Liability insurance for wearing or carrying a firearm is the subject of House Bill 430 in the Maryland General Assembly.  A hearing on the bill included questions on how the law would be enforced – a person would have to have liability insurance even before purchasing a gun and there were questions on how insurance could be proven if needed.  Kathy Wright of the Maryland State Rifle and Pistol Association said it does nothing against crime…

A bill introduced in the Maryland House and Senate four times since 2019 has stalled in committee again this session.  An End of Life Option law would have allowed the terminally ill to request aid in dying through a physician who would prescribe medications that would result in death.  The bill is something Senate President Bill Ferguson says is emotionally challenging…    

The attempt by Maryland Democrats in Congress to remove the Robert E. Lee statue from Antietam Battlefield has raised the ire of many.  The statue has been at the battlefield in Sharpsburg since 2003 along with monuments to other Confederate and Union regiments and individuals.  Ed Taylor, Jr. of the Cumberland Historic Cemetery Association, told WCBC that there are misconceptions about the Civil War… Terry Klima of the Sons of Confederate Veterans said they have not decided on any action on the announcement. He explained that historically, the Maryland government supported slavery…    

Moose Curve may soon become known as “Cannabis Curve.”  GrowWest – with a cannabis dispensary and growing facility in Cumberland, has purchased land at the corner of Beall and Lee Streets near the on-ramp to I-68.  Plans concerning their Industrial Boulevard location have not been decided. The location is about two blocks away from West Side Elementary School.  WCBC talked with Allegany County Commission President Dave Caporale who said that the state has not put up any guard rails as to where cannabis facilities can be located…    

Drivers that use the Vocke Road exit off I-68 will have a detour on today and Tuesday.  Westbound Exit 40 will be closed and detoured onto Alternate US 40 while crews perform brush removal and litter cleanup. The work will be done between 8am and 3pm both days.

Gov. Jim Justice issued the following statement today regarding ongoing negotiations between his office and the federal Department of Education concerning COVID-19 funding sent directly from the federal government to county school boards and higher education institutions. “Let me be very clear on this issue: there is no $465 million ‘clawback’ on the table, and there is no allegation that my office, the Legislature, or our education system misspent or mishandled any COVID-19 funds. “Our negotiations with the federal Department of Education are focused solely on COVID-19 funds sent directly from the Federal government to county school boards and higher education institutions…

Melinda Kelleher, Executive Director Downtown Development Commission provided construction update Last week Silva Cells were completed on the south side of Baltimore Street between Centre St and George St. Parking area pavers were installed on North Liberty Street. Concrete curbing was installed on Baltimore Street between Liberty St and Centre St. Electric and fiber lines installed on North Centre Street. Nearing completion. This week Silva Cells will be installed on the north side of Baltimore Street between Centre and George. The intent is to keep the sidewalk open, but there may be a need for a localized closure if the…

On Saturday, March 2, 2024, the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on David Short.  The warrant was issued as the result of Short failing to appear in court.  He was originally charged with driving without a license.  Short was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  He was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and released on his personal recognizance. ARRESTED:  David Lynn Short       AGE:  64          Cumberland, MD

Frostburg State Baseball team dropped the second game of their Saturday doubleheader to No. 21 West Chester by a final of 10-3.   FSU began the game at the plate, where junior Mikey Guy ripped a single into left, then junior Danny Estrada was hit by a pitch to put two on with two out, but a groundout to short ended the threat without a run. WCU put the first run on the board in the bottom half of the first, earning a pair of singles, with the latter plating the runner all the way from first for a 1-0…

Gov. Jim Justice announced the launch of the 2024 West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) Core Maintenance Program, marking another significant stride in the state's commitment to infrastructure upkeep and investment. With over 25,110 potholes already patched along 3,811 miles of roadway, the program aims to continue the momentum of prioritizing core maintenance during the upcoming paving season.  Click here to learn more about the Core Maintenance Program Gov. Justice also unveiled the 2024 WVDOT Project Map. The map tracks not only core maintenance projects in every community and every county in the Mountain State, but also lists every paving project, bridge project, slide repair…