Allegany College of Maryland is offering $100 Campus Bookstore gift cards and a shot at $500 for vaccinated students enrolled in classes at the college this fall. Starting August 4, students may show proof of their COVID-19 vaccination any of the college’s vaccination clinics, the Nurse Managed Wellness Clinic (Allied Health Building, Room 115), or the Student Services Office at the ACM Bedford County Campus to redeem their $100 gift card. The gift card may be used at the Campus Bookstore in-person or online at bookstore.allegany.edu.   Vaccinated students who learn remotely may also redeem their $100 Bookstore gift card using the Nurse Managed…

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) today announced an update on the top 10 and bottom 10 nursing home facilities in the state ranked by percentage of staff with at least one dose of a vaccine against COVID-19 and highly contagious variants. MDH also announced 14 nursing home facilities in the state that did not submit adequate staff COVID-19 vaccination data as required by the state.    On May 4, 2021, the Maryland Department of Aging launched the Skilled Nursing Facilities Vaccination Dashboard, which weekly publishes data on residents and staff vaccinated against COVID-19 at each of the skilled nursing…

Men's Basketball Hall of Fame coach Dennis Gibson announced today he has decided he will not return to Garrett College for a 37th season as Head Basketball Coach. "It's a bittersweet decision. The program is at its highest level ever and my assistant coaches and I have left it in a very good place. Coach Hoffman and Coach Hegeman did a great job of recruiting and we had a strong nucleus returning.” Gibson said that his future is a bit up in the air. “I am not sure I am done coaching, I have had a few schools reach out…

Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dennis Schrader commented this week on a recent news release of staff vaccination rates at long term care facilities.  The results that survey show staff COVID vaccination levels at two Allegany County facilities, Cumberland Healthcare Center and Sterling Care, of Frosburg, were the lowest in the state. WCBC News asked Secretary Schrader if the purpose of the survey was to shame low ranked facilities to improve…  

Nearly 2,500 Marylanders lost their lives in opioid-related deaths last year, according to a new state report, and that represents the largest annual total on record. Allegany County has experienced the largest increase in the state. The overall numbers for the region are skyrocketing, up more than 45%. Allegany County Emergency Services Director Jim Pyles, addressing the problem during a recent appearance on WCBC, said that not only are the number of cases spiking- so is the cost to his department…    

After not being satisfied with the results of an in-house effort, the Cumberland Mayor and City Council in June retained the services of a recruiting firm to secure the next city administrator. Longtime administrator Jeff Rhodes retired at the end of June and since then, Ken Tressler, the city’s director of administrative services, has been serving in an interim capacity.  The national search is estimated to cost $25,000.Mayor Ray Morriss tells WCBC News the process is moving forward but nothing is imminent…  

Early Sunday, Cumberland City Police responded to multiple locations in the North End for the reports of tampering and thefts from motor vehicles. It is believed that multiple subjects were involved in the incidents that occurred between the hours of 12am and 3am. The Investigation is ongoing at this time. The Cumberland Police asks that anyone with information regarding these incidents contact Police Headquarters at 301-777-1600.   The Cumberland Police would also like to remind its citizens that vehicles should be locked when not in use and to keep valuables out of plain sight when it is not feasible to…

The 2021 Back The Blue Rally, will be held today from 2 to 4 PM at the rear of Cumberland City Hall. There will be speakers and music presented to honor law enforcement, military police, correctional officers, and those who work with juvenile services in Allegany and Mineral Counties. Organized by the Allegany County Republican Women's Club, this is the second year for the event.

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) reports as of July 30, 2021, there have been 3,120,149 total confirmatory laboratory results received for COVID-19, with 167,016 total cases and 2,946 deaths.    DHHR has confirmed the deaths of a 64-year old male from Brooke County and a 42-year old male from Mason County.    “We have lost far too many West Virginians over the course of this pandemic,” said Bill J. Crouch, DHHR Cabinet Secretary. “It is critical that all who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine schedule an appointment with their medical provider, local pharmacy…

                  The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has released the 2021-2022 Shooter Qualification Schedule, which includes 20 qualification sessions at 10 locations across the state. Additional events are available upon reservation. Hunters should note that several Shooter Qualification sessions are conducted by appointment only and that many charge a minimal fee to cover expenses. Additionally, hunters must adhere to any COVID-19 precautions that individual locations have in place. These events allow hunters to take the necessary proficiency test required to obtain a Shooter Qualification Card in order to participate in many of the managed deer hunts scheduled in…