On Friday, Governor Larry Hogan issued an official proclamation designating the week of February 7th Healthcare Heroes Appreciation Week in Maryland.  Locally, the Allegany County Health Department is taking the opportunity to publicly thank and recognize the individuals, businesses, and organizations who have played key roles in the county’s ongoing COVID-19 pandemic response.  This not only includes the county’s emergency services, pharmacies, medical providers, nursing home staff, and public health workers, but also some, perhaps, less obvious partners. “Some of the unsung heroes of our local COVID-19 response efforts have been partners such as the Allegany County Fairgrounds, Allegany County…

Maryland lawmakers are taking aim at price-gouging with a new bill to address a long-standing consumer complaint and fill a gap in state law. WBAL reports consumers feeling pinched say they are forced to pay artificially increased prices. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers have noticed they're paying more for many items they need. Companies blame demand and supply chain issues. Sen. Clarence Lam, D-District 12, whose district encompasses portions of Howard and Baltimore counties, is proposing legislation to prohibit companies from boosting prices on essential goods or services by more than 10% during an emergency declaration and…

Gov. Jim Justice received a letter from Supreme Court Justice Evan Jenkins indicating that he will be resigning from the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, effective Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022, to return to private practice.  “Evan has devoted his entire life to public service and, on behalf of all West Virginians, we thank him,” Gov. Justice said. “It was one of my highest honors to appoint Evan to our Supreme Court in 2018 and, since then, he and his colleagues have restored honor and integrity to our court. I look forward to appointing a new justice who can…

For the 7-day period of January 28-February 3, 2022, there were no schools that met the definition of a School Wide Outbreak of COVID-19.  George's Creek Elementary School, South Penn Elementary School, Westmar Middle School, and Allegany High School each had cohorts that met the definition of a cohort outbreak.   ACPS had 11 staff members and 126 students reported as positive for COVID-19 during this time.  ACPS had 5 staff members quarantined as a close contact.  111 students were reported as close contacts to a positive person and required to quarantine.  This includes all staff and students reported as…

In a virtual proceeding that lasted only about 15 minutes, Baltimore City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby pleaded not guilty to all four charges against her, two counts of perjury and two counts of filing a false mortgage application

 West Virginia has identified its first two cases of a descendant of the omicron variant of the coronavirus, Gov. Jim Justice said  Friday. The variant, which scientists call BA.2, was detected in COVID-19 patients in Berkeley and Ohio counties, Justice said at a briefing on the virus. Dr. Clay Marsh, the state’s coronavirus expert, said nearly half of U.S. states have seen a few cases of the new variant, which "might be more contagious but doesn’t appear to be as severe.” Justice added that BA.2 “is not more alarming to us.” Particular genetic traits in the latest version make it…

On Thursday, February 3, 2022 the Cumberland Police served an arrest warrant on Belen Marie Santiago Waybright, age 36 of Cumberland, MD.  The warrant charged Waybright with Failure to Appear for a court date for charges relating to a Controlled Dangerous Substance.  She was taken before the District Court Commissioner for her initial appearance and released on her own recognizance.  Arrested:  Belen Marie Santiago Waybright, Age 36  Cumberland MD Charges:  Fail to Appear   On Thursday, February 3, 2022 the Cumberland Police served an arrest warrant on Andrew Scott Crites, age 38 of Ridgeley, WV.  The warrant charged Crites with…

On Thursday, February 3, 2022 an officer with the Cumberland Police Department was on patrol when he observed a vehicle commit a traffic infraction.  When he stopped the vehicle and contacted the two occupants he observed several indicators of criminal behavior.  The officer requested a K9 to conduct a free air sniff of the vehicle.  The K9 alerted to the presence of a controlled dangerous substance in the vehicle and a probable cause search was conducted.  Based on the search, a quantity of suspected fentanyl, crack cocaine, and drug paraphernalia were recovered.  Shawn Alan Mullaney, age 56 and Melvin Roy…

On Thursday, February 3, 2022 officers from the Cumberland Police Department responded to a residence in the 300 block of Fayette St for a report of an assault.  Upon arrival, officers spoke to a male and female in the residence.  The male advised that he had been assaulted by Melissa Marie Cooper, age 25 of Cumberland MD.  The male victim had visible injuries consistent with his explanation of the events.  Cooper was placed under arrest and taken before the District Court Commissioner for her initial appearance.  She was released on her own recognizance.    Arrested:  Melissa Marie Cooper   Age 25   …

On Thursday, February 3, 2022 officers from the Cumberland Police Department responded to a residence on Crescent Place for a report of an assault.  Upon arrival officers spoke with the male victim who advised that he had been in an argument with a female who resided at the same residence.  During the altercation the female struck the male with an object causing an injury.  The victim had visible injuries consistent with his account of the altercation.  Tina Michelle Miller, age 49 of Cumberland MD was placed under arrest and charged with Second Degree Assault.  She was taken before the District…