The CDC has confirmed the first known U.S. case of the omicron coronavirus variant in a California resident who had recently returned from South Africa.  Experts had been warning that the variant was likely already in the U.S. in the days before the announcement.  The omicron variant has been labeled a variant of concern due to its rapid spread in South Africa, and it has now been identified in 23 countries.  However, it is still not known how this new variant compares to previous strains in terms of symptom severity, ease of transmission, and vaccine resistance.   “Health officials are warning that omicron…

The union has released the following statement: As public servants for Allegany County, we have witnessed mismanagement under the direction of Chief Biggs. For far too long, we have observed the issues that have been affecting the department but have remained silent out of fear of retaliation. We can no longer stay silent while Chief Biggs threatens the safety and livelihood of our members, other departmental employees, and citizens.    In 2019, when Christopher Biggs was appointed EMS Chief, he sent an e-mail promising “morale, communication, policies and procedures etc. will all be improved.” He assured that his “… commitment…

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that the State of Maryland has surpassed 1 million COVID-19 booster shots. This is another major milestone as the state continues to conduct one of the most successful vaccination campaigns in the country.  To date, the state has administered 9,395,285 COVID-19 vaccines, including 1,004,758 booster shots. According to official CDC data, 99.9% of seniors and 88.9% of adults have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The state has administered 117,644 vaccinations to 5- to 11-year-olds—representing 22.7% of the age group.

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that the State of Maryland has surpassed 1 million COVID-19 booster shots. This is another major milestone as the state continues to conduct one of the most successful vaccination campaigns in the country.  To date, the state has administered 9,395,285 COVID-19 vaccines, including 1,004,758 booster shots. According to official CDC data, 99.9% of seniors and 88.9% of adults have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The state has administered 117,644 vaccinations to 5- to 11-year-olds—representing 22.7% of the age group.

Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh today sent a letter to Governor Larry Hogan warning that the Maryland Department of the Environment’s (MDE) Water Supply Program (WSP) is dramatically understaffed – potentially risking the safety of Maryland’s drinking water and the health and welfare of Marylanders.   WSP’s mandate is to ensure that the State’s 3,300 public drinking water systems deliver safe drinking water to 5.5 million Marylanders.  WSP is responsible for the oversight and enforcement of routine water quality monitoring at public water systems, regular onsite inspections of water systems, and response to water supply emergencies.   To assess…

Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh today sent a letter to Governor Larry Hogan warning that the Maryland Department of the Environment’s (MDE) Water Supply Program (WSP) is dramatically understaffed – potentially risking the safety of Maryland’s drinking water and the health and welfare of Marylanders. WSP’s mandate is to ensure that the State’s 3,300 public drinking water systems deliver safe drinking water to 5.5 million Marylanders.  WSP is responsible for the oversight and enforcement of routine water quality monitoring at public water systems, regular onsite inspections of water systems, and response to water supply emergencies. To assess MDE’s efforts…

On November 30th, 2021 the Cumberland Police served an arrest warrant on Glenn D. Cooper, age 57 of Ridgeley, WV.  Cooper was charged First Degree Assault, Second Degree Assault, Second Degree Burglary, Disturbing the Peace.  The arrest warrant stemmed from an incident that occurred on October 28th, 2021 on the 100 block of N. Mechanic St, Cumberland, MD.  Cooper was taken before the District Court Commissioner and was released on a $3,500 unsecured bond.  Arrested:  Glenn D. Cooper   Age: 57     Ridgeley, WV Charges:  First Degree Assault, Second Degree Assault, Second Degree Burglary, Disturbing the Peace.    On November, 30th, 2021…

On November 30th, 2021 officers with the Cumberland Police Department responded to a business parking lot in the 1000 block of W. Industrial Blvd for a report of an unconscious male in a vehicle.  As the initial responding officer approached the vehicle, he observed the male operator slumped over the wheel with the vehicle running.  The officer knocked on the window several times, in order wake the subject.  When the male subject, identified as Joshua Michael D’Atri, age 40, of Cumberland MD, woke, he accelerated his vehicle striking the officer’s marked Police vehicle.  The officer opened the driver’s door of…

Governor Larry Hogan is urging Marylanders to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as a new variant emerges across the globe. Hogan said he has been briefed by the state's COVID-19 Response Team regarding the new variant and said the state is closely monitoring it. The governor said that although Maryland has one of the most robust testing surveillance systems in the country to identify and track variants- as is the case with any variant, there is a level of  concern…

Residents on Cumberland’s West Side were without water service for much of the day Tuesday as crews worked to repair a 24 inch main in the area of Fayette and Washington Streets. Water line breaks unfortunately have become a regular occurrence as a result of Cumberland’s aging infrastructure. Mayor Ray Morriss tells WCBC News that the engineering department has a priority list that the city plans to tackle incrementally as soon as funding can be secured…