As a result of surging COVID-19 cases, DelFest 2021 has been canceled. The following is the letter to festival supporters and ticket holders from Rob and Ronnie McCoury: This is a tough letter to write. After having to postpone DelFest twice, working through Covid protocols with the state and local government, law-enforcement, community leaders, etc. and then putting the strictest protocols in place to ensure the safest possible event for our patrons, their families, and our staff from all over the country, we find that our industry’s version of “Long COVID” has struck again.    For a number of reasons, we…

The Maryland Department of Health Thursday announced an update on the top 10 and bottom 10 skilled nursing facilities in the state ranked by percentage of staff with at least one dose of a vaccine against COVID-19 and highly contagious variants. Among the facilities with the best rates in the state: Allegany Health and Nursing Rehabilitation in Cumberland; and Moran Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Westernport- both with 92% rate. Among the worst in the state: Cumberland Health Care Center at 50% followed closely by Sterling Care at Frostburg Village at 52%. Per new vaccination protocols that went into effect…

According to the Office of the Mineral County Prosecuting Attorney, indictments returned by the Mineral County grand jury Tuesday included charges against 16 Mineral County residents, four from Allegany County, two from Hardy County, one from Hampshire County and a resident of Kanawha County. Those indicted were: • Christopher Leo Smith II, Fort Ashby, driving impaired causing death and related offenses. • William Wallace Whisner, Ridgeley, 16 counts of sexual abuse in the first degree and 20 counts sexual abuse by parent, guardian or custodian. • Oscar Leonel Morales-Gaitan, Fort Ashby, sexual abuse in the first-degree, sexual abuse by parent,…

Allegany County Emergency Services reports a fully involved tractor trailer fire, Interstate 68 West in the Rocky Gap area. 

On September 8th, 2021 officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the 200 block of Henderson Avenue for a motor vehicle crash. Officers observed one of the operators, Ryan Scot Shafer, to exhibit signs of impairment. Standardized field sobriety tests were conducted, and officers observed further signs of impairment. Shafer was placed under arrest for driving under the influence, and during a search of Shafer’s person officers located items of paraphernalia. Shafer was then issued a Criminal Citation for paraphernalia and traffic citations for driving under the influence, and was released awaiting his trial at District Court. Arrest: Ryan…

Real-time studies among UPMC covid-19 patients show that monoclonal antibody treatments “significantly decrease” hospitalization and death. During a Wednesday morning press conference-  experts said they’re studying whether such treatments are effective against more contagious variants, like the fast-spreading delta variant.  Much of the event consisted of calls for those who have chosen not to get vaccinated- to do so as soon as possible in order to save lives and stop the spread. Dr Rachel Sackrowitz, is the chief medical officer, UPMC ICU Service Center… Dr. John Williams, chief of pediatric infectious diseases, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh said that parents…

Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss told WCBC’s “Dave Norman Show” Wednesday that the process to select a new city administrator is moving forward and he would anticipate a person selected and under contract by November 1. The mayor and council are seeking an administrator following the retirement of Jeff Rhodes on June 1. Currently, Ken Tressler, the city’s director of administrative services, is serving as interim city administrator. The Mercer Group, a national personnel search firm handling the vetting of applicants had  presented the council with an initial finalist list of six- but that has already narrowed…

The rising COVID-19 infection rate has Maryland school systems revising their in-person learning plans- with a few moving forward with vaccination mandates for teachers and staff. While Maryland’s Superintendent of Schools has ordered a mask mandate- to date there has been no discussion of a similar requirement for vaccines. On Wednesday, Maryland’s Lt Governor Boyd Rutherford joined the chorus of those pushing schools systems to implement a vaccination mandate…   While the Allegany County Board of Education apparently has not discussed moving in that direction- it is not something board vice president Robert Farrell would support… The head of the…

West Virginia leads the nation in acceleration rate of new COVID-19 cases. That announcement from Governor Jim Justice during his regular briefing. The governor’s report focused on some sobering statistics related to COVID-19 hospitalizations…   In addition, Justice announced there are 62 outbreaks in long-term care facilities, 68 school outbreaks in 31 counties with 10 schools and one county school system (Clay) closed.

Governor Larry Hogan announced that all Marylanders 65 or older that live in congregate care settings now qualify for booster shots. Additionally, all pharmacies and vaccine providers have been instructed to provide booster shots to those who consider themselves to be immunocompromised, no prescription or doctor’s order needed. Hogan said the lack of a clearly defined plan on the part of the federal government,  has forced the state to take this action…