Yesterday, the WCBC Finckle Forecast mentioned the possibility of frost in some of our listening area this morning. With that as a backdrop, WCBC asked Dr Clay Marsh about the potential dangers posed by the more contagious Delta Variant of COVID-19 now that the colder weather will bring with more activities scheduled for indoor settings…

Governor Larry Hogan today delivered remarks at the opening ceremonies of the Maryland Chiefs of Police and Maryland Sheriffs’ Associations Professional Development Conference in Ocean City. During his address, the governor thanked the chiefs and sheriffs for their commitment and dedication to Marylanders and touted his new $150 million Re-Fund The Police Initiative. First announced last Friday, this initiative will provide much-needed support and resources to police agencies statewide in their efforts to fight violent crime, including $1 million for the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association and the Maryland Sheriffs’ Association to further expand operational training and support. In total, the…

Garrett County Public Schools will begin using the Raptor® Visitor Management system to improve school safety for students and faculty. The new ID card scanning system provides practically instant screening of visitors, contractors, and volunteers for sex offender status and custom alerts, such as custody orders. This modernized visitor sign-in system also tracks students who arrive late or leave early, as well as faculty signing in and out of the building. As a result, school officials have a more accurate head count of who’s on campus in case of an emergency. GCPS is now among America’s safest districts when it…

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) today announced an update on the top and bottom 10 skilled nursing facilities in the state ranked by percentage of staff with at least one dose of a vaccine against COVID-19. MDH also announced an update on skilled nursing facilities that did not submit adequate COVID-19 vaccination data as required by the state.   Per vaccination protocols in effect since September 1, 2021, all nursing facility staff are required to have their first or single dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Nursing facilities that fail to comply with vaccination protocols or do not adequately report their…

On 10/17/2021 the Cumberland City Police Department served an Arrest Warrant on Douglas Scott Smith. Mr. Smith was wanted from an assault that occurred on 10/08/2021 in the 500 block of Valley Street. During that incident Mr. Smith strangled the victim and caused them to lose consciousness. Mr. Smith was taken before a District Court Commissioner and remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center without bond. The victim from this incident was treated on scene for non-life threatening injuries.   Arrested – Douglas Scott Smith (41) Cumberland, MD Charges – Assault 1st Degree, Assault 2nd Degree, and Reckless Endangerment

Blind Industries and Services of Maryland will be closing its textile sewing and manufacturing plant in Cumberland Oct. 29. While the announced closing date was the 29th, indications are that most work will be wrapped up this week or early next. The decision to close the plant, located at 322 Paca Street, will affect about 46 salaried and hourly employees.  Chris Danielson is the public information director for the National Federation of the Blind and he talked with WCBC News about the decision…

While there will be no trick or treat festivities on the Cumberland Mall this year- the Downtown Development Commission will once again sponsor a drive through event such as was held last year. The event will take place on Thursday, October 28 from 5:30PM-7:30PM at Constitution Park.  DDC executive director Melinda Kelleher said the news is more encouraging for some other holiday events including the holiday tree lighting in late November…

How local school systems in Maryland are utilizing the millions of federal dollars made available during the Coronavirus pandemic is a question state officials would like to have answered sooner rather than later. Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford said until more details are provided- the state can only hope that the funds are being utilized in the most effective and efficient manner by each school system..

In response to the “defund the police” movement taking place in many parts of the country- Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced a $150 million "Re-Fund the Police Initiative" that will send millions of dollars to state and local police agencies. The proposal is divided into three parts. The bulk of the money – $120 million – will go to state and local police agencies. Hogan said that any  concept calling to provide  fewer dollars to law enforcement agencies at a time when crime is on the rise is wreckless and without merit…  

Governor Jim Justice Friday unveiled a billion-dollar strategy to bring broadband availability to 200,000 more West Virginia homes and businesses. The plan will combine funding from federal, state, and local governments, along with matching investments from private-sector partners, to accelerate the expansion of high-speed internet to underserved areas of the state. The plan represents by far the largest investment in broadband in the state’s history…