations Conference.  

Representatives David Trone (D-MD), John Rutherford (R-FL), Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) announced the creation of the Bipartisan Second Chance Task Force in an effort to promote policies that will improve reentry outcomes and reduce employment barriers for returning citizens. At the time of its launch, the Task Force comprised of 26 Members of Congress (13 Democrats and 13 Republicans).   During its inaugural event, members and co-chairs were joined by Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Director, Colette Peters, and Acting Head of National Institute of Corrections, Alix McLearen, for an introductory briefing on the challenges that…