Bear sighting near Barton in Allegany County, June 2016. Photo by Glenn Miller.       Throughout June and July, visitors and residents of Maryland’s bear country may encounter more bear sightings than they would at other times of the year. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is receiving active reports of bears in suburban counties, which is a normal occurrence and no cause for concern. Read more…   Tags: Allegany County, bears, black bears, Frederick County, Garrett County, summer, Washington County

​The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) reports as of June 17, 2021, there have been 2,960,825 total confirmatory laboratory results received for COVID-19, with 163,382 total cases and 2,863 deaths.   DHHR has confirmed the deaths of a 56-year old male from Barbour County and a 68-year old female from Raleigh County.    ”Each life lost to this disease is a tragedy,” said Bill J. Crouch, DHHR Cabinet Secretary. “We send our thoughts and sympathies to the families and encourage all West Virginians ages 12 and older to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine.”   CASES PER COUNTY:…

 Cumberland Police Department Friday served a Criminal Summons on Andrew Jacob Getz of Cumberland, MD.  The charges stemmed after officers responded to the parking garage on Frederick St for a destruction of property complaint.  Upon arrival, officers spoke with a Security Officer and were advised that Getz was observed breaking a wooden parking gate off of the parking booth.  Getz was then observed running in the area of Centre Street in possession of the broken piece of the parking gate.  Getz was unable to be located at the time of the incident and charges were filed through District Court.  Getz…

     On 06/19/21 at 0127 AM Troopers from the Hagerstown Barrack responded to the area of 2591 Rohrersville Road, Rohrersville MD for a single vehicle collision.  Upon arrival, TFC Bennett determined Zachary Nokes, 23 from Rohersville, was operating a side by side ATV on Rohrersville Road when the vehicle left the roadway for an unknown reason.  The vehicle struck a concrete drainage structure and overturned.  Zachary was transported by Maryland State Police Aviation Trooper 3 to Shock Trauma in Baltimore.         The collision is under investigation, Maryland State Police Reconstruction Investigator TFC Rodeheaver is the primary investigator.

In partnership with the organizers of the Juneteenth celebration, the Allegany County Health Department  will hold a COVID-19 walk-in vaccination clinic on Saturday, June 19 in Downtown Cumberland within walking distance of Canal Place, the center of the festivities. The clinic will take place in the first floor conference room of the Fairfield Inn at 21 N. Wineow Street from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Both the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID -19 vaccines will be available to anyone age 18 or older. No appointment is needed. 

Maryland gas averages haven’t moved much for the last week with changes of only a few pennies in most areas. The gas price average in Maryland today is $2.96, down respectively three cents from last week, 10 cents in the last month, and up 83 cents from this date last year. Like last week, all areas in Maryland are averaging under $3 this week with the exception of the areas closest to Washington, D.C.   In its latest weekly report, new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed growth in gasoline demand and total domestic gasoline stocks. The increase…

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that, according to official CDC data, 90% of Marylanders ages 65 and older have now received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. This is another major milestone for the state’s No Arm Left Behind initiative to ensure vaccines are available for every Marylander who wants one. “Getting seniors vaccinated has been, and continues to be, one of our highest priorities, and it is another area where we are outpacing the nation,” said Governor Hogan. “Maryland will continue to use every tool at our disposal to reach this population, and get everyone we can vaccinated….

 Allegany College of Maryland honored 70 students at the 49th Annual All-College Awards Ceremony held virtually in May. Achievement in academics, athletics and leadership, and service to the college and community was recognized through the distribution of 80 different awards in more than 30 subjects and areas.    The recipients are as follows:     - Marissa Arnone, Cumberland, a Criminal Justice major, received the Outstanding Student in Criminal Justice Program – Extra-Mile Award.   - Alexandrea Black, Cumberland, a Medical Assistant major, received the Medical Assistant Achievement Award.   - Kaitlyn Booth, Mount Savage, a Nursing major, received the Margaret Keller Memorial Award.  …

Raymond O. 'Ray' Metz Jr., 83, resident of Midland, passed away Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Beginning his organized labor career with AFSCME Local 669, State Highway Employees, he served as president for nine years. In 1971, he went to AFSCME International before moving on to AFSCME Council 67 as a staff representative. In 1975, he joined the newly founded AFSCME Council 92, where he retired in 1999. A memorial service will be held at Grace United Methodist Church, Midland, on Monday, June 21, 2021, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Heerak Kim officiating. Wilhelm-Eakin Funeral Home, P.A., Midland, is assisting the family.

Today marks the final day for The Rush Limbaugh Show on WCBC and affiliated stations across the country.  Limbaugh passed away in late February, and for the past four months, hosts have used the commentary of Rush to apply to today’s headlines.  The Excellence In Broadcasting Network thought it would be a proper way for listeners to mourn the passing of the radio legend who did the show for 33 years.  The Rush Limbaugh Morning Update also concludes today.  Monday, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton will take over the timeslot on WCBC.   It’s a new show, with a conservative slant.