On Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at 12:00 pm, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and U.S. Representative David Trone, along with U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and U.S. Representative Anthony Brown (D-Md.) will host a virtual press conference with Mrs. Joann Woodson, the widow of Maryland WWII Veteran Corporal Waverly Woodson. During the press conference, the lawmakers will announce new bipartisan, bicameral legislation to award Cpl. Woodson the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary heroism during World War II, and specifically his courageous and selfless actions during the D-Day invasion. While Cpl. Woodson was previously awarded a Bronze Star, as a Black Veteran, he was not considered at the…

On Monday, September 7th, 2020 the Cumberland Police Department served several arrest warrants on the following individuals:   Rahmand Hadi Wilkins; age 28, Cumberland, Maryalnd. Charges:  2 cts. Violate a protective order, assault, and trespassing.  Additional warrant:  2 cts. Violate a protective order, 4th degree burglary, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace. Held without bond.   Jamie Nicloe Donnis, age; 36, Cumberland, Maryland. Charge:  2nd degree assault.  Released personal recognizance.   Nickoli Dunbar Cakus, age; 22, Cumberland, Maryland. Charges: Violate a protective order, trespassing and attempted 4th degree burglary. Held without bond.   Loretta Jo Lynn Knippenberg, age; 31, Cumberland, Maryland….

Governor Larry Hogan says that although the State Board of Elections has mailed out absentee ballot applications to every Maryland voter, he still has some serious concerns about the November election process. He also said that the state has recruited some 11,000 people to serve as election judges and workers, and he urged jurisdictions to contact those people who have expressed interest in working the polls. He encouraged those who want to vote in person on Election Day to vote during off-peak times to avoid crowding.  Hogan noted that it took the Board of Elections eight weeks to mail ballot applications, and…

School districts that planned not  to have students return for in-person instruction until the second semester are being required to “reevaluate their reopening plans” and submit them to the Maryland State Department of Education by the third week of November. The Allegany County Board of Education will meet today to provide an overview of the plan and that could include providing a projected timeline for students to return to the classrooms for in-person instruction. School Board President Tammy Fraley tells WCBC News that the majority of the feedback she has received both personally and as a board member has the majority…

With the Washington Street Bridge now entering its third year closed to traffic, efforts are continuing to gain some momentum to replace it, but even the most optimistic views are that a new bridge is still several years away.  The bridge was shut down in 2017, but its issues began nearly a decade ago. In 2012, the two-lane span was reduced to one lane after structural issues were discovered during an inspection. Additional deterioration was discovered in April 2016 and the bridge was completely closed to vehicular traffic. CSX made basic repairs to the span and it opened to one-lane of traffic in October that year. However, a train strike in…

The Board of Allegany County Commissioners has approved refinancing up to $40 million in general obligation debt, paving the way for the county to go to the bond market next month. Acting County Administrator and Finance Director Jason Bennett said the hope is that there will lead to some significant savings for the county…

West Virginia University announced Monday that in–person classes on the Morgantown campus will be cancelled beginning on Tuesday and will resume online-only through Sept. 25 because of rising COVID-19 infections. A university spokesperson said on-campus students should avoid leaving the Morgantown campus area except under emergency circumstances, until further notice. Off-campus students should not visit campus and are asked to stay in their Morgantown area residences except when necessary, according to the announcement. The action is being undertaken only on the Morgantown campus and will not affect other WVU campuses in other parts of the state. Staff and faculty are to report to work…

After weeks of 50 plus and 30 plus Coronavirus cases, last weeks Allegany County numbers dropped back to the teens, which is good news. Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss provided his weekly COVID-19 update on Friday, which included reviews of local case numbers and the entry of Maryland into Stage Three of the reopening of businesses…

With West Virginia Schools in our area due to resume classes on Tuesday, child care services could be an issue for parents who have to deal with hybrid schedules. WCBC asked Department of Health and Human Resources Secretary Bill Crouch about the status of the system, and if there will be enough to satisfy demand…

On 09/06/2020 at approximately 10:00 PM the Cumberland City Police Department responded to the 300 block of Washington Street for an assault. Upon arrival officers contacted the victim who advised they were thrown to the ground. Officers observed the victim’s arm was swollen and the Cumberland Fire Department was requested to respond and render aid. The victim was transported to the hospital and it was learned that their arm was broken as a result of the assault. Officers located the suspect Michael Gerrod Taylor and arrested him without issue. Mr. Taylor was taken before a District Court Commissioner and released…