Maryland’s Democratic Senate President believes the new financial framework introduced last week can put the state back on the right track.  With a revamped tax program that adds a surcharge on capital gains and a 3% tax on information and data services, President Bill Ferguson says the plan does what it can in face of federal government uncertainty…     “We wish we were not in this position. We wish we had certainty from the federal level. But we know if we are going to fund our roads and bridges, if we’re going to fund our schools, our police officers,…

Strife between parents and faculty at Calvary Christian Academy and the administration of Calvary Baptist Church in Cresaptown are continuing, with a recent survey showing a majority of faculty and staff will not return for the next school year.  A parent advocacy board has determined that without a reinstated school board with the authority to govern all aspects of the school, members and parents are looking to establish a new school or homeschool co-op.  WCBC has reached out to Calvary Baptist Pastor Mike Lashbaugh for comment on the situation.

Three new firefighters were welcomed to the Cumberland Fire Department during a recent Mayor and City Council meeting. Christopher Shue, Dawson Ternent, and Scott Matthews were recognized for their completion of Firefighter Recruit Training. Department Fire Chief Shannon Adams says the three have previous fire experience…     “These three individuals came with experience and training so it made it very easy and quick to get them trained to do what we needed for our department and get them out on the streets to handle emergency calls. First part of October, they completed their firefighter training, HAZMAT training, and their…

Members of the West Virginia House of Delegates voted Monday to kill a controversial vaccination exemptions bill.  This has been one of the hot-button issues of the legislative session. Discussion on the House floor went on for about two hours today, with 26 delegates rising to speak.

Work is expected to start sometime in April to shore up the landslide-prone hillside along the Great Allegheny Passage biking and hiking trail below Kennywood near Pittsburgh.  The two-week project means the trail will be closed between mile markers 136 to 138, a key segment of the 150-mile trail.  Especially affected will be bicyclists from out of the region who may be unaware that they will be stopped by locked gates.

On Sunday, March 23rd, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department arrested Tracy Kerry Williams, 39, of Cumberland MD. Williams was arrested on three active Bench Warrants issued by the Allegany County District Court on March 13th, 2025. All the warrants allege Williams violated the terms and conditions of probation that stemmed from three previous convictions on charges of trespassing, CDS possession, and assault. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner for an Initial Appearance where he was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center. He is currently being held without bond.  Name:    Tracy Kerry Williams         …

A recent survey from Wallet Hub ranked states in the US from best to worst for places to retire. The survey looked at key indicators of retirement – friendliness, financial factors like tax rates and the cost of living to things like access to quality medical care and fun activities.  Maryland scored 36th overall, with high scores for access to quality medical care and activities, but was 44th for affordability. Pennsylvania ranked 6th in the survey while Virginia was 11th.

Two important transcontinental highways will be celebrating their 100th anniversary in 2026. One is the famous Route 66, while the other is US Route 50. Route 50 covers over 3,000 miles from Ocean City, Maryland to Sacramento, California.  West Virginia House Delegate Gary Howell says there are plans in his state to celebrate the highway that travels through more than 200 miles of West Virginia. Improvements to roadside parks and landmarks are planned along with an update to Skyline Overlook in Mineral County where tourists stop to view Saddle Mountain.

On March 21, 2025, at approximately 1:56 AM, Deputies from the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a black Honda Civic on McMullen Highway in Cumberland, Maryland. Upon approaching the vehicle, deputies observed several factors consistent with criminal activity. Deputies established probable cause to conduct a search of the vehicle. During the search, deputies discovered a quantity of suspected crack cocaine in an amount indicative of possession with intent to distribute. Additionally, a loaded .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun was recovered, along with a significant sum of U.S. currency believed to be proceeds from the sale of controlled…

On Sunday, March 23rd, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department arrested Romeo Flores, 56, of Cumberland MD. Flores was arrested on an active Arrest Warrant issued by the Allegany County District Court for an incident that occurred on March 23rd, 2025, at a residence in the 600 block of Bedford St. During that incident, it is alleged that Flores assaulted two juveniles and fled the home before police arrived on the scene. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner for an Initial Appearance where he was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center. He is currently being held without bond. …