An early morning fire damaged the Pilgrim’s Pride chicken processing plant in Moorefield. The plan employs about a thousand workers. Flames were visible when fire crews arrived on the scene. No injuries were reported. Fire crews extinguish the blaze shortly after 5:00AM. The cause of the fire is under investigation. 

On Monday, December 5, 2022, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Les Bishop.  The warrant was issued as the result of Bishop failing to appear in court on October 6, 2022.  He was originally charged with driving motor vehicle on highway without required license and authorization.  Bishop was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  He was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and posted a $1,500 unsecured personal bond. ARRESTED:  Les Allen Bishop         AGE:  26           Cumberland, MD

All Allegany County Public Schools are on a TWO HOUR DELAY today, Tuesday, December 6, 2022. All morning pre-kindergarten classes are cancelled, and no breakfast will be served. 

On Monday December 5, 2022, shortly after 7:00 am Cumberland Police Officers responded to a Bedford Street residence for a report of an out of control 17-year-old.  Upon arrival officers discovered the 17-year-old acting out aggressively.  Officers attempted to deescalate the situation; however, the 17-year-old continued to become more aggressive.  The 17-year-old eventually began to assault the officers and a struggle ensued before he was taken into custody.   The Cumberland Fire Department responded to the scene and treated the injured officers.  As a result of the incident 3 officers were hospitalized with significant but non-life-threatening injuries.   As a result of…

In a little more than a month Republicans will take control of the House, while Democrats maintain a slight edge in the Senate. After two years of having both House and Senate control, President Biden is now expected to face far more challenges in advancing his agenda. Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat, says the president’s track record over the past two years shows that he can work with both parties in reaching concensus and achieving success. He would anticipate that trend to continue…

While the district one legislative delegation will have a full agenda to address next month when the 2023 session of the Maryland General Assembly opens-  Delegate Jason Buckel says the big picture issue remains the region’s  steady decline in population. According to the latest U.S. Census data- jurisdictions in rural Maryland saw some significant population decreases. In Western Maryland, Allegany County’s population dropped by about 9%, from 75,087 to 68,106, and Garrett County’s population dropped by about 4%, from 30,097 to 28,806.  The declining population trends in Allegany County began in the 1970’s and grew worse in the 80’s when…

Construction of a FedEx Transport Distribution Center has concluded at  Mexico Farms- providing what local officials hope will be a tremendous shot in the arm for the regional economy. The project began last November when the Allegany County Commissioners approved construction plans for 193,000-square-foot facility on 40 acres at the corner of Maryland Route 51 and Mexico Farms Road. Commissioners President Jake Shade says the distribution center will result in many new jobs for the area- and will be the first high-volume employer to build in the area since American Woodmark opened along U.S. Route 220 nearly 20 years…

Among the details that emerged during the sentencing last week for Devon Burroughs in the stabbing death of 17 year-old Saiquan Jenkins was that Burroughs was bullied and had a history of mental illness. The tragedy shines an even brighter spotlight on the growing problems created by bullying and cyber bullying. Boards of Education; administrators; teachers and councelors have all worked diligently for years to create some potential solutions. In Maryland, student board members are now getting more actively involved, addressing the issue during a recent conference of the Maryland Association of Board’s of Education. Allegany County School  Board member…

Severity: Moderate – Possible threat to life or property Urgency: Expected – Responsive action SHOULD be taken soon (within next hour) Certainty: Likely (p > ~50%) Category: MET: Meteorological (inc. flood) Event Description: Winter Weather Advisory   Alert: Winter Weather Advisory until 08:00AM Tuesday Dear WCBC News Room, * WHAT…Areas of freezing rain. Ice accumulations of a light glaze. * WHERE…In Maryland, Allegany County. In West Virginia, Hampshire and Mineral Counties. * WHEN…Until 8 AM EST this morning. * IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions. Road conditions could change between wet and icy due to localized temperature differences. * AFFECTED AREAS:…

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is urging consumers to exercise caution when evaluating credit card offers this holiday season. The advice comes as part of the Attorney General’s Holiday Consumer Protection Week.   Consumers may see an uptick in credit card offers with the Christmas shopping season now in full swing. While it may be tempting to take advantage of the “buy now, pay later” option, the Attorney General urges consumers to verify the credit card offer is legitimate.   “It’s always a good idea to verify any sort of offer you may receive,” Attorney General Morrisey said. “Credit cards…