Deputy State Fire Marshal Robert "Rocky" Reed has been selected as the Western Regional Office nominee for Deputy State Fire Marshal of the Year. He will join other investigators chosen throughout the state for the 2021 James C. Robertson Deputy State Fire Marshal of the Year Award during the Maryland State Fireman's Convention in Ocean City this June.  After retiring from the Cumberland Police Department, Reed was hired by the Office of the State Fire Marshal nearly three years ago and has performed consistently in all aspects of his assignment. In 2021 Deputy Reed was in the top ten employees statewide for…

Allegany County Emergency Services reports a vehicle accident on Route 51 near Crabtree Lane. The vehicle rolled over and there is an entrapment. Emergency crews are on the scene

Allegany County Emergency Services reports that Route 220 in Rawlings was closed in the area of Old Pond Road this morning due to a vehicle accident. The Allegany County Sheriffs office responded

First reported on WCBC Radio, there has been recent rumors on the future of the Luke Paper Mill. It has now been confirmed that the property has been sold to Capital Recovery Group, a private equity firm that creates liquidity for its clients through liquidation auctions. The company will be selling off equipment and assets on the property, with plans to attempt to sell the site to a potential buyer. Attempts to sell the property to another paper producer remained unsuccessful since the paper mill closed in 2019.  A three-day online auction has been scheduled June 1-3 beginning at 10…

On May 12th, 2022, officers of the Cumberland Police Department, with the assistance of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, executed a search warrant in the 900 block of Maryland Avenue. Throughout the investigation officers had obtained information and evidence in regards to illicit drugs being distributed from the residence. After the execution of the search warrant a quantity of controlled dangerous substances, a large amount of US currency, and other evidence of distribution was located. Both Jenius Daniels and Victor Smith were placed under arrest and taken before a District Court Commissioner where they were both held on…

On May 12th, 2022, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a business in the 400 block of Virginia Avenue for a reported disturbance. Upon officer’s arrival they spoke with store employees who advised that a male, later identified as Christopher Lee, was causing a disturbance inside the store. Officers were able to locate Lee who was still disrupting the store’s operations. Officers spoke with Lee, who refused to identify himself. After an extended period of Lee refusing to provide any identifying information he was subsequently placed under arrest. While being placed under arrest Lee began to yell and…

The NFL released their team schedules Thursday night. For the Washington Commanders, the regular season opens on Sunday, September 11 hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars. Other games of note include divisional matchups, as well as hosting the Green Bay Packers October 23rd. WCBC Radio is the home of the Washington Commanders.   2022 WASHINGTON COMMANDERS SCHEDULE 9/11 – vs. Jaguars 9/18 – @ Lions 9/25 – vs. Eagles 10/02 – @ Cowboys 10/09 – vs. Titans 10/13 – @ Bears 10/23 – vs. Packers 10/30 – @ Colts 11/06 – vs. Vikings 11/14 – @ Eagles 11/20 – @ Texans 11/27…

 Although there is visible progress on the Cumberland Gateway project- momentum continues to be marred by a shortage in construction materials- part of the national supply chain issue. Commonly known as the Rolling Mill  project- the plan will see the construction of a commercial center between Maryland Avenue and Park Street that will include restaurants, shops and a hotel. Developer Ed Scott, of Kline Scott Visco Commercial Real Estate, has been preparing to build along Park Street where Verizon, T-Mobile, a Chinese restaurant and D’Atri Subs have all expressed interest in locating.  During Thursday’s meeting of the Downtown Development Commission,…

Although abortion will remain legal in Maryland even if the Supreme Court overturns Roe V Wade- that has not halted debate and not reduced the number of protests popping up across the state.  Further dividing the two sides in Maryland is recently passed legislation to increase access by  authorizing physician assistants, nurse practitioners and midwives to perform abortions. Lt Governor Boyd Rutherford has been critical of the new law- saying there is great risk involved in having non physicians perform abortions…

Allegany County roads and other infrastructure should be in better shape now that legislation helping to restore highway user fund revenue has been signed into law. Highway user revenue is money the state gets from gasoline taxes, titling and other fees associated with operating motor vehicles. The revenue used to provide significant funding for local roads projects until 2007. As a budget-balancing measure during the recession, former Gov. Martin O’Malley’s administration drastically reduced the amount of the highway user revenue that was going back to local governments for use on road repairs and other local transportation projects. In 2018, the General Assembly…