Joann Woodson, the 95-year old widow of African American Staff Sergeant Waverly Woodson was on hand to receive the U.S. Army’s second-highest military honor – 80 years after her husband’s valor on D-Day at Omaha Beach.  U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen has worked with the family for a number of years to award the Distinguished Service Cross after records show the recommendation was made, revealing a pattern of racism in the decision making process of the time. Senator Van Hollen shared that Woodson saved many lives on Omaha Beach… “Then Corporal Woodson was wounded before his landing craft reached the…

From Allegany County Public Schools: Today, September 26, 2024, Westernport Elementary School was placed in a brief SECURE status, as a precautionary measure in response to a report of a disturbance in the surrounding area. A SECURE status is used to safeguard those inside the building, but does not disrupt the normal school day.  Local law enforcement has given the “All Clear” and the instructional day has resumed as normal.

In a story first reported by WCBC news on Septemrber 21st. Cumberland City Police Department released information regarding the large disturbance in downtown Cumberland Saturday morning just after 2 a.m. Officers responded to a large disturbance in the area of Pershing Street. 911 Dispatchers advised that there was reports of a man who had a gun from callers. Allegany County Sheriff's office also responding to the scene to assist Cumberland Police Department to disperse the crowd. Cumberland Fire Department was also dispatched to the scene with an EMS unit to treat individuals who had been assaulted during the incident. Law Enforcement did not…

On Wednesday, September 25th, 2024, The Cumberland Police Department responded to a business on Ali Ghan Rd for the report of a theft. Upon arrival, Officers contacted the general manager of the establishment who provided video footage of a current employee stealing a $250 gift card and rubber duck toys. As a result, Jami Laraine Anderson, 43, of Cumberland MD, was issued criminal citations for the thefts. She was then removed from the property and released, pending trial in District Court. Name: Jami Laraine Anderson                           Age: 43 Charges: Theft less than $100, Theft $100-$1500.

This year the Canal Place Preservation Development Authority is holding an original holiday event called the Celebration of Lights and Holiday Market.  The event is separate from the City’s Winter Festival and is scheduled to be held on Small Business  Saturday, November 30th.  Marketing Director Kim Folk says the event will have a similar feel to last year’s gathering… “It’s gonna look similar with vendors and we’ll do a big light-up event.  We’re gonna have luminaries and lots of lights to do a big light-up event with Santa and pictures with Santa all that good stuff.  We’re having a tremendous…

Allegany County has sent out 4800 of the state’s 660,000 mail-in and web delivery ballots for the first phase of the 2024 General Election.  Forty-five hundred of those are paper copies and 300 by web delivery.  The county’s two ballot drop boxes are located at the offices of Allegany County Government on Kelly Road and Mountain Ridge High School.  Early voting in Maryland begins Thursday, October 24th and runs through Thursday, October 31st from 7 am to 8 pm daily. Anyone wishing to make changes to their voter registration has until 5 pm on October 15th, according to Election Board…

On Wednesday, September 25th, 2024, The Cumberland Police Department arrested McClave Cleland Combs Jr, 61, of Cumberland MD. Combs was arrested on an active Bench Warrant issued by the Allegany County District Court on September 24th. The warrant alleges that Combs failed to appear in District Court on that date for a previous case where he was charged with driving without a license. Combs was taken before a District Court Commissioner for an Initial Appearance where he was released on his own recognizance. Name: McClave Cleland Combs Jr.                           Age: 61 Charges: Bench Warrant-Failure to Appear On Wednesday, September 25th, 2024,…

Maryland’s first Outdoor Recreation Summit is planned for October 9th through 11th at Rocky Gap State Park.  The Department of Natural Resources will host a experts in outdoor recreation through a series of panels, presentations, and outdoor excursions. Open to businesses, outdoor enthusiasts and those interested in outdoor recreation careers, the summit will focus on recreation, inclusion, workforce development, and outdoor business development. Registration information is available at outdoorsummit.maryland.gov.

A new round of funding to expand bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure is coming to Maryland. Grants of $16 million dollars will support 36 projects to improve trail-highway crossings, new bike paths, and pedestrian improvements in school zones. Federal funding of $13.9 million will go to projects including a mountain bike trail in Garrett County while $2 million in state funding will go to projects through the Kim Lamphier Bikeways Network Program.

Maryland’s unemployment rate ticked up just slightly in August to 2.9%.  It is still below the national unemployment rate of 4.1%.  Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows Maryland’s labor force expanded by just over 5,000 new workers with the most growth in Private Education, Transportation, and Warehousing.  Sectors seeing job loss were Accommodation and Food Services and Retail.  Over the first eight months of the year, the state has added 31,800 jobs.