Maryland’s Department of Health has launched a health dashboard to keep track of  respiratory syncytial virus cases.The RSV dashboard is similar to the COVID-19 dashboard that was launched during the pandemic. The dashboard will be updated every Thursday. Officials recommend residents get what they call a "flooster." A flooster is the COVID-19 booster vaccine and flu shot combined. Maryland has seen an early surge of severe respiratory illness, especially in very young and school-age children. For children too young for over the counter medication, there are some alternative treatments….

One hundred seventy-seven Allegany College of Maryland students are expected to earn ­­­198 ­­­approximately ­­­degrees and certificates during fall commencement exercises on at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16, 2022. Kelly Shiflett of Swanton, Maryland, and Grace Yeboah of Dumfries, Virginia, will provide the student commencement addresses. Both Shiflett and Yeboah earned their degrees online.    

Crews rescued two occupants of a small plane that crashed Sunday evening into a power line tower, knocking out power across Montgomery County. WBAL reports Montgomery County Fire Chief Scott Goldstein said the plane came into contact around 5:30 p.m. with a high-tension power line tower in the area of Rothbury Drive and Goshen Road in the Montgomery Village area, which is about 4 miles northwest of the Montgomery County Airpark. Crews grounded the power lines, secured the plane and were able to rescue the occupants more than seven hours after the crash. According to Maryland State Police, the aircraft…

The Office of the State Fire Marshal, along with the Maryland State Police, are investigating the cause of a fire that claimed the life of a man in Carroll County Sunday afternoon.  Just before 2:30 p.m. Ronald Joy, 62, and his wife, Kathy Joy, 56, were home when a fire broke out in the 2700 block of Littlestown Pike.   Both escaped before Pleasant Valley Fire Department and surrounding departments arrived; however, Mr. Joy went back inside the home, hoping to locate family pets. Firefighters later located and rescued him inside the home. He was treated by EMS and transported to…

Days after flocking to stores on Black Friday, consumers are turning online for Cyber Monday to score more discounts on gifts and other items that have ballooned in price because of high inflation. Cyber Monday is expected to remain the year’s biggest online shopping day and rake in up to $11.6 billion in sales, according to Adobe Analytics, which tracks transactions at over 85 of the top 100 U.S. online stores. That forecast represents a jump from the $10.7 billion consumers spent last year.

On Sunday,  the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Dennis Groves.  The summons was issued as the result of an incident that occurred on November 23, 2022.  On this date at approximately 2:30 PM, an officer of the Cumberland Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Williams Street at Baker Street.  Investigation into the stop revealed that the operator, Dennis Groves, was in possession of a controlled dangerous substance.  The officer filed for charges against Groves at the District Court of Allegany County.    Groves signed for his copy of the summons and was released pending trial. ARRESTED:  Dennis…

On Sunday, November 27, 2022, the Cumberland Police served a bench warrant on John Jenkins III.  The warrant was issued as the result of Jenkins failing to appear in court on October 28, 2022.  He was originally charged with Trespassing: Posted Property.  Jenkins was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  He was later seen by a District Court Commissioner and released on his personal recognizance. ARRESTED:  John William Jenkins III    AGE:  50           Ridgeley, WV

In taking action to repeal and update the Allegany County Board of Education ethics policy- one board member recommended that more detail and clarification be part of the revised document before finalizing any changes. Although seldom making headlines, the school board’s ethics panal does serve an important function. It was in 2019 that the panal offered recommendations on conflict of interest charges made against two board members.  State regulations are what has led to the need to revise the ethics policy- however board member Deb Frank expressed concern that some vital information had been left out- information she believes would…

The wait finally came to an end last week with sports betting in Maryland now online and in casinos across the state.  While sports betting has been legal in the state for quite some time, several hurdles and roadblocks delayed the startup. That changed last week. Unfortunately sports betting  won’t be available at  the Rocky Gap Casino Resort anytime soon. The Casino is in the process of being sold and that  deal isn’t expected to be finalized until next year, pending regulatory approval. Delegate Jason Buckel said that in the midst of a sale, it is apparent the current Rocky Gap…

Maryland’s governor-elect has less than two months to put together a team of staff, pick cabinet secretaries, draft a legislative agenda and propose a budget. And plan an inauguration, too. From now until inauguration on the steps of the State House in Annapolis on Jan. 18, Democrat Wes Moore and his team face a long to-do list of tasks. Moore can expect to be in regular contact with outgoing Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford, who is heading up the handover of the reins of government from the administration of Gov. Larry Hogan. Rutherford said that Moore will begin his term in…