This Thursday, May 13, a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinic will be held at the Allegany County Fairgrounds multipurpose building from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. No appointment is necessary. Both the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccines will be offered. Another walk-in clinic, also at the fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m., is slated for Thursday, May 20. Additional clinics will be announced as they are scheduled. The Allegany County Health Department reports that 23,209 Allegany County residents have received their first dose of a two-dose vaccine against COVID-19 (33.0%…

Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh today joined a coalition of 44 attorneys general urging Facebook to abandon its plans to launch a version of Instagram for children under the age of 13, citing serious concerns about the safety and well-being of children and the harm social media poses to young people. In a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, the coalition contends that social media can be detrimental to children for myriad reasons and that Facebook has historically failed to protect the welfare of children on its platforms. “Facebook’s Instagram for children is a dangerous idea,” says Attorney General Frosh. “Facebook should be working to…

During an event dedicated to Racial Reckoning, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan Saturday pardoned nearly three dozen African Americans who are said to have been the victims of racial lynching, including William Burns, who was killed by a mob in Cumberland in 1907 after shooting a Cumberland policeman…    

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice announced Friday that he is targeting June 20 to get rid of indoor face masks.  State medical experts project that by then, the state will have 65% of all West Virginians 12 and older who are eligible to take the vaccine will have at least has a first dose by that time.  Also by that date experts predict 75% of the population 50 and above will have had a first dose;  and 85% of those 65 and older will have a first dose by that time.  Justice was asked on several occaisions during his regular…

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Observed in the month of May since 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month was started by the organization Mental Health America. Each May, Mental Health Awareness Month seeks to raise awareness about mental health.  Nearly one in five adults in America live with a mental illness or mental health issues. While each type of mental health issue can vary in degree of severity, millions of Americans deal with mental illness and mental health issues ranging from mild to moderate to severe. Maryland Lt Governor Boyd Rutherford says if you or someone you know is suffering…

Anytime that Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss appears on WCBC’s “Dave Norman Show” he inevitably receives questions from callers focused on damaged streets and roads and potholes that need filled. Road and street conditions always seem to be a hot topic for elected officials- and with the spring construction season now upon us- people want to know when or if their road or street scheduled for upgrades or repair. The mayor said that while the city does have a priority list-  much of the work being done now is mirroring Columbia Gas crews…

The Cumberland Mayor and City Council will have a second work session focused on the budget Tuesday- having received a preliminary report two weeks ago. At this time there are no plans to increase taxes or raise water, sewer or trash rates. A projected shortfall of more than $400,000 can be largely addressed via funds secured through the American Rescue Plan Act pushed by the Biden administration. Mayor Ray Morriss, during an appearance on WCBC’s “Dave Norman Show”, described the city as being in a solid financial position at this time…

On Sunday, May 9th, 2021 the Cumberland Police Department responded to a W. First Street residence for the report of a fight in progress.  When officers arrived, they observed several subjects involved in a disturbance.  Officers contacted a male that was yelling who was identified as Clayton Shaquille Booker who continued to cause a disturbance in the officers’ presence.  Booker was warned by officers but continued his behavior.  Officer then spoke with a female that claimed that she and Booker had been involved in an argument and at some point, Booker struck the female in the chest and destroyed some…

On Saturday, May 8th, 2021 the Cumberland Police Department responded to a Lavender Way residence for the report of an assault in progress. When officers arrived, contact was made with a female who claimed that Raymond Eugene Wells grabbed her face during an argument. Officers could see an injury consistent to finger marks on the female. As a result, Wells was arrested and charged with 2nd degree assault. He was taken before the District Court Commissioner and was released on his own personal recognizance pending trial.   Raymond Eugene Wells, age; 33, Cumberland, Maryland.

On Saturday, May 8th, 2021 the Cumberland Police Department responded to an Oldtown Road residence for the report of an assault. When officers arrived, contact was made with a male and female who stated that they had been arguing. The female claimed that she had been injured from the male striking her. Officers did observe an injury that appeared to happened recently to the female. The male, identified as Sean Patrick McElwee, was arrested and charged with 2nd degree assault. He was taken before the District Court Commissioner and remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center held without bond.  …