Although hospitalizations are dropping and the latest COVID surge peaked in mid-January, the critical nursing shortage in Maryland hospitals continues. The Maryland Hospital Association is reporting 3,900 current openings in the state.  UPMC Western Maryland has not released specific staffing data- however in December the UPMC system announced that it was creating its own in-house traveling nurse program to help address any shortages that may arise. Meanwhile association president Bob Atlas considers the shortage unprecedented and says there's growing concern that the lack of nurses could impact patient care…

Maryland lawmakers on Thursday introduced a measure to legalize recreational marijuana for adults that supporters say would put the state on a path for an equitable cannabis industry, if voters approve it in November. House Speaker Adrienne Jones announced that the bill would create an implementation plan based on the findings of the House Cannabis Referendum Workgroup. Jones said the bill sets out to address criminal justice and public health issues, while also building a foundation for social equity in the industry.  House Minority Leader Jason Buckel said that while it may ultimately receive voter approval- the general assembly will…

Following the lead of the state, the city of Cumberland will recognize Juneteenth as a legal holiday for employees this year. The June 19 celebration marks the end of slavery in the United States- and it became the first new national holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day when President Joe Biden signed it into law last year.  Juneteenth is a holiday that wasn’t on the radar of most Americans until a controversy erupted in 2020 when then President Donald Trump had scheduled a campaign rally on that date- sparking some debate. The Cumberland City Council took action at this…

Although he was short on specifics, Maryland Sixth District Congressman David Trone pledged  Thursday to see all three of Cumberland’s West Side bridges replaced and reopened. Bridges on Cumberland, Fayette and Washington streets have been at least partially shut down due to their poor conditions for several years-  a point of frustration for both residents and motorists trying to access that part of town.  All three bridges span CSX railroad tracks- but the company has been less than aggressive in providing assistance to repair the damage that their own trains caused to the structures.  Congressman Trone told the Greater Cumberland…

A milestone of sorts this week for Allegany County- as the vaccination rate of those fully vaccinated against COVID-19- hit the 50% mark.  That was just one of a few COVID numbers standing out on the Allegany County Health Department’s most recent update which also revealed the county’s case rate numbers to be three times higher than the state; and eight more county residents have died. While reaching the half way mark for vaccinations may appear to be cause for celebration,  Health Officer Jenelle Mayer said those numbers, and others, are still below most Maryland counties by a wide margin…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS POSTED A FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM EST FRIDAY… * WHAT…Flooding caused by rain and snowmelt is expected. * WHERE…Portions of western Maryland and eastern West Virginia, including the following counties: in western Maryland, Garrett. In eastern West Virginia, Grant and Mineral. * WHEN…Until 700 AM EST Friday. * IMPACTS…Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS… – At 1027 PM EST, Rain and snowmelt is occurring, and will cause flooding. Between 1.0 and 1.5 inches of rain have fallen. – Additional rainfall…

 A man reportedly lost in the woods in the Holland Street area prompted a search by area first responders Thursday, but he was later found safe in another part of the city. Christopher Kaylor called the Allegany County 911 Center late Thursday morning to report his situation, said Roger Bennett, deputy director of the Allegany County Department of Emergency Services. The search included the Cumberland Fire Department and the Allegany County special operations search and rescue team. Units from volunteer fire companies at Lonaconing, Shaft, Corriganville and Mount Savage were assisting, as was the all-volunteer Mountain Maryland Search and Rescue Team. About…

The Cumberland Times News individual names written on deer skull plates that were planned for trophies are now considered evidence in a poaching case, which spans three West Virginia counties and crosses into Maryland. Eight local residents, described as friends, sons and fathers, boyfriend and girlfriend, are alleged to have committed various hunting crimes. The newspaper account reports that more than 220 charges involve at least 27 antlered bucks taken illegally in Mineral, Grant and Hampshire counties in West Virginia, and parts of Maryland, from mid September to late December. “Several names were brought up as to who was involved,” one…

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that COVID-19 hospitalizations in the State of Maryland have dropped below 1,500, as the state continues to report substantial declines in health metrics. Today marks the end of the 30-day state of emergency that the governor declared last month.

A bank robbery has been reported in Fort Ashby. The Mineral County Sheriff's Office confirmed that news. Authorities were investigating Thursday after a Fort Ashby bank was robbed at gunpoint. The M&T Bank on Presidents Street was robbed about 11 a.m.  The suspect, a white man, was wearing dark clothes and camouflage gloves and fled on foot in the direction of Wayne’s Country Meats.