A recent survey revealed that Maryland is the fifth most expensive state for common cost-of-living items like mortgages, utilities, and insurance.  The state ranked 22% over the national median, meaning households spend an extra $2000 in monthly costs.  WCBC spoke with House Minority Leader Jason Buckel says it’s no surprise, given the rising costs of taxes and fees for state residents…    “We’re still cheaper than a lot of our metro neighbors to the East, but those costs are going up and our economy doesn’t match it. So, it affects everyone from Oakland to Ocean City – these high costs…

On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department served an arrest warrant on Nathaniel Younger.  The warrant was issued as the result of an incident that occurred on May 27, 2025 at approximately 8:01 AM when police responded to the 11000 block of Valley Rd. for an assault.  Police arrived on scene and learned that the suspect, Nathaniel Younger, had forced his way into the residence and assaulted two victims.  Younger was no longer on scene. After further investigation, police filed for charges against Younger at the District Court of Allegany County.  Younger was arrested and later seen by a…

WCBC Radio and the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce presented Annual Frostburg State University Student Salute Scholarships at Tuesday’s Allegany County Board of Education meeting.  This year’s winners are Gunner Wilson, Charlotte Crawford, and Kamryn Rice, all of Fort Hill High School. School Superintendent Jeff Blank says he appreciates the spotlight on the county’s students…     “There are so many positive things that happened with our students and the more organizations that will highlight our students’ success – hats off – let alone money to help students be able to further their career in whatever that may be.”

The Women and Girls Action in Support of Alternative Development is seeking funding for a radio station in Cameroon.  The group has a vision to create a world where there is no inequality.  The group is raising funds to build a radio station too increase community engagement.  Giles Tchingombu, program coordinator, says used equipment would also be helpful…     “What we need is equipment that we can send back to Cameroon and they can use it in Cameroon.  Either new or used equipment.  I don’t know what amount the founder wants to put toward the equipment, but they need…

West Virginia Delegate Gary Howell chairs the Economic Development Committee in the West Virginia legislature. He is using recent tax and fee hikes in Maryland to attract business to Mineral County and other areas of his state. A targeted letter sent to data companies inviting them to his state is having success – even with companies who didn’t receive a letter…     “One company immediately got a hold of us that we had not sent a letter and they said one of the companies we deal with sent us the letter and let us know and we’ve talked with…

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey has submitted a waiver request to the US Department of Agriculture to remove the eligibility of soda from SNAP benefits. Morrisey says, with this request, the “N” in SNAP will stand for nutrition more so than it has in the past…      “We’re promoting healthy bundles. That’s fresh produce, lean meat, and good opportunities for some hot foods for West Virginians for some products that you’ve never been able to have before. This is the way we have to do it. We have to get West Virginia healthy again. We can make big progress…

Allegany County’s priority list for project funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission is ready for review by the Tri-County Council. Allegany County Community Development Specialist David Nedved says the three westernmost counties in the state are part of the ARC and submit funding requests annually for a variety of projects…     “Every county comes up with their priority list of the projects and then they take the three priority lists and Tri-County Council combine them and then they become one overall priority list for all three counties. So, we had to have our projects ranked, approved, and submitted to…

Affecting positive change begins at a young age. With that in mind, the Leadership Allegany Rising program, presented by the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce, is looking for applications from high school juniors for its tenth cohort beginning in September. Chamber President and CEO Juli McCoy says the seven-month program takes students through diverse topics to educate them to become future leaders…    “Allow the high school juniors to explore health care, social services, local government, economic development, and entrepreneurship as well as higher education to have a better perspective of the community.” Students have until September 5th to apply…

Frankfort High School graduate Abby Beeman has signed another contract to play professional basketball in Iceland.  Beeman averaged 26 points per game last season in Iceland.  She was named the Sunbelt Player of the Year while playing at Marshall University.