Maryland’s Attorney General Anthony Brown has announced one of the largest penalties ever levied in an environmental crime case with a $1 million fine against Curtis Bay Energy.  The medical waste disposal company has been placed on 2 years of probation as well. Katie Dorian of the Attorney General’s office says the Baltimore company routinely handled special medical waste – usually red bag waste from hospitals – in an improper manner, threatening the public health…  

A new federal program from the Centers for Disease Control is giving money to Maryland and 43 other states to create a national public health infrastructure to combat Alzheimer’s and related dementias and to preserve brain health. The Maryland Department of Health will its $2.5 million dollar share to track and report activities in the state’s plan to address Alzheimer’s and Dementia and build upon its Healthy Brain Aging awareness campaign to increase early detection and diagnosis.  In July, a report indicated that Maryland had the highest prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease in the nation.

Ricky Allen Bennett, 51 of Cumberland, was arrested on a Circuit Court bench warrant for violation of pre-trial release. His original charges include: Assault-1st Degree, Assault-2nd Degree, reckless endangerment, and felony firearm use in the commission of a violent crime. He is being held without bond at the Allegany County Detention Center. Amanda Renee Swauger, 34 of Cumberland, was served two District Court Bench Warrants for Failure to Comply. Her original charges include: Theft: Less than $100, Fraud-Personal Identification to Avoid Prosecution, and Possession of contraband in a place of confinement. She is being held without bond in both cases….

The family of long-time WCBC News Director Bryan Gowans has launched a "Go Fund Me" fundraiser to provide support during his stroke recovery.  Bryan suffered a massive stroke in late March which has left him paralyzed on his left side. For the past several months, Bryan has been a resident at Allegany Nursing and Rehab but it is the family's wish for him to continue his recovery at home, surrounded by his daughters and grandchildren. Obviously, this has been financially draining on the family as this ongoing care is expensive and ongoing.  Bryan will need equipment including a motorized wheelchair. …

On Tuesday, October 17th, 2023, The Cumberland City Police responded to the 1000 block of Industrial Blvd for a warrant service. Upon arrival, officers located a female subject, Nalesia McCauley, 22, of Cumberland MD, seated inside a parked vehicle. Officers then made contact with McCauley and had her exit the vehicle. Officers then advised McCauley she was under arrest and attempted to place her in handcuffs. At that time, she pulled away from officers and began to flee the area on foot. Officers gave chase and McCauley was able to be apprehended a short time later. McCauley was also served…

More funding is coming to help Maryland residents access high-speed internet. Two programs – Home Stretch for Public Housing and Home Stretch for Difficult To Serve Properties will receive $69 million in federal money to provide internet to an estimated 15,000 households in the state. The funding is coming through the US Treasury’s American Rescue Plan Coronavirus Capital Projects program. Grants will be made to counties that will subgrant to service providers to install connections.  Governor Wes Moore has said that having internet access for all is crucial in Maryland.

Cybersecurity was the main topic at Tuesday’s work session for the Cumberland City Council.  Cyber Security Specialist Chip Watkins brought the council up to speed on efforts the City is taking to tighten systems against data breaches and internet attacks.  Watkins says that municipalities are often easy targets that hackers can breach and get access to sensitive records and areas. Watkins says recently installed firewall systems have shown him just how often the city is targeted. Dave Biser, a citizen attending the work session and regular public meeting, works in computer security and lauded the City’s efforts in keeping information…

More than 13% of health insurance claims are being denied in West Virginia, according to a report from the Department of Health and Human Services. Health advocates say companies are raking in profits while residents can’t get the pacemakers, medication or surgeries they need, with serious consequences for community health. According to a federal report, one out of every eight requests for prior authorization of services by Medicaid Managed Care Organizations were denied in 2019. Eve Marcum-Atkinson of the West Virginia Citizen Action Group says transparency and accountability from insurers is needed.

As Governor of the state where major US Naval assets are docked, Governor Glenn Youngkin is seeing Virginia play out a special role in support of the war in Israel.  Youngkin joined in a special service in Richmond at Keneseth Beth Israel Synagogue to join Jewish community leaders in pledging support for Israel.  The Governor spoke about the deployment of two carriers from Norfolk.

The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and Frostburg State University have entered into a memorandum of understanding that will better prepare FSU students interested in pursuing a career in osteopathic medicine.  The new pre-osteopathic medicine program, or POMP, will provide skills and credentials necessary for admission to the West Virginia school. The program is designed for undergrads who have in interest in osteopathic medicine and plan to enter such a medical school. Currently 13 schools of higher education have affiliated with the program.