Bel Air Resident Becomes Latest VaxCash Winner
Western Maryland finally has a VaxCash Lottery winner. Monday's $40,000 recipient is a resident of Bel Air. The person's identity has not been disclosed. Winners are allowed to remain anonymous. Any resident 18 years old and above who has been vaccinated in Maryland is automatically registered for a chance to win each day of the promotion. The grand prize drawing for $400,000 will take place on July 4.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Until 10 PM
The National Weather Service in Sterling Virginia has posted a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for the entire WCBC Listening Area until 10:00 PM this evening. Storms may contain lightning, gusty winds and hail. Stay tuned for possible storm warnings.
UPDATE: I-68 Fully Open after Two-Vehicle Crash at Clarysville Bridge
UPDATE (8:50AM) All lanes of 1-68 have reopened in the area of the Clarysville Bridge, following a two-vehicle accident early Monday morning. There were no initial reports of injuries. The cause of the crash is under investigation. UPDATE (7:22 AM EST) – One lane of I-68 eastbound has been opened, but traffic is still slowed in the area. A motor vehicle accident has been reported in the area of I-68 eastbound near the Clarysville Bridge. Currently, I-68 eastbound has been closed and traffic is being rerouted. Emergency crews are on-scene. WCBC News will update this story as information…
City Man Charged after Crashing into Two Parked Vehicles
In the early morning hours of June 20th, 2021, the Cumberland Police Department responded to the 400 blk. of N. Mechanic Street for report of a vehicle accident. When officer arrived, they observed a Volkswagen Golf had collided with two parked vehicles. The driver of was identified as Dalton Scott Smith. Distracted driving and speed were determined to be factors in the collision. All three vehicles sustained disabling damage and had to be towed from the scene. Smith was cited for driving on a revoked license, driving on a suspended license, negligent driving, driving vehicle in excess of reasonable and…
City to Purchase Additional Surveillance Equipment as Vandalism Incidents Increase
With incidents of vandalism on the rise, the Cumberland Mayor and City Council during the regular business meeting, voted to commit $74,000 toward additional network video recorders, cameras, and related equipment and software to add to the city's existing Milestone camera systems located at City Hall, the Public Safety Building, and the Municipal Services Center. The contract was awarded to Frederick based Wycliffe Enterprises. Appearing on WCBC’s “Dave Norman Show”, Mayor Ray Morriss said that while vandalism is not a widespread problem, there are a number of areas that are routinely targeted…
W Legislature in Special Session Thursday to Address Budget Surplus
Governor Jim Justice has announced that he will call the West Virginia State Legislature in for a special session on Thursday, June 24. The session will be for legislators to approve the spending of $250M in state budget surplus funds. Year-to-date collections for the final 11 months of the fiscal year were $4.492 billion, giving the state a $389.6 million surplus, 9.5 percent more than estimates and 12.6 percent more than the final 11 months of fiscal year 2020.
Hogan: End of State of Emergency does not Mean End of Threat
In less than two weeks the COVID-19 state of emergency in Maryland will officially end, with any and all emergency mandates and restrictions lifted. The governor announced that July 1 will begin a 45-day grace period through Aug. 15 when certain regulations will continue to be relaxed to complete the transition out of the pandemic. The grace period includes an additional 45 days to renew expired driver's licenses and an extension of the moratorium on evictions related to COVID-19. Health officials will have that 45-day period to transition from emergency operations. The governor warned that while the state of emergency is…
UM School of Medicine: Decline in Seasonal Flu Cases Attributed to Mask Mandates
A new study finds pandemic restrictions such as wearing masks and social distancing led to a drop in hospital admissions for other respiratory illnesses during the pandemic- including the common seasonal flu. Dr. Jennifer So, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, told WBAL that the data shows a dramatic decline in flu cases since masks were mandated last year- proving highly effective in slowing the spread. So believes mask-wearing in the fall and winter is beneficial in stopping the spread of respiratory viruses, at a time of year when they are most likely too…
Wiley Ford Man Charged After Canal Parkway Stop
On Saturday, a Cumberland Police Officer stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation in the area of the Canal Parkway. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Jason Carl Bender who told the officer that he did not possess a valid driver’s license. A Cumberland K-9 officer assisted with the stop and subsequent search was conducted as the result of a positive alert. Bender was found to be in possession of a hypodermic syringe and crystal-like substance that would later test positive for bath salts. He was arrested and charged with CDS possession not marihuana and CDS possession of…
Pair Arrested for CDS Possession on Auburn Avenue
On Saturday, Cumberland Police responded to the area of Auburn Avenue for the report of individuals sitting in a vehicle that the caller reported was suspicious. When officers arrived, they observed the vehicle described by caller and identified the occupants as Jason Aaron Payne and Angela Marie Dolly. Both were advised of the nature of the complaint and a check of the vehicle’s registration showed that the tags did not belong to the vehicle that they were being displayed on. After further investigation, a quantity of suspected crystal methamphetamine and related CDS paraphernalia were located inside of the vehicle. Payne…