Pennsylvania is facing a major shortage of educators across the Commonwealth. A decade ago, roughly 20,000 teacher certifications were issued each year, while in 2021 only about 6,000 were issued. The Pennsylvania Department of Education has $1.5 million in grant funding available to help schools create learning opportunities that will bolster the Commonwealth’s next generation of special educators. In addition, stipends of up to $15,000 are now available for those involved in student teaching, making that time a paid internship.

The Maryland Department of Education has extended accreditation for licensed childcare centers and pubic early childhood education programs to five years instead of three.  The extension affects almost 1,000 childcare, Head Start, and public pre-kindergarten programs.  Accreditation comes through implementing best practices, identifying needs for improvement, and validation through observation and evaluation. Maryland’s Education Blueprint requires public Pre-K programs to achieve the Maryland Excels Quality Rating of 5, only possible through accreditation.

Three local city council members have thrown their support behind Joe Vogel, a Democratic candidate for the Congressional 6th District seat being vacated by David Trone.  Rock Cioni, Eugene Frazier, and Lauri Marchini are all listed on Vogel’s campaign website alongside other Western Marylanders.  WCBC News caught up to Councilman Cioni to find out why he is supporting Vogel, currently a Maryland Delegate for Montgomery County… Vogel is an outspoken advocate for abortion and reproductive rights. Cioni said he is not a one-issue voter, though he does have thoughts on abortion….

Second Chance Month is being acknowledged across the country in April. It is an occasion to focus on both the struggles of and assistance for those returning to society from incarceration. In Prince Georges County, Michael Williams of the Returning Citizens Affairs Division, talked about the “Employ Prince Georges” that reimburses employers for each returning citizen they employ…

Allegany County is prepared at any time for an outage that would affect 911 emergency calling.  The county has a mulit-tiered back up system to rely on if such an outage would occur.  The recent 911 outages that hit the Midwest included cell carriers AT&T and Lumen. Emergency Management Director Jim Pyles says that locally, the 911 system is up-to-date… Pyles says the current state of the county’s emergency management is excellent…

A correctional officer from North Branch Correctional Institution in Cumberland, Maryland, has returned home after being treated for a stab wound at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, WV. The officer was assaulted by an incarcerated man in a prison housing unit Sunday evening. The suspect has been positively identified and will face criminal charges. Detectives from the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Intelligence and Investigative Division will be handling the case, assisted by local prosecutors.

West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin took to the Senate floor to boost support for blocking the Environmental Protection Agency’s attempt to speed up the implementation of tailpipe emissions rules, driving people to buy and use electric vehicles.  Manchin said the agreed-to terms in the Inflation Reduction Act have been altered by the Treasury Department and cannot be realized without total dependence on China… The Inflation Reduction Act was designed to bring the needed production of batteries and vehicles back to America without relying on foreign trade…

The Maryland State Fire Marshal is continuing to investigate the cause of a fire in Frostburg this past Friday evening. Thirty-five firefighters responded for a structure fire on Hill Street that displaced five adults and two children. The preliminary cause has been determined to be accidental. Unattended incense in a bedroom ignited nearby combustibles. The Red Cross is assisting the family.

On Monday, April 22, 2024, the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Sherry Perkins.  The summons was issued as the result of an incident that occurred on April 19, 2024.  On this date at approximately 10:08 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a residence in the 300 block of Grand Avenue for an assault. After investigation, an arrest was made related to the assault.  On April, 20, 2024, the other party involved in the assault reported that he was assaulted by Sherry Perkins resulting in injuries.  An application for charges was filed against Perkins at…

On Monday, April 22, 2024 at approximately 10:14 PM, an officer of the Cumberland Police Department was on patrol, monitoring traffic on E. Third Street at Arch Street when he observed a vehicle strike the curb at the intersection, damaging the tire.  The vehicle continued on and traveled into an alley between Arch Street and Grand Avenue.  The officer attempted to stop the vehicle and the occupants bailed from the vehicle and fled on foot.  Officers searched the area, but were unable to locate the suspects.  The driver was identified as Jermaine Kimbrough Jr. when he later turned himself in…