Allegany County Public Schools Superintendent announced he would be retiring at the end of his current term. He gave notice at Tuesday’s school board meeting that he would be leaving in July.  Blank talked with WCBC’s Dave Norman and said he had discussed the issue with family and also with late school board president Bob Farrell who knew of the decision. Blank feels it is the right time to retire…     “I’ve got 38 years in. I have thirty-seven of them here in Allegany County. Right now, from the board members to the employees, the students, the community, the…

The Maryland Freedom Caucus held their first event in Annapolis this week.  Maryland is the thirteenth state to join the State of Freedom Caucus Network, a conservative Republican group.  Maryland Congressman Andy Harris who leads the House Freedom Caucus was a featured speaker at the event.  Harris said it was time for Maryland to have a group that works to restore fiscal responsibility…     “The bottom line is the way you save your freedom is you limit the size and scope of government interfering in decisions by businesses and individuals who can help to grow the economy.”

On January 15, 2025, Officers of the Cumberland Police Department served a Criminal Summons on Ryan Andrew Roach. On two separate occasions, Officers were called to a local business for a report of a theft. Officers were able to review camera footage and identified the suspect as Ryan Roach. Arrest: Ryan Andrew Roach, age 36, Cumberland Maryland. Charges: (2) Counts of Theft

The Maryland Transportation Authority is warning drivers to avoid responding to text messages claiming that money is owed for unpaid tolls.  Users of EZ Pass have also experienced these fraudulent messages.

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey has issued several announcements as he begins his term.  Morrisey said his administration will be announcing a process for people to declare their religious objections to vaccines.  The governor said his administration will also pursue strict definitions of “man” and “woman.”

Frostburg State University President Ronald Nowaczyk has sent a letter to the campus community that he will be stepping down as President at the end of January. Nowaczyk says he has had medical issues in the past and recently new challenges have arisen that will make it difficult to fulfill his duties and responsibilities as university president.  The University System of Maryland Chancellor is expected to make an announcement about the future leadership of the college.

Garrett County Public Schools will be closed on Thursday, January 16, 2025, due to the winter storm warning and impending inclement weather—Code Orange for employees. The Central Office Facilities will open at 10:00 a.m. Please note: If there is a 2- or 3-hour delay on Friday, January 17, 2025, schools will remain in session for the entire day, and the early dismissal/staff development will be canceled.  

On Tuesday, January 14, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Kimberly Hughes.  The warrant was issued as the result of Hughes failing to comply with a court order.  She was originally charged with Unauthorized Removal of Motor Vehicle, Motor Vehicle/ Unlawful Taking, and Theft: $1500 to under $25000.  Hughes was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  She was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center without bond. ARRESTED:  Kimberly Dawn Hughes       AGE:  48          Cumberland, MD  

Millions of older adults in the United States face food insecurity, yet many who are eligible for help through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, are not enrolled. Norm Gold, a consultant with Feeding America and AARP Virginia says SNAP enrollment has been made simpler for easier access by seniors…     “If it’s too much of a pain for them to do it, they don’t . Most seniors don’t want to have to deal with it, honestly, I’m one of them. I’ll be 70 and that’s just the way older people are. To make it easy, that’s why…

West Virginia Senator Shelly Moore-Capito says she is looking to the future with the incoming Trump administration.  Capito told reporters that her state has been somewhat stifled in being able to tap in to its natural energy sources, but the new President wants the country to be energy independent, meaning West Virginia can grow those resources for everyone…    “We’ve been stymied in some ways over the last several years to be able to fully develop those, to be able to enhance our LNG capacities, to be able to move our product, our natural gas, to use coal in the…