A new COVID-19 update from the Allegany County Public School System is expected today- following last weeks report that two schools had reported outbreaks. Ten staff members and 81 students reported positive for COVID; two staff members and 280 students were identified as a close contact; and eight staff members and 249 students were identified as having COVID-19 symptoms. Despite those numbers, Allegany County Board of Education president Crystal Bender tells WCBC News there are no plans at this time to implement any changes… She said kids who are quarantining are having packets sent home…

Troopers from the McHenry Barrack stopped a 2005 Dodge Neon, traveling eastbound on I-68 at the 14 mile marker. The vehicle was stopped for an inoperable brake light and following too closely. During the course of the traffic stop a K-9 scan of the vehicle was conducted, which resulted in a positive alert. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of quantities of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, Clonazepam tablets and Buprenorphine tablets. As a result, the driver, Brenda Kay Watson, 60 years old  of Green Springs, WV and the two passengers, Timothy Brent Kirby, 39 of Romney, WV and…

No injuries were reported when a lone suspect brandished a handgun and robbed the Bank of Romney branch at Augusta early Wednesday afternoon, according to West Virginia State Police. The suspect, armed with a silver handgun, fled on foot after demanding money from tellers. A K-9 track of the suspect led to the rear parking lot of the nearby Nationwide Insurance business.The suspect was wearing a mask and gloves, a long-sleeve hoodie with hood up, sunglasses, ball cap, pants and shoes at the time of the 12:29 p.m. incident that was reported to authorities in a 911 call. The investigation…

The 25th anniversary edition of the Western Maryland Health System Foundation Golf Classic was held in mid-September at the Cumberland Country Club, raising nearly $180,000 to support patients and healthcare staff in need of special assistance.The event included a dinner, auction and two-flight golf tournament. In the morning flight, winners in the gross division:  Moran Coal with a score of 60, Fundamental with a score of 61, and UPMC Rehabilitation with a score of 62. In the net division, Cintas won with a score of 54, followed by Chemstar at 56 in a card-off with Western Maryland Dentistry.  Individual winners…

The Tribune-Democrat reports Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Lynn Thomas was arrested Wednesday and charged with raping a woman on Sept. 18 after showing up at her Windber Borough residence late that night, Pennsylvania State Police said. In a criminal complaint filed against him Wednesday, Thomas is accused of entering the woman’s home without permission after sending her a message on the social media app Snapchat. Thomas allegedly arrived with several cans of beer and became “agitated” after the woman rejected his advances, told him to leave and slapped him. Thomas then struck her in the face, grabbed her by…

The City of Cumberland Downtown Development Commission announces the installation of artist renderings around the downtown area to highlight the upcoming changes slated to take place during the Baltimore Street Revitalization project. Members of the public will find large renderings placed at the Liberty Street Plaza, on the Mall by the Town Center Fountain and at the corner of Baltimore and North Mechanic Streets. These designs will provide insight into the improvements and how these areas will appear at the conclusion of the project. Additional renderings are also displayed in the Rotunda at City Hall. Questions may be directed to…

The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a fire that occurred at Wendy’s Restaurant , National Highway in LaVale Tuesday evening at 6:39. One employee was checked on the scene for smoke inhalation but did not need to be transported. The fire began in a storage area with total damage estimated at $10,000. There was no smoke alarm present and the fire was discovered by an employee. 50 firefighters responded and the fire was under control in 15 minutes. The restaurant is temporarily closed and the investigation into the cause is ongoing.  Restaurant/employees  

On Wednesday September 22nd, 2021 officers of the Cumberland Police Department served an Arrest Warrant on Aerron Mykel Whetzel. The Arrest Warrant was issued by the District Court when stemming from a May 28th, 2021 incident in which a vehicle registration plate was stolen. An investigation was conducted and it was learned that Whetzel was using the registration plate on a different vehicle. Whetzel was taken before a District Court Commissioner where he was released on his own recognizance. Arrest: Aerron Mykel Whetzel, age 29, Fort Ashby West Virginia. Charges: Theft Less than $100, Rogue and Vagabond, and Tampering with…

There's growing concern about a nursing shortage in the state as hospitals are reportedly struggling to meet patients' needs. The president of the Maryland Nurses Association said this week that the trend is toward a critical nursing shortage in the state- while one nursing school dean said the shortage is the worst she has seen in the past 40 years. Nurses are stretched thin, stressed out and spent. Locally, UPMC Western Maryland, like the entire system, has implemented a program designed to incentivize nurses. Dr Rachel Sackrowitz… She said that the real solution lies with the general public- and their…

In the fall of 2019, Cumberland city officials began exploring options for a possible relocation of the Union Rescue Mission if a suitable alternate site could be found. Amid COVID-19 delays and the failure to find a suitable site- those talks ended last year. Now however talks have resumed and they are centered on 11 Columbia Street- a target location that is not being warmly received by residents there.  Cathy Robinson is president of the North End Crime Watch organization and a Columbia Street resident brought her concerns to the Mayor and City Council… Mayor Ray Morriss said that no final…