Although still refusing to say whether he’ll be a presidential candidate in two years- Maryland Governor Larry Hogan is sounding more and more like someone planning to make a run- this week warning the party that nominating former President Donald Trump would be a mistake… Hogan added that in the end, he doesn’t think Trump will seek the nomination…

Governor Larry Hogan today announced the appointment of Horacio Tablada as secretary of the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). Tablada currently serves as deputy secretary of the Department of the Environment. He has more than three decades of experience as an environmental leader in Maryland, with accomplishments that include the environmental oversight of the redevelopment of the former Sparrows Point steel mill site and the state’s highly successful program to reduce childhood blood lead poisoning. He succeeds Secretary Ben Grumbles, who has been appointed executive director of the Environmental Council of the States. “Horacio Tablada has committed his career…

The Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office credited a quick response by neighbors who helped control an outside deck fire Sunday at a Bowling Green home that prevented it from spreading inside the structure. The 1:37 p.m. fire at 12103 Marigold Ave. SW caused about $25,000 damage to the deck and adjoining wall of the property owned by Tim Uhl and occupied by Jimmy Ortiz, investigators said. Ortiz was not home at the time of the fire. Investigators said discarded smoking materials caused the blaze, which was brought under control by Bowling Green firefighters in about 5 minutes. The fire marshal's…

The Cumberland Times News reports a woman who fell from a canoe in the North Branch Potomac River Sunday near the Jennings Randolph Lake Dam was reportedly rescued about a quarter-mile downstream, according to emergency radio transmissions. Four people were reportedly in the canoe that tipped over at the Barnum campground around 11:30 a.m. Three of those made it to shore and the victim, who was reportedly wearing a safety vest and helmet, continued down the swift-moving river. The unidentified victim was reported out of the river just before noon. First responders brought her across the river by boat where she…

West Virginia’s Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP) within the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) will join partners nationwide in celebrating the first National Fentanyl Awareness Day on May 10, 2022. The day is designed to raise public awareness about illicit fentanyl mixed with street drugs and in counterfeit pills, which is a relatively new practice.   “Nationally, fentanyl is involved in more deaths of Americans under age 50 than any other cause of death, including heart disease, cancer, and all other accidents,” said Dr. Matthew Christiansen, Director of the Office of Drug Control Policy. “In…

When Maryland lawmakers closed their legislative session last month- it was with an unprecedented budget surplus and skyrocketing revenue streams. The state’s incredibly healthy fiscal picture enabled the approval of legislation to upgrade parks, infrastructure, schools and information technology systems, as well as provide tax relief. Despite of being flush with cash, Senate President Bill Ferguson said the General Assembly did exercise fiscal restraint, which meant turning down many requests…

The leak last week that the Supreme Court is considering reversing Roe V Wade has catapulted the always controversial abortion issue to the top of the charts when it comes to hot button election year issues. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, who has been positioning himself for a run at the White House in 2024, publicly has taken a measured approach to most abortion debates or issues in the state, balancing his personal beliefs with the will of the people. In a recent interview he expressed regret that the Republican party is making this an issue…

The Allegany Museum Crossroads of America exhibit opened Friday. The permanent exhibit is opened Tuesday–Sunday 1PM-4PM and Saturday 10AM-4PM. It displays the first artificial intelligence age regression technology to create a stunning 3D recreation of George Washington as a teenager and also as President during the Whiskey Rebellion. The exhibit showcases Washington's tenure in the area as well as the regions rich history as the gateway to the West. Chris Logsdon, President of Board of Directors for the Allegany Museum spoke with WCBC about the significances of Cumberland and the greater Allegany county region…

Mountain Thunder roared into the Western Maryland Rail Station in Cumberland just before 11 Friday morning- returning to full time service. Following seven years of restoration, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad board celebrated with an  inauguration ceremony for steam locomotive 1309- announcing that it will be running several times a week- and will be put to use at years end once again for  the popular Polar Express excursions. Scenic Railroad board chair Mike McKay… Much of the ceremony focused on Jack Showalter, the veteran railroader who moved to Cumberland with his family in the 1980’s and became the first operators…

June 7th is the final day of school for kids in the Allegany County Public School System- and despite having to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic- which included any number of spikes in the region- it was a relatively smooth year. Board of Education vice president Robert Farrell tells WCBC News that the system is continuing to address the learning loss that occurred during virtual learning +- but other than that- problems were relatively few. He said everyone played a part in successfully dealing with COVID, beginning with Superintendent Jeff Blank…