With the most recent COVID-19 variant – Omicron – making headlines around the world this past week, health officials are urging the public to get vaccinated against COVID as soon as possible and follow up with a booster shot to help stop the spread and continued mutation of COVID-19.   “Viruses mutate during the process of infecting other people,” explains Dr. Jennifer Corder, Medical Deputy Health Officer for Allegany and Garrett Counties. “When a new infection occurs, the virus multiplies in the infected person. Each time a virus multiplies, there is a risk of a new genetic mutation being produced….

Governor Larry Hogan today issued the following statement: “This morning, I received a briefing from the state’s COVID-19 Response Team regarding the new variant of concern identified by global health officials. We are closely monitoring the situation, and we will provide further public health updates to Marylanders as more information becomes available. “While there is still much unknown about the Omicron variant and how it will spread, the most important thing Marylanders can do right now is to get vaccinated or get a booster shot. It is the best way to maintain your immunity and protect yourself and your family…

On November 28th, 2021 officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the 300 block of Byrd Avenue for a reported disturbance. Officers arrived on scene spoke with Jerry Nelson who allowed officers into his residence. Once inside, officers observed several firearms in plain view. Officers continued their investigation and learned that Nelson was prohibited from possessing firearms, and he was placed under arrest. Officers then located a controlled dangerous substance on his person. A search and seizure warrant was obtained for the residence and a large amount of ammunition was recovered. Nelson was taken to before a District Court…

On November 28th, 2021 officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to a Greene Street address for a reported assault. The officers spoke with a victim who advised that Johnathan Hendrickson had stabbed them. The officers interviewed witnesses and gathered evidence that corroborated the information officers obtained. Hendrickson was placed under arrest and taken before a District Court Commissioner where he was held without bond.   Arrest: Johnathan Michael Hendrickson, age 21, Keyser West Virginia. Charges: Assault First Degree, Assault Second Degree Reckless Endangerment, Dangerous Weapon Intent to Injure.

Flyers, postcards and signs around the county have been popping up in the past few months with the slogan “Save the Gap”, a reference to what some believe is an effort to privatize Rocky Gap State Park. Members of a task force studying future potential uses of some sections of the park made it clear at a recent public meeting that there are no plans to sell the park or see it closed to the public. State Senator George Edwards, co –chairs the 11-member Task Force on the Economic Future of Western Maryland, and he tells WCBC News that language…

​While plenty of parents are rushing out to have their children as young as five years old vaccinated, there are others holding back. A recent survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation found a quarter of parents said they’d go right away, another 30 percent said they definitely would not, and the other 33 percent were in the wait-and-see crowd. Addressing the Allegany County Board of Education during the regular monthly meeting- deputy health officer Dr Jennifer Corder said parents need to know that the impact of COVID-19 on children can be significant. While smell and taste can be affected in…

Nearly 150,000 used the Great Allegheny Passage in Allegany County last year- making it by far one of the largest tourist attractions in the region. The GAP winds 150 miles through the mountains of Southwest Pennsylvania and connects Cumberland to Pittsburgh. Larry Brock, president of Mountain Maryland Trails, told the city council this month that unfortunately some of the blacktopped portion of the trail in Cumberland are in poor condition- and he would like to see the city pave those sections. He said the more attractive the trail is, the more it will be used and the greater the economic…

Hundreds gathered on the Downtown Cumberland Mall Friday night to officially open the Christmas season. Mayor Ray Morriss was master of ceremonies for the tree lighting and arrival of Santa…

Date: 11/27/2021  Time: 2:32 p.m.  Location / Address:  200 National Highway, LaVale, Allegany County Type of Incident: Structure Fire Description of Structure / Property: Three story, wood framed, single family dwelling  Owners: Michael Bradenberg    Injuries or Deaths: N/A   Estimated $ Loss: $30,000 Smoke Alarm Status: Present, failed to activate     Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: Not present, no action taken  Arrests(s): N/A Primary Responding Fire Department: LaVale Volunteer Fire Department     # of Alarms:  1  # Of Firefighters: 45 Time to Control: 20 minutes  Discovered By: Passerby  Area of Origin: Ceiling of third story storage room      Preliminary Cause: Under Investigation

On Saturday, Cumberland Police responded to a Frederick Street business for a report of a male threatening others with a knife. Upon officer’s arrival a victim directed officers inside the business and advised that Defone Davis had assaulted them. Officers entered the store, located Davis, and detained him. They spoke with a store employee and learned that Davis had been in an argument with another individual, but once it turned physical the other individual fled the business. Davis then is said to have approached the employee and threatened them while displaying a knife and assaulted another individual. Officers spoke with…