More than 6,000 volunteers joined forces across West Virginia recently to clean up over 140 tons of litter from roadways, streams, trails, and public lands. Through the state’s Adopt-A-Highway and Make It Shine programs, volunteers helped to clear nearly 900 miles of roadway and streambanks, reclaiming dumpsites and restoring the state’s landscapes. More than 10,000 volunteer hours were involved in this year’s event.
Some of the changes in the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” have to do with annual healthcare coverage enrollment. Recently, Dave Stewart from Western Maryland AHEC spoke to WCBC about changes. He said certain groups will see some major change when they enroll for 2026 coverage plans… “The eligibility rules have changed significantly. The people who are going to be affected the most are people ages 50 and older, so people ages 50 to 64. Their costs are going to go up quite a bit.” He also told listeners not to put off any medical appointments or procedures into…
A press release from Messiah Christian Academy indicates they are ready to go for a fall school-year start. Dan Thompson who is heading up the new school, spoke with WCBC saying they have secured a location while they await an auction of the former Frankfort Intermediate school property… “As soon as those plans are finalized we’re going to put that information out for the community, but we are planning to open here for the fall of 25-26 school year.” Currently, almost 60 students have registered to join the school, and there has been a good bit of interest…
On July 22nd, 2025 the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Heidi Storm Townsend. The summons was issued as a result of a private citizen filing for charges at District Court. Townsend signed for her copy of the summons and was released pending trial at District Court. NAME: Heidi Storm Townsend AGE: 20 Cumberland, MD CHARGE: Assault 2nd degree
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia will face a primary challenge in 2026 for the Republican nomination. State Senator Tom Willis launched his campaign in Berkeley Springs Monday. Willis represents Morgan County and parts of Berkeley and Hampshire counties in the state legislature in Charleston. Capito was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014 and began her term in 2015. Prior to that, she served in the U.S. House of Representatives beginning in 2001.
There will be a road closure on Oldtown Road Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The impacted area will be between Massachusetts Avenue and White Oaks Avenue. Utility line work will be taking place.
On Monday, July 21st, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department served a Criminal Summons on Neroli Mae, 53, of Cumberland, MD. The summons was issued in reference to an incident that occurred on July 20th,2025 at a business in the 700 Block of Park Street. On that date, it is alleged that Mae concealed several items on her person then left the business without paying for them. The officer reviewed security footage positively identifying Mae and filed for charges at the Allegany County District Court Commissioner’s Office, and a criminal summons was issued. ARRESTED – Neroli Mae W/F AGE: 53 CHARGES…
The Allegany County Board of Education has completed a number of personnel actions. Among the moves, Charles Moran, formerly the interim principal at Allegany High School is now Principal at Washington Middle School. Scott Bauer will assume the principal’s duties at Allegany High School. Kate Loughrie has been named the Chief Academic Officer for the school system. Dr. Wendy Main is Director of Special Education and Student Services and Dr. Kendra Kenney is the Supervisor of Special Education.
What was a win last week for Senator Van Hollen was quickly taken away when the Senate Appropriations committee stripped his amendment from a funding bill that would have kept the new location of the FBI Headquarters in Greenbelt. Van Hollen said the Greenbelt location would be better as he is uncertain that the location of the Ronald Reagan Building in D.C. can meet security requirements… “Because those monies had been set aside for the purpose not of going to Maryland, but of going to the site that was selected though a nonpartisan process of experts that would…
Gas prices are down across the region, in time for those mid-summer getaways. In Maryland, Gas Buddy shows the average price of gas right now is $3.09 per gallon for regular unleaded fuel. In neighboring Pennsylvania, gas is priced at $3.20 per gallon, while the average per gallon price in Virginia is currently $2.95. Cumberland has seen a trend of lowering gas prices since mid-May. The lowest average price nationwide so far this year occurred in March when it was $3.02.
