At his end of year press conference Monday, Art Rooney II, president of the Pittsburgh Steelers, admitted it is unlikely that both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields will return to the team.  Both are free agents.  Rooney also stated his continued support of head coach Mike Tomlin.

A high wind warning has been issued for midnight until noon Tuesday.  West winds of 25–35 mph are expected with possible gusts of 60 mph. 

Maryland is striving to make power from the sun affordable to everyone through the Maryland Solar Access Program, a new initiative created by the 2024 Brighter Tomorrow Act, passed by the Maryland General Assembly last year. The new initiative provides up to $7,500 for an income-qualified household to install a solar energy system.  The MEA is accepting applications on a first-come, first-served basis.  This will enable recipients to pay less for their electric bills and helps Maryland combat climate change. More information is at energy.maryland.gov.

Maryland U.S. Senate and Congressional representatives gathered in the Barbara Mikulski room on Capitol Hill for their first joint press conference of 2025. Members said they are committed to working as a team for issues that affect Marylanders.  Senior member Senator Chris Van Hollen said the delegation is now focused helping at-risk state residents working for the federal government…     “There are a number of lawsuits that have already been filed regarding Schedule F and those of us who are interested in this issue plan to use whatever power is available to us through Congress to make sure our…

From Allegany County Public Schools: Today, January 27, 2025, Mountain Ridge High School was placed in a brief HOLD status due to a medical emergency. First Responders arrived on scene and provided medical service. School administrators gave the “All Clear” and the instructional day resumed as normal.  

On Sunday, January 26th, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department arrested Shayna Cherry Fitzwater, 24, of Cumberland MD. Fitzwater was arrested on an active Parole Retake Warrant issued by the Maryland Parole Commission on January 14th, 2025. The warrant alleges Fitzwater violated the terms and conditions of parole that had been placed upon her that stemmed from a previous conviction on charges of escape and assault. She was taken before a District Court Commissioner for an Initial Appearance where she was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center. She is currently being held without bond. On Sunday, January 26th, 2025, the…

Justice Warner is this year’s recipient of the WCBC Jim Robey Achievement Scholarship.  Warner is finishing her last semester at Allegany College of Maryland with a two-year degree in Multi Media.  She plans to continue her education at Frostburg State University next fall.  Warner says she will be doing freelance work through the rest of her education designing logos and filming various events in the area…    “Being able to just make something look appealing and fun and exciting is just—I just really like it, and it’s just fun to make things look professional and neat and tidy.”

At the recent Allegany County Commissioner’s meeting, Jason Bennett, County Administrator took time to go over some of the cuts they are seeing to county funding in Governor Moore’s budget for 2026.  Income tax changes could mean reduced revenue collected, reductions to the annual disparity grant by over $800,000 and picking up an additional $750,000 share of teacher pensions are a few items being watched. Bennett and Commission President Dave Caporale discussed the situation…     “(Bennett) So far, early on and like I said the General Assembly could change it, but we’re about a million – nine in cuts…

More than $100 million dollars has been committed to investing in families and children of Maryland to end child poverty.  Governor Wes Moore said the new ENOUGH Alliance would amplify the impact of the ENOUGH Act passed last year designed to provide resources to communities with the highest rates of generational poverty. Governor Moore explained the Alliance is part of the solution to lift Maryland children out of poverty…    “The ENOUGH Alliance is an independent coalition of both philanthropy and private sector organizations. These groups are coming together to invest their own capital and their own private dollars to…

A town hall meeting is set for Tuesday at 5pm in City Hall to hear input on parking issues in downtown Cumberland.  A plan put forth by City Staff was tabled in order to receive public comment.  Melinda Kelleher, Director of the Downtown Development Commission, hopes to see business owners and the public participate… “The people who are directly affected by the decisions that are made which are mainly really the business owners not necessarily the building owners but the business owners, particularly along Baltimore Street but some of the side street people too. That they see this as an…