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…

The West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles announced today that some services remain offline due to a system-wide mainframe outage. Customers are encouraged to visit the DMV website at dmv.wv.gov to check the up-to-date alert box before they visit a regional office or try the online services portal.   The West Virginia Office of Technology (WVOT) is continuing work to resolve a mainframe outage and has retained assistance from third-party vendors, Park Place Technologies, IBM, and Ensono. The vendors are working around the clock to repair the Mainframe hardware.   An update will be provided when services resume.   For…

According to a report issued by the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office, a fire that occurred late Thursday afternoon in a vehicle at 11200 Mount Savage Road was deliberately set. The 4:23 p.m. blaze originated in the passenger compartment of a 1998 Ford Expedition owned by Christina Hetrick and was discovered by a passerby. The Mount Savage Volunteer Fire Department quickly extinguished the fire that caused damages estimated at $2,000. Anyone with information about the arson is asked to call the Western Regional Office of the state fire marshal at 301-766-3888.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), the crucial 50th vote on Democratic priorities in the upper chamber, won't be in the Senate this week after disclosing a positive Covid test early Monday morning. Manchin's absence may not play a huge role immediately as the chamber aims to pass a bipartisan semiconductor bill this week, as well as approve Finland’s and Sweden’s accession to NATO. However, thornier issues like codifying same-sex marriage into federal law and a prescription drug price-centric party-line push will definitely need his vote, along with those of his other 49 Democratic caucus members.