West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice signed a proclamation Thursday afternoon declaring Juneteenth, June 19th, a state holiday. The announcement means state workers will have Friday off. Justice’s decision was announced a few minutes after President Joe Biden made Juneteenth a federal holiday. Congress passed legislation to do so this week. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It has been celebrated by African-Americans since the late 1800s. Since June 19 falls on a Saturday this year, state workers will have a four-day weekend because June 20, West Virginia Day, which is also a state holiday, falls on Sunday, giving workers Monday…

Allegany County 911 has dispatched units to the Beall Street entrance for a vehicle accident. The slow lane is closed in that area.

On Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at 2:13 pm, an officer at the Cumberland Police Department was monitoring traffic on I-68 at Maryland Avenue.  The officer observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and following another vehicle too closely.  The officer conducted a traffic stop and contacted the operator identified as Johnathon Howell, age 21 of Dayton, Indiana.  While speaking with Howell, officers observed him to be acting in an unusual manner. They then requested Howell exit the vehicle and located a loaded handgun inside the driver side door. Subsequently, Howell was arrested and charged with knowingly transporting…

Yesterday, we reported that Wesley Heinz’s term at the helm of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad would likely extend beyond his 60-day agreement to be interim Executive Director. Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss is on the Board of Directors for the railroad, and told WCBC’s Dave Norman that the board wants to find a new role for John Garner, who is on medical and family leave…    

On Wednesday, Appalachian Regional Commission Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin toured Allegany College of Maryland’s Career and Employer Solutions Center for Continuing Education and Workforce Development The facility is furnished with the latest industrial equipment and technology to promote innovation, and serves more than 10 rural communities in Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. The creation of Western Maryland Works has been the largest investment in workforce training and career development in Allegany County history. ACM’s Continuing Education Industrial Manufacturing program is the primary tenant at Western Maryland Works.    

June is National Dairy Month, and one of the Congressmen who represents this area recently went to the House floor to brag about one of our area’s heritage industries.. This is Pennsylvania 13th District Representative John Joyce, whose district includes Bedford and Somerset Counties…    

Cumberland Fire Chief Donnie Dunn will retire from the department at the end of the month, ending a career of 44 years. Chief Dunn was honored during Tuesday’s Cumberland Mayor and City Council meeting.  Not one for big speeches, Dunn spoke about the support he had gotten from his family, fellow firefighters, and city officials over his long tenure…    

Maryland Democrats continue to demand a reversal of Governor Hogan's decision to end extra unemployment benefits next month.  State Senator Jim Rosapepe discussed the matter on WBAL Radio and used a familiar argument to make his case for continuing the extra $300-per-week payments of federal relief money beyond the July 3rd cut-off date…

The Maryland Department of Health on Wednesday reported the state’s first heat-related death of the year. Officials say the victim was a 40-year-old man from Prince George’s County who died earlier this week. “As this tragedy shows, heat-related illness, heat exhaustion and heat stroke can result in serious ailments and even death,” said Deputy Secretary for Public Health Dr. Jinlene Chan in a news release. The department did not release any other details about the man’s death.

Allegany County Emergency Management has reported Route 200 closed in the area of Bowling Green Fire Station due to a vehicle accident. WCBC will provide further details as they become available.