Andee Thompson, in honor of her late husband Bob Thompson, has been chosen as the parade marshal for the annual South Cumberland Business and Civic Association Marsha L. Thomas Memorial Halloween Parade which is scheduled for tonight.  Andee Thompson worked at WCBC Radio for just over 35 years where she started broadcasting the South Cumberland Halloween Parade live in 1990 with Jim Robey, then with Dick Yoder and Paul Mullan, and has been there almost every year until she retired in June. Bob Thompson started his career in Allegany County Public Schools in 1980 at Washington Middle School, teaching seventh…

Maryland gubernatorial Democratic candidate Wes Moore received an endorsement from former United States President Barack Obama. WBAL reports Moore's campaign shared a 30-second video on Tuesday. In the video, it showed Obama saying Moore knows Maryland and that the "choice couldn't be clearer." "Now, at a time when so much of our politics is about tearing people down, my friend, Wes Moore, is working to bring people together and lift them up," Obama said in the video. "He wants to build an economy that works for everyone and schools that are second to none. Because Wes knows that Maryland is strongest…

WBAL reports the University of Maryland announced Monday it will cover tuition and fees for low-income in-state students beginning in January. The initiative is called the "Terrapin Commitment Program." It will provide $20 million annually for need-based financial aid for Maryland students. In a letter to students, the school's president, Darryll Pines, said the program ensures that tuition and fees are fully covered for Pell-eligible, in-state students who are enrolled full time and have unmet financial need.

The Cumberland Times News reports early voting kicks off this week on Wednesday in West Virginia and Thursday in Maryland. In Allegany County, those who wish to cast a ballot early can head to the polls at the county’s Kelly Road office complex from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 27- Nov. 3. Garrett County voters can vote at the Oakland Community Center or the Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department, where drop boxes for mail-in ballots are also located. Early voters cannot vote on Election Day on Nov. 8 or by mail. Drop boxes for mail-in ballots in Allegany County are…

Day one of the Maryland black bear hunt concluded Monday with 22 bears, including nine males and 13 females, checked in. The largest bear was an estimated 294 pounds. The breakdown by county was five bears harvested in Allegany, one in Washington and 16 in Garrett. This year's bear hunt continues through Saturday. According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the annual bear hunt, now in its 19th year, "is an important management tool used to slow the increase of Maryland’s black bear population and limit expansion of Maryland bears into the eastern suburbs and cities." DNR issued 950…

Three of the four candidates for Allegany County Commissioner participated in a forum Monday night on WCBC Radio.  Republican challenger Bill Atkinson said tourism is a key to the county’s future.   Democratic challenger Anthony Joseph discussed sports as a possible tourism attraction.   Incumbent Dave Caporale discussed small breweries and sports.   Incumbent commissioner Creade Brodie, Jr. was not in attendance at the candidate forum.  

The candidates for Cumberland City Council attended a candidate forum Monday night at WCBC Radio.  Incumbent Rock Cioni discussed the importance of the Union Rescue Mission to the city. Challenger Jimmy Furstenberg does not like the new location for the Union Rescue Mission at the top of Center and Mechanic Streets.   Incumbent Joe George said the city did not choose the new site.   Challenger Mary Conlon did not attend the forum.

Longtime City Clerk Margie Woodring will retire effective November 1. During the regular meeting of the Cumberland City Council, Mrs Woodring participated in her final public session, as it was announced that she will be stepping down after 36 years employment with the city. The council voted officially to accept her resignation as part of its business Thursday, and also appointed current community development officer Allison Layton to replace her. Following the mayor and council members taking turns in offering elaborate praise for her consistent excellence and dedication to the job, Margie offered parting comments…       

Maryland Sixth District Congressman David Trone spent Monday in Allegany County discussing health care needs, economic development, transportation projects and visiting local businesses. Trone began his day at Rocky Gap speaking at Maryland’s Rural Health Care Conference. He made an afternoon stop in LaVale for a tour of the National Jet Company; presented a check at Allegany College of Maryland for improvements to the College Theatre; met with AHEC West in downtown Cumberland . While at AHEC Trone was briefed on Healing Allegany- a new AHEC West initiative that has volunteers train people and distribute  Naloxone in the community…  …

Declining student test scores in Maryland reflect a national downward trend that began in 2013 and worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Maryland State Department of Education released a statement Monday indicating a declining trend on the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress. MSDE said testing results indicate that a majority of Maryland fourth and eighth grade students were not proficient in math or reading. The largest drop in test scores in Maryland and nationally came in the math test in which 75% of Maryland eighth grade students and 69% of fourth grade students are at or below basic achievement. State…