Raymond W. Walker, 83, of Midlothian, passed peacefully the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022. Raymond graduated from Beall High School in 1956. He served eight years in the Maryland Army National Guard. He began his career in politics in 1961 when he was hired as a deputy clerk with the Clerk of the Circuit Court's Office in Allegany County. In 1974, he was appointed acting clerk and was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court. He continued to be elected every four years and served as Clerk of the Circuit Court from 1974 until his retirement in 2001. During that time frame as deputy clerk and…

Winter Weather Advisory from 5AM-1PM on Friday issued by the National Weather Service Freezing rain, Ice accumulations of up to one tenth of an inch in Maryland, Washington and Central and Eastern Allegany Counties. In West Virginia, Morgan, Berkeley and Jefferson Counties. Plan on slippery road conditions Friday. The hazardous conditions will likely impact the Friday morning commute. Slow down and use caution while traveling. When venturing outside, watch your first few steps taken on steps, sidewalks, and driveways, which could be icy and slippery, increasing your risk of a fall and injury.

While the pandemic has not had a significant impact on the total of high school graduates, it has taken a bite out of the number of students who are immediately going on to college. Sara Baker is the with Maryland Higher Education Commission, and recently presented some eye opening numbers to a subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee

The West Virginia budget continues to remain firmly in the black, as it has since the early days of the pandemic. During a press conference with four reporters, including WCBC, Governor Jim Justice said the recently concluded month of January showed a budget surplus of nearly 140 million dollars…

Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss was a guest on WCBC’s Dave Norman Show Wednesday morning, which is the norm the morning after council meetings. Morriss said the city continues to struggle with police staffing issues, saying there are two new hires currently in training.   On a related topic, the mayor agreed with the program host that it is long past due for those who resist arrest and assault officers to pay a price…

Emailed bomb threats were received at the State’s Attorney offices in Allegany, Garrett and other counties across the State of Maryland Monday morning.  Allegany County Sheriff Craig Robertson told WCBC News the threat here was deemed not credible, and authorities did not see a need for a courthouse evacuation. In Garrett County, the courthouse and attached jail were evacuated as a precaution.  Chief Deputy Mike Bittinger told WCBC that included the relocation of 57 inmates from the detention center.   Bittinger declined to identify the relocation site for security reasons.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan held his eighth State of the State address last night on WCBC. Reviewing the struggles and accomplishments this past year and announcing the end of the Maryland state of emergency.  

Gov. Jim Justice announced today that revenue collections in West Virginia continue to make history – breaking several all-time state records in January. West Virginia’s General Revenue collections for January 2022 came in at $573.3 million – a whopping $136.8 million above estimate and 29.4% ahead of prior year receipts. Seven months through Fiscal Year 2022, year-to-date collections of $3.093 billion are $530.6 million above the YTD estimate; breaking the all-time record for total surplus through the month of January. The $136.8 million surplus for the month of January is also believed by state revenue officials to be the highest…

Queen City CHarlie, who replaced Mountain Maryland Murray this year for Cumberland's Groundhog Day festivities, did not see his shadow and tradition says that mean an early spring. The annual event was broadcast live on WCBC and was hosted by Mayor Ray Morriss.   A cloudy day insured Charlie had a pleasing debut with his prognostication.

Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh and Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) Secretary Ben Grumbles today filed a complaint in the Circuit Court for Dorchester County against Valley Proteins, an Eastern Shore poultry rendering facility located in Linkwood, Dorchester County.  The complaint seeks preliminary and permanent injunctive relief and civil penalties for violations of Maryland’s environmental laws and regulations.   In required discharge monitoring reports from April 2019 through October 2021, Valley Proteins reported 40 effluent violations over a period of 598 days.  Inspections conducted by MDE from January 2019 through January 2022 revealed additional violations, including pollutants in a position…