A team of Frostburg State University students tied for second place in the First Annual Dr. Charles R. Drew Knowledge Bowl on Feb. 12, along with students from Howard University and Hampton University. The three schools participated in a friendly battle of wits, showing their knowledge of Black history, science, literature, religion, the arts and popular culture.  FSU students Aaron Mickens, Trekia Perkins and Reggie Morton represented FSU in the event. McKenna Booker, program management specialist for the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, coached the team, which finished tied for second with Howard University. Hampton University finished in first…

The Cumberland Times News reports that while an exact date hasn’t been set, Gov. Larry Hogan “in the near future” will announce one of two finalists, which include a local resident, as the next student member of the Maryland State Board of Education, his office said Tuesday.  Allison Schultz, an 11th grade Fort Hill High School student, advanced Saturday in a competition for a seat on the 2022-2023 state education board. She was among five nominees to participate in the Maryland Association of Student Councils virtual legislative session, where she and Merin Thomas, a student from James M. Bennett High…

Allegany County Emergency Services reported that units responded to a house fire on Walter Drive in Cresaptown just before noon Wednesday. No injuries and juts minor damage reported. The Maryland State Fire Marshal's office is investigating to determine the cause. 

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) today updated reinfections data posted to the COVID-19 surveillance dashboard at coronavirus.maryland.gov. Maryland is now counting 24,800 COVID-19 reinfections among its cumulative cases, dating back to late September. Maryland’s COVID-19 surveillance data are presented on the dashboard through various metrics. Case data are also reported through a number of demographic and jurisdictional-based subsets, which have been adjusted to reflect the reinfection data over time.    MDH counts a case as a reinfection, and includes it as a new case, if an individual tests positive for COVID-19 and has not had a positive COVID-19 test…

On February 15th, 2022 officers of the Cumberland Police Department served two Arrest Warrants on Shawn Mullaney. The Arrest Warrants were issued by the Circuit Court for Violation of Probation. Mullaney was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center without bond.   Arrest: Shawn Alan Mullaney, age 56, Cumberland Maryland. Charges: Two Counts of Violation of Probation.

Leading Maryland House members said this week that they will support a constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights in the state, as well as other measures to broaden access, because of the possibility that a conservative U.S. Supreme Court could overturn or weaken federal abortion-rights protections. The amendment has the full support of House Speaker Adrienne Jones… Delegate Jason Buckel, House minority leader, said he did not see a need to create a constitutional amendment to reflect what’s already state law, especially since there have not been Supreme Court rulings that would alter Maryland’s existing laws. He says the effort…

Although the state Board of Education has promised to review the need for masks in public schools, a parents group has filed a lawsuit to force the state to lift the mask mandate for students. The suit was filed in Somerset County circuit court on behalf of the group that calls itself the coalition of Maryland parents. The suit argues the Maryland State Department of Education overstepped its authority when it approved the mask mandate as an emergency rule last year. The suit could become moot as early as next week. The state board said it will reconsider the mask rules next week…

The deadline for candidates to file if they want to run in the 2022  Maryland Primary on June 28th has been extended. Allegany County Election Supervisor Diane Loibel  says the new deadline is March 22nd at 9:00 PM. She says the deadline is usually the last Tuesday of February, but that’s been extended by one month due to the legislative and congressional district maps are being challenged in court. Loibel tells WCBC News that mail in ballots will be available again this election cycle… Although a number of offices are up for election locally,  thus far only the Allegany County…

Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss believes the city is on the cusp of an economic turnaround with a number of key projects in various stages- all designed to re-energize the business climate. Speaking during a Tuesday afternoon work session at City Hall, Mayor Morriss said the two major projects: Rolling Mill and the Downtown Mall are viewed as anchors- but there are other projects in development although he isn’t at liberty to provide additional details at this time.. While being careful not to divulge any sensitive economic development information, the mayor did drop some hints…

Supporters of legislation to address climate change rallied in Maryland on Tuesday to speed up the state’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from 40% of 2006 levels to 60% in 18 years. The ambitious “Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022” includes provisions to expand the state's electric vehicle fleet, require large buildings to reduce emissions and help communities disproportionately affected by climate change. “This legislation makes sure that we’re putting ourselves on track, on the path, to strong, sustainable solutions to deal with our climate, but also to help with our public health and our economy," said Josh Tulkin, the…