On 2/25/22 at 2:50 pm staff at Washington Middle School in Cumberland received a phone call claiming that there was a bomb at the school.   The school was in the process of dismissal and Officers with the Cumberland Police Department responded to the school to investigate.   While at the school a second call was received stating that an assault on the school was imminent.   Cumberland Police Officers assisted by the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office and the Maryland State Police then provided security while students were safety evacuated and moved to Fort Hill High School where further security was provided while…

The General Assembly's Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review voted Friday afternoon to lift the statewide school mask mandate. The vote was 17 for, one against and one absent. The vote comes three days after the Maryland state Board of Education voted to make masking a local issue. The committee's vote makes the decision final and local school district can set their own policy

Some 70% of Americans will be able to remove their masks indoors, including inside schools, under new guidance to be released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Friday. Under the new metrics in the updated guidance, more than half of U.S. counties, which make up 70% of where Americans live, will be in areas of low or medium risk and no longer recommended to wear masks.  Schools will not be treated differently under the new guidance as other indoor spaces

During Friday’s briefing, Gov. Justice announced that there will be a third round of the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) benefits allocated to eligible students who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2020, P-EBT funding has resulted in more than $328 million in food assistance support for West Virginia children. “This third round of benefits is going to pour another $82 million into West Virginia for our children,” Gov. Justice said. “Our children are the greatest treasure we have in West Virginia, and making sure our kids have enough to eat is absolutely the…

Weekly COVID Update: For the 7-day period of  February 18-24, 2022, there were no schools that met the definition of a School Wide or Cohort Outbreak of COVID-19.   ACPS had 5 staff members and 20 students reported as positive for COVID-19 during this time.  ACPS had 3 staff members quarantined as a close contact. 18 students were reported as close contacts to a positive person and required to quarantine.  This includes all staff and students reported as close contacts, whether the close contact occurred in the home, community, or school.

On February 24th, 2022, The Cumberland City Police arrested Shawn Matthew Blowe, 36, of Winchester VA. Blowe was taken into custody after it was discovered that he had two active Arrest Warrants through Winchester VA for CDS Possession and Distribution. Blowe was taken before the District Court Commissioner where he was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center. He is currently being held without bond, awaiting extradition to Virginia. Arrested: Shawn Matthew Blowe             Age: 36 Charges: Fugitive from Justice

On February 13th, 2022, The Cumberland City Police served a Criminal Summons on Bethany Lauran Ritz, 28, of Springfield WV. The Summons was in reference to an incident which occurred on January 30th, at a business in the 900 block of Oldtown Rd. During this incident, it is alleged that Ritz conspired with another subject while a theft was completed at the business. Ritz was served the summons and released, pending trial in District Court. Arrested: Bethany Lauran Ritz                Age: 28 Charges: Conspiracy to Commit Theft

The Allegany County Commissioners Thursday approved a total of $365,000 to go toward the Baltimore Street Comprehensive Investment Program. The county investment will consist of a $200,000 match for a downtown façade improvement grant; a $150,000 match for downtown residential improvement grant; and a $15,000 match for a downtown business attraction grant. The county’s financial contribution will from the Community Enhancement Fund and will be awarded to the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation. Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss said the program can be coordinated with the existing plans in place for the downtown mall…

Legalizing recreational marijuana is a step closer to reality in Maryland as the debate continues in Annapolis. The House of Delegates is giving preliminary approval to a constitutional amendment that if approved by voters in November, would legalize recreational marijuana. The House is also debating the enabling legislation that would go into effect if voters approve it.  WBAL reports Republicans have proposed amendments including one by the House minority leader to make it a misdemeanor if someone is smoking marijuana in public. Democrats argued that would unfairly target Black people and other minorities. House Minority Leader Jason Buckel strongly disagreed…

The 45th Annual Mountain Maryland PACE event in Annapolis is scheduled for next Thursday and Friday and there are some noticeable changes.  Among the differences this year, the event is being held in March rather than January; it will start a half hour earlier;  and will have a new home with at the Westin Annapolis Hotel. PACE co-chair Jeremy Irons tells WCBC News that after a year off in 2021 due to COVID restrictions and a forced delay this year due to a COVID spike, all systems are go for next week’s two day Western Maryland showcase. He said working…