The Maryland state Board of Education voted this week to make school face mask policies a local decision – but that's not the final word. The board's 12-2 vote paves the way for the General Assembly's Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review to take the final vote. The committee approved the current masking regulation and will have to be the one to lift it- and a vote is expected today.  Cheryl Bost, President of the Maryland Education Association- the union representing Maryland’s teachers- feels the process is being rushed…

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen made the rounds on Thursday news programs- with strong attacks on Vladimir Putin and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Saying that Putin has “blood on his hands”- the Maryland Democrat said its time to deploy the toughest of economic sanctions…

All Allegany County Public Schools are on a 3-HOUR DELAY tomorrow, Friday, February 25, 2022. All morning pre-kindergarten classes are cancelled, and no breakfast will be served. Please note that if the delay status changes to a closure, this announcement will be made no later than 8:30 a.m. tomorrow morning. 

Due to projected ice accumulation through tomorrow morning, the Allegany County Fairgrounds drive-thru COVID testing clinic will open late on Friday, February 25.  Clinic hours will be 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day.

Allegany County Government, in collaboration with Garrett County Government and the state’s Maryland Department of Commerce, was awarded $75K by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to support Western Maryland’s outdoor economy. The project will develop a recruitment and strategic plan to attract outdoor recreation/lifestyle manufacturing to locate, expand, and grow in Western Maryland.  The project comes at the heels of the State of Maryland’s Maryland Outdoor Recreation Economic (MORE) Commission report, which was released in December of 2019. The Commission, which was tasked by Governor Larry Hogan to develop innovative strategies to market Maryland’s unique outdoor and heritage recreation brand…

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that the State of Maryland’s COVID-19 hospitalizations have dropped below 500—another major milestone for the state’s declining health metrics. In addition, three more casino-based booster clinics open at noon today at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Horseshoe Baltimore Casino, and Hollywood Casino Perryville. Hospitalizations: 480, ICU: 90. Since peaking last month just below 3,500, Maryland’s COVID-19 hospitalizations have declined by 86%. COVID-19 ICU levels statewide have dropped below 100 for the first time since Aug. 8, 2021.  Positivity Rate: 2.87%. Since peaking last month just below 30%, Maryland’s COVID-19 positivity rate has declined by…

All Allegany County Public Schools after-school and evening activities are CANCELED for today, Thursday, February 24 as a result of inclement weather

Governor Larry Hogan today issued the following statement: “Putin’s attack on Ukraine is not just a barbarous military assault from a deranged autocrat, it is an attack on the right of sovereign nations and free people to choose their own destiny—all that America stands for in the world. “This unprovoked aggression demands a unified and resolute response from America and our allies. Putin and Russia must face devastating consequences. If we fail to stand for freedom, Europe and the world will be a much darker and more dangerous place. “The First Lady and I join Marylanders and Americans today in…

WCBC Finckle Forecaster Diane Clark explains the weather occurring in our area… WHAT…Significant icing expected from freezing rain. Ice accumulations of one tenth to one third of an inch, with the highest amounts on the ridges. Snow and sleet accumulations less than one inch. * WHERE…In Maryland, Garrett, Central and Eastern Allegany and Extreme Western Allegany Counties. In West Virginia, Western Mineral and Eastern Mineral Counties. * WHEN…Until 10 AM EST Friday. * IMPACTS…Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice. Travel could be nearly impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the commutes through Friday morning. *…

On Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at approximately 2:05 PM, a Cumberland City police officer conducted a traffic stop on N. Allegany Street.  The officer contacted the driver and identified her as Crystal Marie Vanmeter.  A K-9 alerted on the vehicle.  A search of the vehicle revealed that Vanmeter was in possession of suspected crack cocaine.   Vanmeter was arrested and later released on criminal citation pending trial.   ARRESTED:  Crystal Marie Vanmeter      AGE:  27      Cumberland, MD CHARGES:  CDS: Possession-Not Marijuana