Manufacturers of electric vehicles are trying to dump the AM radio band from new cars. The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act is a bill in congress that if passed, would require the AM band to remain in all vehicles electric or not.  Democratic Candidate for Congress, April McClain Delaney, tells WCBC News that she was raised in a rural area and has been against dropping AM Radio since her time in the Commerce Department under President Joe Biden… “I, when I was at NTIA, I served with the Department of Commerce last year, and that came out, about Tesla…

West Virginia State Treasurer Riley Moore announced that the state’s SMART529 WV Direct Plan has been ranked by national information service Saving For College as a “Top of the Class” savings plan.  West Virginia’s 529 plan is a qualified tuition program issued by the Board of Trustees of the West Virginia College and Jumpstart Savings Programs that allows investments to accumulate tax-free and remain so if distributions are used for qualified higher education expenses including tuition, room, and board without limit on how much can be saved.

A state-wide listening tour is being scheduled to help explain how counties in Maryland will be using cannabis tax revenue in their local communities.  Counties receive back a percentage of the tax revenue collected from legalized cannabis sales through the state’s Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund.  A structured plan must be in place to benefit low-income communities and communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the enforcement of cannabis prohibition.  For the Western Region, the meeting date is November 8 in Hagerstown at the University System of Maryland.

Norman Knight has received Allegany College of Maryland’s sixth Distinguished Alumni Award. Knight received a scholarship from the Engineers Club of Cumberland in 1970 to attend Allegany Community college. He continued to Virginia Tech, earning a master’s degree in Engineering Science and Mechanics. He went on to receive a Doctor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from George Washington University Joint Institute for the Advancement of flight sciences at NASA Langley Research Center. He also taught at Clemson and Old Dominion universities.

Preparations are underway for the annual South Cumberland Halloween Parade on October 30th.  WCBC News spoke with Parade Co-chair Sean Thomas.  Thomas said that the parade will get started with the annual “Mummer’s Contest” at 5:30.  Thomas noted that this year’s parade has between 70-80 units, including high school bands from throughout the area. Thomas added that the parade has a variety of community members participating, from local businesses to local politicians.

On Saturday, October 19th, 2024, the Cumberland Police Department served a Criminal Summons on Scott David Noel, 32, of Cumberland MD. The summons was in reference to an incident that occurred on August 4th in the 200 block of Paca St. During that incident, it is alleged that Noel assaulted a male victim after the two had been engaged in an argument. On this date, Noel was served the summons and released, pending trial in District Court. Name: Scott David Noel                           Age: 32 Charges: Assault 2nd Degree

Bishop Walsh School will be conducting its biggest fundraiser of the year today (Monday) with its annual Race for Education.  Admissions director Connie Milligan chairs the event.  BW principal Jennifer Flinn told WCBC that the Race for Education involves all the students in the school.  Flinn added that the school has seen tangible benefits to this fundraiser, such as new cafeteria tables and new lockers.  

The Cumberland Mayor and City Council approved the rehiring of a lobbying firm to represent its interests in Annapolis.  Mayor Ray Morriss said Percy Public Affairs benefits the city in several ways. Morriss said the $45,000 contract is well worth it for Cumberland as the firm acts as an advocate for Cumberland.  

On Saturday, October 19th, 2024, the Cumberland Police Department arrested Aaron Michael Thrasher, 42, of Cumberland MD. Thrasher was arrested on an active Bench Warrant issued by the Allegany County District Court on October 17th. The warrant alleges Thrasher failed to appear in court on that date for a previous harassment charge. Thrasher was taken before a District Court Commissioner for his Initial Appearance where he was released on his own recognizance. Name: Aaron Michel Thrasher                           Age: 42 Charges: Bench Warrant – Fail to Appear