A new opponent with more philosophical differences- but Delegate Mike McKay believes he will have the same advantages in the General election for state senate as he did in the primary.  Mckay defeated Allegany County Commissioner Jake Shade in last week’s GOP primary- and as he did during the campaign- McKay following his win pointed to his experience in office as the key. As he now prepares to face Democrat Michael Dreisbach in November- he tells WCBC News that he will continue to push the message that experience matters. McKay has served two terms in the Maryland General Assmbly and…

Governor Jim Justice announced abortion policy has been added to the call for the legislative special session that got underway Monday, although the governor did not yet provide a bill or state specific policies to be considered.  West Virginia’s criminal abortion statute dates back to the 1800s and is the current subject of a court battle. The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision that rolled back national abortion rights sent the issue to state governments. The updated call only says the special session now will clarify and modernize the abortion-related laws currently existing as part of the West Virginia Code…

On July 25, 2022 Officers of the Cumberland Police Department served an arrest Warrant on Jonathon Keith Bray. The original investigation was conducted by the Cumberland Police. On 7/12/22 Officers were dispatched to a residence in the city for a report of a breaking and entering. Officers arrived and were advised that the resident was awakened by Mr. Bray yelling through the kitchen door. Bray broke into the house by breaking a window and removing the locking mechanisms. Bray them entered the house and fled when the resident called the Police. Officers were advised that Mr. Bray also broke into…

Aruna Miller, Maryland’s Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor, tells WCBC News that a Wes Moore administration will not ignore Allegany County. Miller, running mate of Democrat gubernatorial nominee Wes Moore, is no stranger to the region.  In 2018 she won a straw poll at the Western Maryland Democratic Summit at Rocky Gap-  topping a list of candidates for the sixth district congressional seat.  She has also played a key role in a number of Western Maryland related issues as a member of the House of Delegates: co-sponsoring a bill that laid the groundwork for Maryland’s fracking ban; and serving as…

Following the May mass shooting at a Texas elementary school- there was increased police presence on campus’ across Maryland. Two months later, during a quarterly update,  Cumberland City Police Chief Chuck Ternent said he is confident local law enforcement is prepared to deal with such an incident. While there has never been a mass shooting incident in Allegany County schools- there have been several in Maryland schools over the years including one in Rockville in January. Ternent, who acknowledged that there has been some difficulty in finding school resource officers, said area law enforcement receives training from the FBI in…

After Trump-backed state delegate Dan Cox won Maryland’s  gubernatorial GOP primary, Governor Larry  Hogan called it a major win for the Democrats and  the end of 8 years of a Republican control as governor. Hogan, running in a state that is 2-1 Democrat, won overwhelmingly in each of his elections but says there is no way Cox will have such broad appeal. He says it was the unlikely shared goal of Trump backers and the Democratic Governors Association that led to the nomination of a candidate who he says has zero chance of winning in November.  Each wanted Cox to…

911 Advises that emergency units are clearing the scnene.  Northbound access is still restricted. Allegany County Emergency Services reports a vehicle accident with lines down at McMullen Highway bteween WInchester Road and Warrior Drive. Route 220 currently closed in both directions as a result. No injuries reported. A dispatcher told WCBC News they expect 220 to be closed for some time as units and Potomac Edison crews work to clear the scene

Cumberland’s National Night Out event will be held on Tuesday, August 2nd from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Somerville Ave. between First and Fourth Streets. The annual Kick-Off Event is a Free Swim followed by a Free Movie and held at the Constitution Park Pool and Patio on Monday, August 1 beginning at 6:00 p.m. with the movie ‘Luca’ beginning at dusk.  Neighborhoods throughout Cumberland are invited to join over 38 million neighbors from over 16 thousand communities in all 50 states in celebrating an annual community-building campaign known as National Night Out. This event promotes strong police-Community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer,…

Gov. Jim Justice on Monday abruptly added state abortion law to the agenda for a special session of the West Virginia Legislature he called to focus on his plan to reduce the state's income tax. The Republican governor announced last week that he was calling legislators to Charleston on Monday to weigh his plan for a 10% tax reduction. He made no mention of abortion in that announcement, though he has hinted in recent days that it might be the subject of a special session as well. The Senate had already gaveled in for the day and the House was preparing to start…

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that he has asked the Maryland State Board of Education to advance the Inspector General for Education’s recommendation for a full independent investigation of widespread grade changing practices in Baltimore City Public Schools. “Marylanders are demanding better outcomes and more accountability for the taxpayer dollars entrusted to the local school systems charged with providing a high-quality education for every single Maryland child—with no exceptions,” writes Governor Hogan. “Now more than ever, we must work together to provide the accountability, integrity, and efficiency in our public education system that Maryland families expect and deserve. … I…