The Allegany County Health Department reports that there are still appointments available for the youth COVID-19 vaccination clinic (ages 5 – 11) this Wednesday, February 16. The clinic will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on the ground floor of the Willowbrook Office Complex, 12501 Willowbrook Road, Cumberland, MD. Appointments can be scheduled through the following link: https://www.marylandvax.org/appointment/en/reg/3117296018. For individuals ages 12 and older, free COVID-19 vaccinations are available on Wednesdays at the Allegany County Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. No appointment is needed for first and second doses of Moderna vaccine (age 18+) and first, second,…

All Luke Water customers will experience an outage from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Feb. 15, so a line can be relocated foer the sewer project.

Frostburg State University will develop an online high school Level 1 Physical Education (PE) Course for Maryland public schools, as part of an agreement with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).  MSDE recognized a need for an online physical education course that could reach students statewide, especially those with individual circumstances and/or scheduling challenges that make traditional face-to-face courses difficult.  “We were honored to be asked to enter into this agreement with MSDE,” said Dr. Boyce Williams, dean of the FSU College of Education. “Many high school students are looking to get Advanced Placement courses into their schedule. The…

With the state’s health metrics continuing to substantially decline, Governor Larry Hogan today announced that the requirement for masks and face coverings to be worn in state buildings will end next week. In addition, the governor has called on the State Board of Education to rescind its school mask policy, and encourages parents who want to weigh in on the issue to contact the board prior to its next meeting. “Given the dramatic declines in our health metrics, we are now able to take another step toward normalcy in state operations,” said Governor Hogan. “In addition, we continue to offer paid leave for…

On February 12th, 2022, The Cumberland City Police responded to multiple city residences for reports of destruction of property. Officers discovered that multiple vehicles in the area of Arch St and Second Ave had been damaged throughout the night. Damage to the vehicles included broken windows and mirrors that had been caused by being shot with a BB gun. As the investigation progressed, patrol officers were able to develop multiple suspects including Tyler Joseph Williams, 24, of Cumberland MD. An application for charges was filed and an arrest warrant was issued, charging Williams with twelve counts of Malicious Destruction of…

On February 13th, 2022, Cumberland City Police officers in the 200 block of Greene St were conducting a roadside investigation for a possible intoxicated driver. During the course of the investigation, an unknown male suspect approached the officers and began to create a disturbance, interfering with the investigation. The subject was instructed multiple times to cease his disruptive behaviors and leave the scene. The subject refused to comply with the officers orders. As a result, Aaron Donyae Manning, 26, of Cumberland MD, was placed under arrest. Manning was issued Criminal Citations for Disorderly Conduct and Failure to Obey a Lawful…

In an action that Allegany County is calling a positive milestone for the local emergency medical service network, Corriganville’s Volunteer Fire Department recently voted to cease their EMS operations and sell their vehicles to the County. In announcing the agreement, Emergency Services Director James Pyles called the transition a  good deal for all involved as it will improve public safety for citizens living in the Corriganville area and streamline emergency medical service delivery there…                                                             …

Maryland Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford says that opioid overdose deaths are starting to level off, but the state did see a rise in deaths during the pandemic. He said fentanyl is being used on the street and being mixed with oxycodone and other drugs, including heroin. Rutherford chairs the Maryland Heroin and Opioid Emergency Task Force and said they announced legislation last week about getting people in treatment and having access to therapists and doctors…

The City of Cumberland Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is seeking community input for a proposed skate park facility. An organized group of local skateboarders are seeking the construction of a skate park facility in the City of Cumberland/surrounding area. While no decision has been made on a location, the skateboard group behind the project has been focused on Jaycee Field, formerly known as Pogey Field on Furnance Street. That site however is not without its problems- including some pushback from some citizens who would like to see it remain a sports complex. City Councilman Joe George…

The chair of the state appointed Canal Place Task Force was not enthusiastic about the recent request by the Canal Place Preservation and Development Authority to be absorbed by the Maryland Park Service. In 2018 the Task Force was created to determine if Canal Place should be divided into portions and sold to private investors or kept as is. With no final Task Force report  completed nearly four years later, Canal Place representatives contacted the chair of the newly formed State Park Investment Commission, and testified before a sub committee in Annapolis requesting Canal Place to be designated a state…