The Allegheny Highlands team of AFS-USA will hold an information open house Saturday, June 17 at the LaVale Library’s Jeannette Johnson room from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Information will be available about hosting international students for a year or semester, study abroad – including gap year programs – and volunteer opportunities in support of the local program.  AFS-USA (American Field Service) has been active in the tri-state area since the mid-1960s, each year bringing international students to live with local families and attend high school, as well as sending local youth around the world to study and live. Students and…

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP), Department of Health and Human Resources’ (DHHR) Bureau for Public Health (BPH), and Emergency Management Division (EMD) are actively watching for potential air quality issues for fine particulate matter as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to impact areas along the East Coast.  According to AirNow.gov, unofficial air monitors indicate counties in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle are currently the most impacted in the state, with air quality index scores in the 151 to 200 range.  Citizens are encouraged to check the AirNow website to see real time air quality data in their area….

Governor Wes Moore today announced appointments to Maryland’s new Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority. The authority, created through Senate Bill 720 passed earlier this year, will make recommendations regarding the racing industry in Maryland and will work to improve horse racing and training facilities in the state.  “The horse racing industry is an important part of our state's history and our present-day economy. We have a long, distinguished tradition of racing here in our state,” said Gov. Moore. “I was proud to attend the Preakness as governor this year and to have the opportunity to celebrate that incredible Maryland institution. My…

Governor Wes Moore signed an executive order to promote Maryland’s economic future through the creation of the Maryland Economic Council. The council will be the command center for analysis and recommendations for the Moore-Miller Administration to effectively implement economic policies that achieve growth, diversify our workforce, and merge our state’s assets and growing industries. “For too long, Maryland has underutilized its assets because it lacked a cohesive economic strategy. This council will change that,” said Gov. Wes Moore. “The Maryland Economic Council will help build the robust economic strategy our state needs and our state deserves. For the next decade…

On June 9th, 2023 at approximately 1:00 am officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the 200 block of Columbia Street for a reported disturbance. Upon officer’s arrival they discovered no active disturbance. Officers then located Jessica Jones, who had four active Arrest Warrants, and advised her she was under arrest. Officers placed her into handcuffs and began to escort her from the residence, when she began to pull away from the officers. Jones screamed, yelled, and continued to attempt to pull away from officers as they escorted her to a patrol vehicle. Jones was then remanded to the…

On June 8th, 2023 officers of the Cumberland Police Department served an Arrest Warrant on Charles Frazier III. The Arrest Warrant was issued by the District Court when he failed to appear for his trial on June 2nd, 2023. Frazier was taken before a District Court Commissioner where he was held on $1,000 bond. Arrest: Charles Warren Frazier III, age 31, Cumberland Maryland. Charge: Failure to Appear.

Street paving may be coming to an area near you in the future, according to Mayor Ray Morriss. Columbia Gas has been working throughout the city, replacing gas lines for some time.  The City will now be able to pave some of the streets where that gas company has completed work.  Morriss discussed the areas…

Safety at night was one topic of discussion for the Downtown Development Commission on Thursday.  The Baltimore Street construction project has involved the removal of much of the lighting in the area, leaving the downtown lit only by ambient light in the area or from stores that are open.  Melinda Kelleher talked to WCBC about the situation…

The UPMC Western Maryland campus has earned its third consecutive Platinum performance achievement award from the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain-MI Registry.  The Cumberland hospital is the only location in Maryland to receive the honor out of 262 nationwide.  Dr. Christopher Haas, the medical director of cardiology at UMPC talked with WCBC’s Dave Norman about the metrics of the award… The Chest Pain-MI Registry engages hospitals to drive improvements in guideline recommendations and care provided to heart attack patients.

The Allegany County area remains under a Code Orange Air Quality alert through at least midnight tonight.  The Maryland Department of the Environment has issued the alert due to air pollution concentrations that may become unhealthy for some sensitive populations.  These include children, people with asthma, heart disease or other lung diseases and the elderly.  The alert is the result of smoke drifting into the region from over 400 wildfires in Canada. Winds are forecast to push thick smoke farther south into the Mid-Atlantic, meaning the same smoke seen in New York City this week could smother Delaware, Maryland, northern…