The concerns expressed by a school bus driver to the Allegany County Board of Education during this month’s regular meeting have been addressed according to Superintendent Jeff Blank. The board heard from one bus driver who said referrals to school administrators in regards to unruly students written by him and other drivers in the system were largely being ignored. Blank, who previously served as assistant supervisor of transportation, tells WCBC News that all of the involved parties have been in communication and the issues resolved. He says there is a policy in place regarding student behavior on buses- with potential…

Late last year, UPMC Western Maryland was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as Western Maryland’s Best Hospital for 2021-22. In addition to that honor, UPMC Western Maryland was named as “High Performing” in six specialty services areas. February 1st will mark the two year anniversary of the Western Maryland Health System becoming part of the UPMC system- and the merger has led to expanded and enhanced medical services available in the region. UPMC Western Maryland President Michele Martz tells WCBC News that joining forces with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center has allowed local residents to receive necessary treatment in town- largely eliminating the need to travel for…

With the state flush with an unprecedented budget surplus, local lawmakers plan to seek $100 million in funding during the current  legislative session to incentivize economic growth in Western Maryland. The idea of creating a fund of $100 million to attract businesses and spur new home construction was developed by the 11-member Task Force on the Economic Future of Western Maryland. The task force, which is co-chaired by State George Edwards and Delegate Jason Buckel, met for nearly two years to work on ideas to jumpstart the economy in Allegany, Garrett and Washington counties. Edwards says trying to find a…

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, 15 days into the 30-day state of emergency, presented a mostly upbeat COVID-19 update Thursday announcing that many of the numbers are moving in the right direction. Since the start of the state of emergency, COVID-19 case rates are down 44% from a peak 12 days ago, and the positivity rate has dropped 40% since its peak 15 days ago. COVID-19 hospitalizations declined for eight consecutive days and are below 3,000 for the first time since Jan. 2.  Despite those trends, the governor cautioned that pandemic is not over, and standard COVID safety protocols should continue…

An 84-year-old Oakland man has succumbed to burn injuries he sustained after he inadvertently lit his clothes on fire yesterday afternoon while working near a propane heater. Monte A. Wilson died late last night at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh after being treated for second and third-degree burns to his lower body. Investigators concluded Mr. Wilson was working on his tractor and using a kerosene-fueled propane heater in his outdoor garage in the 7400 block of Gorman Road when his pants caught fire due to being too close to the heater. Wilson was able to walk out of the garage…

As the State of Maryland continues to combat the surge of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, Governor Hogan today highlighted encouraging trends among many key health metrics and announced additional COVID-19 actions. The governor also provided an update on the state’s efforts to procure additional rapid tests. “We are very encouraged by our substantially improving situation, but the next 10 days to two weeks are really going to be critical,” said Governor Hogan. “Our aggressive efforts will continue and we ask Marylanders to remain vigilant and to keep doing the things that can keep us safe: wearing a mask, avoiding crowds,…

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey’s disability fraud partnership generated nearly $6 million in savings during the most recent year, a marked rebound from coronavirus shutdowns that impacted investigations over the last two years.   The partnership generated $5,854,619 in projected savings for the state and federal governments from the end of 2020 to the end of 2021. Total savings now exceed $30,495,071 since the partnership’s inception in West Virginia.   “We continue our work to root out fraud in order to yield significant savings for the Mountain State,” Attorney General Morrisey said. “Disability fraud is particularly disturbing. It takes…

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose to the highest level in three months as the fast-spreading omicron variant continued to disrupt the job market. Jobless claims rose for the third straight week — by 55,000 to 286,000, highest since mid-October, the Labor Department reported Thursday. The jump in claims marked the biggest one-week increase since mid-July.  

Gov. Larry Hogan has shared that his wife, First Lady Yumi Hogan, has tested positive for COVID-19. WBAL reports the positive test comes as a part of their weekly testing regimen, according to Hogan, and the first lady has been vaccinated and received a booster shot. He said Yumi is "only experiencing mild symptoms." Hogan tested positive for the virus in December after also being vaccinated and boosted. He said he received negative tests after Yumi's positive test

On Wednesday January 19, 2022 the Cumberland Police responded to a residence on the 500 block of Henderson Ave for a report of an assault.  After speaking to the victim officers learned that Melvin Glenn Bohrer III, age 49 of Cumberland MD had assaulted another male who resided at the same house.  The two had been arguing with Melvin struck him several times in the face.  Officers observed injuries to the victim that were consistent with his statement.  Bohrer was arrested for Second Degree Assault and taken to the District Court Commissioner for his initial appearance.  He was released on…