Problems continue between the Allegany County Commissioners and IAFF 1715 – the union representing the EMTs and Paramedics that work for the county.  The recent layoff of six EMS employees by the county in an attempt to close a budget deficit has now been made more difficult by news from Union President Steve Corioni that other employees will be leaving for employment elsewhere, taking the manpower shortage to 10.  Corioni addressed the commissioners, saying that the shortage now will not easily be overcome and that morale is at a low point… I think it’s a shame.  I think it’s going…

The Union Rescue Mission is working on moving to a new location which will be in the old High Point Furniture store on Franklin Street.  Citizens have expressed concern about the move with the location being more residential and near Braddock Middle School.  Executive Director David Ziler told WCBC News they are aware of the concerns and have even tried to address it with several public meetings – which were not well attended…   “We attempted to respond to it in the beginning by having open forum meetings with people. But we had no body show up for those meetings. …

At the Frostburg Mayor and City Council meeting on Tuesday, August 20th, Mayor Todd Logsdon presented a certificate of appreciation to two lifeguards from the Frostburg Pool.  Jordan Chaney and Justice Combs were on lifeguard duty August 4th and acted quickly when a park visitor had a medical emergency near the pool area…   “On August 4, 2024, two lifeguards at the Frostburg pool quickly responded and attended to a park visitor that experienced a medical emergency.  Their professional and compassionate actions helped divert a more serious situation. The Mayor and Council of the city of Frostburg do hereby express…

A harmful algae bloom has been detected in the Potomac River near Cumberland and in the area near Riley’s Lock in Williamsport.  The Maryland Department of the Environment has issued a health alert and is warning pet owners to keep their animals out of the water.  The algae mats can be ingested by animals, leading to severe illness or even death within hours or days. They can appear as foam, scum on the water surface and can change water color to blue, green, brown, yellow, orange, or red. The MDE plans to continue to monitor the situation.

Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss says that he is going to run again for Mayor of the City of Cumberland.  Speaking with WCBC, Morriss said he is proud of what the city has been able to do and wants to continue that progress…   “At this point in time, I’ll be running for Mayor one more term.  If the citizens of Cumberland accept what’s been going on for the last 6 years, and I hope they do, then chances are likely, I’ll be running for one more term.” Morriss put to rest rumors that he was going to be running for…

The City of Cumberland says the Cas Taylor Bridge on Baltimore Street will reopen to one way traffic on Friday, August 30.  Greene Street lane reduction will also be in force until August 30.  The city anticipates two way traffic on the bridge in October.  The reopening of the bridge will come weeks before the November 14 dedication of the downtown area of the city.

Fall foliage enthusiasts can expect a less vibrant leaf-peeping fall this year in Western Pennsylvania, according to area experts, speaking to the Pittsburgh Tribune Review. Certified arborist Eric Countryman of Swissvale has studied trees for 15 years. He said this year’s record-breaking heat and lack of rain across Western Pennsylvania will likely result in trees turning colors and dropping their leaves sooner. Factors such as diseases, insects, drought, heavy rain and heat can contribute to leaves turning and dropping earlier. In Western Pennsylvania, the normal time frame for trees to turn colors is mid-September through October, but trees are already…

A meeting notice published Thursday in the Cumberland Times-News was not authorized by the Frostburg American Legion. An advertisement inviting all members to attend a meeting at the Legion on Sunday noted that topics being discussed include the sale of the Post home. WCBC spoke with the Post Commander, Wesley Harper, who said the meeting is a regular monthly membership meeting and there is no intention of selling the Post home. Harper said a member had placed the ad without the Post's knowledge.

Heather Renee Sager, 31 of Cumberland, was served a Circuit Court Bench Warrant for Violation of Probation. Her original conviction was for two counts of Neglect of Minor and she received a 4-year jail term with all but 210 days suspended and 3-years supervised probation. She is being held without bond at the Allegany County Detention Center. Mecca Isiaah Pulley, 20 of Henrico, VA, was served a District Court Arrest Warrant for felony Theft: $25,000 to under $100,000 and Theft: $1,500 to under $25,000. He was released on a $7,500 Unsecured Personal Bond (UPB)

Prince Georges County Executive and Senate Candidate Angela Alsobrooks took center stage on Tuesday at the Democratic National Convention to create a case for Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris’ ability as an attorney.  Alsobrooks noted that Donald Trump has said big business would treat Harris as a “play toy.”  She offered proofs of the opposite, saying Harris has experience standing up to big business, financial institutions and even drug cartels…