The Rockies are bringing former manager Clint Hurdle back to the organization as a special assistant to general manager Bill Schmidt, as Tracy Ringolsby first reported at Inside The Seams. He’ll start his new role Jan. 1, per Ringolsby. MLB.com’s Thomas Harding adds that Hurdle will focus, in particular, on player development. Hurdle managed the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2011 through 2019

The Allegany County Public School System has released the most up to date COVID-19 protocols are will be in place for indoor athletic events Masking: Spectators will not be granted admission without a mask. Once admitted, spectators or any event personnel without a mask, or with a mask not properly covering their nose and mouth, will be given 1 warning, and then will be asked to leave the event. Spectators who are asked to leave will be sent a no trespass letter, and will be prohibited from coming on school property. Student-athletes not actively participating are expected to follow these MSDE…

On December 8, 2021 the Cumberland Police served a criminal summons on Erika Legeer-Holloway, age 28, of Cumberland MD.  The summons was for hit and run related traffic charges.  The incident occurred on September 21, 2021 when Holloway struck another vehicle on Industrial Blvd and failed to stop at the scene.  She was also found to be operating a motor vehicle without a valid license. She is currently awaiting trial on the matter Erika Legeer- Holloway  28 years old   Cumberland MD Charges:  Driving a motor vehicle on highway with required license and authorization.   On December 8, 2021 the Cumberland…

Congressman David Trone recently hosted an online program on open enrollment season for Medicare and Marketplace health insurance with David Stewart, Program Director at AHEC West Health Insurance Program. The discussion focused on clarifying common misconceptions about enrollment, answering constituent questions about open health care access, and discussing the health care provisions in the Build Back Better Act. Stewart said that Medicare open enrollment runs from October 15th through December 7th each year. In Maryland, the Affordable Care Act Marketplace open enrollment period runs from November 1st through January 15th. He encouraged anyone needing to make changes to do so now…

Acccording to local law enforcement, crystal meth may be the next wave of the region’s drug epidemic. The resurgence of methamphetamine in recent years has largely been overshadowed by the nation’s intense focus on opioids. However as opioids become harder to get people have typically turned to meth, which is inexpensive and readily available. In recent years, the DEA has found, nationwide, fewer domestic meth labs and more meth being smuggled in from other countries south of the border. In Western Maryland police are now seeing a resurgence of meth use and production. During a recent discussion on the problems…

A partisan battle over redistricting in Maryland has led to some heated debate in the House and Senate this week as the special session continues. A new congressional map has the support of most Democrats who hold a super majority in the General Assembly. That map, however, has come under fire from Republicans, who unsuccessfully tried to replace it with the map supported by Republican Governor Larry Hogan. The legislative map is widely considered to be more partisan and creates a more challenging district to hold for the state’s lone Republican in Congress. Lt Governor Boyd Rutherford said it is…

When it comes to COVID-19 vaccination rates- the city of Cumberland- and all of Allegany County have some of the worst numbers in the state. The data in Allegany County shows a 20 point lag behind the rest of Maryland- having not yet hit the 50% mark almost a year into the vaccine’s availability.  While he would prefer everyone eligible to get the vaccine, Mayor Ray Morriss said he understands the concerns of those who are hesitant…

Although the Maryland Board of Education voted this week to allow individual school systems to lift mask mandate under certain conditions- locally none of those conditions are close to being met. Those conditions are either an individual school has at least 80% of its students and staff fully vaccinated, a school's home county has 80% of residents fully vaccinated, or a school's home county's transmission rate falls to moderate or low for at least 14 days. Allegany County’s percentage of population fully vaccinated remains as less than 50%. There was a passionate plea from state school Superintendent Mohammed Choudhury to board members to sign off…

President Biden has nominated Cumberland native Laurie Locasio to lead the National Institute of Standards and Technology, where she would  have responsibility for promoting innovation and technology. A 1979 graduate from Bishop Walsh High School, Locascio has been serving as Vice President for Research  at the University of Maryland, College Park. Her nomination was presented for consideration Wednesday by U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen…

WBAL reports the COVID-19 pandemic forced many schools to go virtual and the latest results from the Maryland State Department of Education showed it was not kind to Maryland students. The results of the first standardized tests reported since COVID-19 forced schools to close their doors showed that test scores hit their lowest decline in more than 20 years, according to a news release. According to the Maryland State Department of Education, about one-third of students passed the English test and 15 percent passed the math test. The number of students who passed the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment was also down from 47…