Western Maryland continues to have some of the worst COVID-19 numbers in the state. The Maryland Department of Health on Friday reported 672 new COVID-19 cases, 15 additional deaths and 21 fewer hospitalizations across the state in the past 24 hours. The seven-day moving average case rate per 100,000 people was 10.35 statewide, 32.99 in Garrett County, 31.04 in Allegany County — the highest jurisdictions in Maryland. The daily COVID-19 case rate was 2.78% statewide, 11.55% in Garrett County, 7.53% in Allegany County — the highest jurisdictions in Maryland. Garrett County had the lowest COVID-19 vaccination rate of any jurisdiction…

Maryland voters would decide whether to legalize recreational marijuana in November, under a bill approved by the House of Delegates on Friday. The House voted 96-34 for the constitutional amendment, sending it to the Senate. The House also voted 92-37 for a separate bill that includes initial steps that would be taken if voters approve. However, issues relating to licensing and taxation would be taken up by lawmakers next year.  The Senate is considering a separate bill that would put a regulatory framework in place sooner without a constitutional amendment.  Under the House legislation, recreational marijuana for adults 21 and…

Maryland's senior senator joined WBAL Friday to offer his thoughts on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While appearing on WBAL Radio, Sen. Ben Cardin says the world can't trust Russian President Vladimir Putin, "You can't trust what he says. Look at what he does. Not what he says." Russian troops bore down on Ukraine’s capital Friday, with gunfire and explosions resonating ever closer to the government quarter, in an invasion of a democratic country that has fueled fears of a wider war in Europe and triggered worldwide efforts to make Russia stop. Cardin, who sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee,…

The Allegany County Board of Education has scheduled a special meeting for Tuesday afternoon where it is expected a vote will be taken to lift the mask mandate in schools. On Friday, the Maryland General Assembly's Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review voted to lift the statewide school mask mandate. That vote came  three days after the Maryland state Board of Education voted to make masking a local issue. The committee's vote paved the way for local board’s to set their own policy. While a number of sources have told WCBC News that there are three board members ready…

On 2/25/22 at 2:50 pm staff at Washington Middle School in Cumberland received a phone call claiming that there was a bomb at the school.   The school was in the process of dismissal and Officers with the Cumberland Police Department responded to the school to investigate.   While at the school a second call was received stating that an assault on the school was imminent.   Cumberland Police Officers assisted by the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office and the Maryland State Police then provided security while students were safety evacuated and moved to Fort Hill High School where further security was provided while…

The General Assembly's Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review voted Friday afternoon to lift the statewide school mask mandate. The vote was 17 for, one against and one absent. The vote comes three days after the Maryland state Board of Education voted to make masking a local issue. The committee's vote makes the decision final and local school district can set their own policy

Some 70% of Americans will be able to remove their masks indoors, including inside schools, under new guidance to be released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Friday. Under the new metrics in the updated guidance, more than half of U.S. counties, which make up 70% of where Americans live, will be in areas of low or medium risk and no longer recommended to wear masks.  Schools will not be treated differently under the new guidance as other indoor spaces

During Friday’s briefing, Gov. Justice announced that there will be a third round of the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) benefits allocated to eligible students who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2020, P-EBT funding has resulted in more than $328 million in food assistance support for West Virginia children. “This third round of benefits is going to pour another $82 million into West Virginia for our children,” Gov. Justice said. “Our children are the greatest treasure we have in West Virginia, and making sure our kids have enough to eat is absolutely the…

Weekly COVID Update: For the 7-day period of  February 18-24, 2022, there were no schools that met the definition of a School Wide or Cohort Outbreak of COVID-19.   ACPS had 5 staff members and 20 students reported as positive for COVID-19 during this time.  ACPS had 3 staff members quarantined as a close contact. 18 students were reported as close contacts to a positive person and required to quarantine.  This includes all staff and students reported as close contacts, whether the close contact occurred in the home, community, or school.

On February 24th, 2022, The Cumberland City Police arrested Shawn Matthew Blowe, 36, of Winchester VA. Blowe was taken into custody after it was discovered that he had two active Arrest Warrants through Winchester VA for CDS Possession and Distribution. Blowe was taken before the District Court Commissioner where he was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center. He is currently being held without bond, awaiting extradition to Virginia. Arrested: Shawn Matthew Blowe             Age: 36 Charges: Fugitive from Justice