Six of the seven candidates running for a seat on the Allegany County Board of Education participated in a forum this week held at the Center for Career and Technical Education. The event was sponsored by the Allegany County Republican Women’s Club, Allegany County Commission for Women, Choose Civility: Allegany County, and the Allegany County Women’s Action Coalition. Those taking part included: candidates Janet Heavner, Bob Farrell, Lori Lepley, David Bohn, Meggin Miller and Linda Widmyer. Incumbent Bohn talked about the challenges that sometimes emerge when trying to get five board members to agree on certain issues or policies… Candidate…

Tuesday’s assault at Robb Elementary School in Texas was the deadliest shooting at a U.S. school since a gunman killed 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut, in December 2012. Some Maryland school systems immediately announced additional security and counseling services. Allegany County Superintendent of Schools Jeff Blank talked with WCBC News about what services are available to students and staff…

The Allegany County Commissioners are set to officially adopt the FY 2023 budget during tonight’s regular public meeting.  Largely the result of federal COVID dollars- it has been a relatively smooth budget process for the commissioners as the county enjoys a $4.2 million surplus. The healthy reserve and a stronger than expected revenue stream made it possible for the commissioners to grant most funding requests from agencies and departments- as well as agreeing to the first income tax cut since 1998. Allegany County Commissioners President Jake Shade talked about the county’s fiscal rebound…

At the World Economic Forum in Switzerland Wednesday, Governor Larry Hogan took part in panels on infrastructure and workforce development, touting ways that the State of Maryland is a national and global model for innovation and economic growth. In a panel on “Rethinking Infrastructure for the Coming Decade” Governor Hogan said the state receiving about $7 billion in federal funding- and he discussed Maryland’s role as a national leader in infrastructure…

DelFest is back. After two years of cancellations as a result of COVID-19, the DelFest bluegrass and Americana music festival returns to it’s regular Memorial Day weekend at the Allegany County Fairgrounds. The four days of music will take place May 26-29 with headliners including Tyler Childers, Sam Bush and Robert Earl Keen and daily performances by The Del McCoury Band. Bluegrass legend and festival founder Del McCoury tells WCBC News he believes that it is the wide array of musical styles on stage at DelFest each year that that has people flocking from across the country to the Allegany…

WBAL reports the leaders of Maryland's General Assembly say eliminating the legislatively mandated gas tax increase will not reduce prices at the pump and will cost the state when it comes to road safety. In a joint statement released Wednesday, Senate President Bill Ferguson and House Speaker Adrienne Jones pushed back on the proposal to halt the gas tax hike amid calls from the governor, comptroller and the House Republican Caucus to act before the increase is set to take effect on July 1. Due to legislation passed by the General Assembly in 2013, the gas tax will increase from…

The City of Cumberland Engineering Department, on behalf of Belt Construction, would like to notify the public that water service will be shut down in the Decatur Heights region of the City on Thursday, May 26, 2022, from 7am – 11am, in order for the contractor to repair a portion of the existing system. Residents and businesses on the following streets are expected to be without water:   Decatur Street Baltimore Avenue from Front Street to Bellevue Davidson Street from Henderson Ave to Footer Place   Additional information will be released in the event the planned outage area needs to…

UPMC Western Maryland recently honored Tim McGraw, RN, as its 2022 Pinnacle award winner – its Employee of the Year.     Tim is a practice-based care manager in the Center for Clinical Resources and has 37 years of service at UPMC Western Maryland. He is recognized as an excellent nurse with unmatched compassion and uncommon problem-solving ability. “I strive to treat patients as I would my family,” Tim said. He shows patients empathy and compassion when they need it most. Taking the time to identify barriers and solve them is Tim’s forte. He connects with his patients and how they…

A West Virginia man pleaded guilty Monday to sending emails that threatened Dr. Anthony Fauci and former National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins, federal prosecutors in Maryland said. Thomas Patrick Connally Jr., 56, most recently of Snowshoe, West Virginia, pleaded guilty to making threats against a federal official, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron announced in a news release. Connally also admitted threatening former Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine, a Massachusetts public health official and a religious leader in New Jersey. Beginning in December 2020 and up to just days before being arrested…

Traffic somewhat delayed in the area of Braddock Road as a result of a motor vehicle accident on Interstate 68 West At Vocke Road in LaVale. Fire and emergency units are on the scene.