The Maryland Farm Bureau has added its voice in opposition to the proposed transmission line called the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project. The Farm Bureau has filed a motion to dismiss the project citing the MPRP has said it cannot meet its own deadline to be in service. Opposition to the proposed 67-mile line that would cut across farmland has also come from Carroll, Frederick, and Baltimore counties.

A temporary site for the Westernport Library is now open. The former Reeve’s building, located on Main Street near the library is the location. The building is smaller than the regular library, but Spokesperson Ashley Swinford says they are continuing to offer most of the same services…   “We’re thrilled to reopen a brick and mortar library for Westernport –something we know that means a lot to this community. The Westernport Library will be open at 121 Main will be open Mondays from 1-8pm, Wednesdays from 10 to 5, and Fridays from 10 to 5.”

The City of Cumberland is going ahead with plans to remove parking kiosks throughout town.  Most cities have removed manual parking machines in favor of web-based alternatives. City Administrator Jeff Silka said that the kiosks are past their point of reliable usage…     “Our kiosks are out of date. You can’t get parts. We’ve been cannibalizing old ones. So as they die now – they’re about $8-9,000 minimum to replace. They just don’t cost benefit. We’re going to go to Park Mobile in those areas.”

The Governor’s commission to look at redrawing district lines in the state may have a majority of Democrats, but at least one of them is not in favor of redistricting.  Senator Bill Ferguson, President of the Senate in Annapolis, stated to Fox5 that he is against the tactic for Maryland, along with other members of the state Democratic caucus… “If we land in a place right now where we’re giving up one to two seats to the Trump Administration, I think the majority of us came to the conclusion that that is not right for Maryland right now.” Ferguson doesn’t…

The 2025 Maryland School Report Card was released this week and it shows across the state improvement. In the 2024-25 school year, 43% of schools earned the top two ratings of four or five stars, up from 38% in 2023. Schools that received three or more stars also increased to 86% from 80% in 2023. Allegany County schools showed improvement in areas including graduation rate, readiness for post-secondary success and academic achievement.

A fraudulent letter and email scheme is under investigation by Cumberland Police. Multiple reports of letters and emails falsely claiming to represent the City of Cumberland have been received, requesting recipients wire funds or make payments to accounts not affiliated with the City. The letters or emails may appear official, using City logos, letterhead, or the names of City officials. Anyone receiving such a letter or email is urged not to send money or share personal information, and report the incident immediately to the Cumberland City Police Department at (301)-777-1600.

It may have surprised some to see Mayor Ray Morriss appointed to the Maryland Governor’s Redistricting Commission, but Morriss tells WCBC he is up to the task. He is the lone Republican on the commission, and has definite thoughts on redrawing state congressional lines…     “I believe that any state that is districting their congressional districts to favor one party over the other isn’t doing the right thing. To me, when it comes to lining up your congressional districts, you want to set them up to most properly represent the citizens of that state.” Morriss told WCBC he talked…

On Tuesday, November 4, the Cumberland Police Department served an arrest warrant on Robert Winner.  The warrant was issued as the result of an incident that occurred on February 23, 2025 at approximately 9:17 AM when police responded to the first block of Queen City Drive for a subject attempting to gain entry to vehicles.  Officers arrived and identified the subject as Robert Winner.  After further investigation, police filed for charges against Winner at the District Court of Allegany County.  Winner was arrested and later seen by a District Court Commissioner for a bond hearing.  At the conclusion, Winner was…

Maryland residents going through the Maryland Healthcare Exchange to enroll for healthcare coverage can less stressed with different types of help available.  In addition to online chat, a call center, and help from virtual assistant Flora, assistance that is more personal is available, according to Exchange Director Michelle Eberle…     “Broker Connect is a feature we offer where you can ask for a broker to connect with you. Within 30 minutes – we have over 2,000 licensed authorized brokers that are available to help Marylanders and again, this is within 30 minutes or less.”

This year’s recognition reception by the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce takes place this week.  Frostburg State’s Lane Center will be the site for honoring chamber members for outstanding community activity and business achievement. Four businesses will be recognized including First Peoples Community Federal Credit Union, Chew On This Jerky, Queen City Creamery, and Maryland Wellness. In addition, a non-profit of the year will be announced and Katelyn Yoder of M&T Bank will be honored as Outstanding Young Professional.