As hospitals in the region and across the country experience an increase in Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) admissions, Governor Larry Hogan today announced a series of new mitigation actions, along with preparedness efforts for potential fall and winter COVID-19 and flu surges in Maryland.  “After meeting with our multi-agency public health task force yesterday and reviewing all of the data, I am announcing these steps to give our hospitals more tools to expand bed capacity for pediatric patients,” said Governor Hogan. “We also continue to encourage Marylanders to be COVIDReady, so that we remain one of the most vaccinated and…

On October 27th, 2022, at approximately 1602 hours, Allegany County Sheriff’s Deputies received a call for a male indecently exposing himself to children at a campground near Spring Gap, Cumberland Maryland. The male was reported to be sitting in a truck watching the bathroom area while children were entering and then exposing himself to them when they would exit. A witness obtained a vehicle description along with a physical description of the male and provided this to law enforcement. A vehicle and male matching the description was located by deputies and stopped on Interstate 68 which was a short time…

On October 27th, 2022 officers of the Cumberland Police Department served an Arrest Warrant on Mark Smith Sr. The Arrest Warrant was issued by the Circuit Court when Smith failed to appear for his trial on October 25th, 2022. Smith was taken before a District Court Commissioner where he was held without bond. Arrest: Mark Feodor Smith Sr, age 56, Cumberland Maryland. Charge: Failure to Appear. On October 27th, 2022 officers of the Cumberland Police Department served an Arrest Warrant on Jude Smith. The Arrest Warrant was issued by the District Court stemming from an incident on October 23rd, 2022. During this…

On October 28th, 2022 at approximately 12:20 am an officer of the Cumberland Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of Queen City Drive and Harrison Street. The officer contacted the operator, Stephen Hines, and observed signs of impairment. After performance of Standardized Field Sobriety, the officer observed further evidence of impairment and placed him under arrest. Hines was later released on citations: Arrest: Stephen Ad Hines, age 41, Baltimore Maryland. Charges: DUI Related Citations.

On October 27th, 2022 at approximately 1220 pm officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the 200 block of Memorial Avenue for what was reported as a domestic disturbance. Upon officer’s arrival they were able to hear screaming from inside the residence and received no answer at the door. The officer made entry into the residence and observed Tina Werner to be laying on top of a child in a bathtub that was filling with water. The officer attempted to intervene when Werner began to assault the officers and continued to lay on the child. As the officer attempted…

As a result of the Supreme Court’s decision this past summer to overturn Roe v. Wade- abortion has become a hot button campaign issue- and that includes Maryland’s sixth district congressional race. Congressman David Trone, the incumbent Democrat, has termed the Supreme Court ruling an “abomination” that has set the country back a half a century… Neil Parrott, a Washington County Republican, praised this year’s ruling by the court, saying he believes abortion “primarily should be dealt with state by state”.  While Trone has routinely referred to Parrott as an extremist during this campaign- Parrott says it is the incumbent…

The Allegany County Board of Education this month received a quarterly update on the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. Passed in 2021, the legislation includes an annual $3.8 billion funding increase over the next 10 years aimed to improve education in public schools. ACPS Blueprint Coordinator Wendy Main said the major goals of the legislation are to improve Maryland’s early childhood, primary and secondary education to the levels of high-performing systems around the world, and establish a career ladder system for educators as they gain expertise. The next steps for the local system is to form the Blueprint implementation plan team;…

Maryland voters appear likely next month to approve the cultivation and sale of recreational marijuana. Even if approved, the proposed constitutional amendment instructs the Maryland Legislature to pass distribution, regulation and taxation laws for cannabis. This will be an issue for the next District 1 State Senator to represent Western Maryland: Republican Mike McKay or Democrat Michael Driesbach. The candidates are vying for the seat that is open as a result of George Edwards retirement.  While opposed to the concept of legalizing marijuana, Mckay said there is every indication it will become law… Mckay said one encouraging aspect is that the state…

A Grand Opening and Ribbon-Cutting for Allegany Junction was held today in Cumberland, MD. Allegany Junction provides 40 new housing units including 36 affordable units for workforce families, singles, and seniors that earn 30 to 60% of area median income, in addition to four market rate units. The $9.6 million property was developed by Woda Cooper Companies, Inc.  Nonprofit partner is Housing Services Alliance, Inc.  The MD Department of Housing & Community Development allocated housing tax credits. Syndicator Marble Cliff Capital worked with First United Bank & Trust as investor.  First United Bank & Trust also provided a construction loan. …

The American Cancer Society is reminding women that early detection is key when fighting against breast cancer. Each October the organization hosts The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walks in communities across the state- and this year’s Western Maryland event  once again proved to be a tremendous success. The goal of the walk, held each year at Canal Place, is to  bring people together to make a difference for everyone who has been touched by breast cancer. Heather McGraw with the American Cancer Society calls the event a day of celebration…