Allegany County has the second highest COVID-19 case rate in the state, according to the latest data from the Maryland Department of Health.  The county also has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the state, ranking 21st out of 24 jurisdictions.  Health officials say this is no coincidence. “It is not surprising that counties with higher rates of vaccination also have lower rates of new COVID cases.  The vaccines are doing what they were designed to do: limiting the spread of COVID and reducing illness severity,” said Brenda Caldwell, spokesperson for the Allegany County Health Department.  “Vaccines are in…

Frostburg State University will launch the public phase of its $25 million fundraising campaign, Forging Futures: The Campaign for Frostburg State University, with a virtual event at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 15. The event can be viewed at www.frostburg.edu/forgingfutures.   The fundraising effort, the largest in FSU’s history, is focused on three themes: forging the future of Frostburg’s students, forging the future of the University and forging the future of the region – Western Maryland and surrounding areas.  “Frostburg State’s students are our top priority as a university and a priority in this campaign,” said FSU President Ronald Nowacyzk. “The support for…

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.

The pictures coming out of Louisiana show just how devastating Hurricane Ida was to areas there. WBAL reports many people are without homes and efforts to feed people are in high gear, and some farmers in Maryland are doing their part to help. Volunteers spent the morning picking corn at First Fruits Farm in Freeland. For 23 years, the nonprofit farm has been giving away everything they grow. Corn from the farm is headed to hurricane relief in Louisiana. Rick Bernstein is the farm's executive director. "We have been organizing for the past week, vegetables from here, but also talking to farm…

Heritage Days Hands-On Truck Fair!  September 11th to take place in Cumberland Maryland between the hours of 10AM-3PM on Canal Street between Baltimore Street and the Western Maryland train station.        This event is designed to allow children the opportunity to not just explore their favorite big truck but to also learn safety information and to ask the driver's questions.    THIS YEAR'S VEHICLE PARTICIPANTS: City of Cumberland Police Department, CERT City of Cumberland Fire Department, Engine 5 City of Cumberland Public Works, Dump truck First Energy, Bucket truck and electrical demonstration trailer Allegany County Public Schools, School bus…

The number of new COVID-19 cases continues to increase. WBAL reports more cases were recorded Tuesday than on this date in 2020. The vast majority are unvaccinated people, but there's also been an increase in breakthrough cases among vaccinated people. The number of breakthrough infections among Marylanders went up more than 20% from June to August. But health officials said those who are vaccinated are still less likely to get seriously ill, be hospitalized or die. "We're seeing that people are significantly sicker and much sooner than they were with the original variant," Dr. Kinjal Sheth, chief of critical care at…

On September 7th, 2021, Officers with the Cumberland City Police Department were called to assist in the attempt to locate subjects who had been involved in an armed robbery in Mineral County, West Virginia. It had been reported that one of the subjects had fled the area on foot and were possibly headed towards Cumberland. Officers in the area of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad bridge and Green St. located a male subject crossing the bridge who was identified as Tyrell Edward Hill, 30, of Cumberland MD. At this time, Hill was placed under arrest for trespassing and transported to…

On September 7th, 2021, The Cumberland City Police arrested Michael Anthony Butler Jr, age 33, of Cumberland MD. Butler was arrested on two outstanding Bench Warrants issued by the District Court of Maryland. The warrants were issued for Failing to Appear on a previous CDS charge and Violation of Probation. Butler was taken before the District Court Commissioner for his Initial Appearance where he was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center, held on a temporary commitment. Arrested:  Michael Anthony Butler Jr.       Age: 32, Cumberland, MD Charges:  Bench Warrant – Violation of Probation, Failure to Appear   On September 7th,…

Nursing homes in Maryland are seeing another rise in coronavirus cases — and that means that facilities are having to suspend visits from loved ones. The halt to visitations has led to a new wave of despair in facilities that were struck hard by COVID-19. Maryland has 227 nursing homes and Governor Larry Hogan had ordered that all nursing home employees have had at least one vaccine dose by last week. Despite the mandate, outbreaks are rising in Maryland’s nursing homes. In July, fewer than 10 facilities had an outbreak. By early August, there were 33. On Friday, there were…

Maryland’s House speaker over the summer announced her support for a referendum to legalize marijuana on next year’s ballot. House Speaker Adrienne Jones, a Baltimore County Democrat, also announced a panel to study how to implement a recreational marijuana program in Maryland, if voters approve. Eighteen states, including neighboring Virginia, as well as the District of Columbia have legalized recreational use and 37 allow for some sort of medical marijuana, including Maryland.  Pollster Mileah Kromer with Goucher College says if the issue does go before voters- she would anticipate overwhelming support…