Governor Wes Moore today issued a request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, known as FEMA, to conduct Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments in areas of Western Maryland that were recently impacted by severe flooding. As a result of torrential rainfall and flash flooding earlier this month, numerous Western Maryland communities sustained damage to residences and infrastructure and incurred significant response costs, necessitating additional assistance. “Moving in partnership with first responders, local leaders, and state officials, we have mounted a swift and aggressive response to the devastating flood in Western Maryland. But the breadth of damage requires us to accelerate our…

Flood recovery aid is becoming available for residents and businesses impacted by the May 13, 2025, flooding in Garrett County and the surrounding region. As recovery efforts continue, both regional and federal partners are stepping in to provide critical financial support. One of the first programs launched is from the Tri-County Council for Western Maryland (TCC), which is now offering flood recovery loans to businesses in Allegany, Garrett, and Washington counties. These funds can be used for cleanup and remediation, replacement of equipment and inventory, and recovery from business revenue losses. For more information or to request a loan application,…

Allegany College of Maryland proudly announces Heather Greise as the recipient of the 2025 Sanner Award for Outstanding Teaching. Known for her exceptional dedication to student success and her leadership in the classroom and beyond, Greise exemplifies the spirit of this prestigious award. An instructor of Developmental English, English 101, and Student Development, Greise has served ACM for the past eight years with an unwavering commitment to student learning. Described by colleagues as a “master teacher,” she is praised for her ability to present complex material in a concise and accessible way. Her highly organized teaching approach, coupled with engaging,…

Governor Patrick Morrisey has ordered state and U.S. flags on all state-owned facilities throughout West Virginia to fly at half staff from dawn until noon on Monday, May 26, 2025 in remembrance of fallen service members.  Governor Morrisey also encourages citizens to display the U.S. and State of West Virginia flags at half staff from their homes from dawn until noon, unite in prayer for permanent peace beginning at 11:00 a.m., and observe the National Moment of Remembrance beginning at 3:00 p.m.

Allegany College of Maryland has announced that Heather Greise is the recipient of the 2025 Sanner Award for Outstanding Teaching.   An instructor of Developmental English, English 101, and Student Development, Greise has served ACM for the past eight years.

One of the unique Memorial Day observances in the area takes place this Sunday at 2pm.  At Sumner Cemetery, Allegany County’s first all-black cemetery on Yale Street, a special observance will be held to honor a group of soldiers buried there.  The Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization holds the event annually. Ed Taylor, Jr, president of the group, recently spoke at a city council meeting about the event that’s open to the public…    “This monument is very unique. It’s the first of its kind in the state of Maryland and it’s dedicated to six black Union Civil War Soldiers. The…

Pneumonia is preventable through vaccine, according to Bob Blancato, Director of the National Association of Nutrition and Aging.  Though some may think pneumonia is like other diseases people work through, Blancato says statistics say otherwise…     “With 1.4 million visits to the hospital from pneumonia and 40,000 deaths a year, I think it’s a little more serious and it’s a real concern.” Last year, the Centers for Disease Control lowered recommended age for the vaccine from 65 to 50 years of age…    “Older adults can have more complications from getting pneumonia and they could require hospitalization.  And an…

On Thursday, May 22nd, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department responded to Wendy's restaurant on S. Centre St. for the report of a theft. Upon arrival, Officers contacted store employees, who advised that a female subject was in the store stealing other patrons' food items. They stated that when store employees placed the prepared food on the counter for pick-up, the female would take the food items before the paying customer could grab it. Store employees then asked the female subject to leave the property, but she refused. Officers then contacted the female suspect, who refused to comply with officers or identify herself….

WCBC will be bringing listeners live coverage of the Memorial Day Parade, beginning at 10am on Monday. Jim Zamagias and Rock Cioni will co-anchor the happenings as the first Memorial Day parade in 50 years makes its way up Baltimore Street.  Parade organizers/Chris Myers tell WCBC that the parade has a variety of participants…     “The Dapper Dan teams will be on hand. I believe we have four major and two minor league teams that will be present. The Civil Air Patrol will be providing their honor guard as well as Boy Scout Troop 89.  A martial arts group…

During last night’s Allegany County Commissioners meeting, the county commissioners held a public hearing for the Fiscal Year 2026 budget they will be approving next week on Thursday, May 29.  County Administrator Jason Bennett relayed how the county will compensate for deciding not to increase property taxes… “The only changes you guys asked us to make was really one change to drop the property tax back from the $0.02 increase to leave it flat.  That is about $1,080,000.  What we are going to do is use fund balance in its place.  That is going to put us at about $2.9…