Senator Ben Cardin on Tuesday delivered his final speech from the floor of the U.S. Senate. The end of this Congress brings to a close 58 years of elected office for Democrat Cardin, who retires after serving in the Maryland House of Delegates, the U.S. House of Representatives, and U.S. Senate. His remarks included notes of thanks to staff, family, and colleagues, as well as direction for his fellow Senators…   “Never has it been more important to fight to protect our democracy, to defend the rule of law, and to stand up for our common values. As Senators, we need…

The Senator George Edwards Fund hits a wall of sorts this year in Annapolis.  Funding for the economic initiative was established in 2022, but runs out at the end of fiscal year 2025.  In light of the state’s budget crisis, targeted focus on legislation to keep that funding coming is crucial, according to Maryland House Minority Leader Jason Buckel…    “We will have to use an awful lot of our political capitol this year to attempt to get that extended, and attempt to get some level of continued funding. So that those types of projects and job creating, hopefully job…

Downtown Cumberland’s second Winter Festival takes place this Saturday starting at 4pm, bringing the event to its new downtown home on Baltimore, Liberty, and Centre Streets. Last year, the event took place at Canal Place Plaza because of downtown construction. Melinda Kelleher of the Downtown Development Commission says that this year more music will feature at both the waterfall plaza and upper Baltimore Street…    “The music was very popular and people really enjoyed it so we decided to do two different stages this year. The main stage is more bands, like larger bands with multiple people in them, and…

UPDATE at 10:09a.m. Crews have cleared the scene of a possible gas leak at South Penn Elementary.  Students are returning to the school from the Salvation Army building where they were being housed until given the all-clear.  Columbia Gas crews remain on the scene. Cumberland Fire Department supported by Mineral County and Allegany County Emergency Services on scene of a natural gas leak at South Penn Elementary School. Staff and students are being evacuated and placed in the Salvation Army headquarters building as fire crews investigate the smell of natural gas in classrooms.

The December interim meetings of the West Virginia Legislature have wrapped up.  On Sunday an organizational caucus was held by the Republican members of the House and a separate one by the Senate.  Current Speaker Roger Hanshaw will continue as Speaker of the House for the 87th legislature.  On the Senate side outgoing Senate President Craig Blair will be replaced by Senator Randy Smith.  Senator Blair represented part of Mineral County and with redistricting complete after this past election, Randy Smith represents all of Mineral County, so we will continue to be well represented in Charleston. The Joint Committee on…

On Tuesday, December 10th, 2024, the Cumberland Police Department arrested Natarsha Lynn Pownall, 31, of Cumberland MD. Pownall was arrested on an active Arrest Warrant issued by the Allegany County District Court for an incident that occurred on December 4th. On that date, Pownall contacted police and reported that she had been the victim of a crime. Through investigation, it was determined that Pownall’s statements to officers had been fabricated and the crime did not occur. She was taken before a District Court Commissioner for an Initial Appearance where she was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center. She is…

The town of Lonaconing will hold its Christmas tree lighting on Wednesday evening. WCBC will provide a live-stream of the event on our Facebook page, beginning shortly before 6pm.  Mayor Jack Coburn tells WCBC the event officially kicks off the Lonaconing Christmas season that includes a Coney Christmas on December 14th…     “It’s not a long ceremony but we do shut the highway down there to prevent anyone getting injured from a passing car. Our Sorority Angels which is a volunteer group and they do things for the community, they will be taking care of all the free hot…

Demond Arthur Scott Jr, 37 of Cumberland, was arrested on a Circuit Court Grand Jury Indictment for 2 counts of CDS Distribution-Narcotics, 2 counts of CDS: Possession With Intent to Distribute Narcotics, and 2 counts of CDS Possession-Not Marijuana. Scott is being held without bond at the Allegany County Detention Center pending a bail review in Circuit Court.

The public’s help is being sought in a malicious burning incident that took place in the parking lot of an area church.  Two suspects were observed walking along Park Street Sunday evening in Cumberland when they intentionally set fire to plantings along the parking lot of Radiant Life Church.  The fire destroyed plants and a parking pole.  Anyone with information should call the State Fire Marshal’s office at 301-766-3888.

Cumberland’s Mayor and City Council approved the acceptance of a $75,000 Edward Byrne Justice Assistance grant for use by the city police department to purchase automated license plate readers.  The grant comes through the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy.  Mayor Ray Morriss said law enforcement will be able to identify stolen vehicles and investigate crimes more thoroughly with the equipment…     “It really is to help with finding stolen vehicles, number one. And then also they enter into the system the vehicle license plates of serious crimes.”