A ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the region’s first UPMC Children’s Specialty Care Center  was held Wednesday afternoon at the Johnson Heights Medical Building. The facility will offer: pediatric cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, nephrology, neurology, orthopaedics and pediatric diagnostic evaluations and follow up care. UPMC Western Maryland President Michele Martz said that eliminating the travel barrier and bringing high-level quality pediatric care to Cumberland ensures local families will receive the right care at the right time…

To increase patient access to expert pediatric specialty care services in the western Maryland region, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh is opening a new specialty care center in Cumberland, located in the Johnson Heights medical building at 625 Kent Avenue, suite 102. The center will open Monday, November 15.   “UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh is consistently recognized as one of the top pediatric hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report. UPMC Western Maryland is fortunate to bring these much-needed services to children – right here in our community,” said Michele Martz, UPMC Western Maryland president. “This…

The Allegany County Health Department reports that school-based pediatric COVID vaccination clinics will continue next week.  In coordination with Allegany County Public Schools, the health department began a series of after-school clinics at various schools throughout the county in an effort to make it easier for parents to get children age five to eleven vaccinated against COVID-19.  Parents were sent registration links through public and private schools to schedule appointments for their children.  Pediatric doses of Pfizer COVID vaccine are also available through local pediatricians and some pharmacies.   The health department also continues to offer COVID-19 vaccines on a…

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will begin work today, November 10, to restore the original traffic pattern on the MD 51 (Industrial Boulevard) bridge in Cumberland as part of the structure’s ongoing rehabilitation project. The traffic pattern switch is expected to be completed by 6 a.m. Friday, November 12. Work is continuing on MDOT SHA’s project to replace and rehabilitate the MD 51 bridge, located over MD 51/MD 61 (S. Wineow Street) and the CSX Transportation line in Allegany County. In April, crews switched northbound traffic to the southbound side of the bridge to safely…

President Joe Biden plans to visit the Port of Baltimore to talk infrastructure today. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has applauding the congressional passage of the infrastructure bill. The trillion-dollar package finally passed  after months of wrangling between Democratic moderates and progressives. Hogan, a Republican governor, praised the bill, which he said includes $6 billion for Maryland to improve transit systems, railways, clean water systems, roads, bridges and tunnels. He did say the package should have been passed months earlier…

West Virginia’s Rt value, a measure of how rapidly COVID-19 is spreading, has recently begun to rise again.  COVID-19 czar Dr. Clay Marsh, speaking during Gov. Jim Justice’s press briefing, said the rising metric is an indication the state could be facing another surge of cases as temperatures start to fall and people begin spending more time indoors…

According to the most recent data,  over a year and a half period,  the Veterans Administration staff processed 12,000 allegations of fraud- with the findings that more than 100 veteran fell victim to fraud. With more than 40,000 veterans residing in Maryland’s Sixth District- Congressman David Trone is introducing the Restoring Benefits to Defrauded Veterans Act. The legislation is designed to ensure that even if a veteran passes away during the review process- the veteran’s family would receive any benefits that had been lost as  result of fraud…

Small Business Saturday is just a few weeks away- and Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss says he hopes to see strong participation. The Saturday after Thanksgiving is now known as Shop Small Saturday and is a nationally recognized day to promote, support, and enjoy local businesses across the country. Following Black Friday, it’s a great way to invest back into your local economy…

With the winter sports season fast approaching,  the Allegany County Board of Education approved COVID-19 guidelines to be followed. First practice sessions for winter sports begin next Monday and the first play dates are in early December. Superintendent Jeff Blank outlined the policies that will be used for masks during sporting events for both participants and spectators… He also provided the rules to be followed for extra curricular activities such as plays and performances…

Awards for the 33rd annual outstanding business recognition dinner hosted by the Allegany Chamber of Commerce and the Western Maryland Jaycees was held last night. Master of ceremonies and Executive Director of the chamber, Julie McCoy presented this year's honorees.  The Community Service Award was presented to Delfast LLC.  Robert Strickland received the award on behalf of the McCray family.  The Business of the Year Award was presented to UPMC Western Maryland, Michele Martz, President The Entrepreneurial Spirit Award went to Donald and Kristan Carter. This year's Outstanding Young Professional Award went to Jaycees Honoree, Andrea Lowery