Howard County Public Schools announced Friday that masks will be required for everyone in school buildings and school buses, regardless of vaccination status this fall.  Masks will not be required for any students or staff while eating/drinking indoors, nor will they be required outdoors, but the school system recommends masking for those who are unvaccinated individuals.  "This is not a decision I made lightly. Getting our students back to school in person is a top priority,” reads a statement from Howard County Public School System Superintendent Dr. Michael Martirano.  “We recognize in this case that ‘an ounce of prevention is…

Most Maryland drivers saw a week of increases at the pump with the exception of Hagerstown. Maryland’s average is $3.09, up respectively six cents from last week, nine cents from a month ago and 81 cents more than last year.   In its latest weekly report, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported that gas demand increased slightly last week while total domestic gas stocks declined. These trends have helped to stabilize price increases in some areas of the country; however, crude oil prices continue to remain above $70 per barrel. As crude prices remain high, AAA expects the national average…

U.S. Sens. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and John Thune (R-S.D.), members of the Senate Finance Committee, and U.S. Reps. Ann Kuster (D-N.H.) and Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) today reintroduced companion versions of the Reducing Unnecessary Senior Hospitalizations (RUSH) Act of 2021, bipartisan, bicameral legislation to facilitate greater use of telehealth in skilled nursing facilities.     “The COVID-19 pandemic led to increased and successful use of telehealth in health care settings of all varieties,” said Cardin. “Continued use and expansion of telehealth in skilled nursing facilities will benefit patients and doctors, while reducing expensive and unnecessary hospital visits where inappropriate. I’m proud to…

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) today announced the continuation of the GoVAX Summer Tour with dates in August. The events continue to bring free mobile vaccine clinics and vaccine outreach to cultural and community events and popular destinations across Maryland. “It is now easier than ever to get vaccinated throughout the state and what a better time to do so than when at an event with friends and family,” said MDH Secretary Dennis R. Schrader. “These fairs, festivals, National Night Out, and Educators and Cultivators events are wonderful opportunities to support your community and get vaccinated—it will keep you,…

A Mineral County resident has been sentenced for methamphetamine distribution. 33-year-old Samantha Jo Guinn, of Keyser, was sentenced to 60 months of incarceration for methamphetamine distribution according to Acting U.S. Attorney Randolph J. Bernard. Guinn pled guilty to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine” in October 2019. Guinn admitted to having more than 50 grams of “crystal” methamphetamine, also known as “ice,” in January 2019 In Grant County. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug and Violent Crime Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the…

The Allegany County Health Department will offer another walk-in COVID vaccination clinic on Wednesday, August 4 on the ground floor of the Willowbrook Office Complex (12501 Willowbrook Road, Cumberland, MD) From 9 a.m. to noon both the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccines will be offered for those age 18 and older.  Then, from 1 to 4 p.m. the Pfizer COVID vaccine will be available for those age 12 and older.  Anyone under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian in order to be vaccinated.   Health officials continue to urge those who…

Garrett County Public Schools has posted the Draft Reopening and Recovery Plan for the beginning of the upcoming school year on the GCPS website at www.garrettcountyschools.org. GCPS is still processing and analyzing stakeholder feedback specific to the plan as well as monitoring the COVID 19 safety protocol guidance. Please understand that this draft plan is still under development and it is in draft form only. Also, it is very important to recognize that this plan may need to be adjusted based on our local COVID 19 metrics and the most current guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the…

On July 29th, 2021 officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to the 100 block of Independence Street for a reported robbery, where the victim provided the location of the suspect. Officers arrived on scene and located Christopher Scott Cook where the victim had advised. Officers then spoke with the victim who advised that Cook had approached them and demanded money. When the victim did not comply, Cook struck them in the face with a rock and threatened them with a bladed weapon. Officers were able to locate evidence that corroborated the victim’s statements, and Cook’s involvement in the robbery….

State and local officials were on hand in front of City Hall for Thursday’s announcement of a new wireless communications systems for Allegany County first responders. The FirstNet network being implemented by AT& T will give the county the ability to prioritize communications during large-scale emergency incidents. The system will include cellular sites in Cresaptown, LaVale, Frostburg and at the National Guard facility on Brown Avenue in Cumberland. The sites ensure public demand for cellular connections will not  jam networks during emergencies and will expand communication along Interstate 68 and U.S. Route 220.