3 PM Update:   Allegany Sheriff Craig Robertson told WCBC News that the State's Attorney's office here also received a threat, but it was deemed not credible and an evacuation not deemed to be necessary. Garrett Cheif Deputy Mike Bittinger said that no bomb was found and employees retunred to offices after a brief time.  57 inmates at the Garrett County Detention Center were also relocated during the operation. The Garrett County State’s Attorney’s Office has received an anonymous email, stating, “We are going to blow up your office building.”  This same email was received in multiple State’s Attorneys’ Offices around…

On February 1st, 2022 an officer of the Cumberland Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for violations that occurred on I-68 West Bound. The officer then contacted the occupants of the vehicle, Terry Harris and Davon Fields. The officer observed criminal indicators and requested a K-9 to respond and conduct a scan of the vehicle. The K-9 indicated a positive alert and after a subsequent search of the vehicle and the occupants a quantity of a controlled dangerous substance that indicated it was for distribution was located. Fields and Harris were placed under arrest and taken before…

Legislation proposed in Annapolis that sought to remove God’s name from the Maryland Constitution is dead. The declaration of rights/religious freedom bill was sponsored by Democrat Delegate Terri Hill of Baltimore and Howard counties- however after receiving strong criticism from both parties- she pulled the bill prior to it getting a committee hearing. Delegate Mike McKay, a Republican who represents Allegany and Washington counties,  called the bill another example of the “woke cancel culture” that is becoming more and more prevalent in today’s society. He offered praise for those constituents who made their voices heard… [audio src="https://www.wcbcradio.com/audio/archive/020222/MckayGod.mp3

During the peak of the surge in COVID-19 cases last month-  Maryland’s Department of Education released a statement  emphasizing the need for schools to remain with in-person learning. State Board President Clarence Crawford said the objective is to keep children and staff safe in in-person classroom environments, because it is now documented that out of school virtual learning is simply not effective.  Although a number of school systems did make the decision to close and revert to virtual learning- the overwhelming majority of school jurisdictions including Allegany County- chose to remain open. State Superintendent Mohammed Choudhury says he is encouraged that…

The Maryland General Assembly approved new boundaries for its 188 seats last week, choosing a map supported by Democrats who control the legislature instead of a separate proposal backed by Republican Governor Larry Hogan. Democrats outnumber Republicans 99-42 in the House, and 32-15 in the Senate. Locally, the biggest change comes to District 1C (currently represented by Delegate Mike Mckay) which will move further east into Washington County leaving far fewer Allegany County voters in the district Democrats say the approved map keeps an overwhelming majority of state residents in their existing districts and adjusts for population changes in the…

Bluegrass Legend Del McCoury celebrated his 83rd birthday on Tuesday- but he is showing no signs of slowing down with a focus on the return of DelFest after a two year hiatus due to COVID-19 concerns. McCoury said the cancellations of the shows in 2020 and 2021 was disheaterning but he and his family are looking forward to playing the Allegany County Fairgrounds this Memorial Day weekend- May 26th through the 29th… Although setting dates for a four day music festival during a pandemic in a region that hasn’t exactly embraced COVID-19 vaccinations can be a dicey proposition- DelFest representative…

The Cumberland Mayor and City Council Tuesday offered enthusiastic  support for a recommendation to dedicate the Baltimore Street Bridge in honor of former Speaker of the House Casper Taylor. Addressing the mayor and council with the request were Ed Mullaney,  Al Feldstein, Jim Stafford and Becky McClarran who said such recognition is long overdue… Taylor represented Cumberland in the Maryland General Assembly for nearly 30 years- and during that time he used his influence to bring dozens of key local projects to fruition. Mayor Ray Morriss.

City officials on Tuesday discussed priorities in allocating some $10 million in America Rescue Plan Act funds- and tentatively approved a plan designed to benefit as many citizens as possible. The funding is Cumberland’s portion of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 passed by Congress last year. The city will receive a total of $20 million in ARPA funding with half awarded last year- and the remainder expected to arrive next summer. The federal aid package is intended to combat the public health and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Comptroller Mark Gandolphi presented a priority list…

The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland is wrapping up it's virtually week in Annapolis. Despite COVID restrictions members have been meeting with delegates across the state to get support for the Accountability Act for Accessibility K-12 Education for Students with Disabilities. The proposed bill has four components they primarily focus is to establish procurement practices and transparency with local school systems and Maryland State Department of Education. Directing local school systems to hold the vendors responsible for accessibility of virtual learning programs and if necessary civil penalties for vendors that fail to resolve them within a specific time…

The Cumberland Police department is seeking assistance from the public with a missing person. The missing person is Peggy Welsh, 39 Y/O, W/F. Welsh was reported missing on Monday, January 31st @ 7:22 p.m. from her N. Centre Street residence. If anyone has any information on Peggy Welsh they are requested to contact the Cumberland Police department at 301-777-1600, email at cpd@cumberlandmd.gov or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CumberlandPD.