The U.S. House moved urgently to head off the looming nationwide rail strike on Wednesday, passing a bill that would bind companies and workers to a proposed settlement that was reached in September but rejected by some of the 12 unions involved. The measure passed by a vote of 290-137 and now heads to the Senate. If approved there, it will be quickly signed by President Joe Biden, who requested the action. Biden on Monday asked Congress to intervene and avert the rail stoppage that could strike a devastating blow to the nation’s fragile economy by disrupting the transportation of fuel, food and…

Federal lab testing confirmed a case of bird flu at a farm in Western Maryland. The Maryland Department of Agriculture released a statement Wednesday, confirming the lab results that found a case of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza at a poultry farm in Washington County. MDA said state officials quarantined all affected premises and taken measures to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds or poultry products from affected flocks will not enter the food supply chain, MDA said. "Avian influenza does not affect poultry meat or egg products, which remain healthy and safe to eat and handle. All poultry growers,…

Today is the last day to pay your tolls without paying any penalties. Back in February, the state launched a program allowing drivers to pay late fees associated with video tolls without paying any penalties. However, that nine-month grace period ends at midnight.  Around $137 million in civil penalties for more than 750,000 drivers and businesses has been waived under the program.

A wind advisory is in effect until 7 PM * WHAT…West winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.   * WHERE…In Maryland, Central and Eastern Allegany County. In West Virginia, Hampshire, Hardy, Eastern Grant and Eastern Mineral Counties.   * WHEN…Until 7 PM EST this evening.   * IMPACTS…Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.   PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…   Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects

West Virginia is hiring North Texas athletic director Wren Baker to be its new AD, two people with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because details of a contract were still being finalized, but an official announcement from the school was expected later Wednesday. Baker has been at North Texas since 2016 and Mean Green athletic programs have won 17 conference and division titles since he took over. The football teams plays for the Conference USA championship on Friday at No. 23 UTSA. The Oklahoma native…

On November 30th, 2022 officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the 700 block of MacDonald Terrace for a reported motor vehicle crash. Upon officer’s arrival they spoke with a complainant who advised a female had advised them of the motor vehicle crash, who then left the area. The witness provided a description of the female, and described her as being impaired. Officers were able to locate the female, identified as Victoria Webb, and observed evidence of impairment. After the performance of standardized field sobriety, the officers observed further evidence of impairment, and placed her under arrest. Webb was…

Arrest Warrant Served On November 29th, 2022 officers of the Cumberland Police Department served an Arrest Warrant on Jose Gomes. The Arrest Warrant was issued by the District Court when he failed to appear for his trial on November 21st, 2022. Gomes was taken before a District Court Commissioner where he was released on an unsecured bond. Arrest: Jose Morais Gomes Jr, age 35, Cumberland Maryland. Charge: Failure to Appear. Criminal Summons Served On November 30th, 2022 officers of the Cumberland Police Department served a Criminal Summons on Christopher Kaylor. The Criminal Summons was issued by the District Court stemming…

Maryland Speaker of the House Adrienne Jones visited Allegany County on Tuesday to get an up close in-person look at a number of key regional projects. Jones, a Baltimore County Democrat, met with the Allegany County Commissioners before making stops at Canal Place and the Rocky Gap Casino Resort. During a press availability the speaker was asked if she feels Western Marylander’s issues and concerns are being heard in Annapolis. There have been regular references over the years to a so-called  “war on rural Maryland”- culminating last October when a  number of Republican lawmakers in Allegany and Garrett counties sought…

Sold out crowds all Thanksgiving weekend at the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad as the popular Polar Express season officially got underway. The Polar Express excursion for families is about an hour with the train taking riders to a Christmas village setup at Helmstetter’s Curve near Cash Valley Road and returning. Excursions run three times a day on Friday and Sunday and four times on Saturdays. Wes Heinz, WMSR general manager, talked with WCBC News and said the response was overwhelming…

With the mid term elections now in the rear view mirror and the holiday break over- Congress is back at work this week- and Western Maryland’s representative says he is eager to move away from politics and focus on helping constituents. Sixth District Congressman David Trone, a Democrat, acknowledges that even with passage of the president’s inflation reduction legislation, much more needs to be done to address the current economic climate… Unfortunately he says  as the GOP prepares to take control of the House, Republican leadership is more focused on partisan investigations and continuing to push false election fraud claims,…