A lawsuit was filed last week challenging the state's new congressional district map approved by lawmakers earlier this month. Judicial Watch, along with Washington County Republican Delegate Neil Parrott, who is running for Congress in Western Maryland filed the lawsuit at the Maryland Court of Special Appeals. Parrott said the new map splits the western region and does a great disservice to voters in Allegany, Garrett and Washington County…

Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss tells WCBC News that if the joint city/county legal action against CSX fails- in all likelyhood that will put an end to any serious effort to replace the Washington Street bridge.The bridge, which spans CSX railroad tracks, he been closed for several years limiting access and travel on the city’s West Side. CSX, which has been reluctant to claim ownership of the bridge, has also shown little interest in paying for construction of a new bridge at the site that meets modern standards. In April the Allegany County Commissioners joined the fight for a new bridge,…

After a year’s hiatus, the Mountain Maryland PACE Reception scheduled to be held next month. The 2021 reception was cancelled due to coronavirus concerns. PACE is an acronym for Positive Attitudes Change Everything. The event began in 1977 as an opportunity to present legislative initiatives and funding needs for Allegany and Garrett counties to state leaders- and it provides an opportunity for local elected officials to have face-to-face meetings with key members of the administration of state government. Allegany County public works director Adam Patterson said towns and municipalities have already scheduled meetings for the day of the event- Thursday January…

The flu virus, which all but disappeared in early 2020, is once again circulating in the United States. It is a bad time for the flu to re-emerge, as the Omicron variant causes a surge in coronavirus cases and with travel expected to increase over the holidays.  Dr. Ted Delbridge, executive director of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems, said that while a twindemic of COVID-19 and the flu was largely avoided last year as flu numbers dropped dramatically- that won’t be the case this winter…

A work group within the Maryland House of Delegates is studying how to potentially legalize recreational marijuana in the state. The 10-member group was appointed by House Speaker Adrienne Jones, D-Baltimore County, who has said that she supports putting a referendum on the November 2022 ballot that would allow voters to approve legalizing the drug. Recreational pot has already been legalized in D.C. and 17 states, including Virginia. Maryland decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana, but recreational use remains illegal. Delegate Jason Buckel, House Minority Leader, while he is not adamantly opposed to the concept- there are some questions to…

* WHAT…Mixed precipitation. Snow accumulations of up to one inch and ice accumulations of up to a tenth of an inch. * WHERE…In Maryland, Garrett and Extreme Western Allegany Counties. In West Virginia, Western Mineral County. * WHEN…From 6 AM to 1 PM EST Monday. * IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute. * AFFECTED AREAS: GARRETT … EXTREME WESTERN ALLEGANY … WESTERN MINERAL   Instructions: 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…

On Saturday, December 25, 2021 the Cumberland Police Department served a Circuit Court bench warrant on Trevon Marcel Emerson. The warrant was issued as a result of Emerson violating his probation. Emerson was arrested and transported to the Allegany County Detention Center, held without bond. ARRESTED: Trevon Marcel Emerson AGE: 29 Cumberland, MD

On Saturday, December 25, 2021 at approximately 1:25 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a N. Wineow Street business for a female subject causing a disturbance. Upon officers’ arrival, they contacted the female who was identified as Brenda McCarthy. Officers attempted to speak with McCarthy, but she was not cooperative. McCarthy screamed incoherently and would not listen to officers’ orders to lower her voice. People in the area began to gather to observe McCarthy’s behavior. McCarthy was placed under arrest and transported to the police station. McCarthy was issued criminal citations and released pending trial at District…

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) reports as of December 23, 2021, there are currently 9,285 active COVID-19 cases statewide. There have been nine deaths reported since the last report, with a total of 5,251 deaths attributed to COVID-19.   DHHR has confirmed the deaths of a 66-year old female from Cabell County, a 47-year old female from Grant County, an 86-year old male from Jackson County, an 88-year old male from Hancock County, an 87-year old female from Grant County, a 69-year old female from Logan County, a 77-year old female from Greenbrier County, and…

On Saturday, December 25, 2021 the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Michael Allan Abraham. The warrant was issued as a result of Abraham failing to appear for his court case on an original charge of Disorderly Conduct. Abraham was arrested and transported to Central Booking. Abraham was held at the Allegany County Detention Center on a $1,000 bond.   ARRESTED: Michael Allan Abraham AGE: 57 Cumberland, MD