A proposed $26 billion settlement with opioid producers could bring as much as $485 million to Maryland to help address the opioid epidemic.  Attorney General Brian Frosh said the settlement will require reforms of industry practices. He said that while this settlement cannot undo the harm suffered by millions of Americans who have been hurt by the opioid epidemic, it is an important step forward. Maryland and other states have been investigating allegations that the three largest opioid distributors in the nation and Johnson & Johnson, have engaged in a variety of illegal promotional activities while distributing many more drugs…

Although they have until 2024 to spend it- the Allegany County Commissioners have begun preliminary discussions on how to best utilize it portion of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Act funds.  Passed by Congress, the federal aid package is intended to combat the public health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the total, an estimated $362 billion will go to state and local governments across the country. Allegany County will receive a total of $13.6 million- being issued in two equal portion over two years. Reviewing five pages of requests and potential projects- the county officials and staff…

Allegany County 911 has dispatched several fire units to the Hyndman area to help with a structure fire in that Pennsylvania community.

On 08/11/21 the Cumberland Police Department was contacted by a concerned citizen in reference to a check on well being complaint. The complainant advised that they had dropped 40 year old Angela Redovian off at the Canal Place area in the morning hours on 08/10/21 due to Redovian wanting to walk the C&O canal from Cumberland to Washington DC. The complainant has not heard from Redovian causing concern. It is not believed that Redovian is in any type of immediate danger at this time. Redovian is described as a white female, 5'10, 150lbs  last seen wearing a black shirt and…

On Thursday  morning at 10:30 a.m. units from the Cumberland Police & Fire Departments responded to a motor vehicle crash at South Mechanic Street and Howard Street.  Upon arrival, it was learned that the operator of a vehicle had driven under a tractor and trailer as it was making a right hand turn from Howard Street onto S. Mechanic Street.   As a result, the vehicle became wedged under the trailer of the truck. The driver of the passenger vehicle, Douglas Dorsey was escorted from the vehicle by members of the Cumberland Fire Department; he was eventually transported to UPMC with non-life threatening…

Effective Monday, August 16, 2021 the Allegany County Library System will require facemasks to be worn by all library visitors over the age of two (2).    Allegany County has reached a community transmission level of "high" as of August 11, 2021 according to the CDC’s COVID Data Tracker.  People in areas with a level of “substantial” or “high” community transmission rates are urged to wear masks in public indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status.  After considering several factors, the Library Board of Trustees voted to reinstatea mask requirement in the library buildings at their monthly meeting on Tuesday. John…

On Wednesday August 11th, 2021 officers of the Cumberland Police Department served an Arrest Warrant on Jennifer Lynn Carlisle. The Arrest Warrant was issued by the District Court when an officer completed an application for charges against Carlisle stemming from an incident on May 29th, 2021. During the incident officers responded to a Memorial Avenue address for a reported destruction of property complaint. Upon officers arrival they spoke with the victim who advised that Carlisle had broken into their vehicle and stole items from inside the vehicle. Officers interviewed a witness to the incident who identified Carlisle as the individual…

On July 2, there were 97 people hospitalized because of COVID-19 in the state and as of Wednesday the state reported that number had risen to 456. Health officials announced that Maryland has recorded 476,070 cases of COVID-19. That is 886 more than the day before. The majority of new coronavirus cases are in unvaccinated people. Bob Atlas, President and CEO of the Maryland Hospital Association, told WBAL that the rise in hospitalizations is a concern, and clearly represents a move in the wrong direction.

The U.S. Census Bureau is set to release initial 2020 Census data to all states on Thursday afternoon- and at least according to one local official- the news will not be good for Western Maryland. Census counts are used in part to redraw congressional and state legisla­tive district boundaries, based on their change in population and demographics. During a recent meeting hosted by the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce, Delegate Jason Buckel said the preliminary data shows yet another population decline in the region…

Marshall Weston, President and CEO of the Restaurant Association of Maryland, said this week that even though the economy has re-opened post COVID-19- many restaurants across the state are continuing to struggle. Weston pointed to a host of factors starting with COVID but including travel issues, government mandates, labor restraints and inflation as contributing issues. To compensate, Weston said some restaurants are choosing to close a day or two during the week to help their employees not get overworked. While one option for restaurants is to raise prices- he says that has led to fewer customers opting to dine out…