WCBC Radio

12/31/2025

Top 12 Most Compelling People of 2025 – Day 3.

December 31st, 2025 by WCBC Radio

Just as there are memorable stories throughout the year, there are also people who leave their mark on the community. 2025 was no exception. This week, WCBC introduces you to the 12 Most Compelling People of the Year, and reflects on their good – or bad – effects on the area…

ED MULLANEY – If ever there was a man about town, it is Ed Mullaney. For years, he has been the driving force in numerous projects throughout the city from planting flowers to raising funds for a new town clock. Mullaney heads the “Let’s Beautify Cumberland!” group, dedicated to reinvigorating civic pride in Cumberland with projects including the Veteran’s Memorial along South Centre Street. He is also an active property owner and developer, encouraging economic development within the city’s retail sector.

ADAM PATTERSON – Allegany County’s Director of Public Works has not had what people would call an enviable year. Since May’s flood event in the Georges Creek area, Patterson has worked tirelessly to manage a number of projects to get the area’s infrastructure back on its feet, despite having no federal or state financial help to date. So far, Patterson’s department, in addition to juggling the county’s numerous other ongoing construction and transportation projects, is managing over $7 million dollars in flood damage costs.

JODI EIRICH – A love for animals has grown into a second career for Jodi Eirich. The Frostburg State professor has added Animal Shelter Director to her titles, taking over that role at the Allegany County Animal Shelter earlier this year. Eirich had been a long-term volunteer at the shelter, frequently highlighting animals available for adoption on social media. When troubles hit the Animal Shelter Foundation, Eirich briefly left the position but graciously decided to help the animals and the county by coming back to work on a contractual basis.

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12/31/2025

Garrett County Liberal Leave today, December 31st.

December 31st, 2025 by WCBC Radio

The state has declared liberal leave for Garrett County from 6:00AM until the end of dayshift today, December 31, 2025. Non-emergency essential employees who report to the office may use liberal leave between the hours of 6AM and the end of dayshift upon notification to the employee’s supervisor. Employees who are telework eligible and scheduled to telework, should telework as scheduled unless leave is granted. Emergency essential employees should report as scheduled.

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12/31/2025

Washington Monument Kicking Off America 250.

December 31st, 2025 by WCBC Radio

One of the first celebrations of America’s 250th birthday will be a special illumination event at the Washington Monument. A six-night event, running December 31 through January 5th will feature projections on the monument sharing stories of America’s history, fight for independence, and its future. A 250-foot birthday candle will be among the illuminations. Freedom 250, a non-partisan board organized to lead the celebration of the country’s birthday, sponsors the event.

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12/31/2025

Samsung Comes To Rockville.

December 31st, 2025 by WCBC Radio

One of the successes of Governor Moore’s trip to South Korea in April is coming to fruition with Samsung Biologics opening a manufacturing site in Rockville. The company, headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, is one of the world’s largest contract drug manufacturers. The company has purchased the GSK drug facility in Rockville for $280 million dollars and says it will retain 500 jobs in addition to expanding the campus and creating additional jobs.

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12/31/2025

Street Closures For New Year’s Eve Downtown.

December 31st, 2025 by WCBC Radio

The annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop and Fireworks will be taking place in Downtown Cumberland this evening. As a result, there will be some temporary street closures and restrictions. Beginning at 5pm, Baltimore Street will be closed between Mechanic and George Streets. Centre Street will be closed to traffic between Dexter Place and Frederick Street, and Liberty Street will be closed from Frederick to Pershing Street. Traffic crossing the Cas Taylor Bridge will be temporarily restricted after 9pm.

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12/31/2025

Morrisey Gives Year in Review.

December 31st, 2025 by WCBC Radio

Governor Patrick Morrisey held a “West Virginia’s Comeback” press conference, dedicated to giving a review of accomplishments in his first year in office. His main focus of his first year has been economic development and making West Virginia America’s energy source. Morrisey says West Virginia needs to step in where China is investing…

“China is investing so much from an energy perspective in order to fuel the technology and the data center needs of tomorrow. West Virginia needs to be America’s energy state, and what we’re beginning to see is West Virginia is in the position to take that leadership, that ownership of PJM and to really be a driver of America’s energy renaissance.”

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12/31/2025

Morriss Comments On Redistricting Decision.

