Funding for the annual County United Way campaign is off by over $150,000 this year.  While staff sees many factors entering into the shortfall, the organization is committed to funding agencies that provide essential assistance to the community.  United Way Director Michele Walker spoke with WCBC recently about one of these agencies, Associated Charities, and related how help from United Way changed a dangerous situation for one area couple…

A Garrett County fire Wednesday morning caused over one million dollars in damage.  Fire units were called to 310 Baltimore Avenue in Oakland as Automotive Machine Incorporated was heavily damaged.  Fifty firefighters responded and the fire took almost an hour and a half to extinguish.  The blaze originated in the kitchen area and the cause is under investigation.

West Virginia University head basketball coach Bob Huggins will serve a three game suspension and take a one million dollar pay cut.  The penalties to the Hall of Fame coach are a result of Huggins twice using a homophobic slur during an interview on a Cincinnati radio station.

The Mountain Ridge Fellowship of Christian Athletes is sponsoring a Baccalaureate service to honor the 2023 Senior Class at Mountain Ridge. The service is at 7 pm on Monday, May 15, in the theatre at Mountain Ridge HS. All graduating seniors are invited to be part of this traditional service. Members of the senior class will be leading the service by speaking, performing, and singing. A senior slide show will also be shown during the service. The service is open to all members of community. The Mountain Ridge FCA would also like to invite all area pastors to join us…

“Historical Building and Restoration Techniques” is the latest Hands-On History event coming up at the Gordon Roberts House on Washington Street.  Featuring Benjamin Curran of Preservation Maryland, the workshop will focus on brick work and repair in historic structures. The workshop is designed for the professional and the average homeowner to attend with the hopes of building a solid force of tradesmen with preservation skills in the area.  A limited number of spaces remain for the workshop that is scheduled for May 20th and is free of charge. Sign up at www.preservationmaryland.org/about/team/benjamin-curran

Griffon Corporation has announced that the ClosetMaid plant in Granstville is set to close.  The plant closing is part of a downsizing plan by the company for US properties, part of a comprehensive plan to maximize shareholder value that began in 2022.  Griffon has owned the plant since 2017 and employs 170 people.  In addition, plants in Pennsylvania and Iowa are going to be shuttered. The Griffon Board declared a special cash dividend of $2.00 per share, payable on May 19, 2023 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 9, 2023. 

On Tuesday, May 9, 2023, the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on David Swanger.  The summons was issued as the result of an incident that occurred on May 8, 2023.  On this date at approximately 10:42 AM, an officer of the Cumberland Police Department located Swanger on George Street and arrested him on an active bench warrant. A search incident to arrest revealed that Swanger was in possession of a prescription medication bottle with a portion of the label that was removed.  The officer later filed for charges against Swanger at the District Court of Allegany County.  Swanger…

On Tuesday, May 9, 2023, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Robert Evans.  The warrant was issued as the result of Evans failing to appear in court on May 8, 2023.  He was originally charged with Trespass: Posted Property.  Evans was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  He was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and posted a $500 percentage bond. ARRESTED:  Robert Michael Joseph Evans    AGE:  64     Cumberland, MD      

Tuesday’s Allegany County Board of Education meeting included the presentation of scholarships to the three WCBC Student Salute winners for the school year.  Chamber of Commerce Director Juli McCoy made the presentation to Leah Boggs of Mountain Ridge who received a $5000 scholarship to Frostburg State University and to Olivia Looker and Alex Kennell of Allegany High School who each received $500 scholarships to FSU.  McCoy related how the recipients of the scholarships are determined by the Chamber Education and Workforce Development Committee… McCoy went on to say that the Chamber and WCBC are honored to provide the scholarship opportunity……

The Cumberland Economic Development Corporation met on Tuesday where Executive Director Matt Miller provided an update on the $2 million dollar funding announced in April by Congressman David Trone for work on The Carver Center project on Frederick Street… Senator Chris Van Hollen has also submitted his support for the funding request to the House Appropriations Committee.   Miller noted that the Boys & Girls Club and Horizon Goodwill Industries are just two of the organizations wanting to procure space in the center when it is rehabbed.  The building’s gymnasium will also be made usable space once again…