As his second and final term as Maryland’s 62nd governor winds down, Larry Hogan is in the midst of what will likely be his last official visit to Western Maryland. Hogan, a Republican who also serves as the 2022 states’ co-chair for ARC, will made  his first stop Monday afternoon at Frostburg State University. There he was joined by ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and Frostburg President Ronald Nowacyzk for an event announcing $47 million in Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization, or POWER, grants. The POWER program is an ARC initiative that “supports…

Governor Larry Hogan and the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) today announced awards of more than $47 million to 54 projects through the POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) Initiative, which directs federal resources to economic diversification projects in Appalachian communities affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries. This is the largest POWER awards package to date since the initiative launched in 2015. Governor Hogan is hosting this year’s annual ARC conference at Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Cumberland—the first edition of the conference held in Maryland in 30 years. 

On Saturday, October 15, 2022, the Mountain Ridge Miner Marching Band earned 1st place in Group 3-Open at Southern Garrett High School. They also received awards for Best Auxiliary (Color Guard) and Best Percussion.

Gov. Jim Justice celebrated the kickoff of 2022 Fall Trout Stocking and the new Monster Trout Stocking Program today at Cacapon Park Lake. The Governor joined Cacapon Superintendent Scott Fortney, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Hatchery Program Manager Jim Hedrick, and additional DNR members to stock the lake at Cacapon Resort State Park.   “We’re doing something really, really special here,” Gov. Justice said. “We’re hoping this will help build even more interest for our state because for the first time ever you have young people genuinely coming to West Virginia, buying hunting and fishing licenses, and doing something…

That big-ticket fundraiser for Dan Cox, hosted by Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, will take place tonight. Tickets for the cocktail reception benefit the campaign of the Republican candidate for governor in Maryland and start at $1,776. WBAL reports it will be $25,000 to get your picture taken with Trump and Cox. On Oct. 13, Cox and the Democratic gubernatorial nominee held their first and possibly only debate. They discussed topics including abortion, LGBTQ concerns, the environment, reparations, police funding and more

On October 16th, 2022, The Cumberland City Police arrested Shawn William Patrick Kelly, 20, of Cumberland MD. Officers on patrol in the area of Glenn St. observed Kelly on CSX property where it was clearly posted “No Trespassing”. Kelly was issued a Criminal Citation for Trespassing and released, pending trial in District Court. Arrested: Shawn William Patrick Kelly                 Age: 25 Charges: Trespassing on Posted Property   On October 16th, 2022, The Cumberland City Police responded to a business in the 400 block of Virginia Ave for the report of a trespassing complaint. Upon arrival, officers met with store employees who…

There appears to be growing concern over the conduct of some bus drivers working for the Allegany County Public School system with one man raising the issue with the elected school board. During the public comment portion of this month’s meeting, Zachary Barbe said he is the parent of a student who was told by a school bus driver, as a disciplinary matter, to clean chewed gum from beneath the bus seats. Even though this was said to have occurred during the COVID pandemic, he said the bus driver ordered his child to carry the gum in his hand until…

With construction tentatively set for next spring to redesign the Downtown Cumberland business district- a project that will include tearing up Baltimore Street to replace aging infrastructure- notifying business and property owners is a primary concern. Creating up to date, step by step notifications during the anticipated 18 month construction phase should be a priority, according to Downtown Development Commission vice chair Larry Jackson… City council member Laurie Marchini said the city makes a concerted effort to inform businesses anytime a construction project is about to start however unfortunately there are still some who claim to be missing the information…

WCBC Radio is once again sponsoring a series of candidate forums ahead of the November General Election with the first scheduled for this coming Wednesday, October 19th and a second set for the following Monday, October 24th. Each night will feature two forums, the first with candidates for the Allegany County Board of Education and the State Senate; the second evening focusing on the Cumberland City Council and the Allegany County Commissioners. WCBC Station manager Mary Clites said the objective is to provide voters an opportunity to become more familiar with the candidates and their positions on key issues… The forums…

Comptroller Peter Franchot recently announced that the state of Maryland has closed its books on Fiscal Year 2022 with a revenue surplus of $2 billion in its general fund. The comptroller said this is the second straight year that the state’s coffers have seen a massive unanticipated influx of revenues in the year-end report. In remarks delivered at this month’s Board of Public Works meeting, Franchot emphasized that the positive closeout report is welcome news that should be taken with caution, due to the volatile global economy. He said it is vitally important to prepare now for the economic downturn…