Governor Larry Hogan has declared August as Immunization Awareness Month in the State of Maryland, encouraging Marylanders to stay COVIDReady by staying up to date on vaccines and boosters—especially as back-to-school season begins. In addition, state health officials continue to stress the importance of making sure children receive their recommended immunizations against vaccine-preventable diseases. A decline in the number of children getting those routine vaccinations has raised the anxiety level of State School Superintendent  Mohammed Choudhury…

Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week returns August 14-20 and Comptroller Peter Franchot wants consumers to take advantage of big discounts that provide a much-needed sales boost for retailers. During the week, any single qualifying article of clothing or footwear priced $100 or less – regardless of how many items are purchased in the same transaction – will be exempt from the state's six percent sales tax. The first $40 of any backpack purchase is also tax free. Franchot calls this a great opportunity to generate some revenue from neighboring states…

The Republican-led West Virginia Legislature did not come to a consensus on a bill that would ban abortions with some exceptions, leaving the procedure legal in the state for now. The Senate  voted 21-10 to return the bill with its amendments to the House, which had passed a different version. That chamber declined to accept the changes late on Friday, adjourning without announcing a time to reconvene. Abortion was one of two issues addressed in the special session including Governor Jim Justice’ proposed income tax cut. Justice took offense to some in the media suggesting his last minute inclusion of the abortion issue in special…

A public meeting has been scheduled for next week  to provide some clarification as to why the Maryland Department of Natural Resources has denied an application for development in protected areas of the Youghiogheny River. The Cumberland Times News reports Senate Bill 291, signed in May by Gov. Larry Hogan, included a $700,000 grant to the Garrett County Board of Commissioners “for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of capital improvements at Sang Run State Park at Youghiogheny River Trail Section 2.  The bill also allocated $4 million, which was modified from an…

Dollar Bank is consolidating four local branches of the bank it acquired last May and plans for the remaining Standard Bank branches to take the Dollar name by year-end. Standard Bank and Dollar Bank will merge as legal entities on September 6th.  The transaction  will leave Dollar with 50 Pennsylvania branches by year-end, or 94 across a footprint that includes Ohio, Maryland and Virginia. A letter from Standard Bank to it’s local customers indicated that the Cumberland location will remain;  and at this time there are no actions that need to be taken.

Cumberland’s National Night Out is tonight 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Somerville Ave. between First and Fourth Streets. Tonight's event features over 100 exhibits, friendly community games, emergency vehicle displays and a dunk tank featuring vice principals as well as local government officials. Terri Hast is the city’s Community Development specialist… This event promotes strong police-Community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live and work. Terri says that  this one night throughout Cumberland and across the nation neighbors are asked to lock their doors, turn on their porch lights and spend the evening outside…

On 07/31/2022, at approximately 2350 hours, Deputies with the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a black in color Maserati traveling Eastbound, on Interstate 68, near the 45 mile marker.  Upon making contact with the occupants, Deputies developed probable cause to search the vehicle.  During the search, Deputies located a large quantity of suspected heroin/fentanyl mixture, cocaine, methamphetamine, Amphetamine & Dextroamphetamine pills, and Suboxone, along with a loaded 9MM Springfield Hellcat handgun.  Additionally, Deputies located packaging material and various controlled dangerous substance paraphernalia which further indicated an intent to distribute the controlled dangerous substances.  A large sum of…

Gov. Larry Hogan has declared August as Immunization Awareness Month in the State of Maryland, encouraging Marylanders to stay COVIDReady by staying up to date on vaccines and boosters—especially as back-to-school season begins. “The dominant BA.5 subvariant is a reminder of how important it is for Marylanders to stay up to date on vaccines and boosters, as well as routine immunizations,” Hogan said. “Through our COVIDReady Maryland plan, we will continue to maximize all of the available tools and treatments for preventing severe illness, and maintaining a state of readiness so that we are prepared to respond to emerging waves and variants.”   To date, the…

Allegany County Public Schools concluded a successful six-week secondary summer camp for students with disabilities on Thursday, July 28, 2022, that culminated in an outdoor carnival celebration. Student attendance throughout the duration of the program was high as participants were excited to take part in hands-on activities in thematic units that included magic, sports, animals, water, agriculture, and space. Ultimately, this summer camp encompassed Extended School Year, COVID Recovery, High School Credit Recovery, and Compensatory Services as appropriate for each individual student’s needs.               Additionally, the summer camp placed an emphasis on middle school science and math curricular concepts, specifically…

Allegany County Emergeny Services reported a disabled vehicle on the 43 B on ramp to Interstate 68 West this morning had traffic slightly delayed. . Units have now cleared the scene