There has been a strong community divide witnessed in Allegany County when it comes to measures to battle COVID-19. Debates over face coverings and mandated vaccinations are common in local taverns and dominate on social media. Delegate Mike McKay, a local business owner, says he hears from both sides on a regular basis. When it comes to the mask issue, McKay says he believes it is most important to show respect to one another… As far as getting vaccinated- Mckay calls it a personal choice and should be left to each individual. He declined to say  whether or not he…

Governor Larry Hogan announced Thursday more than 10,000 Marylanders have died from COVID-19 and that state flags will fly at half-staff in remembrance. As of Thursday, there are 804 Marylanders currently hospitalized, and 1,330 new cases confirmed. The seven-day positivity rate is at 4.46%. The numbers are far worse in Allegany County which leads the state in COVID case rate. Despite those somber statistics, Maryland has reported more than 3.8 million residents now fully vaccinated. Lt Governor Boyd Rutherford says the state is continuing to get high marks for it’s handling of the pandemic…

A Confederate monument is set to be moved from a courthouse lawn on Maryland’s Eastern Shore after local officials voted this week to relocate it to a Virginia battleground. The Talbot County Council voted 3-2 to approve a resolution to move the “Talbot Boys” statue that commemorates more than 80 soldiers who fought for the Confederacy.  For years, local activists have fought for the removal of the Jim Crow-era statue on the lawn adjacent to a former slave market site in Easton.  Maryland’s lone Republican Congressman Andy Harris said removing the statue will only serve to divide the community and…

The Mayor and City Council of Cumberland have announced that Joseph George has been selected to fill the council seat vacated recently by Seth Bernard.  The selection was made by the remaining four members of Council after interviewing all ten individuals who submitted letters of interest for the position.  George retired from CBIZ Insurance Services in October of 2016.  A native of the city of Cumberland, he has served in a leadership role on numerous organizations and community service associations, and resides with his wife, Sue, in Cumberland.  He talked with WCBC News shortly after the announcement and he outlined…

With Baltimore City once again surpassing 300 murders- Maryland Governor Larry Hogan is speaking out again about the growing violence in the state’s largest city. Earlier this week  a 12-year-old boy, 14-year-old twin girls and a 17-year-old girl were shot in the city. Investigators are trying to determine if the victims were targeted. Mayor Brandon Scott says tackling violent crime remains his top priority and his administration will continue to work with police and stakeholders across the city to foster a safer Baltimore. Governor Hogan says the mayor has been more talk than action to date…

For a few hours Wednesday night, UPMC Western Maryland operated under temporary EMS diversion. This did not close the emergency department but attempted to limit those coming with lower severity of illness. When operating under diversion, all UPMC hospitals continue to accept any ambulance arriving on site, including those with heart attack, stroke, major trauma and severe symptoms, and we always accept walk-in patients. Allegany County Emergency Services Director Jim  Pyles commended UPMC for their handling of the situation…

The diagnostic center at the UPMC Outpatient Center in Frostburg at the Frostburg Plaza will be closed on Friday, September 17, 2021.  The lab will reopen on Saturday, September 18th at 7am. Laboratory services will be available at the locations below during this temporary closure.     Outpatient Diagnostic Center, First Floor, UPMC Western Maryland Administrative Center, 12400 Willowbrook Road, Cumberland, Hours 6:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.    Johnson Heights Diagnostic Center, 625 Kent Avenue, Cumberland, Hours 7 a.m. – noon    Advanced Medical Care, 1050 Industrial Boulevard, Cumberland, Hours 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

In order to continue to provide the highest quality care possible, UPMC Western Maryland is modifying the business hours of the Johnson Heights Diagnostic Center located at 625 Kent Avenue in Cumberland. Effective Monday, September 20, 2021, the diagnostic center will be open Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. We encourage patients to take advantage of the Johnson Heights Diagnostic Center’s services on regular days of business. Patients should visit one of our other centers listed below should they need services on a Friday.   • Advanced Medical Care, 1050 Industrial Boulevard, Cumberland, 240-964-9300 Hours 8 a.m….

On September 16th of 2021, at approximately 1146 hours, Allegany County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to a restaurant in LaVale Maryland for a reported disturbance inside. Further information provided to deputies described a male inside the establishment who was also refusing to leave after being told to do so by staff.   Upon Deputies arrival, they observed a male identified as Edward Deezen run to a seating booth and jump behind a female at the back of the booth. Edward Dezen refused numerous orders to exit, stating he would not do so, while also yelling out loudly and disturbing other customers inside. After numerous failed attempts to get…