As the BA.5 variant continues to spread through Maryland, many people may find themselves suffering from COVID-19 fatigue and not be paying attention to the warnings. When it comes to these latest coronavirus variants, doctors say it may be the easiest to transmit and can more easily get you sick. As people were starting to enjoy summer, BA.5, an omicron subvariant, is now the dominant strain in the United States, and it's making more people sick. Taking a look at the numbers in Maryland, as of Friday, July 8, 17 more people were hospitalized taking up more than 550 beds….

Although he is not a candidate for office this year- and is now into his final six months as Maryland’s Lt Governor- Boyd Rutherford says he has no plans to act as a “lame duck”. Rutherford at one time was considered likely to follow up his two terms as Larry Hogan’s second in command- with a run for the top spot himself- but he ended that speculation in April announcing that he will not be a candidate. That said, Rutherford is keeping a full schedule and plans to make the opioid crisis and mental health resources top priorities moving forward….

Arrest Warrants Served   The Cumberland Police served an Arrest Warrant on Jordan Koby Patterson, age 23, of Cumberland, MD.  The Arrest Warrant charged Patterson with Second Degree Assault and Disorderly Conduct following a physical altercation that occurred on 7-10-22 at a downtown business.  Patterson is alleged to have struck the male victim several times, causing physical injury.  Based on the extent of the injuries, an application of charges was filed at District Court and the Warrant was issued.  Patterson was taken to Central Booking for his initial appearance with the District Court Commissioner and was released on his own…

Arson Investigation At approximately 11:45 PM on July 11th, 2022 the Cumberland Fire Department was called to a business on White Oaks Ave for a fire in a dumpster, behind the business. The Cumberland Police were called to assist. Officers observed that several garbage cans were thrown around the parking lot and a window was also broken on an adjacent business. The State Fire Marshal’s Office was called to assist with the fire investigation. Officers with the Cumberland Police, along with the Fire Marshal spoke to employees of the business who advised that they had encountered a white male hiding…

The National Weather Service in Sterling Virginia has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for…   Western Allegany County in western Maryland…   Garrett County in western Maryland…   Northwestern Grant County in eastern West Virginia…   Mineral County in eastern West Virginia… * Until 330 PM EDT. * At 224 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line   extending from near Grantsville to near Grafton, moving east at 45   mph.   HAZARD…60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.   SOURCE…Radar indicated.   IMPACT…Damaging winds will cause some trees and large branches        …

The Maryland State Board of Elections (SBE) reminds voters wishing to receive a mail-in ballot for the upcoming Primary Election of two important deadlines this week: ·        Those voters wishing to receive a mail-in ballot via the U.S. Postal Service must submit a mail-in ballot request by tomorrow, July 12. Ballot requests can be made online or at a voter’s local board of elections office. ·        This coming Friday, July 15, is the deadline to request a mail-in ballot be sent via email. A request to receive the ballot by email can be submitted online. Early voting for the 2022…

Governor Larry Hogan today announced the appointment of Christopher Mincher to serve as Chief Legal Counsel, succeeding Michael Pedone, who has served in the post since February 2020. Pedone will return to practicing law in the private sector.  The governor is also naming Heather Shek, currently Director of the Office of Governmental Affairs for the Maryland Department of Health, to serve as Deputy Legal Counsel. Shek succeeds Stephanie Meighan, who has been appointed to the Board of Contract Appeals. “Chris Mincher is an exceptionally committed public servant who has been an integral member of our administration for nearly six years,” said…

Garrett Regional Medical Center and the West Virginia University Health System held a ribbon cutting Monday to celebrate GRMC becoming a full member of the WVU Health System. The standing-room-only crowd included local officials, members of the business community and staff and leaders from GRMC and WVU Medicine. Albert L. Wright Jr., president and CEO of the WVU Health System, called the partnership a win for both the system and the Western Maryland regional hospital. “We consider Garrett Regional Medical Center to be an excellent addition to the WVU Health System,” Wright said. “GRMC has been one of the highest…

State Treasurer Riley Moore today announced his Office’s Unclaimed Property Division will host a special, first-of-its-kind ceremony Thursday, July 14, at 10 a.m. at the Culture Center in Charleston to return lost or abandoned military medals and memorabilia to their rightful owners, veterans and their families. The medals and memorabilia had been turned over to the Office’s Unclaimed Property Division after being determined to be abandoned in safe deposit boxes. The State Treasurer’s Office often receives safe deposit box contents – which occasionally include military memorabilia – as unclaimed property after the owner or their spouse pass away and surviving…

Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh announced that his Consumer Protection Division has reached a settlement of the civil charges against Christopher Engel, Karol Engel, Matthew Dihel, MOCHA Furniture Limited Liability Company, Urbana custom décor Limited Liability Company, and Farmstead Custom Furniture LLC, who were, collectively, charged with violating the Consumer Protection Act for collecting deposits and other monies from consumers to build custom furniture, and then failing to either provide consumers their ordered goods or to refund their money.  The companies were also accused of going out of business to avoid repaying consumers, only to reopen under new names.