Halloween parades in Cumberland go back to the early 1900s. The tradition continues Wednesday as the South Cumberland Business and Civic Association hosts their annual parade along Virginia Avenue.  Jim Corley will perform the public announcer’s duties and Jim Zamagias and Rock Cioni will have live coverage on WCBC 1270AM at 7pm.  Another tradition is Mummers and the Halloween costume contest. Parade organizer Sean Thomas shared details on the competition…   “It begins at 5:30 at Smith Park and once all the judging and everything is done, all the participants are able to go through the parade and be recognized…

On Sunday, Garrett County deputies stopped a vehicle along Garrett Highway near Oakland. During the stop, a Sheriff’s Office K-9 conducted a scan of the vehicle that resulted in a positive alert.  A search of the vehicle resulted in finding drugs and paraphernalia.  As a result, deputies arrested Jason Bender, 51 years old of Swanton, and Curtis Plaugher, 31 years old, Virginia, for Possession of Methamphetamine, Suboxone, and Possession of Paraphernalia.

West Virginia has received $540 million yearly in SNAP benefits, but come November 1st, remaining monies will be put on hold due to the government shutdown.  Governor Patrick Morrisey is asking West Virginians to help in any way they can by donating or volunteering at their local food banks.  He has also decided to redirect appropriations to the West Virginia food banks that will free up $1.1 million…    “I think that the concern would be beginning November 1st, and so we’re going to start the process, help the food banks a little bit more, and do what we can. …

With heating season underway, many are firing up furnaces and wood burners for the first time in months. Now is also the perfect time to be checking residential smoke alarms, according to Cumberland Fire Chief Shannon Adams.  A smoke alarm on every floor, bedroom, main living area, and hallway is suggested.  For residents who are in need of a smoke alarm, Chief Adams says the fire department does have a small number on hand and they will also come and install them…     “We routinely go out and check smoke alarms for residents.  We also—if someone purchases a smoke…

Working for a solution that would prevent a repeat of the devastating flooding that hit Westernport and Lonaconing in May is the focus of the George Creek Task Force. The task force was assembled once before in the wake of the 1996 flood.  Including members from the towns affected as well as local and state lawmakers, Senator Mike McKay says the group is readying a plan to take to Annapolis to lobby for assistance…    “It’s actually a game plan for us to go down to the General Assembly to figure out how we can get some money, change the…

A recent YouTube video cast a negative light on Cumberland, saying it was the 5th most unsafe city in Maryland, citing high crime numbers. WCBC Radio strives to keep the community updated daily with crime reports. WCBC receives daily reports from the City of Cumberland Police and recently the Allegany County Sheriff’s office has been sharing more information to the radio station rather than relying on social media. WCBC has also placed a call to the LaVale Barracks Commander in an effort to get state police daily reports so residents can be more informed about area incidents.

The Baltimore Orioles have hired Craig Albernaz as their new manager.  Albernaz, 42, served this past season as a coach with the Cleveland Guardians.  

Recently, Cumberland’s Mayor and City Council approved the purchase of a new water pump for Cumberland’s water system.  Mayor Ray Morriss discussed with WCBC’s Dave Norman that prices for new equipment have increased.  Morriss said when the city looked into the cost ahead of time, each pump cost $100,000 each, and they need four…    “Here we are a few years later when we actually have to buy them they’re $170,000.  That tells you that the inflation rate within the country—especially for specialized equipment and pumps and valves and things like that—is what’s driving our water rates and what really…

The Allegany County Board of Education accepted three new policies regarding the receipt of complaints to the school system during their most recent meeting.  Board Attorney Michael Llewellyn says the new policies make sure each kind of complaint filed with the school system will be responded to…     “Filing a complaint with the school system, whether it be a bullying, harassment or intimidation complaint, a staff complaint, or a general complaint to the school system, the Board of Ed is going to be committed to being responsive to those complaints. And that the failure to correctly fill out a…

Unless there is a major change, Allegany County is going to be looking for every source available to cover what FEMA did not in denying disaster funding. Delegate Jason Buckel tells WCBC that area legislators will most likely be asking for access to monies in the state’s Rainy Day Fund to cover repair and restoration…     “We’re going to need to ask for an expenditure of funds from state government, predominantly I would think it would fit right in with the very concept of the Rainy Day Fund. We have close to $3 billion dollars and that’s good –…