Allegany County Public School reports that Bus 60, with service to Fort Hill High, Washington Middle, and Flintstone Elementary, will not be on the road today, Monday, December 16.

It is a Snow Watch morning for this Monday, December 16th… Updated at 7:30 a.m. 3-hour delay: Allegany County Public Schools Bishop Walsh School Calvary Christian Academy Lighthouse Christian Academy Closed: Mineral County Public Schools Learning Tree Preschool Delays: Frostburg State University opening at 10 a.m. Spectrum Support Day Program opening at 10 a.m. Allegany County Transit/JARC opening at 10:30 a.m. Allegany College of Maryland opening at 10:30 a.m. For the latest snow watch information visit us online at WCBCRadio.com/snow-watch

Stronger wage growth is driving a small increase in the revenues estimated by the state of Maryland in the next two fiscal years.  The Board of Revenue Estimates expects an increase of $262 million dollars across FY 2025 and ’26, roughly one half of one percent. Comptroller Brooke Lierman emphasized that Maryland’s revenue picture is deeply intertwined with federal government employment…     “Which accounts for 5.9% share of employment in Maryland.  And there are 161,000 federal civilian jobs located in Maryland and more than 240,000 Maryland households report more than $24 billion dollars in federal wages.”

For over 30 years, WCBC has partnered with the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce and Frostburg State University to award scholarships to area high school seniors.  The “Student Salute” heard on WCBC features the accomplishments of any area senior.  Students bound for Frostburg State University are eligible to win a $5,000 scholarship or one of two $500 scholarships. Chamber President and CEO Juli McCoy tells WCBC the program is open to all public, private, and home-schooled students…    “Go to AlleganyCountyChamber.com. If they go under Chamber Programs, they’ll see the FSU-WCBC Student Salute tab, and if they click on there…

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West Virginia child-care advocates say they’re bracing for more center closures in the new year. More than 60,000 children in the state have both parents working, and only around 39,000 licensed center slots available. Kristy Ritz with the West Virginia Association for Young Children say they support state policies that aim to keep existing centers afloat, rather than incentivizing businesses to open on-site child care…     “We have talked to people. Businesses, they don’t really want to open child care programs, so it makes more sense for them to help with existing programs so that they can stay open.”

Supporters of Frostburg State University have many ways to give back to the college that’s been part of the region since 1902.  The Frostburg State University Foundation coordinates donations through wills, annuities and other means. Liz Nelson, Planned Giving Officer for the foundation tells WCBC that Required Mandatory Distributions from retirement accounts are a good way to support the college…     “You call your plan administrator. You let them know you want the check to come to the Frostburg State University Foundation and we take care of the rest. We add it into the fund, we get things moving…

Maryland’s former Governor is adding to the voices of those calling for more transparency over the increased sightings of drones over cities.  Larry Hogan posted to his social media pages that he witnessed several dozen drones over his Davidsonville, Maryland home on Thursday night, posting a video showing the objects.  His home is approximately 25 miles from the nation’s capital.  Hogan said people are rightfully clamoring for answers and the vague response from Homeland Security, the White House, military, and the FBI is unacceptable.

Since 1983, volunteers with the Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization have spent time between Thanksgiving and December 1 decorating over 900 graves from Pennsylvania to Florida. The graves are decorated with wreaths and poinsettias for the season. CHCO President Ed Taylor, Jr. says the project shows people still remember and care for those who have passed.  Many of the historic graves are in the Cumberland area…     “Graves such as Thomas Beall, revolutionary war soldier, founder of Cumberland. The historic Pollock Cemetery, which is located down in Mexico Farms. A great Civil War family – gets a lot of visitors…

Robotics and Engineering in Allegany County Together a group organized to encourage STEM education, has received a $9,000 grant from T-Mobile to help renovate the former Saints Peter and Paul Social Hall into the RISE Institute for STEM Education. REACT has also received grant funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission for the building. The RISE Institute will have programs to enhance participant readiness for careers in engineering, computer science, and advanced fabrication.