Maryland observes National Pedestrian Safety Month in October.  The State Highway Administration is committed to making significant investments and improvements to access and safety. In May, the state released the Pedestrian Safety Action Plan, identifying corridors across the state with safety and access needs. The plan is a tool as the state strives to reach the goal of Vision Zero – zero deaths and serious injuries on roadways. The SHA has invested nearly $100 million to address critical safety and accessibility needs for pedestrians and vulnerable road users.

Current Maryland School Board Superintendent Mohammed Choudhury is definitely resigning his post, but now will be serving the state as a Senior Advisor to the board.  The new position will allow Maryland to honor its contract with Choudhury and benefit from his educational research and policy knowledge, according to Board Vice President Joshua Michael.  An interim Superintendent is expected to be named in October.

After months of speculation and passing the original deadline, the Baltimore Orioles took the opportunity during their 100th win of the season to announce a deal keeping the team in Baltimore for at least 30 more years.  John Angelos and the state of Maryland had gone back and forth for some time about the lease – that includes $600 million in bond money for improvements to Oriole Park plus other improvements that Angelos is looking to for the area around the stadium, possibly creating a live-work-play area similar to that around the Atlanta Braves field. The announcement came as the…

West Virginia’s contracts with Aramark Correctional Services have come under scrutiny after a lawsuit by prisoners alleges they were regularly served spoiled milk and undercooked or rotten meat. Teri Castle, former Fellow at the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, explains Aramark cuts corners, and then makes more money when people buy extra food from the prison commissary. Older people make up a growing share of West Virginia prison populations, with more than 12-hundred who are age 50 or older…

While Senator Mike McKay does not hold a voting position on the board of the Senator Edwards Fund, he was able to give an update on what has been happening.  The board was recently re-organized based on legislation passed in the last General Assembly, changing the makeup of the board across Garrett, Allegany, and Washington Counties.  McKay says the new board has met twice and right now it is focused on filling the position of Executive Director… McKay says that once that position is filled, the board can go about deciding how the second round of economic funding will look…

Governor Wes Moore has ordered the Maryland flag to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset tomorrow, Monday, October 2, in honor of the life and legacy of Baltimore Orioles legend Brooks Robinson.  “Brooks Robinson led a life that showed he was a champion both on and off the field,” said Gov. Moore. “His iconic legacy will endure through his countless contributions to the City of Baltimore, the State of Maryland, and to Major League Baseball.”

On Saturday, September 30, 2023 at approximately 11:23 AM, an officer of the Cumberland Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Virginia Avenue.  Investigation into the stop revealed that the operator, Mariah Gomer, was in possession of suspected crack cocaine.   Gomer was issued a criminal citation and released pending trial. ARRESTED:  Mariah Nicole Gomer                AGE:  24                   Ridgeley, WV CHARGES:  CDS: Possess-Not Cannabis

CRIMINAL SUMMONS SERVED On Sunday, October 1, 2023, the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Nakota Durham.  The summons was issued as the result of a harassment complaint that was reported on September 28, 2023.  On this date at approximately 6:45 PM, police responded to a residence in the 200 block of E. Union Street for an officer standby.  During this incident, the homeowners reported that Nakota Durham was harassing them through text messaging and had also damaged their property.  After further investigation, police filed for charges against Durham at the District Court of Allegany County.  Durham signed…

On Saturday, September 30, 2023, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Anthony Horn Jr.  The warrant was issued as the result of Horn failing to comply with an order of the court.  He was originally charged with CDS: Possess-Not Cannabis, CDS Admin Equip Poss/Dist, Disorderly Conduct, and Fail to Obey a Reasonable & Lawful Order.  Horn was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  He was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center without bond. ARRESTED:  Anthony Edward Horn Jr.      AGE:  25        Cumberland, MD BENCH WARRANT SERVED On Saturday, September…

With the National Emergency Alert test on October 4th approaching, WCBC News is taking a closer look at how emergency information is disseminated to the listeners in our region. Informed listeners are accustomed to the National Weather Service sending alerts of severe weather conditions.  However, the National Command Authority has yet to successfully send a National Level Alert. Even during one of our country's Darkest Days, September 11, 2001, the Emergency Alert System remained silent, unable to provide critical information to its citizens. It may be surprising to know that it is the National Weather Service mandate to provide alert of a…