For a few hours Wednesday night, UPMC Western Maryland operated under temporary EMS diversion. This did not close the emergency department but attempted to limit those coming with lower severity of illness. When operating under diversion, all UPMC hospitals continue to accept any ambulance arriving on site, including those with heart attack, stroke, major trauma and severe symptoms, and we always accept walk-in patients. Allegany County Emergency Services Director Jim  Pyles commended UPMC for their handling of the situation…

The diagnostic center at the UPMC Outpatient Center in Frostburg at the Frostburg Plaza will be closed on Friday, September 17, 2021.  The lab will reopen on Saturday, September 18th at 7am. Laboratory services will be available at the locations below during this temporary closure.     Outpatient Diagnostic Center, First Floor, UPMC Western Maryland Administrative Center, 12400 Willowbrook Road, Cumberland, Hours 6:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.    Johnson Heights Diagnostic Center, 625 Kent Avenue, Cumberland, Hours 7 a.m. – noon    Advanced Medical Care, 1050 Industrial Boulevard, Cumberland, Hours 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

In order to continue to provide the highest quality care possible, UPMC Western Maryland is modifying the business hours of the Johnson Heights Diagnostic Center located at 625 Kent Avenue in Cumberland. Effective Monday, September 20, 2021, the diagnostic center will be open Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. We encourage patients to take advantage of the Johnson Heights Diagnostic Center’s services on regular days of business. Patients should visit one of our other centers listed below should they need services on a Friday.   • Advanced Medical Care, 1050 Industrial Boulevard, Cumberland, 240-964-9300 Hours 8 a.m….

On September 16th of 2021, at approximately 1146 hours, Allegany County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to a restaurant in LaVale Maryland for a reported disturbance inside. Further information provided to deputies described a male inside the establishment who was also refusing to leave after being told to do so by staff.   Upon Deputies arrival, they observed a male identified as Edward Deezen run to a seating booth and jump behind a female at the back of the booth. Edward Dezen refused numerous orders to exit, stating he would not do so, while also yelling out loudly and disturbing other customers inside. After numerous failed attempts to get…

Frostburg State University was awarded $1,480,979 by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for the Western Maryland Advanced Technology Center at FSU Innovation Park, which will help establish a Waste-to-Value (W2V) Center of Excellence, a Remote Work Center, the Renewable Energy Entrepreneur-in-Residence Program and the Center for Advanced Product Design and Manufacturing serving Western Maryland and the surrounding region, the ARC announced on Thursday, Sept. 16.  “The downturn of the coal industry has impacted economies across Appalachia. That’s why ARC’s POWER initiative helps to leverage regional partnerships and collaborations to support efforts to create a more vibrant economic future for coal-impacted…

Gov. Jim Justice today announced the winners of more than 20 incredible prizes through his “Do it for Babydog: Round 2” Vaccination Sweepstakes. Brenden McCutcheon of Morgantown, Katelyn Roberts of Spurlockville, and Caden Staggers of Keyser have each won a full four-year scholarship to any public college or university in the state, including room and board, tuition, and books; a prize valued at over $100,000. Two additional scholarship winners, as well as winners of a luxury high-end sports car and a prize of free gas for 10 years will be revealed later today. Today marks the third of six weeks…

The Allegany County Chamber of Commerce recently held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for The Salvation Army to celebrate the grand opening of their Red Shield Club (Boys and Girls Club).  For over 50 years The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs have been unique places created by The Salvation Army that offer programs and services that exemplify and actively practice Christian principles. This is done in a way that causes recipients of their services to learn to admire the values, ethics and skills presented, and incorporate them into their own lives. To reach today’s young people and their families in…

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that he has directed state flags in Maryland to fly at half-staff in remembrance of the more than 10,000 Marylanders lost to COVID-19: “More than 10,000 lives have now been taken from us by this deadly virus. Each of these Marylanders was the most important person in the world to someone, and our prayers are with all the family members and loved ones who are grieving. “We have overcome so much over the last 19 months. Our recovery continues, and more people are getting vaccinated every day. But even while the worst may be behind…

Allegany County Public Schools will host the first parent conferences of the 2021-2022 school year on Friday, October 1, 2021. Conferences will take place in a virtual format. Parents and guardians are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to talk with their child’s teachers to review his or her academic and behavioral progress.             Elementary and secondary virtual conferences will take place during the hours of 9 a.m. to noon and 1-3:30 p.m.  Please note that these times are different than the times originally listed on the printed academic calendar for secondary schools. Due to this abbreviated schedule, each…

The Mayor and City Council of Cumberland have announced that Joseph P. George has been selected to fill the council seat vacated recently by Seth Bernard.  The selection was made by the remaining four members of Council after interviewing all ten individuals who submitted letters of interest for the position.    “We are very pleased to announce that Joe George has accepted Council’s nomination to the open council seat,” stated Mayor Raymond Morriss.  “We believe that Joe will bring a breadth of experience and quality leadership with him from his work experience and vast amount of community involvement that will…