December 31st, 2025 by WCBC Radio

Governor Wes Moore’s Redistricting Advisory Commission has come to a decision that yes, Maryland should do mid-cycle changes to the state’s congressional districts. The five-member commission which included just one Republican, held several hearings on the matter where hundreds of residents and groups participated. Mayor Ray Morris is on the commission, but isn’t sure what the outcome will be since public input is still needed…

“My understanding is that it’s a request now from the commission to the public about what they think would be appropriate congressional district maps.”

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12/31/2025

Act On FSA Before Year’s End.

December 30th, 2025 by WCBC Radio

While some businesses allow balances in Flexible Spending Accounts to rollover to the next year, for most, those funds are a “use it or lose” option. Money in FSA’s need to be spent down by the end of the calendar year, or they are forfeited. Charlene Rhinehart, the Finance Director for Good Rx, said that there are many options to spending the remaining balance in a healthcare flexible spending accounts, including stocking your medicine cabinet…

“Think of an FSA as a savings account that you can use for certain medical, dental, and vision expenses you’re already paying for. You can use it for out of pocket healthcare expenses like co-pays, co-insurance, and prescription medications.”

12/31/2025

Flu Cases Increasing.

December 30th, 2025 by WCBC Radio

Cases of the flu are on the rise in some areas of the US – and health experts warn they could get even higher as families and friends gather over the holidays. ABC News Medical Contributor Dr. Leah Croll says this latest variant differs from ones from prior seasons…

“It does not mean the vaccine is ineffective. It can still accomplish its mission for reducing the risks for severe illness and complications of the flu. So definitely still worth it to go ahead and get vaccinated, particularly as we expect spread to pick up with holiday travel and get togethers.”

12/31/2025

Hiring Hopes Persist Despite Some Pessimism.

December 30th, 2025 by WCBC Radio

A higher percentage of businesses across the U.S. expect to add employees six months from now rather than reduce them, according to a LendingTree analysis of government data. Matt Shulz, Chief Consumer Finance Analyst with LendingTree, says a state-by-state breakdown reveals a divide along political lines when it comes to future hiring optimism…

“By large, the most optimistic states in this country when it came to hiring in the next six-months were red states that backed President Trump in the previous election, and most of the least optimistic with a few exceptions were states that backed Vice President Harris in the last elections.”

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12/30/2025

Liberal Leave for Garrett County today, December 30th.

December 30th, 2025 by WCBC Radio

The state has declared liberal leave for Garrett County from 6:00AM until 4:00PM today, December 30, 2025. Non-emergency essential employees who report to the office may use liberal leave between the hours of 6AM and 4PM upon notification to the employee’s supervisor. Employees who are telework eligible and scheduled to telework, should telework as scheduled unless leave is granted. Emergency essential employees should report as scheduled.

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12/30/2025

Top 12 Most Compelling People – Day 2.

December 30th, 2025 by WCBC Radio

Top 12 Most Compelling People of 2025

Just as there are memorable stories throughout the year, there are also people who leave their mark on the community. 2025 was no exception. This week, WCBC introduces you to the 12 Most Compelling People of the Year, and reflects on their good – or bad – effects on the area…

JACK COBURN & JUDY HAMILTON – These two mayors have set a standard this year for how small town America deals with disasters. Coburn and Hamilton, mayors of Lonaconing and Westernport respectively, have guided their towns through flood recovery efforts, and gotten down and dirty with residents cleaning up after the flood. They continue working through bureaucracy to provide essentials to families and businesses while also maintaining their full-time jobs in the community. Both mayors, Republicans, have endorsed Democrat Governor Wes Moore for a second term.

RUTH DAVIS-ROGERS – Ruth Davis-Rogers joined the City of Cumberland in 2022 as the Historic Preservation Officer. She has guided the work of preserving history in the city with a mind on economic development and community revitalization. One of her programs, nicknamed Ruth’s Roofing program, has provided grants for low-income homeowners and she has just completed the final draft of the city’s comprehensive plan. In 2026, Ruth Davis-Rogers will leave Cumberland to return to her home in Calvert County to do historic preservation there.

LARRY SMITH – A former school teacher, Larry Smith knows what information can do. When faced with almost constant water rate increases in his community, he gathered all the information he could on water rates across the country. He has led a coalition of residents from Bel Air, Pinto, Glen Oaks, and Highland Estates who continue to battle against private water service provider Maryland Water, engaging local, state, and federal representatives to come up with an answer. Smith now waits to see if Governor Moore will declare a special state of emergency for their situation.

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