Governor Larry Hogan today announced that he has appointed Justin Gregory to the Garrett County Circuit Court.  “I am proud to appoint such distinguished individuals to serve in our state’s judicial system,” said Governor Hogan. “Our state is gaining an immensely talented and principled group of judges who will honorably serve the citizens of their respective counties and Maryland in the years to come. I want to especially congratulate Cathi Coates as she becomes the first woman in state history to serve on the Worcester County District Court.” For Garrett County Circuit Court: Justin Nathaniel Gregory is a solo practitioner…

Weed is coming to US gas stations.  Green Thumb Industries Inc., one of the largest US cannabis producers, signed a deal with Circle K, the global convenience-store chain, to sell licensed marijuana at its Florida gasoline retailers. The partnership will begin next year with 10 of the company’s 600 locations in the state, Green Thumb said. The deal is rare, given that legal marijuana has so far been sold only in stand-alone dispensaries in the US and within pharmacies in countries such as Uruguay and Germany. By selling marijuana, which is still illegal at the federal level, at gas stations where consumers buy staples…

UPMC is hiring for clinical and non-clinical positions across its footprint. After a successful spring event, the UPMC Virtual Career Fair will return on Wednesday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. EST to offer job seekers information and opportunities for every kind of career within UPMC.    Through the virtual platform, participants can connect one-on-one with UPMC recruiters via chat, audio or video to ask questions about jobs and explore resources about UPMC’s culture, benefits and locations. The platform creates a customized virtual event experience for job seekers and even makes it possible for attendees to participate in…

Allegany County Emergency Services reports a vehicle crashing through a garage door on Main Street in Frostburg. Units are on the scene and advising that there are no collapse concerns. No reports of any injuries

On Wednesday, October 19, 2022, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Jon Vanetta.  The warrant was issued as the result of Vanetta failing to appear in court on October 14, 2022.  Vanetta was originally charged with a traffic offense. He was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  He was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and released on his personal recognizance. ARRESTED:  Jon Christopher Vanetta Jr.      AGE: 34        Cumberland, MD On Wednesday, October 19, 2022, the Cumberland Police Department served a Circuit Court bench warrant on Kerri Bohrer.  The warrant was issued as the result of…

The six candidates for Allegany County Board of Education participated in a candidate forum Wednesday night at WCBC Radio.  Incumbent Bob Farrell said he’s running again because he feels he has more to give to the county’s students. Challenger Lori Lepley said bringing the community together is one of her major goals. Janet Heavner has lived in various places during her adult life and she said giving back to Allegany County was important for her. Incumbent David Bohn (bonn) said there seems to be general agreement that the school system is running well at this point. Challenger Linda Widmyer felt…

WCBC Radio broadcast a candidate forum for state senator Wednesday evening and Republican Mike McKay squared off against Democrat Mike Dreisbach.  One of the topics discussed was the state of Maryland’s annual gas tax hikes based on the inflation rate.  Dreisbach said raising taxes on gas every year is counterproductive. Delegate McKay agreed with Dreisbach on the issue and said the state legislature should act and not allow the automatic hike to continue.

Bluegrass legend Del McCoury has spent a few days in Western Maryland this week- including visiting a number of downtown businesses as his management team is looking to invest. McCoury was accompanied by his wife Jean, manager Stan Strickland and other members of the management team.  During their stop downtown they visited Wheelzup Adventures, Centre Street Collective, Mise En Place restaurant, Pepper in a Bottle, JZ’s Pub, Azad’s and Ristorante Ottaviani. McCoury’s group is expected to close on 60 Pershing Street. in the coming weeks- that building last housed the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation. McCoury told WCBC news that  DelFest,…

One of the highlights of Governor Larry Hogan’s visit to Western Maryland this week was the official dedication of an improved stretch of U.S. Route 219 between Interstate 68 and the Pennsylvania state to retiring State Senator George Edwards. A  brief ceremony was held in Grantsville to announce the state’s $77 million commitment for upgrades- an investment that will complete the needed improvements in Maryland. Hogan said that In all there has been in excess of $200 million invested in the the 219 extension in recent years- with many of those dollars secured via the efforts of Senator Edwards…

In 2019, amid grand promises, state lawmakers launched an effort to force down the price of medications through the creation of a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. By creating an entity with a mandate to provide consumers with relief, lawmakers boasted, they were making Maryland the first state to take the pharmaceutical industry head on. Nearly three years later, the board’s initial mandate remains narrow — to determine which medications cost too much, then to set up a legally defensible method of capping the amount that state and local government health plans can be forced to pay to provide those drugs…