Mass vaccination sites continue to close around the state. With dwindling demand, the Hagerstown location closed permanently more than a month ago- and now some of the largest mass sites in Maryland are shutting down. WBAL reports the one at the Columbia Mall closed Thursday, and on Friday, the M&T Bank Stadium site closed its doors. Nearly a quarter of a million shots of the COVID-19 vaccine were administered at the M&T Bank Stadium mass vaccination site in just over four months. In January, the state health department approached the University of Maryland Medical System about running the site, and…

Last Thursday marked the first day on the job for Maryland’s new state school Superintendent Mohammed Choudhury. WBAL reports that while Choudhury may be still learning his way around the building, he's already done his homework when it comes to the history of Maryland’s education system, specifically, the Blueprint for Maryland's Future the state's newly enacted education law…   The superintendent said the setbacks school systems faced during COVID-19 will help create new opportunities for students returning to full time, in-person learning this fall.  

On Sunday, July 4th, 2021 the Cumberland Police Department responded to an ATM located on E. Oldtown Road for the report of a robbery.  When officers arrived, they contacted a female victim that stated she having difficulties depositing currency in an ATM and asked for assistance from a male behind her.  The male, later identified as Derek Michael Lee, assisted the female with the transaction but when she received a deposit slip, it read that nothing had been deposited.  The victim confronted Lee about the missing currency and she was able to recover a large sum of it but not…

The Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization held it’s annual Fourth of July memorial service for American Revoilutionary War veterans Sunday – with a special tribute to Captain David Lynn. President Ed Taylor Jr spoke with WCBC about the ceremonies will began the organizational headquarters on Allegany Street before moving to Rose Hill Cemetery…  

The Washington Street bridge, which spans CSX railroad tracks, has been closed for several years and continues to serve as a point of frustration for residents as well as for motorists who travel the West Side. Although it is clearly a city of Cumberland problem- the Allegany County Commissioners have been actively involved in trying to find a solution. In April, commissioners voted unanimously to permit county attorney Lee Beeman to file an official complaint against CSX with the National Surface Transportation Board. Mayor Ray Morriss, while fully supportive of that effort, acknowledged that it will be a challenge…

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced last month that DelFest would be receiving COVID-19 grants funding.  The money is part of the state’s grant program established for live music, performance venues and live entertainment promoters affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The $10 million in relief funding throughout the state is in addition to the $30 million allocated earlier this year. The DelFest promoter grant is for $158,105. Stan Strickland, the McCoury's manager, said the money will be director for improvements at the Allegany County Fairgrounds which serves as the home for the annual DelFest event…

It has been a year of change thus far for the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad with a new leadership team; a restart of daily excursions; and inching closer to the return of steam. The local tourist train, essentially shutdown from March of 2020 through Memorial Day weekend of this year,  recently hired a new superintendent.  Earlier in the year, Delegate Mike McKay was announced as the new chair of the board of directors.  While ridership numbers have been strong early on, the anticipation is those numbers could skyrocket with the long-awaited debut of the Baldwin No. 1309 steam engine. The steam engine…

On Sunday, July 4, 2021, at 4:28 p.m., Frostburg City Police responded to a report of the theft of a U.S. Flag from among the flags displayed along Main Street. The caller reported observing a male suspect in a blue shirt steal one of the U.S. flags near the library before walking up Main Street and onto Broadway. Officers located the suspect, identified as Christopher Blake Medlock, 37, of Frostburg and Pisgah, Alabama, on Broadway carrying the stolen flag. Officers placed Medlock under arrest and transported him to police headquarters. Medlock was charged with theft less than $100 and disorderly…

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) reports as of July 2, 2021, there have been 3,016,020 total confirmatory laboratory results received for COVID-19, with 164,149 total cases and 2,899 deaths.    DHHR has confirmed the deaths of an 83-year old male from Mercer County and an 83-year old male from Wyoming County. “Vaccines are safe and effective,” said Bill J. Crouch, DHHR Cabinet Secretary. “If you are eligible, I am asking you to do your part to end further deaths from the pandemic by scheduling a COVID vaccine.”   CASES PER COUNTY: Barbour (1,515), Berkeley (12,847),…

                As part of a nationally coordinated effort to educate boaters about the dangers of boating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the Maryland Natural Resources Police will participate in the annual Operation Dry Water campaign. This campaign aims to reduce the number of alcohol and drug-related incidents and fatalities on the water. Operation Dry Water weekend, July 2-4, includes amplified recreational boater outreach, education, and coordinated enforcement surrounding boating under the influence. Alcohol use continues to be the leading known contributing factor in recreational boater deaths and a leading contributor in boating…