The incoming Trump Administration could reform the nation’s industrial agriculture system. Steps include ending foreign farmland ownership, blocking a USDA rule mandating electronic ID tags on livestock, supporting low-wage farmworkers, and ending lobbying by global food corporations. Joe Maxwell with Farm Action says West Virginia voters overwhelmingly support reforms to break up major corporations' hold on the nation’s food system. “Eighty-eight percent of rural voters in battleground states during this last election cycle say they would be more favorable toward a candidate who supports cracking down on meat processing monopolies and ensuring local businesses can compete.”

On Thursday, January 16th, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department arrested Lennon McCartney Smith, 30, of Cumberland MD. Smith was arrested on an active Bench Warrant issued by the Allegany County District Court on January 10th, 2025. On that date, it is alleged that Smith failed to appear in District Court for a previous traffic-related charge. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner for an Initial Appearance where he was released on his own recognizance. Name:    Lennon McCartney Smith                                 Age:   30 Charges:    Bench Warrant-Failure to Appear. On Thursday, January 16th, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department arrested Elizabeth Mae Price, 41,…

Governor Patrick Morrisey says his administration projects a budget deficit of more than $400 million for the coming fiscal year.  New Gov. Patrick Morrisey says his administration projects a budget deficit of more than $400 million for the coming fiscal year.  Morrisey’s assessment of the state’s fiscal condition was in contrast to financial characterizations by his predecessor, Jim Justice, who is now a U.S. senator.

During the month of January, Garrett County Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division obtained an arrest warrant charging Robert Wayne Paugh, 49 years old, Gormania, West Virginia, with Indecent Exposure, Indecent Exposure to a Minor, and Displaying Obscene Matter to a Minor. On January 16, 2025, Paugh was arrested and charged for the offenses. Paugh was transported to the District Court Commissioner where he was released on an unsecured bond.

The PACE breakfast featured Governor Wes Moore as the featured speaker.  He was joined by U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, newly elected Congresswoman for the 6th District, April McClain Delaney, and Maryland Senate president Bill Ferguson.       

The president of the Allegany County Commissioners, Dave Caporale, says that state money is leading to a blossoming of economic opportunity locally.  Caporale spoke to WCBC at the PACE reception and he noted the impact of the George C. Edwards Fund.

On Friday, January 17th, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department were conducting patrol checks in the area of Washington St. During the checks, officers located an unsecured door at a closed business in the 100 block. Officers then entered the unsecured door to the property and began to search the premises. During the search, officers located two subjects sleeping in a basement restroom. Once it was confirmed that the subjects did not have permission to be on the property, both Tyler Scott Poole, 34, and Marissa Linnae Tice, 27, of Cumberland, were placed under arrest. Both subjects were transported to the…

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.