Governor Larry Hogan today announced that the State of Maryland has officially surpassed the milestone of 2 million COVID-19 vaccines administered. In total, 2,037,695 vaccines have been administered, and the state is averaging 43,034 shots per day. Today at 2 p.m., Governor Hogan will hold a State House press conference to make major announcements regarding the state’s vaccine plan. "Maryland has led the nation throughout this COVID-19 crisis and we are continuing to lead with our rapidly accelerating vaccination efforts,” said Governor Hogan. “Building on this incredible progress, later today, I will provide Marylanders with important updates on our state’s…

Grant County confirmed its first case of the U.K. coronavirus variant Wednesday.   In a statement, the county health department said it was notified that the COVID-19 variant of concern had been detected in a COVID19 specimen from a resident of Grant County through routine public health surveillance.   The case involving the variant is believed to be the first in the region. Scientists say the variant is likely more contagious than those previously identified.

Four men, including two Frostburg State University students, were arrested Wednesday in connection with a March 11 armed home invasion on Frostburg’s Maple Street that left one person injured. The Allegany County Combined Criminal Investigation Unit said investigators who reviewed surveillance video watched a vehicle fleeing the crime scene and returning to the Frostburg State University campus. Arrested were: • Jeremiah Jordan Wynn, 19, an FSU student from Elkton, who was charged with armed robbery, robbery and related charges. • Michael Benjamin Sentz, 22, Westernport, who was charged with armed robbery and related charges. • Damion Leo Gardner, 19, Deale, who was charged…

Tom Striplin, Dean of Arts and Sciences at Allegany College of Maryland is expected to be named as the president of Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College in Moorefield. Striplin, a former member of the Allegany County Board of Education and political contributer to WCBC, is a graduate of Frostburg State University. He was a candidate for a seat on the Allegany County Board of Commisioners in 2010. 

The metal roadblock placed across Allegany Medical Marijuana Dispensary’s drive-thru lane by the city of Cumberland has been removed, as it appears a nearly one-year-old dispute is close to being resolved. The City had taken issue with owner George Merling constructing the drive-thru without a permit, as well as the project impacting the structural integrity of the flood control wall. While it appears the two sides have reached an agreement on the drive-thru, there remains some animosity. Merling argues that he has been singled out by Mayor Ray Morriss, telling WCBC News that the mayor is not a supporter of the medical cannibas industry. Discussing the…

On the year anniversary of West Virginia’s first case of COVID-19, Governor Jim Justice reported that the state is seeing an uptick of the virus in the state, a trend that’s happening across the country…   After a period without one, there is again a “red” county, Hardy County, in the state. Hardy County’s status is partially attributed to school outbreaks. Justice said there has also been an increase in church outbreaks, now up to seven. The governor also shared a more than six minute long video showing how he and his administration addressed the pandemic over the past year…

Although nothing has been finalized, indications are that the Whiskey River firm is close to a deal to purchase the former Luke Mill. The company plans to establish a lumber-related business at the site which was closed by Verso Corporation in May of 2019. It was confirmed earlier that the two massive papermaking machines at the mill were being sold to Turkish interests. Verso executives said foreign competition, high operating costs and a sharp decline in demand for the coated paper produced at the mill necessitated the plant closure in 2019. Delegate Wendell Beitzel, during a recent zoom session with Sixth…

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said this week that the latest coronavirus relief bill represented a missed opportunity for compromise. Appearing on CNBC's "Squawk Box" the governor said that during his White House visit last month, he implored President Joe Biden to work with Republicans on what became the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. He said while the direct payments and relief to state and local governments were much needed, there was a great deal in the package that wasn’t necessary, and that is what had most Republicans rejecting it…

New evidence that it may be safe for schools to seat students three feet apart — half of the previous recommended distance — could offer a way to return more of Maryland’s children to classrooms with limited space. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been  clear and consistent in its six feet social distancing recommendation.  That guideline has been especially consequential for schools, many of which have not fully reopened because they do not have enough space to keep students six feet apart. Now some public health experts are calling on the agency to reduce the recommended distance in schools…

On Wednesday, March 17th, 2021 the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Alexis Paige Livingston charging her with numerous motor vehicle violations to include; leaving the scene of an accident and driving without a license.  The summons was issued by District Court in reference to an incident that occurred back on December 26th, 2021 in the area of Memorial Avenue when a white-in-color SUV struck another vehicle and left the scene.  Officers responded to the area and located the suspect vehicle and were able to learn that Livingston was driving the vehicle at the time of the accident.  She…