It is becoming a regular site in and around Cumberland- an increasing number of “help-wanted” and “now hiring” signs are being posted, but businesses across the state – particularly restaurants – are having a hard time filling vacancies. WBAL reports the problem has gotten so bad that several hospitality groups wrote a letter to the state labor secretary asking for a change in unemployment benefits policy. The signs of an economic turnaround are posted everywhere, but many of the job opportunities are going unfilled. Business owners are blaming changes in the state's unemployment system, saying people are being paid not…

Again Monday, during his virtual COVID-19 briefing, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice hammered home his pleas for more young residents to get vaccinated. The governor called on older residents to implore younger family members to get vaccinated, suggesting that they tell younger folks that they have an obligation to get a shot.  More than 110,000 of the 380,000 people in the 16-35 year old age group have been vaccinated, Justice reported. Comparatively, 53% of the state’s eligible population has gotten at least one dose.  State efforts have switched from trying to get enough vaccines for the state to trying to…

With time running out for the Cumberland Mayor and City Council to find a new city administrator- that search is made even more challenging as a result of the city code that requires residency. The city council will decide at tonight’s meeting  whether or not to retain the services of a recruitment firm to conduct the search for the next city administrator. Administrator Jeff Rhodes is retiring at the end of this month. The initial process led to 24 applications being narrowed to four finalists- but not all of the council members were satisfied with the quality or experience of those…

This week, the Allegany County Health Department will move its main COVID-19 vaccination location from Rawlings to the Allegany County Fairgrounds.  The COVID vaccine clinics will be held inside the Multipurpose Building, while COVID testing will continue to be done as a drive-thru at the adjacent pavilion.  A walk-in COVID vaccination clinic will be available at the fairgrounds Friday, May 7 from 9 to noon and 1 to 3 p.m.  Both the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccines will be available at that clinic.   In addition to the fairgrounds location, the health department will be providing walk-in clinics…

U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony Brown, Jamie Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) today announced that Maryland can extend its Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) nutrition and meals assistance program for eligible Maryland children through June 2021. From August 2020 and with the June extension, the State will issue an estimated $727 million in benefits to help families purchase food while schools are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, benefitting more than 530,000 students who have temporarily lost access to free or reduced-price meals at school – more…

Units are on the scene of an accident on Interstate 68 East at Clarysville. The left is blocked as a result. 

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that the State of Maryland will offer a $100 financial incentive to state employees who elect to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. “With this incentive program, we are further encouraging state employees to get vaccinated to help keep themselves, their families, and their communities healthy and safe,” said Governor Hogan. “Incentives like this are another way to reinforce the importance of getting vaccinated, and we strongly encourage businesses across the state to consider offering incentives to their workers as well. These vaccines are safe and effective, they’re free, and they’re readily available with or without an appointment.”…

The Office of the State Fire Marshal, in conjunction with the Combined County Criminal Investigations Unit (C3I), is continuing its investigation into the circumstances surrounding a house fire that claimed the life of a LaVale man. On Monday, May 3, 2021, just before 7:00 a.m., an Allegany County Department of Emergency Services paramedic observed heavy smoke in the vicinity behind D'Atri's Restaurant located on National Highway. He drove to the area, determined to be the 1100 block of Simpson Avenue, and observed heavy flames coming from the front of the home, and requested the fire department to respond. Firefighters from…

In order to continue to facilitate vaccination efforts in Allegany County and to better serve the community, UPMC Western Maryland is pleased to once again to announce an upcoming Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination clinic to be held Thursday, May 6, from noon until 6 p.m. in the hospital auditorium.      All Individuals age 16 and older are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine, and this clinic will administer the first dose. Please note, individuals under the age of 18 must have a parent present to sign a consent form.     Those interested have several options: Register online at https://www.marylandvax.org/reg/9312600999  Call 240-964-1000 on…

On 5/1/21, Deputies with the Allegany County Sheriff's Office responded to the 15000blk of  McMullen Hwy, Cresaptown, MD for a reported motor vehicle collision. Upon arrival deputies found two vehicles disabled in the roadway. One passenger was trapped for approximately 20 minutes before being extricated by the Cresaptown VFD and Rawlings VFD personnel. A preliminary investigation revealed that the at fault vehicle operated by Jessica Pudlin, 43 of Lavale had been traveling southbound in the northbound lane before striking a northbound vehicle. Three parties were transported to UPMC for treatment. The trapped passenger  identified as Mary Lanore Taylor, 86 of…