As COVID-19 metrics continue to increase across the nation, Gov. Larry Hogan has announced he will hold a COVID-19 update at 2 p.m. on Wednesday. While some COVID-19 metrics are increasing steadily, others are more drastic. The state health department reported 856 new cases of COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, and the numbers have been increasing by 100 or more every day since July 13. The number of Marylanders hospitalized is up to 611, the highest since May 17. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now say every jurisdiction is classified as having substantial community transmission, elevating Carroll County to that…

UPMC Western Maryland is not at capacity and does not have a shortage of beds. Because of UPMC's extensive planning and preparation, all of our facilities are well-equipped and able to provide care to any patient with a medical need. As the COVID-19 virus continues to evolve, UPMC is committed to making vaccines accessible for all and encourages everyone who is eligible to receive their vaccine to do so. For more information on scheduling an appointment for a vaccine, visit upmcwesternmaryland.com. 

    Rumors persist that local hospitals are running out of space due to the surge of COVID-19 cases.  UPMC Western Maryland issued the following statement concerning the situation: UPMC Western Maryland is not at capacity and does not have a shortage of beds.  Because of UPMC's extensive planning and preparation, all of our facilities are well-equipped and able to provide care to any patient with a medical need. As the COVID-19 virus continues to evolve, UPMC is committed to making vaccines accessible for all and encourages everyone who is eligible to receive their vaccine to do so. For more information on scheduling an…

The remnants of Tropical Storm Fred are expected to drench the region. The National Weather Service on Tuesday issued a flash flood watch from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday.  In its advisory, the weather service said moderate to heavy showers with scattered strong thunderstorms were possible.  "Tropical moisture will lead to potential precipitation rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour. Localized storm total rain amounts in excess of 3 inches are possible,” according to the weather statement.”

Once again this year, a group of motorcyclists honoring those killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks will make their way through the city on Friday morning. Before passing through Cumberland, bikers participating in America’s 9/11 Ride will begin at 6:45 a.m. at the Highland Harley-Davidson store in Somerset, Pennsylvania, before making their way to the Flight 93 National Memorial. From the memorial, the group will enter Cumberland on U.S. Route 40 and North Mechanic Street, before being directed by Cumberland Police toward Rocky Gap State Park. The Cumberland Times News reports the riders will stop for lunch in…

After struggling for months to persuade Americans to get the COVID-19 vaccine, U.S. health officials could soon face a fresh challenge: talking vaccinated people into getting booster shots to gain longer-lasting protection as the delta variant sends infections soaring again. As early as this week, U.S. health authorities are expected to recommend an extra dose of the vaccine for all Americans eight months after they get their second shot, according to two people who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. That means the biggest vaccination drive in U.S. history is about to get…

On Monday at approximately 2:00 PM an officer from the Cumberland City Police Department was patrolling the area of Queen City Drive and observed Rodney Lee Smith enter the rail road tracks area through a broken piece of fencing. In this area there is a clearly marked No Trespassing sign on the fence for CSX property. The officer contacted Smith and informed him of the No Trespassing sign. Smith was issued a Criminal Citation for trespassing on posted property. Smith signed for his copy of the Criminal Citation and was released pending trial in District Court.   Arrested – Rodney…

On Monday at approximately 7:00 AM the Cumberland City Police Department were dispatched to a residence in the 600 block of Quebec Avenue for a violation of a court order. Upon arrival officers spoke to the complainant who advised they had a temporary protective order against Kenneth Allen Chandler. Chandler had contacted the victim on a messaging application and advised he was going to come to the residence. The officer verified that an active temporary protective order was in place and a condition of the order states that Chandler cannot contact the victim by any means or enter their residence….

The Allegany County Board of Education voted last week to start the upcoming school year with a mask mandate. Board Vice President Bob Farrell answered questions from WCBC's Dave Norman about the lack of a requirement that teachers and eligible students receive the vaccine. Farrell prefaced his remarks by saying that he is speaking for himself and not the board…