A report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition shows that adequate rental housing is out of reach for many Marylanders. The “Housing Wage” – the hourly wage a worker must earn to afford a rental without spending more than 30% of their income is $39.15- more than twice minimum wage.  Average rent in the state for a two-bedroom house is $2,036. Andrew Aurand of the coalition says more help is needed to stabilize housing costs…     “Housing choice vouchers is a large program that provides eligible low-income renters with a voucher to try to afford housing in the…

The Virginia State Police have had to take to the press as well as social media to put down rumors of large amounts of children going missing in the state. Viral videos have stated that more than 50 children have disappeared since the beginning of August, sparking fears of a serial kidnapper. Kenny Jarels of the Aware Fund that works on missing children cases, says the information is hearsay and rumor… “There is no mass kidnapping going on in the state of Virginia. That’s just not happening. The problem is that we have kids that we know that were on…

Cumberland native Levi Wiseman has joined the U.S. Navy’s 125 year tradition of service under the sea. Seaman Wiseman graduated from Allegany High School in 2024 and joined the Navy eight months ago. He is currently a student at the Naval Submarine School located in Groton, Connecticut, training to be an information systems technician. Upon completion of training, Wiseman will support fast-attack, ballistic missile, or guided missile submarines.

Maryland’s six casinos took in $165.6 million dollars in July, a slight drop of 2.5% from the same month last year.  For the state, tax collections on the revenue totaled $71.8 million dollars. Contributions to the Education Trust Fund for the month were $51.7 million.  MGM National Harbor continued to lead all casinos in the state, taking in almost $69 million for the month. Rocky Gap Casino generated $5 million from its 630 slot machines and 12 table games.

Football fans will be able to enjoy Western Maryland Lemonade at Baltimore Ravens home games this season. The locally crafted lemonade will be featured at M&T Bank Stadium during home football games and other events through the 2025 season. Brandy Iames, Director of Sales at Western Maryland Lemonade says the opportunity is opening many doors…      “ We’ve been in discussion with large chain retailers throughout the Maryland and Pennsylvania area that even expand beyond the Ravens’ marketing territory. We’re being introduced to larger distributers, some national distributors, even. I really think that this is going to be a…

On Friday August 15th, 2025, officers from the Cumberland Police Department responded to the area of W. Second Street for a reported disturbance. Upon arrival, officers made contact with a male individual, later identified as Ryan Joseph Rudd, who was observed yelling at individuals in the area. Officers issued multiple orders for Rudd to stop his behavior and leave the area. He refused to comply. As a result, Rudd was placed under arrest. While Rudd was being placed under arrest, he pulled away several times as the officers attempted to place him into handcuffs.  During the arrest, Rudd refused to enter…

Public and private schools are ready to open soon in the WCBC listening area.  Mineral County opens first on Friday, August 15, followed by Hampshire County on Monday, August 18.  Bishop Walsh School opens on Monday, August 25.  On Wednesday, August 27, Allegany County, Calvary Christian Academy, and Lighthouse Christian Academy will open.  The new Messiah Christian Academy in Mineral County will open Tuesday, September 2.

On Wednesday, August 13th, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department arrested William Charles Kinser Jr, 51, of Cumberland, MD. Kinser was arrested on an active Bench Warrant issued by the Allegany County District Court on August 8th. The warrant alleged he violated the terms and conditions of probation that had been placed upon him due to a previous conviction on a charge of second-degree 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. ARRESTED -   William Charles Kinser Jr.  51yo…

For many, the thought of having a heart catheterization is daunting. However, innovations in the procedure have taken some of the anxiety away from patients. At the UPMC Western Maryland Heart and Vascular Institute, Dr. Hani Alkhatib who directs the structural heart program says these new innovations help lessen the stress of the diagnostic procedure…     “For the ones that don’t have a history of bypass surgery, it becomes much easier. I would say 95% of our procedures or the procedures that I perform at least are through the arm or through the wrist.”

National Guard troops in the US Capitol for crime control has had mixed reactions. When the announcement first came, the Baltimore was singled out as being “so far gone” because of crime. Maryland Governor Wes Moore says that crime is actually down in Baltimore and there’s no way a similar situation will happen in his state…    “I want to be very crystal clear to anyone who is listening. I will not authorize the usage of the Maryland National Guard for any mission that I do not deem to be mission-critical or mission-aligned.” Moore said he believes working through the…