The American Red Cross recognizes January as Blood Drive Month. Colder weather is one of the most challenging times to collect blood products with the ongoing threat of snow and freezing temperatures causing cancelations and delays, along with the active cold and flu season. Red Cross of the Allegheny Highlands Director Jason Keeling is asking those who feel well to keep their blood donation appointments if at all possible…     “Blood donations are important at any time, but during these times when we are experiencing shortages because of those cancelations, a donation of blood is even more valuable because…

On Monday, January 20th, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department responded to a residence in the 100 block of W. Oldtown Rd for the report of a home invasion. Upon arrival, officers contacted the victim of the incident. The victim informed officers that they were inside their home when they heard a window break. When the victim went to investigate the noise, they were confronted by a male suspect, Danarius Laquan Green, 31, of Hattiesburg MS. The victim alleged that Green attacked them, assaulting them and throwing them into a door. Green then stole the victim’s cell phone and damaged other…

COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM THURSDAY by the National Weather Service. Very cold wind chills as low as 5 to 15 degrees below zero expected in portions of north central and western Maryland, northwest and western Virginia and eastern and panhandle West Virginia until 10 AM Thursday. Cold wind chills as low as 10 below zero could result in hypothermia if precautions are not taken. Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures. Very cold temperatures and wind chills can lead to hypothermia with prolonged exposure. The coldest conditions are expected Tuesday…

The recent PACE reception in Annapolis was actually the culmination of a week’s work in the state capital.  PACE committee co-chair Jeremy Irons tells WCBC that the local municipalities in Western Maryland use the week of this event to lobby for project funding…     “The county officials, the town officials – they’re all sitting down with the state with the funding agencies, the USDA, the rural water fund. All those things, they’re talking about their projects. You know, whether it’s a water plant or a road or a bridge or all that– and going through their priorities.” Irons says…

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development will provide $45,000 in total tax credits to one project each in Allegany and Washington counties.  In Allegany, $25,000 will go to the Robotics and Engineering in Allegany County-Together group for renovations including HVAC replacement and ADA compliant bathrooms in their new facility on Fayette Street.  In Washington County, $20,000 will go to Habitat for Humanity of Washington County to continue construction of five family homes in the McCleary Hill Development.

Amid an increase in norovirus cases across the U.S., the West Virginia Department of Health urges residents to remain vigilant against this highly contagious virus and can easily lead to dehydration that needs hospitalization. Dr. Andrea Garcia of the American Medical Association said the virus spreads quickly…     “It spreads easily through direct contact with a person who is infected as well as on surfaces or objects contaminated with the virus. It just takes a few particles to make someone sick and people with the illness shed billions of virus particles.”

For the fifth year, customers at local Martin’s stores can round up their purchases to the nearest dollar, buy a reusable bag, or convert their Choice points into a donation for their local public school districts’ food programs through March 31.  Through “Feeding School Kids,” public school districts have been able to support meal programs and address food insecurity by supplying backpacks with weekend food, clearing outstanding student lunch debt, building on-campus food pantries, and establishing garden programs.  To launch the program, the Giant Company, owner of Martin’s, will donate $100,000. 

In a state like Maryland where the workforce is one of the most dependent on federal employment, such jobs translate into tax dollars.  Brenda Wintrode, who covers state politics for the Baltimore Banner says it’s important to watch the future of federal jobs as Maryland stares down a nearly 3-billion-dollar deficit…    "This is going to probably take up a lot of the oxygen out of the session. It’s the worst imbalance the state has seen in two decades. The revenues just aren’t keeping up with the expenses, and economic growth remains sluggish, even though unemployment is at a record…

The Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal has determined the cause of a fire in Lonaconing over the weekend.  The Barton Hose Company responded to a residence on Lower Georges Creek Road on Saturday afternoon. It took firefighters just ten minutes to control the fire that resulted from an improperly installed flue vent in the residence.  No smoke alarms were present in the home.  The fire was discovered by a neighbor.

Tuesday, January 21 -  Allegany County Schools are closed – virtual synchronous learning will start at 8am for middle and high school students and at 830am for elementary students.   Garrett, Mineral and Hampshire Counties will all have non-traditional learning days on Tuesday.  Bishop Walsh School will have a 2-hour delayed opening for students.