WCBC’s Dave Norman is conducting a matching fundraiser for the purchase of one or more sonogram machines for First Way Pregnancy Center.  The effort is in response to Ryan and Jamie Sawyers social media post concerning WCBC’s choice for Person of the Year. The Sawyers’ are raising money to support the Women’s Health Center in Rawlings that provides abortion services.  Norman is requesting donations from the public that he will match up to $10,000 to purchase sonogram machines to enable those who are pregnant to see their baby before deciding whether to abort it. Mail donations to WCBC, PO Box…

The Allegany County Board of Education received an update on the State Board of Education’s recently released Maryland Report Card. The Report Card shows star ratings for schools from one star to five stars, with schools earning a five or a four among the top in performance across Maryland. The star rating is based on a complicated set of data marks assigned through the state accountability system. Trina Simpson, Director of Assessments and Accountability, said that all schools showed improvement in recovering from the covid pandemic and shared how the schools in Allegany County came through in the ratings…  …

 Moore-Miller campaign is announcing an impressive $4 million raise by Governor Wes Moore and Lt. Governor Aruna Miller across Wes Moore for Maryland, Friends of Aruna Miller, and the Maryland Democratic Party. “Our movement would not be possible without our grassroots supporters,” said Governor Moore. “From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank everyone who continues to support our mission to leave no one behind. From a historic service year option to supporting our veterans and more, this first year of the Moore-Miller Administration has been one of incredible progress and partnership with leaders across the state of…

The City of Cumberland welcomed five new police officers at Tuesday evening’s meeting.  Chief Chuck Ternent introduced Patrol Officers Zachery Dicken, Richard Jenkins, Matthew Arnone, Levi Roberts, and Brycen Rounds.  Several of the new officers are from families with other members who have served in either the police or fire departments for the city…

While only one school board candidate has so far filed for re-election this year – Crystal Bender – no one has yet filed for open Cumberland City Council seats.  WCBC News caught up with Council members Lauri Marchini and Eugene Frazier who both said they have the paperwork in hand and intend to file soon.  For Frazier, it would be his third term…

UPDATE: ALL lanes are now Open at 7:22AM. I-70 Road Closure Eastbound lanes Eastbound lanes of I-70 at the 18 MM are currently inaccessible due to a tractor trailer overturning at the 21 MM. The State Highway administration is present at the location and is actively managing traffic control. All vehicles are being redirected onto Route 68 from the 18 MM, where they can utilize Route 40 to bypass the accident site. The closure is anticipated to endure for approximately 3 hours. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a consequence of the collision.  

The cost of prescription medication can be overwhelming – often coming down to choosing between meds or buying food or paying utility bills.  New legislation in Annapolis this session seeks to expand the authority of the Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board. The Board’s purpose is to develop strategies to reduce the cost of  prescriptions for state and local government employees.  The new bill, according to Maryland Healthcare For All spokesman Vincent Demarco, would expand that authority to cover prescription costs for ALL state residents…    

The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad is expanding its rail footprint with another route.  The scenic railroad has signed a lease with the owners of the Georges Creek Railway, a dormant line that runs between Westernport and Carlos. To be known as the Georges Creek Division, the long-range plan is to offer passenger and freight service, as well as tourist service along the 14-mile route.  The short line served the Luke Mill until 2019.  Immediate plans are to clear the overgrowth on the tracks and attend to safety needs.  There is also interest in establishing a bike trail along the line.

The City of Cumberland’s lobbying efforts in Annapolis were reviewed during Tuesday’s work session.  Richard Reinhardt of Percy Public Affairs spoke to the council virtually from Annapolis about developments around the City’s requests to lawmakers and was quite optimistic about what may be in the Governor’s budget released today…. Reinhardt also said that beyond state funding, groundwork is laid for federal dollars for the City…

In his State of the State address last week, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice unveiled a tax-cut package designed to put more money back into the pockets of West Virginians of all ages. The plan includes significant reforms to the state’s Social Security income tax, child and dependent care credit, and an increase in the senior citizen property tax credit….