During a recent legislative update with Cumberland’s Mayor and City Council, City Lobbyist Rich Reinhardt said Maryland is facing continued issues involving employment and revenues due to the government shutdown and federal layoffs. Reinhardt cautioned the council that the situation could affect legislative funding for City projects…     “And the Washington Region has really turned negative and has not really seen a large positive gain.  In fact, wage growth is slowing and it’s expected to actually weaken throughout the year of 2026.”

Maryland and Virginia House and Senate members gathered outside the Office of Management and Budget to decry this week’s increased firings of federal workers by the Trump Administration.  Senator Chris Van Hollen said the firings are part of the so-called Project 2025 that President Trump said previously he knew nothing about…     “Firing and threatening to fire federal employees is part of the Trump administration’s campaign to inflict trauma on our federal workforce. Trauma is not my word. It is the word used by OMB Director Russ Vought about what he wanted to do. Shame, shame, shame on Russ…

The Executive Director with the Allegany County Animal Shelter along with its manager, three board members and the veterinarian on record have resigned following questions of donations and accounting at the shelter. Jodi Eirich on Tuesday tendered her resignation and will remain Executive Director of the organization until October 25th the County’s agreement with the shelter’s management foundation, a Maryland nonprofit and Tax-exempt Corporation is in default of the agreement for reasons that include failure to provide sufficient staff or services for more than 90 days. During WCBC's Dave Norman program County Administrator Jason Bennett spoke about the concern the…

Update: October 16th at 2:20 a.m. The missing juvenile, Blaiyden Edward Craig Garrison, has been located. The Cumberland Police Department would like to thank the public for their assistance in locating him.  Report: October 14th at 6:19 p.m. Blaiyden Edward Craig Garrison (age13) has been reported missing to the Cumberland Police Department.  He was last seen yesterday, October 13th, 2025, at his Pear Street residence.  If anyone has information as to his whereabouts, they are urged to the Cumberland Police Department at 301-777-1600.

Westernport native Amel Morris has brought his restaurant experience to Cumberland with the opening of Lefty’s Place in the downtown Rosenbaum Building.  Morris opened the first location of Lefty’s in Morgantown eight years ago and shared with WCBC what his restaurant’s atmosphere is about…     “Kind of an old school throwback, sit-down pizza joint with good quality food, nice atmosphere that’s approachable. People of all ages can be there at the same time. Very pleasant.” Morris said he wants people to have a relaxed dining experience…     “You know, people come here to get a 45 to 90…

The annual No Shave November fundraiser held by the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office has been extended this year, starting in October.  According to Lt. Brett Lysinger, male officers can be sponsored to not shave their beard, and females can be sponsored to paint their nails pink. Monies raised will help those affected by May’s flood and are in need of furnaces this winter…    “We hear the stories from the Mayor of Westernport and the Mayor of Lonaconing saying that folks don’t have furnaces and it’s getting cold and that just… that hurts us.  We don’t want the people to…

Despite commitments to affordability, reliability, safety and a cleaner future, a new report says utilities across Appalachia are failing to tap into cost-saving clean energy, including West Virginia.  Appalachian Power, Louisville Gas & Electric and Kentucky Utilities all received a score of zero in the Sierra Club's annual "Dirty Truth" report.  Lisa Di Bartolomeo with the Sierra Club says the utilities are moving in the wrong direction…    "They are going all in on coal, as if they weren't already, but they're actually looking to potentially increase the use of coal and also build new natural gas power plants as…

The Allegany County Animal Shelter’s executive director, manager, three board members and veterinarian of record have resigned falling question of donation and accounting at the shelter. On Tuesday Jodi Eirich said she recently tendered her resignation and will remain executive director of the organization until Oct. 25. The county’s agreement with the shelter’s management foundation, a Maryland nonprofit and Tax-exempt Corporation is in default of the agreement for reasons that include failure to provide sufficient staff or services for more than 90 days. If the foundation defaults, the county’s response can include termination of the agreement and discontinued funding.

Fall foliage is at its peak season in West Virginia and those who want to spend a several days in the Mountain State can do so with a discount.  West Virginia residents and visitors from abroad will receive a 20% discount when booking a 3-day stay this fall, according to Governor Patrick Morrisey…    “Visitors should use one word: ‘fallmostheaven’—and there’s no better time to visit.  We want to make sure people in West Virginia avail themselves of this opportunity, but also if you’re from around the country, come to West Virginia.”

The Maryland Department of Transportation’s recent meeting with county leaders and state representatives was an opportunity to go over plans for highway projects over the next five years in the county.  Attending the meeting was Rhashad Johnson, field director for the Motor Vehicle Administration.  He shared some good news, saying that the LaVale MVA branch is serving customers in a very efficient and consistent manner…     “I’m proud to report that the MVA’s current wait time at the Cumberland branch was under five minutes for the second year in a row.  This achievement is made possible because of the…