Maryland Governor Larry Hogan Wednesday announced a series of additional actions to address the potential for a further surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations due to the convergence of the Delta and Omicron variants. Those actions include establishing a Surge Operation Center to Manage Patient Bed Capacity; developing Statewide Hospitalization Thresholds for Future Actions;  and directing hospitals to Submit Pandemic Plans. The governor said while these measures will help, the number one solution to fighting the pandemic is getting vaccinations and booster shots…

The Maryland Board of Revenue Estimates is apparently feeling bullish over the state's fiscal year forecasts. The board this week voted to increase revenue projections for Fiscal Year 2022 to $21.6 billion, representing a $495 million increase from September estimates. Additionally, the board adjusted the official revenue forecast for Fiscal Year 2023 upward by $543 million to $22.8 billion. David Brinkley is the state’s Secretary of Budget and Management… Brinkley cautioned that despite the improving fiscal picture,  as long as the pandemic continues,  such revenue projections are anything but certain…

In what appears to be one of the great ironies of the COVID era- Maryland’s Labor Secretary reported this week the department is having trouble finding people to fill jobs. The department has been looking to hire additional staff to help deal with the overflow of unemployment claims- but many of the new hires have come from out of state. Secretary Tiffany Robinson told the Board of Public Works Wednesday that while the department would prefer to hire Marylanders to fill those positions-  that isn’t completely possible given the large number of residents in the state who are choosing not…

While not yet an official endorsement, Allegany County Commissioner Jake Shade has secured a guest appearance from Governor Larry Hogan at an upcoming fundraiser in his campaign for state senate. Without question, next year’s Republican Primary election for the state senate seat currently held by George Edwards will be one of the more intriguing contests on the ballot in Western Maryland. Just months after Edwards announced his plans to retire at the end of this term Shade and Delegate Mike McKay both filed as candidates for the seat. McKay is serving his second term in the House of Delegates, prior…

As of Wednesday, the Allegany County Health Department is using a new testing lab to process COVID-19 samples collected at the Allegany County Fairgrounds drive-thru clinic.  CIAN Diagnostics of Frederick, Maryland will now provide COVID-19 lab services for the fairgrounds testing site.  It is anticipated that the change in labs will result in faster delivery of lab specimens and quicker turnaround time for test results.  Testing days and hours of operation at the Allegany County Fairgrounds remain the same:  Mondays 2PM-7PM, Wednesdays and Fridays – 8AM – 2PM.    Due to ongoing network issues at the Maryland Department of Health,…

Allegany County Public Schools Superintendent, Mr. Jeff Blank, recently announced the appointment of Mr. Timothy Farrell as acting principal at George’s Creek Elementary School effective December 16, 2021, through the remainder of this school year. Mr. Farrell has assumed this position, which became vacant upon the retirement of Mrs. Tara Fazenbaker.             “I am truly excited to be joining the George’s Creek school community,” said Mr. Farrell. “My work as an Assistant Principal at Northeast has prepared me for the role of interim principal.  I will strive to instill a positive growth mindset and cultivate a positive learning environment.” He…

ACPS bus #94 for Mountain Ridge High School and George's Creek Elementary School will not run on Thursday, December 16, 2021. Parents are asked to find alternate transportation or contact their child's school if this is an issue.

U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, today released the following statement on the Senate passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).   “The passage of the NDAA is a critical step to safeguarding America’s national security and military personnel. After weeks of needless delays by my Republican colleagues, I am pleased to announce that we have managed to pass a bill that addresses many of our national defense priorities.   “In addition to providing authorization for the pay and training…

As 2021 draws to a close, members of the Chesapeake Executive Council gathered today in Richmond, Virginia to review the many successes of the Chesapeake Bay Program over the past year, while providing transparency about the challenges that lie ahead.   Established 38 years ago, the Chesapeake Executive Council is responsible for guiding the policy agenda and  conservation and restoration goals for the Chesapeake Bay Program, a regional watershed partnership. Members include the governors of Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, the mayor of the District of Columbia, the chair of the tri-state legislative Chesapeake Bay Commission and the administrator…

Photo from WCBC's north Tower at 190 feet looking shouth towards south tower and Cumberland, MD. on December 14, 2021.  Tower Light repair.