WCBC has learned that the Health Officer for Allegany County has resigned after less than six months in the position.  Allegany County Administrator Jason Bennett told WCBC that Dr. Delizo resigned effective November 30 through the State of Maryland. A search for a new health officer will begin sometime in the coming weeks in cooperation with the Maryland Department of Health.  Gena Spear, Director of Administrative Services, has been named Interim Health Officer.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has begun “preseason” stocking with the first of about 290,000 trout in Maryland waters statewide. This stocking will help coldwater hatcheries reduce overcrowded fish densities caused by record drought conditions this year. The first preseason stockings will be allocated to impoundments, special management, and delayed harvest streams providing ice fishing and catch-and-release fishing opportunities through winter and into the spring. Once stocking is complete, DNR will provide updates on its website and via email bulletin and social media.

On December 10th, Cumberland Police Officers served a criminal summons on Andrew Clinton Donaldson, 55 of Cumberland, who was then released. The summons was a result of a victim claiming Donaldson used his personal cards while he was away. An investigation revealed findings of several fraudulent charges. Donaldson was charged with several counts of fraud and theft.

On Monday, December 11th, 2023, Officers with the Cumberland City Police were conducting a routine patrol check of the area of the George Washington Headquarters near Greene St when they observed a male subject sleeping on the property after hours. Contact was made with William Douglas Kirby, 67, of West Mifflin, PA. It was learned that the subject had been advised on a prior occasion not to be on the property after posted hours. As a result, Kirby was placed under arrest and transported to the Cumberland Police Department. He was issued a criminal citation for trespassing and municipal citation…

Allegany College of Maryland will celebrate student achievements at its fall 2023 graduation ceremonies this Friday at 7pm.  Featured student speakers for the ceremony will be Brooke Colledge, Mattesyn Crotts, Hannah McCoy, and Paige Shauf. College President Cynthia Bambara will also deliver remarks while Kim Leonard, chair of the college’s board of trustees, will award diplomas to the graduates. The graduation is open to the public and will also be livestreamed on the college Facebook page.

Both Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and US Senator Bob Casey spoke on antisemitism during a rally at a Philadelphia synagogue over the weekend. The rally was on the heels of University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill resigning her position after her testimony before a house committee where she would not directly answer a question about whether calling for the genocide of Jews would violate the school’s code of conduct regarding bullying and harassment. Governor Shapiro says fighting back antisemitism is growing on college campuses… Senator Casey talked about concerning reports his office has received from students in the past weeks…

A proposed rule by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms would close loopholes that allowed the unlicensed sale of firearms online and at gun shows. Online and vendor show dealers would be subject to the new rule in more instances, reducing the opportunity for sales without background checks. The new regulations will also help law enforcement track gun sales and provide them with more tools to effectively inspect gun dealers, trace guns used in crimes and prosecute gun charges.  

The Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program, or MCAP test, took a big hit during the COVID pandemic.  School test scores dropped, showing the importance of students needing in-classroom time to learn.  Scores across the state dropped and Allegany County was no different.  Trina Simpson, who oversees testing and accountability for the local schools, says the rebounding is a slow process…    

For 47 years, WCBC Radio has sought ways to give back to the community. This holiday season, the station you can count on is giving away 12 turkeys to deserving individuals or families in the community.  We need your help to find and help these people.  Dave Norman shares how you can nominate someone you know…

In remarks to the Maryland Association of Counties, Governor Wes Moore stressed that the state will need to be making hard choices moving forward. Dealing with the deficit Maryland is facing, Moore said a comprehensive look would be needed at how projects are funded for both the short- and long-term.  He also said his administration is going to continue to move ahead with its goals… While not saying that the wave of spending approved during the last legislative session caused the current financial crisis, Moore did say it will be addressed…