WCBC’s “Dave Norman Show” took issue Friday with the Cumberland Times-News reporting on last weeks UPMC Western Maryland’s temporary EMS diversion- saying the story blurred the line between news and commentary. The article in question suggested that the surge in COVID-19 cases may have been the reason for the action. Questions submitted to UPMC Western Maryland from the newspaper seeking specifics were not replied to immediately. The “Morning Mayor” questioned the reporter speculating on possible causes- and called the article a “hit piece” on the hospital administration…

On September 18th, 2021 officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to an Ali Ghan Road business for a report of a driver who was operating a charter bus under the influence of alcohol. Upon officer’s arrival they spoke with the operator of the bus, James Blair Currie, who exhibited signs of impairment. After conducting Standardized Field Sobriety Tests officers observed additional evidence of impairment and placed him under arrest. Currie was later released on citations pending his trial at District Court.   Arrest: James Currie Blair, age 64, Harpers Ferry West Virginia.   Charges: Driving Under the Influence of…

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) reports as of September 17, 2021, there have been 3,664,554 total confirmatory laboratory results received for COVID-19, with 219,439 total cases and 3,370 deaths.    DHHR has confirmed the deaths of a 75-year old male from Clay County, a 95-year old male from Monongalia County, an 84-year old male from Raleigh County, a 61-year old male from Mercer County, an 85-year old female from Tucker County, a 70-year old female from Barbour County, a 67-year old male from Wood County, a 45-year old male from Wood County, a 76-year old…

Fall has not yet begun in Maryland and many trees across the state are still a bit bashful about revealing their fall finest before the season officially kicks off September 22. However in Western Maryland, pockets of trees are slowly starting to greet us with hints of brilliant color. Traditionally this is the region where leaf color changes are seen first, with the foliage in Garrett and Allegany counties beginning to turn in late September and peaking toward the middle of October.

Maryland State Police are investigating a crash that occurred when a trooper’s vehicle collided with a three-wheel motorcycle Saturday evening in Worcester County. Shortly after 8:35 p.m. on Saturday, Trooper First Class Cody Shubert, a three-year veteran of the Maryland State Police who is assigned to the Berlin Barrack, was driving an unmarked agency-issued 2020 Ford Explorer traveling south on Philadelphia Avenue approaching the intersection at 12th Street in Ocean City, Maryland. TFC Shubert was on duty, assisting the Ocean City Police Department with road patrol during “Bike Week” events. According to a preliminary investigation, TFC Shubert observed a vehicle…

The Joint Communications Center of Allegany County dispatched police, fire and EMS units to US Route 220, near Fawlings for a vehicle rollover. The mishap occurred just after 7;00 AM and is said to have occurred near Copperhead Road.

ACHD offers free, walk-in COVID-19 vaccinations Wednesdays at 12501 Willowbrook Road, Cumberland. From 9 a.m. to noon, the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are offered and from 1 to 5:30 p.m., the Pfizer vaccine is offered to people age 12 and older. Anyone under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Drive-thru COVID-19 testing is offered at the Allegany County Fairgrounds, 11400 Moss Ave., Cumberland, from 2 to 7 p.m. Mondays, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. No appointment is needed, but pre-registration is strongly encouraged to minimize wait times at the clinic….

Several miedia outlets are reporting Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., was named one of TIME’s “100 Most Influential People of 2021” Wednesday. He was listed in the “Leaders” category along with President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Sen. Liz Cheney and Stacey Abrams. TIME’s feature on Manchin was written by Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. Collins praises Manchin for working across the aisle. Manchin’s profile rose in the Senate following the 2020 election, which divided the chamber into 50 Republicans, 48 Democrats and two independents. As a moderate, he is courted by both sides of the aisle for his vote.

Maryland Department of Labor reports that, as of Friday, the state has reached its lowest unemployment rate since the pandemic began. The labor department reports that the unemployment rate decreased to 5.9% in August and Maryland gained 11,900 jobs.  Overall in 2021, officials report the state has gained 65,000 jobs.  "The professional and business services sector experienced the most growth with an increase of 3,600 jobs," according to a statement. "Other sectors that experienced growth include: education and health services (2,300); trade, transportation, and utilities (1,900); leisure and hospitality (1,700); other services (900); and mining, logging, and construction (600). Manufacturing jobs growth (1,300) is the largest…

The Public Service Commission has scheduled a public comment hearing for a reopened case that will affect the future of three coal-fired power plants.  On August 4, 2021, the PSC granted Appalachian Power Company and Wheeling Power Company a certificate of convenience and necessity to make internal modifications necessary to comply with federal environmental regulations at the Amos, Mountaineer and Mitchell coal-fired generating plants.  That Order provided an opportunity for the plants to remain operational through 2040. The Commission also authorized the companies to implement a surcharge in order to recover the construction costs.   On September 9, 2021, the…