The Maryland Freedom Caucus is unhappy with how the Democrats in Maryland are concentrating interest on the case of illegal immigrant Kilmar Abrego-Garcia. Vice Chair of the caucus, Delegate Kathy Szeliga reiterated on Fox News that Garcia is in fact and illegal immigrant, despite what the mainstream media is reporting…     “Mr. Garcia is an illegal immigrant. He came to this country illegally. He did not have permission. He was not vetted. He isn’t afforded the rights of an American citizen because he is not a citizen.”

Horseracing’s Triple Crown begins this Saturday at the Kentucky Derby but concern remains for the health and safety of the thoroughbred horses.  Kathy Guillermo, Senior Vice President at PETA, told WCBC that 2023 in particular was brutal for horse racing.     “IN the weeks surrounding the Triple Crown races, quite a few of them at Churchill Downs and then one terrible, catastrophic injury at Saratoga. It was quite a big issue at that point when people realized these horses just aren't running because they like it – they may actually die if they do it.” Guillermo said some progress…

The Downtown Development Commission is looking for sponsors for its third annual Winter Festival. Grant money has been the festival source of funding for the first two years, but this year the DDC is looking elsewhere for support of the holiday event. DDC Director Melinda Kelleher says businesses that help to sponsor the Winter Festival are showing support for their community…    “This is an excellent opportunity for companies, businesses, and individuals to be connected to our wonderful downtown events – get their logo, their business name, all of that out there to show that support of the community and…

Allegany County Tourism has released its newest Destination Guide for Mountain Maryland. This year’s guide features 84 pages with phots that highlight the area’s outdoor economy, arts, history and heritage. County Tourism Director Ashli Workman said Baltimore Sun readers got a surprise in their Sunday editions…    “People in our marketplace – which is the DC and Baltimore region are a very, very big travel audience for Western Maryland. Sunday morning when they open their paper, they are going to see this guide and the idea is to hopefully get them inspired to come here for a weekend getaway this…

Monday’s announcement that the Washington Commanders football team will be returning to the District of Columbia is the economic shot in the arm the area has been looking for.  Commanders’ owner Josh Harris who grew up going to Redskins games said the move would bring both football and benefits to the area for years to come…     “It’s about a once in a generation opportunity to create a catalyst for long-term transformational economic growth here in DC. That means thousands of new jobs, billions of new tax revenue, thousands of new homes.”

The Maryland Historical Trust is presenting awards for noteworthy accomplishments in the preservation field and among the winners is Cumberland Historic Preservation officer Ruth Davis-Rogers.  The Trust will be presenting her the award for Outstanding Individual Leadership at a City Hall ceremony in June. The nomination for the honor came from Nicholas Redding, President of Preservation Maryland.  Davis-Rogers tells WCBC that Cumberland residents care about preserving their heritage…     “I’ve been here about three and a half years now and so you know I have tried to certainly educate the public on what historic preservation is. We are a…

Governor Patrick Morrisey of West Virginia was at Cacapon Resort State Park in Berkeley Springs last week to officially sign three new gun rights bills into law. He said one of those, House Bill 270, prohibits the government from suspending gun rights during declared emergencies or disaster responses, similar to COVID…     “We did see other states try to use states of emergency and other scare tactics impacting guns or other rights from citizens. I want to make sure that never happens in West Virginia, regardless of who is in the legislature or in the Governor’s mansion.”

On April 25, 2025, around 8:45 pm, Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division, Detectives with the Garrett County Narcotics Task Force, Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigator, and Patrol Deputies executed a Search and Seizure Warrant at Moe’s Vape Shop along Weber Road in Oakland. The Search Warrant was obtained as a result of an investigation conducted by Detectives relating to a Sexual Offense and the Distribution of Marijuana.  As a result of the investigation and search warrant, Detectives arrested and charged Amer M. Abdelfattah, “Moe”, 34 years old, Oakland, for Rape Second Degree, Fourth Degree Sexual Offense, False Imprisonment, Assault…

Archbishop William Lori is coming to Bishop Walsh School Wednesday to celebrate Mass.  Wednesday, April 30 marks the birthday of school namesake Bishop James Edward Walsh, born in Cumberland in 1891.  Bishop Walsh became a Maryknoll missionary who spent decades in China and was imprisoned by the Communist government for twelve years.  The school on Haystack Mountain was named in his honor in 1966 during his imprisonment.  Mass begins at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the school.

Trooper 5 Medevac was called to LaVale around 1:30 Monday afternoon after a Maryland State Trooper was struck on I-68 Westbound at Exit 39. Traffic was rerouted to US 40 West from the Interstate. The State Trooper was setting up radar in the area when the incident occurred. No other details were made available.