Monday’s Sine Die in the Maryland Legislature was a whirlwind of clearing out bills to send to Governor Moore’s desk to be signed into law. At a press conference Monday afternoon, the Governor said his administration’s housing package is on pace to pass as well as the juvenile justice reforms he put forth at the beginning of the session…
Yesterday’s solar eclipse was the reason for Allegany County Schools dismissing early so students would not be leaving school in the middle of the event. Callers to WCBC questioned why special eclipse glasses that had been purchased for students were not given out. School Board President Bob Farrell said it was a liability issue… WCBC checked with neighboring counties – Both Garrett and Washington County schools held a lesson on the eclipse and gave students eclipse glasses to use. Calls placed to Mineral and Hampshire counties but were not returned.
On Monday, April 8, 2024, the Cumberland Police Department served three arrest warrants on Jesse Vanmeter. The first warrant was issued as the result of an incident that was reported on April 3, 2024. On this date at approximately 10:17 AM, officers responded to a residence in the 900 block of Gay Street for a theft. Police contacted the victim who reported that Jesse Vanmeter robbed him of his property in the 400 block of Maryland Avenue on April 2, 2024. After further investigation, police filed for charges against Vanmeter. The next warrant was issued as the result of an…
On Monday, April 8, 2024, the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Rebecca Butler. The summons was issued as the result of a private citizen filing charges against Butler at the District Court of Allegany County. Butler signed for her copy of the summons and she was released pending trial. ARRESTED: Rebecca Lynn Butler AGE: 58 Cumberland, MD CHARGES: Robbery, Malicious Destruction of Property less than $1000, Theft: $100 to under $1500
On Monday, April 8, 2024, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on William Kirby. The warrant was issued as the result of Kirby failing to appear in court. He was originally charged with Trespass: Private Property. Kirby was arrested and transported to Central Booking. He was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center on a $3,000 bond. ARRESTED: William Douglas Kirby AGE: 67 Cumberland, MD
Governor Wes Moore said Monday night "When we work together in partnership, we can accomplish big things as a state. I set out four major goals this session: make Maryland safer, more affordable, competitive, and continue to make this the state that serves. I’m proud to say we made progress for the people of Maryland on all four. Because of our partnership with the legislature, community leaders, and advocates, we will create Maryland's first ever statewide gun violence prevention and intervention center, the most comprehensive housing package this state has ever seen, and passed a revolutionary initiative to combat child poverty…
There’s a couple of possible issues with cellphones and today’s eclipse – Newsweek is reporting that some cell service providers may be impacted by the sheer numbers of people using their phones at the same time to record the phenomenon. However, nothing definitive has been determined as to what, if any, damage a cell phone’s sensor may incur if pointed directly at the sun for an extended time. NASA suggests putting a pair of eclipse glasses in front of the camera lens.
Twelve students from Allegany College of Maryland and Garrett College attended a wildland fire training day led by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service on March 5. The field day was held on Warrior Mountain on land slated for a controlled burn. Students were taught how to clear a trail to be free of any fuel for a fire, including trees, roots and debris. The three-foot wide strip they created was used as a footpath by DNR firefighters when the burn was executed later. The field day was filmed by Maryland Public Television for an Outdoors Maryland segment on…
Northern snakehead, blue catfish, and flathead catfish are the most harmful invasive fish in Maryland. Blue catfish prey on blue crabs, white perch and other species. They also out-compete native species for habitat space and food. To combat these species, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources urges anglers to kill all invasive species they catch and are discouraged from catch-and-release of these species. DNR recommends eating these species, using them as bait or fertilizer, or even donate frozen fish to zoos to feed wildlife.
On Monday, April 8th, 2024, the Cumberland City Police responded to a business in the 400 block of Greene St for a shoplifting complaint. Upon arrival, officers contacted an employee of the business who advised a male subject had placed food items in his clothing without paying for them. Officers then made contact with the suspect and confirmed him to be in possession of merchandise for which he did not pay. He was then placed under arrest and transported to Police Headquarters. Continued investigation revealed that the suspect had given officers a false name. It was then learned that the…
