Two important transcontinental highways will be celebrating their 100th anniversary in 2026. One is the famous Route 66, while the other is US Route 50. Route 50 covers over 3,000 miles from Ocean City, Maryland to Sacramento, California.  West Virginia House Delegate Gary Howell says there are plans in his state to celebrate the highway that travels through more than 200 miles of West Virginia. Improvements to roadside parks and landmarks are planned along with an update to Skyline Overlook in Mineral County where tourists stop to view Saddle Mountain.

On March 21, 2025, at approximately 1:56 AM, Deputies from the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a black Honda Civic on McMullen Highway in Cumberland, Maryland. Upon approaching the vehicle, deputies observed several factors consistent with criminal activity. Deputies established probable cause to conduct a search of the vehicle. During the search, deputies discovered a quantity of suspected crack cocaine in an amount indicative of possession with intent to distribute. Additionally, a loaded .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun was recovered, along with a significant sum of U.S. currency believed to be proceeds from the sale of controlled…

On Sunday, March 23rd, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department arrested Romeo Flores, 56, of Cumberland MD. Flores was arrested on an active Arrest Warrant issued by the Allegany County District Court for an incident that occurred on March 23rd, 2025, at a residence in the 600 block of Bedford St. During that incident, it is alleged that Flores assaulted two juveniles and fled the home before police arrived on the scene. 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. …

Mayor Ray Morriss spoke with WCBC News regarding the number of businesses closing in the downtown Cumberland and LaVale areas. Morriss said M&M Bakery leaves a hole with their closing, but there is opportunity to be found. The bakery closing, he said creates the chance for someone to have their dream business. “Anyone that has ever thought, ‘I’d like to own a bakery. I’d like to do something,” because it’s going to leave a void and a great business opportunity for someone. So I’m – that’s what I’m looking for is – who wants to be the person who will…

As we approach Crossover Day, this week marks a crucial deadline for Subcommittees to finalize their work, ensuring bills move forward through the full committees. Crossover Day is the day when all House Bills with the potential to become law are sent to the Senate, and vice versa. Unlike the U.S. Congress, our part-time legislature operates under strict timelines, making these deadlines even more significant. Here are some key highlights from this week’s developments. Senate Bill 8, which has successfully passed the House, is now on its way to the Governor for final approval. This important bill permits the installation…

The Western Maryland Economic Futures Fund, known locally as the Senator George Edwards Fund, successfully had legislation passed in both chambers of the General Assembly. House Sponsor Jason Buckel said the fund is critical for the economic future of the region. Senator Mike McKay tells WCBC continued work with present and coming governors will assure money continues to flow to the fund…      “So each year, we’ll have to work with the governor to make sure that he puts in – or she in the future, put in money for that fund. Moore has already expressed his support of…

State and county budgets for the next fiscal year are a moving target at this point, with little solid information to be had from Annapolis or Washington. For Allegany County, the budget situation is urgent due to steep increases in state mandated funding on top of an already lean budget.  Commissioner Bill Atkinson said more information needs to be made available to local citizens about potential taxing changes that affect their wallets…     “We need to do some more public hearings and let the folks know that the reason we’re raising these taxes is not because we want to…

Jokingly referred to as the “Freedom Of Leg Cramps” bill, legislation recently passed in Charleston that would allow motorcyclists to stand up while riding. Currently, standing is banned under law, but the bill says that as long as the rider is facing forward with feet on the pedals, it would be legal. Delegate Shawn Fluharty from Ohio County said more important business needs taken care of…     “If we lined up bills that did nothing for the State of West Virginia. Evel Knievel himself would struggle to make it over it. I mean this is insane. So, I’m standing…

A bill in the Maryland General Assembly may help unionization at state universities. The legislation would give faculty at Morgan State, St. Mary’s College, and the University of Maryland system the right to form a union. Another bill offers collective bargaining rights to graduate assistants at Maryland universities. Delegate Linda Foley, a Democrat from Montgomery County, says the legislation gives teachers at each university the freedom to decide…     “Just because they’re not doing manual labor or or you know working in a sweatshop so to speak, doesn’t mean that workers don’t have rights to collective bargaining or that…

Maryland’s Democratic leadership unveiled a revised spending plan with changes in taxes from Governor Moore’s original plan. Instead of doubling the standard tax deduction, a modest increase of 20% is proposed. A new 2% surcharge on capital gains income over $350,000 would generate $367 million. Senate President Bill Ferguson said that money would be used in two ways…     “Use the capital gains particularly for important investments in our transportation systems as well as to help our structural balance. What we do know is that the Trump tax cuts that are focused on billionaires is likely to help those…