The Bishop Walsh Mock Trial Team is in the state semifinals Thursday in Annapolis.  The opponent will be Walter Johnson High School of Montgomery County.  The winner of that match will be in the state finals Friday morning at the Supreme Court of Maryland.

A study of Maryland’s youth found 67,000 children in the state suffer from major depression and nearly half do not receive treatment. In schools, the ratio of psychologists to students is nearly five times higher than recommended and the ratio of social workers is almost 10 times higher. Angela Kimball with mental health group Inseparable says increased in-school services overcome barriers to access…     “They don’t require transportation or parents taking time off work. School mental-health services offer this opportunity to reduce barriers and get kids the support they need.”

Continuing drama within the federal government is having direct effects on the business of the Maryland General Assembly. The constant stream of cuts, changes, and plans being changed is creating more issues with the state coming up with a solid budget plan for 2026.  Senate President Bill Ferguson says the help from the federal government is not reliable now…     “The social safety net that we used to be able to count on from the federal government is quickly being pulled away and so we have to focus on Maryland first, and we have to provide the safety net…

Today, March 19, 2025, South Penn Elementary School was placed in a brief HOLD status due to a medical emergency. First Responders arrived on scene and provided medical service. School administrators gave the “All Clear” and the instructional day resumed as normal.  

The Cumberland Mayor and City Council was asked to consider including the Dumbhundred district in the National Historic Register during last night's public meeting.  Ruth Davis-Rogers spoke on behalf of the Historic Columbia Street Action Committee saying this would enable those restoring homes in the district to receive tax credits… “We have some younger people that are moving in, people that are fixing up homes.  And so they’ve approached me a couple times about things they can do in the area, and what— you know what kind— they hear about tax credits.  Tax credits of façade grants that they’re getting…

On March 19th, 2025 the Cumberland Police Department served several bench warrants on Ryan Andrew Roach. The bench warrants were issued after Roach failed to appear for court on March 5th, 2025 for original charges of theft and conspiracy to commit theft. In addition to the bench warrants, Roach was served two arrest warrants for charges of theft less than $100.00 and unlawful taking of a motor vehicle. Roach was transported to central booking where he later appeared before a District Court Commissioner and held on $500.00 for each warrant.

WCBC has confirmed that Roger Lantz, owner of M&M Bakery in downtown Cumberland is retiring after 40 years in business.  Last week, the business posted that the bakery was closed until further notice, leading to speculation on the future of the business. A follow-up post reassured customers that Roger’s health wasn’t a factor, and that updates would be provided when they were available.  Lantz was a guest on WCBC Wednesday morning and confirmed his retirement, as well as the future of M&M Bake Shop: 

Maryland businesses were able to breathe a small sigh of relief when it was announced this week that the 2.5% services tax was off the table in Annapolis. Governor Moore made the announcement at a press gathering…     “The broad business-to-business tax will not be in the final budget. So, b-to-b, a broad business tax will not happen.” Republican Senator Steve Hershey was not quick to celebrate, saying he needs to see a clarification of what will and will not happen…     “I think when he said there would be no broad business-to-business service taxes – yeah, we’re…

The State of West Virginia is challenging what they call the “antiquated” system of choosing teams for the college basketball playoffs.  After the Mountaineers were left out of the playoffs, Attorney General J.B. McCluskey wants to find out how teams are chosen…     “The people of West Virginia are investing not just their emotion and not just their energy and not just their time in to our Mountaineers. We are investing enormous amounts of the people’s money into these teams as well. What is the objective metric? If it is not an objective metric, if it is purely subjective,…

Local volunteer fire companies are appealing the closure of the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg. A letter to both President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem expressed concerns over impacts the closing has on training fire and EMS personnel. WCBC spoke with Jonathan Dayton, President of the Allegany Garrett Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association about the NFA’s training importance…     “These classes are vital not only to the career firefighters across the country but also to the volunteers here locally and also across the country. They rely on the training at National Fire Academy just as much as…