Weekly COVID Update: For the 9-day period of November 24 – December 2, 2021, there were no schools identified with a School Wide COVID-19 Outbreak.    Northeast Elementary School, West Side Elementary School, and Washington Middle School each had one cohort that met the definition of a cohort outbreak.   ACPS had eight staff members and 54 students reported as positive for COVID-19 during this time, and one staff member and 128 students were identified as a close contact to a positive person and required to be quarantined.  

The Cumberland Times News reports a Hardy County man was arrested late Thursday after leading police in two states on a lengthy chase that ended when officers shot and disabled his vehicle on U.S. Route 220 in Moorefield. Matthew Kline, 48, of Moorefield, was being held Friday in the Potomac Highlands Regional Jail in Augusta on numerous charges, including possession of a .380-caliber handgun, which he allegedly waved at pursuing officers. The chase reportedly started in Rockingham County, Virginia, after police learned Kline was operating a stolen vehicle and was wanted on an outstanding felony warrant in Hardy County, according to…

Monday, December 6, 2021, will be a 3-HOUR DELAYED OPENING for students to allow for supervisor staff development and teacher work time. Please note that this is a change from the original calendar that was approved by the school board at their November meeting. 

Gov. Jim Justice and First Lady Cathy Justice are encouraging all West Virginians to watch the annual Joyful Night celebration on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021, at 7 p.m. The festive evening will feature many beloved holiday traditions and several captivating performances by West Virginians from near and far to ring in the holiday season.  This year’s program will again be virtual. The celebration will be broadcast statewide on the West Virginia Channel.

On Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at approximately 10:16 PM, officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a Lafayette Street residence for an assault.  Upon their arrival, they contacted the suspect, Robert Kyle Miller, standing outside.  Officers then contacted the victim who reported that Miller entered her residence, grabbed her by the throat and began to strangle her.  The victim advised that she was then slammed to the floor and Miller began to stomp on her head with his foot.  Miller then ran out of the residence.  The victim sustained injuries to face and neck area. After further investigation, Miller…

UPMC clinical leaders on Thursday announced the preliminary results of the first ever clinical study comparing methods to administer COVID-19 treatment during a surge in cases, discussed plans to analyze the effectiveness of vaccines and treatments against the Omicron COVID-19 variant, and shared safety measures to take during the holiday season. Dr Donald Yealy, chief medical officer overseeing the entire system including UPMC Western Maryland, says that the number of beds available and staffing shortages are issues of concern heading into the winter season. He says that while there are more questions than answers about the Omicron variant at this…

After more public debate from citizens dedicated to “Saving the Gap”- the Task Force on the Economic Future of Western Maryland agreed to make some slight language modifications to its final recommendations- a move that seemed to appease some in attendance. In recent months a large number of area residents have raised concern about Rocky Gap State Park’s future- specifically pointing to Task Force language referencing privatization- the concern being that the park would be developed for commercial use and have limited public recreation. Task Force co-chair State Senator George Edwards recommended that Rocky Gap State Park’s name be stricken…

The head of the union which represents paid full-time firefighters and emergency medical services personnel asked the Allegany County Commissioners on Thursday to remove the EMS chief . Pointing to a myriad of complaints from staff and citing “overwhelming concern for the citizens” Ken McKenzie said the majority of the members of IAFF Local 1715 gave a vote of no confidence to EMS Chief Christopher Biggs. Low morale, a hostile work environment and questionable ethics and integrity were among the complaints… County Attorney Lee Beeman, noted that the commissioners have a proven track record in dealing with problem employees, but…

On the day of another homicide in Cumberland- Allegany County Sheriff Craig Robertson, States Attorney James Elliot and C3I Supervisor Jon Dudiak approached the county commissioners with a request for additional staffing. Elliot told the officials that violent crime and drug activity is growing at a rapid rate- and there is inadequate staffing in place to keep up… Sheriff Craig Robertson said drug trafficking is skyrocketing…

On Thursday at 4:34 AM officers with the Cumberland Police Department responded to a Pennsylvania Street residence for a report of gunshots.  Upon arrival officers observed a man run from the building and gave chase.  The man, identified as Alex Sweeney, age 25 of Mt. Vernon, NY, was apprehended a short distance away after a foot pursuit.  Immediately after Sweeney was apprehended a fire broke out in the same residence that Sweeney was seen running from.  The Cumberland Fire Department then responded and extinguished the fire.  After the fire was extinguished investigators discovered the deceased body of an unknown person…