Governor Larry Hogan today announced that he has appointed Judge Steven B. Gould to the Court of Appeals, the state’s highest court. Gould, who currently serves on the Court of Special Appeals, will fill the seat being vacated by Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera, who will retire on September 10. Additionally, the governor announced that he has designated Judge Joseph M. Getty as the new chief judge of the Court of Appeals, effective September 11. “Judge Gould is a distinguished jurist committed to justice and fairness, and it is my privilege to elevate him to the state’s highest court,” said…

 The faculty of West Virginia University last week overwhelmingly approved a resolution supporting a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for students and employees on the university’s campuses. At a rare mid wek meeting of the entire faculty-debate and discussion over the resolution lasted nearly three hours and ended with a call for a vote. After the votes were totaled, there were 1,094 in support of the resolution and 185 against it.  The final resolution will now be sent to WVU’s administration and Board of Governors. During Wednesday’s meeting, WVU President Gordon Gee and other WVU officials gave presentations as to why they believed…

The Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) is encouraging residents and businesses whose property has been damaged by the effects of Hurricane Ida to contact the Department, as they may qualify to have their property assessments reduced. Maryland residents can fill out this form and email it to their local SDAT assessment office. A list of all SDAT offices with contact information can be found on SDAT’s website here. “SDAT is well-versed in natural disaster response, and we stand ready to assist Marylanders whose property has been damaged or destroyed in the path of Hurricane Ida,” said SDAT…

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH), local jurisdictions, and their partners are operating COVID-19 testing sites and mobile testing teams, as well as mobile and fixed vaccination clinics throughout the state.   This weekly advisory provides information about testing site locations and hours operated by local health departments and MDH throughout Maryland. It also provides information about local health departments’ state vaccination opportunities.  Reminder: All Marylanders 12 and older are now eligible for vaccination. Find a vaccination site and make an appointment near you here. If you are not fully vaccinated, you are at risk of serious illness or even death…

For the period of Wednesday, August 25, 2021, through Thursday, September 2, 2021, ACPS had two situations that met the definition of a cohort or classroom outbreak by the Maryland Department of Health. One was in an extracurricular organization at Allegany High School, and one was in a classroom at Braddock Middle School. In both of these cases, the definition of outbreak was met due to two individuals in the cohort testing positive for COVID-19. There was no quarantining of students in the classroom as a result of an outbreak.   ACPS had four staff members reported as positive for COVID-19…

On Thursday, September 2nd, 2021 a Cumberland Officer stopped a vehicle on Industrial Blvd. for an equipment violation.  A Maryland State Police K-9 assisted with the stop and performed a scan of the vehicle which resulted in a positive alert.  A search of the vehicle and occupants was conducted and a quantity of suspected heroin, CDS paraphernalia, and hypodermic syringes were recovered from the vehicle.  Rear passenger, Michael Richard Herndon, claimed ownership of the CDS and was arrested.  He was charged with CDS possession of paraphernalia, CDS possession of controlled paraphernalia, and CDS possession not marihuana.  He was taken before…

Today is the deadline to submit letters of interest for the soon to be vacant City Council seat- however the names of the candidates under consideration won’t be released to the general public. This represents the continuation of a policy that was first utilized in January of 2019 when the council reviewed and interviewed some 16 applicants without making any names known to city residents. Prior to 2019 – the process of filling a vacant council seat in Cumberland was far more transparent with all of the names made public- and potential candidates asked to appear to make presentations at council…

According to state health department data released Thursday morning, Maryland reported 1,272 new COVID-19 cases and 16 new deaths. Doctors say the new cases are fueled by dangerous strains targeting the unvaccinated. Governor Larry Hogan said the Delta variant, a strain that is reportedly two to four times more contagious than the original virus strain, accounts for nearly every new confirmed case in Maryland. Hogan says while many of the numbers have been spiking, he remains confident that the state has a handle on the the situation… Although the state health department strongly recommends face coverings, Hogan says no mask…

As the unofficial end to summer approaches, Maryland state troopers and local law enforcement  will be on extra alert in search of impaired, distracted and/or aggressive drivers this Labor Day weekend to ensure travelers get to their holiday destination safely. Beginning now through Labor Day, troopers will be on patrol, using a variety of initiatives to keep traffic moving, respond quickly to highway incidents and take appropriate enforcement action when violations are observed that threaten the safety of travelers…

Higher education’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic was the focus of the September zoom speaker series hosted by The Greater Cumberland Committee. With the fall 2021 semester getting underway amidst a surge in COVID- regional higher education leaders discussed their schools initial approach to the pandemic last year; lessons learned; and plans for moving forward. The panalists included: Dr. Cynthia Bambara, President, Allegany College of Maryland; Dr. Richard Midcap, President, Garrett College; Dr. Ron Nowaczyk, President, Frostburg State University; and Dr. Jennifer Orlikoff, President, WVU Potomac State College. Dr Nowaczyk said the vaccination protocols established by the University of Maryland…