The first heat-related death of 2024 has been reported in Maryland.  A 59-year old Prince George’s County man died in the past week – no further details were provided. The Maryland Department of Health encourages citizens to cope with extreme heat spells by staying hydrated, staying out of direct sun, and to schedule physical activities in the morning or evening when temps are cooler.  There were 9 heat-related deaths in Maryland last year.

Two days of events have taken place in the United Kingdom and France to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the June 6th D-Day Allied Forces Landings at Normandy during World War II.  President Biden is in France where he will deliver remarks expected to draw attention to Russia’s attack on Ukraine.  England’s King Charles spoke at a gathering in Portsmouth that included surviving D-Day veterans…

The City of Cumberland Engineering Department, on behalf of Columbia Gas of Maryland, would like to notify the public that beginning on June 10th, 2024, through, November 1st, 2024, gas line work will occur on the following streets: §  Louisiana Avenue from Hilltop Drive to Oldtown Road §  Montgomery Avenue from Hilltop Drive to Louisiana Avenue §  Cecil Street from Louisiana Avenue to Memorial Avenue §  Memorial Avenue from Cecil Street to Oldtown Road §  Kent Avenue from Louisiana Avenue to Brookfield Avenue §  Arundel Street from Memorial Avenue to Brookfield Avenue The road will be flagged during construction to…

One of Allegany County’s oldest charities will cease to operate at the end of June.  Associated Charities, founded in 1910, has been asked to vacate their offices in the Department of Social Services building. That, coupled with dwindling funding, has caused the organization to make the decision to close.  Deanna Clark, Executive Director, says the decision was not an easy one… Clark says the number of individuals they have been able to help has been affected. With the closure, Associated Charities’ clients are going to be assisted through programs from UPMC Western Maryland or through Primary Care providers…

Maryland’s Governor signed an Executive Order Tuesday that will push the state toward climate change goals.  Governor Moore’s order requires state agencies to submit a Climate Implementation Plan by November and imposes new emissions standards including the complete ban of gas-fired furnaces in new and renovated homes by 2035. Serena McIlwain, State Environment Secretary, says the state must move away from fossil fuels…    Governor Moore is expecting an economic bump through addressing climate change…   

The City of Cumberland is continuing to look for members for its new Arts Commission.  Historic Preservation Planner Ruth Davis-Rogers says the commission is advisory in nature and will have several members…     Davis-Rogers added that the community would be well represented…   

The Republican National Committee has not yet thrown any of its funding to the Larry Hogan Senate campaign in Maryland.  Hogan’s statement that the legal process “should be allowed to work” – given in relation to former President Trump’s felony conviction bothers the RNC, particularly Trump’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, who is the co-chair for the committee… Lara Trump says the RNC wants to win the Maryland Senate seat up for grabs in November…

With the new Fiscal Year on July 1, both Cumberland City and Allegany County residents will have increases for water service.  The lift for Cumberlanders is 20%, which was a difficult but necessary decision to avoid a serious deficit, according to Mayor Ray Morriss… Most likely, another rate increase will occur next year as well, but Mayor Morriss says it is not a money-grab from the residents of the city…

Thanks to the generosity of WCBC’s listeners and Dave and Brenda Aydelotte, the recent donation of over $10,000 to First Way Pregnancy Center will do much to assist new mothers experiencing unplanned pregnancies. In addition to the ultrasounds offered, First Way provides many items including strollers and car seats. Client Advocate Sherry McMillan tells WCBC that the new Moms leave the center well equipped for their baby…

On Wednesday, June 5th, 2024, the Cumberland City Police arrested Ron Stephen Claggett Jr, 34, of Cumberland MD. Claggett was arrested on an active Bench Warrant issued by the Allegany County District Court on June 3rd. The warrant alleges Claggett failed to appear in court on that date for a previous charge driving an uninsured vehicle. Claggett was taken before the District Court Commissioner for an Initial Appearance where he was released on his own recognizance.