Maryland lawmakers outlined a package of measures on Thursday to support child-care providers, who have struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the last two years, more than 750 providers in Maryland have been forced to close, lawmakers said in a joint video conference with delegates and senators. The package includes grants to attract and retain providers, as well as loans for capital expansions for facilities. House Speaker Adrienne Jones said helping providers is critical to addressing the shortage of workers in the state and the nation

Two officers and a suspect were shot Friday after police were called to investigate a suspicious man with a gun in an intersection, authorities said. All three were flown to a hospital in Baltimore, said Frederick Police Chief Jason Lando. He said he was awaiting updates on their conditions and couldn’t immediately say how serious their wounds were. The shooting happened shortly before 1 p.m. after officers responded to reports of the suspicious man, Lando said. The chief said there is no ongoing threat to the public. Frederick is located about 49 miles (79 kilometers) west of Baltimore.  

Allegany County Public Schools high school graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2022 will be held on the following schedule: Fort Hill High School, Saturday, May 21, 2022, at 10 a.m. at Greenway Avenue Stadium Mountain Ridge High School, Saturday, May 21, 2022, at 1 p.m. at Mountain Ridge Stadium Allegany High School, Saturday, May 21, 2022, at 3 p.m. at Greenway Avenue Stadium A rain date for these ceremonies is scheduled for Sunday, May 22, 2022. Locations will remain the same; however the times will be as follows: Fort Hill @ 1 p.m.; Mountain Ridge @ 4 p.m.; and Allegany @ 6 p.m.    The Center for Career and Technical Education's…

For the 7-day period of  February 4-10, 2022, there were no schools that met the definition of a School Wide Outbreak of COVID-19.   West Side Elementary School had one cohort that met the definition of a cohort outbreak.   ACPS had 13 staff members and 72 students reported as positive for COVID-19 during this time.  ACPS had 1 staff member quarantined as a close contact.  64 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…

On Thursday, February 10, 2022, the Cumberland Police Department served a criminal summons on Cody Horwath. The criminal summons was issued as a result of an incident that occurred on February 7, 2022. On this date at approximately 10:30 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a residence in the 500 block of Furnace Street in reference to a check on well-being.  The caller advised that he was concerned for the well-being of the resident there.  After further investigation, officers learned that the caller, Cody Horwath, had lied in order to have officers contact the resident on Furnace…

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said Thursday he has sent a letter to the state Board of Education, asking for them to rescind its mask policy. Hogan cited the state’s improved health metrics, the widespread availability of vaccines for children, and the growing consensus among medical professionals, parents, and bipartisan state officials. Addressing an audience that included several members of the Allegany County Board of Education on Thursday night, County Commissioners President Jake Shade took the opportunity to echo the governor’s request… Board president Crystal Bender told WCBC News following the meeting that the board has always favored these decisions being…

Review processes from state and federal highway administrations that have not yet been completed may  push the start date for the nearly $10 million Baltimore Street Redevelopment Project into 2023. Matt Miller, executive director of Cumberland Economic Development Corp., gave an update on the project at a meeting of the Downtown Development Commission on Thursday. The redevelopment project is expected to include replacement of underground utility lines followed by reinstalling Baltimore Street through the pedestrian mall. The project’s target start date has jumped from fall of 2021 to spring or summer of 2022- and now it may not happen until…

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey this week voiced his objections to the State of Maryland for what he said is purposely ignoring the questions, concerns and input of West Virginia when it decided, unilaterally, to remove all or part of the Blue Bridge Dam on the Potomac River between Cumberland and Ridgeley. Bill Atkinson, project manager for River Park at Canal Place, disagrees. Morrisey, in a press release, said that it has come to his attention that Maryland, through the city of Cumberland, plans to remove all or part of the Blue Bridge Dam to create a new type of…

The Allegany County Commissioners approved a Board of Education budget amendment that will help cover the cost of significant upgrades to Greenway Avenue Stadium. The action authorizes the board to transfer $3.5 million from its fund balance to its unrestricted budget. Jay Marley, Supervisor of Maintenance and School Construction, detailed the work to be performed… The Commissioners than took action to round out the funding package by allocating $1.5 million in American Rescue Act funds. Commissioners President Jake Shade… The $4.8 million project has a target completion date of August 5th- ahead of the fall sports season. In other business…

Female students at Allegany College of Maryland have a new opportunity to compete outside of the classroom thanks to the launch of a women’s soccer program. “Students who’ve grown up playing soccer finally have the chance for sanctioned play at our college. If you’re passionate about soccer and you’re ready to work, you’ve got a jersey with your name on it at ACM,” said Tommie Reams, athletic director.   Practice sessions for current students begin on Feb. 28. ACM will host co-ed practices this spring with plans for future clinics and summer training camps.   Head Coach Dustin Wise, who…