Due to an increase in COVID-19 cases,  Prince George's County Public Schools became the first system in the state to transition back  to virtual learning. It is a situation that has left both Governor Larry Hogan and the State Superintendent of Schools frustrated. Superintendent Choudhury said earlier this year that his goal was to see no schools closed this year as a result of COVID-19. Meanwhile Governor Hogan said the action was ill advised… Allegany County Board of Education President Crystal Bender tells WCBC News there have been no discussions locally about a return to virtual learning…

As the Omicron variant becomes more dominant and COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to rise across the state, Governor Larry Hogan Tuesday announced the commitment of $100 million in emergency funding to address urgent staffing needs at Maryland hospitals and nursing homes, as well as a series of actions to further ramp up the availability of COVID-19 testing across the state… While Maryland is now at 70% in terms of those fully vaccinated against COVID-19, areas such as Allegany County at less than 50% is hampering the overall effort…  

After saying that he had Bette Midler’s Wind Beneath my Wings played at his father’s funeral, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice spoke out against derogatory comments Midler made on Twitter about the state.  In reaction to Sen. Joe Manchin’s decision not to support the current version of President Biden’s Build Back Better plan, Midler called West Virginians “poor, illiterate and strung out”. In response, Justice said her comments were cruel and uncalled for and he would welcome an apology…

The city of Cumberland and Allegany County have agreed to purchase 40 acres at the junction of Messick Road and state Route 51 for $250,000. The purchase of the land was approved by the county commissioners last week and on Tuesday night  the Cumberland Mayor and City Council took official action.  The city and county will split the cost, paying $125,000 each for the acreage. Officials hope the land will be an ideal location for a distribution center or other business venture. The acreage sits on the Cumberland city limits less than a half mile from the site of the…

Gov. Larry Hogan announced several actions to address COVID-19 testing and staffing needs at Maryland hospitals and nursing homes. The update comes after Hogan announced he tested positive for COVID-19 after receiving results from rapid and PCR tests. The governor said he is experiencing some cold-like symptoms and will continue to quarantine from home. Meanwhile, Maryland is reporting 6,218 new confirmed COVID-19 cases Tuesday, the highest single-day increase since the beginning of the pandemic. The statewide positivity rate is 11.64%, while hospitalizations are 1,392.

Firefighters are battling a house fire in the 17000 block of Carscaden Road. The Cumberland Times News reports first-arriving firefighters reported fire showing from the second floor of the structure, located off Hoffman Hollow Road. All of the occupants were reportedly out of the structure prior to the arrival of fire crews. Firefighters were dispatched by the Allegany County 911 Center at 2:30 p.m. The fire was brought under control in about 10 minutes. The Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office was also requested to respond to the scene.

Maryland’s top-ranking Republican in the House of Delegates, Delegate Jason Buckel, is facing two charges of criminal harassment, after his estranged wife’s boyfriend alleged the delegate spent months sending him aggressive messages online.  According to court records, Buckel has been charged with one count of harassment as a course of conduct and one count of harassment by means of electronic communications. The charges were filed by a Maryland State Police officer who Buckel has identified as his wife’s “boyfriend”. Buckel said the  Allegany County State’s Attorney’s Office asked the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office to appoint a special prosecutor for…

On December 20th, 2021 officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the 300 block of Polk Street for a reported assault. Upon officers arrival they observed Leo Kennell II to be standing at the scene with a weapon in his hand. Kennell began to make numerous statements in regards to committing the assault, and was detained. Officers spoke with the victim of the assault and observed obvious injuries to them. The victim stated that they were assisting in unlocking another person’s vehicle when Kennel approached them. Kennel then struck the victim in the face with a weapon and walked…

On December 18th, 2021 officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a residence in the 200 block of E. Union Street in reference to a burglary complaint.  The victim reported that numerous firearms had been stolen from his residence.  Through further investigation, suspects were developed which led to the execution of search and seizure warrants in the 200 block of Virginia Avenue and the 400 block of E. Fourth Street.  The stolen firearms were recovered and controlled dangerous substances and currency were seized.  As a result, Jonathan Edward Harriss and Bruce Allen Williams were arrested and charged accordingly.  Harriss…

Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia said this weekend  he cannot back his party’s signature $2 trillion social and environment bill, dealing a potentially fatal blow to President Joe Biden’s leading domestic initiative heading into an election year when Democrats’ narrow hold on Congress was already in peril… Senate Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders  said if Manchin wants to oppose the legislation he  should have the opportunity to do so with a floor vote as soon as the Senate returns…