On September 26, 2021, at 1418 hours, Maryland State Police Cumberland barrack troopers responded to E/B I68 at the 51mile marler in the area of the Rocky Gap Resort for a motor vehicle collision.  Troopers arrived on the scene to discover a passenger car had collided into the rear end of a large commercial motor vehicle.  Upon investigation, it was determined the truck was traveling in lane three at a slow speed due to the uphill grade and weight of the vehicle.  The passenger car, operated by 33 year old Karl Anker of Fort Belvoir, Virginia struck the rear of…

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) today announced an update on the top 10 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 and highly contagious variants. MDH also announced an update on skilled nursing facilities that did not submit adequate staff COVID-19 vaccination data as required by the state.   Per vaccination protocols that went into effect on 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…

UPMC Western Maryland has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as Western Maryland’s Best Hospital for 2021-22. In addition to this honor, UPMC Western Maryland is named as “High Performing” in six specialty services areas.       UPMC Western Maryland earned High Performing ratings for heart failure, heart attack, kidney failure, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia in recognition of care that was significantly better than the national average, as measured by factors such as patient outcomes. High Performing is the highest rating U.S. News awards for those types of care.       “We are very proud to be recognized by U.S. News and & World Report for being the best hospital in…

On Sunday, September 26th, 2021 the Cumberland Police Department responded to a Seton Drive residence for the report of an assault.  When officers arrived, they spoke with a female victim that told officers that she had been chocked by a male only known to her as Michael and he left before police arrived.  Officers did observe an injury to the female’s neck that was consistent with her statement.  A description of the male was obtained from the victim and officers located a male matching the given description close by who identified himself as Michael Scott.  Scott was arrested and charged…

Frostburg State University has officially kicked off a multi-million fundraising campaign targeting  a number of projects including the Regional Science Education Center. The university has already raised nearly $16 million toward its goal of $25 million during the quiet phase of the fundraising campaign. In addition, the FSU Foundation has $1 million going toward the building. John Short, vice-president for University Advancement and executive director of the foundation, tells WCBC News that the largest fundraising effort in FSU’s history is focused on three themes: forging the future of its students; the university and the region of Western Maryland; and surrounding…

COVID-19 numbers are spiking in Allegany County and the school system has been impacted with some schools experiencing outbreaks- and some athletic events having to be postponed. While some county school systems are looking at mandated vaccinations for teachers and staff- Allegany County Board of Education president Crystal Bender says it is not an issue for the local system… As far as extra curricular activities, Bender says while there have been a few issues, overall those programs are working well to date…

Purchased in 2014 and undergoing a lengthy restoration since- the massive Baldwin steam locomotive No. 1309 is nearly ready to be put into service. Western Maryland Scenic Railroad executive director Wes Heinz anticipates it will be ready to roll in time to lead the popular Polar Express excursions in mid December. Heinz tells WCBC News that the steam engine experience is unique-  and early indications are it will be a huge draw…

The Bank of Romney is working with West Virginia State Police and Hampshire County Sheriff's Deputies to identify the man who robbed its Augusta Branch Wednesday at 12:25 PM. We have this photo from a security camera on our website, and if you can help with the ID, you should contact the police agencies working on the case.

On Saturday, Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Patrick Lee Thompson for second degree assault. The summons was issued by District Court in reference to an incident that occurred on August 7, 2021 when he is said to have assaulted a Cumberland officer who was trying to render aid to him for several lacerations to his hands. Thompson signed and received copies of the charging documents and was released pending trial.   Patrick Lee Thompson, age; 29, Cumberland, Maryland.  

Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall. F. Scott Fitzgerald Fall is officially here and the trees are starting their transformation across the state. The western parts of Maryland will see the first true signs of color beginning this week, although things are off to a slow start. With the recent rain fall color should ramp up soon and the show will begin. Join us as we follow the transition each week with reports from our experts at our state forests and parks. This year for the first time, we welcome all of Maryland’s outdoor…