Cumberland City officials voted last week to seek $4.2 million in funding through a bond sale to cover the cost of a variety of projects including water and sewer projects and the purchase of a number of police and fire vehicles. Comptroller Mark Gandolfi told city officials that while the interest rates last year were far more favorable, this deal is still a good one and he wouldn’t rule an effort to refinance when rates drop in the coming years…      

The following students from Cash Valley Elementary School were Academic Achievers for the second marking period of the 2022-2023 school year for earning all A's and B's in academics and 3's and 4's for learning behaviors:   3rd grade: Hayla Booth, Ava Graham, Reid Wengerd, Karson Skidmore, Lakyn Stevenson, Derrick Smith, Amari Metheny, Cayden Hook, Jensen Brafford, Persephone Carrington, Isaiah Gerog, Jensen Turner, Owen Wengerd, Jacob Wills, Arianna Gartrell, Warren Graham, Darius Taylor, Olive Snider, Kinley Wengerd, Joselynn Jennings, Douglas Johnson, Harleigh Mason, Sophia McCray, Landon McDonald, Lillie Mosier, Brevyn Smith, Evelyn Smith,  Johnny Warnick 4th grade: Briella Fetters, Rylan…

It was a somewhat shocking report card on learning loss released last fall that showed Maryland school test scores down along with scores across the country. It's all part of a  national report showing learning loss is an ongoing casualty of the COVID-19 school shutdowns. Maryland  saw scores drop among fourth and eighth graders. Math scores saw their most significant decreases ever and reading scores dropped to 1992 levels. Nearly four in 10 eighth graders failed to grasp basic math concepts. Allegany County Superintendent of Schools Jeff Blank said he believes the testing this spring will be far more indicative…

The City of Cumberland, the Downtown Development Commission (DDC) and the Parks and Recreation Department are extending an invitation to everyone for the annual Groundhog Day Celebration at City Hall next Thursday,  February 2nd. DDC executive director Melinda Kelleher says that a coloring contest has been underway with a Groundhog themed prize pack for the most unique entry in each grade level… She said the festivities will begin around 7 a.m…

The regional tourism industry and outdoor recreation were focal points last week in Annapolis as local leaders lobbied state and federal representatives for support. In Allegany County, a top priority has become the proposed Canal Place River Park project, which would include a moderate whitewater course, docks for kayaks and canoes, trails and a viewing area. U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, whose Cumberland office is located at the Western Maryland Train Station at Canal Place, tells WCBC News he is well familiar with the project and how it will develop…

The latest weather information from WCBC's meteorologists calls for snow to begin around 5 a.m Wednesday, mixing with sleep between 11 and 2 in the afternoon. Rain, snow, sleet and freezing rain are all part of the afternoon forecast and the snow could be heavy at times with anywhere from 2 to 4 inches of accumulation. Temperatures will top out at 35

As of approximately 2pm, WCBC radio started receiving cancellations for tomorrow, January 25th, due to the perdicted snow storm. Please monitor, Snow Watch on WCBC's homepage and WCBC AM1270 and 103.1FM for up to date information.

The City of Cumberland Engineering Department would like to notify the public on the behalf of Columbia Gas of Maryland that between January 26th, 2023 and February 10th, 2023 there will be construction performed on North Centre Street, between Bedford Street Extended and Market Street.   Between these dates, this section of North Centre Street will be reduced to a 9-foot-wide driving lane. There will be no on-street parking permitted on North Centre Street during this time. Pedestrian paths will be maintained. Access to businesses and cross streets will also be maintained, with only minor interruptions expected.   Thank you…

Congressman David Trone (D-MD) sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging him to prioritize addressing the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) role in illicit synthetic opioid trafficking during his upcoming meeting with Foreign Minister Qin Gang early next month. Rep. Trone sent the letter amid record-breaking fatalities from drug overdoses in the United States. During the most recent twelve-month period available, fatal overdoses from synthetic opioids claimed the lives of 73,000 Americans – equal to 200 deaths per day.    In the letter, Trone highlights the recommendations by the U.S. Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking, which…

Allegany County Emegency Services reports a winter weather advisory is in effect * WHAT…Mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches along and east of the Allegheny Front, with and ice accumulations of around one tenth of an inch, mainly west of the Allegheny Front. Trace amounts of ice are expected east of the Allegheny Front towards the end of the event. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. * WHERE…Portions of western Maryland and eastern West Virginia. * WHEN…From 5 AM to 7 PM EST Wednesday. * IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could…