The Canal Place Preservation and Development Authority that administers the Passages of the Western Potomac Heritage Area is accepting applications for Fiscal Year 2025 Mini Grant projects.  Mini Grants of up to $5,000 are awarded to non-profit organizations and local jurisdictions for non-capital grants in the Heritage area.  Marketing and Media Director for the Canal Preservation, Kim Folk, says they fund different projects such as festivals and marketing…     “We fund a lot of festivals, we fund marketing projects.  A lot of people will need signage or interpretation.  We’ve funded a lot of Heritage Days projects.  We’ve funded multiple…

At Thursday night’s PACE Reception in Annapolis, Cumberland City Councilman Brian Lepley discussed Baltimore Street Parking with WCBC Radio.  Lepley said he is still considering options but did express concern with people taking advantage of the current free parking.

Congressman Andy Harris of the Eastern Shore is the new leader of the Republican Freedom Caucus in Washington.  That group of Republicans has spread to over a dozen states, including Maryland’s House of Delegates.  State senator Mike McKay told WCBC at the PACE Reception that the need to work with Democrats to help Western Maryland makes him hesitant to join the Freedom Caucus. House Minority Leader Jason Buckel shared the position of Senator McKay but phrased it differently.

January is National Radon Month, and the West Virginia Department of Health is supplying residents with free radon test kits to ensure their homes or apartments are safe.  Radon is naturally released from rocks, soil and water and can get trapped inside homes and buildings.  Since residents are unable to see or smell the gas, the only way to know if someone’s living space has high levels of radon is to test it, according to Indoor Radon Specialist, Leslie Smith… “If you find that you have elevated levels we recommend that you take steps to lower your exposure.  Put in…

Preserving the George C. Edwards Fund was a dominant theme at last night’s PACE Reception in Annapolis.  Jeremy Irons, co-chair of the PACE Committee, told WCBC that in a short period of time the results have been terrific. Irons added that no program statewide can match it. Governor Wes Moore has included the George Edwards Fund in his proposed 2026 budget.

A Mineral County grand jury has indicted William Blondell Ludwick III, 33, in the September murder of 22-year-old Emma Julianne Westover.  Westover was found dead in her vehicle on September 1.

Today, January 16, 2025, South Penn Elementary School was placed in a brief HOLD status due to a medical emergency. First Responders arrived on scene and provided medical service. School administrators gave the “All Clear” and the instructional day resumed as normal.

In Governor Wes Moore’s budget for the next fiscal year, he is making major investment in the state’s economy, but also wants a simplified, fairer tax structure.  At a presentation in College Park, Moore said his proposed budget actions would lighten the load on the majority of citizens in the state…     “82% of Marylanders are about to either get a tax cut or have no impact on their taxes at all, that we are not going to raise sales taxes, we are not going to raise property taxes, and the first time in a long time Maryland will…

The Western Maryland Health System Auxiliary is hosting the 67th Snow Ball this Saturday, January 18th at 7 p.m.  Those interested in going can purchase tickets at www.wmhsfoundation.com.  Julie Westendorff, chair of the event, told WCBC this year the auxiliary will be completing their pledge of raising money for the Center for Hope and Healing’s construction…     “In 2025 we are going to be completing a pledge that we made in 2019 to raise one million dollars toward the construction of the Center for Hope and Healing.  So, this is our last major fundraiser before we complete that goal. …

A large structure fire at Friends Stockyard in Accident remains under investigation by the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s office.  The fire was discovered shortly after 5pm Wednesday night and Accident Volunteer firefighters responded to the blaze. The building houses cattle and hogs -  many were able to escape but three cows perished in the fire. Cowboys were called in to wrangle the cattle who were roaming the area of the fire. The estimated loss is $300,000.  The Fire Marshal does not suspect a criminal act for the cause of the blaze.