Despite much debate and controversy at the time- West Virginia Superintendent of Schools Clayton Burch said Wednesday  the decision to bring all elementary, middle and eventually high school students back to the physical classroom in January-  proved to be the right call. Speaking during the Governor’s regular COVID-19 briefing, Burch said he has spent the past few weeks visiting schools across the state and meeting with groups of teachers, students, administrators and local leaders with the focus now shifted to vaccinations and a look ahead to the 2021-2021 school year. He said there was a familiar theme when it came…

“Polly” Taylor, the wife of former Maryland Speaker of the House Casper Taylor, remains in critical condition in the ICU at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh following a Saturday afternoon accident on U.S. Route 220 near Hannah Plaza. The initial report from the Allegany County Sheriff’s office indicated that 43 year-old Jessica Pudlin of LaVale was at fault and has been charged with reckless driving, negligent driving and related offenses after allegedly driving south in the northbound lane and striking a northbound vehicle. Mrs. Taylor, 86 of Cumberland,  was a passenger in the vehicle allegedly struck by Pudlin  Deputies said she…

Allegany County Commissioner David Caporale tells WCBC News that although the county still have concerns with fiscal and management operations at the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad- that is not the reason he was resigned as a member of the board of directors. After serving as a member of the railroad board for several years- it was announced last week that Caporale was stepping down. He said that essentially the county has become more focused on some infrastructure matters with the railroad such as track maintenance- and he felt it was a good time to take a step back from the…

Maryland residents can now get vaccinated without an appointment at any of the state's 13 mass vaccination sites. Governor Larry Hogan made the announcement during Wednesday’s Board of Public Works meeting. The governor said walk-ups at various mass vaccination sites have been a successful tool in boosting the number of inoculated people in the state…

In an appearance on WCBC’s “Dave Norman Show” Wednesday- Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss acknowledged that the search process for the next city administrator could have been handled better. During the interview the mayor declined to comment on reports of a lack of confidence in the current city administrator being a driving force behind the change.  The current administrator his plans to retire last November with a target final day of June 1st.   A search committee was appointed and the position was advertised in late January.  Although two dozen applied- the majority of the city council expressed concern with the quality…

 A walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinic will be held in Mt. Savage on Thursday, May 6 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Mt. Savage Fire Company.  The vaccine that will be given at Thursday’s clinic will be the Moderna COVID vaccine.    On Friday, May 7, individuals specifically wanting the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine will be able to get vaccinated at the Allegany Fairgrounds Multipurpose Building, where both Moderna and J&J COVID vaccines will be available.  The fairgrounds walk-in clinic will take place from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m.   Both walk-in clinics are…

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) today launched a free mobile COVID-19 testing program to enhance testing engagement and access in underserved communities statewide. The program comprises two mobile testing teams that will visit each of Maryland’s 24 jurisdictions over the next 12 weeks.    “As we continue to vaccinate more Marylanders, we are also racing against the spread of more contagious COVID variants,” said MDH Secretary Dennis R. Schrader. “Testing, along with contact tracing, are parallel efforts that remain critical to our ability to identify and respond to COVID-19 outbreaks and will enable us to end the pandemic.”  …

The Allegany County Sheriff's Dept will be conducting several medication take back events this month, including Friday, May 7th at the Cresaptown Volunteer Fire Department, Wednesday, May 12th at Westernport VFD, and Thursday May 20th at Midland VFD . There will also be virtual community Naloxone training on May 18th at 4:30. Visit prescribechangeallegany.org to register.  

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan on Tuesday announced the state is launching a new data dashboard to show COVID-19 vaccination rates at each of the state's skilled nursing facilities.  An order has been issued to require the data to be reported weekly and posted inside facilities in plain view. Maryland has activated mobile vaccination teams to conduct additional clinics for nursing home staff and residents at more than 30 facilities each week. The state health department also is launching a new public service announcement aimed at workers in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other congregate settings that urge them to get vaccinated…

There will not be a DelFest on Memorial Day weekend, but that does not mean we will be without the McCoury family's musical talents. The Del McCoury Band will play a free concert at Canal Place on May 31st from 2 until 5 PM, with another band yet to be named. WCBC talked with the McCoury's after last year's DelFest had to be cancelled due to the pandemic. Rob McCoury said at that time safety was the number one concern…