West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey issued the following statement after a Harrison County Circuit Court judge on Thursday heard a case involving the female middle school students who protested a recent appeals court ruling against West Virginia’s Save Women’s Sports Act. The judge issued a preliminary injunction, allowing the girls to compete in shotput at future track and field meets. The Attorney General filed an amicus brief in support of the female athletes. “I want to say to these students and their parents: I have your backs. You saw unfairness and you expressed your disappointment and sacrificed your personal performances in a…

The West Virginia Department of Human Services is commemorating National Foster Care Month. The primary objective of foster care is to facilitate reunification with the child's family whenever possible. Research shows foster children do best when placed with kin. West Virginia leads the country in the percentage of all foster children placed in kinship care.  Currently, West Virginia has about 250 youth up to age 21 who currently need a foster home, according to the latest data from Aetna Better Health.

The 43rd National Fallen Firefighters Memorial service is this weekend in Emmitsburg, Maryland.  The annual tribute will this year honor 89 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2023 and 137 firefighters who died in previous years.  Events begin on Saturday with a candlelight service. Complete details are at www.firehero.org.  U.S. Firefighter Administrator Dr. Lori Morrell says firefighters she has met all desire to serve and protect others in their roles…

On Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at approximately 5:08 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a building in the first block of Offutt Street for a breaking and entering.  Officers located David McMillan and Brian Simmons Jr. inside the building.   After further investigation, it was determined that they were not allowed at the property.   McMillan and Simmons were arrested and transported to Central Booking.  They were later seen by a District Court Commissioner for bond hearings.  McMillan was released on his personal recognizance.  Simmons posted a $3,000 unsecured personal bond. ARRESTED:  David Richard McMillan              AGE:  33                  Cumberland, MD CHARGES:  Burglary-4th Degree-Store ARRESTED:  Brian Wade…

Allegany County honored its first round of “Positive People” this week during a special luncheon at the county fairgrounds.  The community recognition idea came about through conversations among the county commissioners, according to Commissioner Bill Atkinson… Ten honorees received awards, and Commissioner Atkinson says they were surprised at their nomination…

The Cumberland YMCA on Kelly Road will play host to a community health and wellness expo today from 2-7pm.  The expo is sponsored by the YMCA, Aetna Insurance, Maryland Physicians Care and UPMC. Stacey Blank, Manager of UPMC Community Health and Wellness, says the expo features helpful health and wellbeing information… Blank says many giveaways are planned, including hair tinsel, pottery, and a grand prize of an i-Pad…

Many college campuses across the country are erupting with protests concerning the Israel/Hamas conflict – specifically siding with Palestinians and outwardly attacking those of Jewish background.  But locally, upper education locations have remained peaceful. WCBC made a quick check to Frostburg State University, Potomac State College, and Allegany College of Maryland as well as Allegany County Emergency Services.  None of the campuses have reported any protests, planned or unplanned.

UPMC Western Maryland has again received an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, a national organization that aims to improve health care quality and safety for consumers. The rating reflects efforts on measures like infection and fall prevention, hand hygiene and surgical outcomes. Leapfrog is an independent watchdog organization that assigns grades to hospitals throughout the country, based on a hospital’s ability to prevent medical errors and harm to patients.

On Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at approximately 12:27 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a residence in the 500 block of Shriver Avenue for an assault.  Police arrived and contacted the alleged victim who reported that she had been assaulted by Damemian Gordon.  Gordon had already fled the scene.  Officers observed that the victim had sustained injuries.  Gordon was located at a residence on Furnace Street and arrested.  He was transported to Central Booking and later seen by a District Court Commissioner for a bond hearing.    Gordon was released on his personal recognizance.   ARRESTED:  Damemian Lucifer-James Gordon    AGE:  20              …

A new ministry is having a launch event on Friday afternoon in downtown Cumberland.  Starting at 5pm in the CBIZ parking lot, Fine China, a ministry started by local resident Christine Atkinson, will have its first outdoor service.  Atkinson describes that the ministry plans to lift and empower people… The outreach service will provide activities for the entire family. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs for the event…