A new report from the Appalachian Regional Commission shows investments in business development projects facilitated the creation or retainment of over 29,000 jobs and the establishment of 1,944 new businesses in the Appalachian region. Additionally, ARC’s business development grant projects attracted $923 million in private investment to the region, resulting in increased economic opportunity for its 26.3 million residents. Eighty-five percent of grant projects reported as being entirely or mostly successful, and 66% of projects have continued beyond the close of their grant, demonstrating sustainability and continuing impact. 

Frostburg State University has received the funding to renovate the former Prichard Hardware building on the downtown’s Main Street.  The money was part of the grants awarded through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.  The grant totals $750,000 and is slated for use by the university to renovate the building for mixed-use capacity.

The Allegany County Chamber is continuing to seek entries for the National Civics Bee. Open to middle-schoolers, the contest first requires a 500-word essay on using civics to solve a community problem.  Chamber Director Juli McCoy says the number of entries received is important for the contest to advance to the second stage…     Prizes will be awarded locally as well as the chance to advance in the competition…    

A new study recommends state agencies change their methods to address child labor trafficking. Researchers at the University of Maryland found that 20 percent of child welfare workers reported work with people under 18 who were coerced or controlled by another for labor. Trafficked children are typically forced to do things like domestic service, childcare, and retail work as well as criminal activity such as stealing or selling drugs. Study author Neil Mallon says finding hard data to estimate the scale of the problem is difficult.    

Groundbreaking has taken place for the new Pennsylvania State Police Academy in Hershey.  Governor Josh Shapiro, along with other state officials lifted the first spades on the 146-acre site.  The new campus will house 300 cadets along with a five-floor classroom and administrative building. There will also be tactical villages for training simulations.  Governor Shapiro said the new building is the first since 1960…    

Governor Wes Moore has declared 2024 as the “Year For Military Families.”  One of the coming bills supporting that is the Families Serve Act, allowing employers preferential hiring for spouses of active duty service members. For state jobs, the legislation will expand the preferential hiring process to include military spouses. Governor Moore believes this will encourage spouses to pursue careers…    

A recent meeting with the Canal Place Board updated members of the Western Maryland delegation on progress with the River Walk project.  Bobby Poland, City of Cumberland Engineer gave an update on the engineering study and DeDe Ritchie spoke about another study that should be ready by early January…    

 The Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division continue to investigate a Christmas morning fire in Elkton that killed a child early Christmas Day and left her devastated family without a home.  The Singerly Fire Company and surrounding departments responded around 7:30 a.m. to a reported dwelling fire at 317 Willow Drive. Upon arrival, firefighters found the family standing outside their home, stating a young girl was still inside. Firefighters heroically entered the home and located the child. However, she was later pronounced deceased on the scene. The fire was upgraded to two…

Monday, December 25, 2023 – CHRISTMAS DAY WCBC 1270AM/103.1FM 6PM-7AM   Mannheim Steamroller Christmas – An American Christmas 7AM-10PM   Christmas in Maryland 10PM   Return to regular programming – Bill O’Reilly Classic Hit's 107FM Midnight-8PM   Christmas at Our House Music Special

Baltimore Avenue, stretching from Decatur Street to Goethe Street, closed due to a motor vehicle crash that collided with a residence Sunday night just after 830PM. Emergency services managing the situation, with Columbia Gas actively repairing a gas leak caused by the incident. Residents in the are evacuated and commuters were urged to avoid the area until 11:12PM.  Local authorities and emergency response teams coordinated efforts to address the situation swiftly and efficiently.