A Grant County resident has pleaded guilty to a federal drug charge, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Randolph J. Bernard. Trampas Quint Wolford, 57, entered the plea to one count of distribution of methamphetamine. Wolford admitted to selling methamphetamine in March 2019 in Grant County. Wolford faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1 million. The Potomac Highlands Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force asssisted federal authorities in the investigation.
On Wednesday, April 28th, 2021 the Cumberland Police Department responded to a Henderson Avenue establishment for a fight in progress. When officers arrived, they learned that two males had been involved in a physical altercation. One of the males was still present when officers arrived but the other had fled prior to arrival. The male was observed to have facial injuries as a result of the altercation and was treated on scene by the Cumberland Fire Department. The other male was later located and identified. He also had injuries from the altercation but refused medical treatment. Both were referred to…
With consistent improvements in key health metrics and a fast pace of vaccinations, Governor Larry Hogan Wednesday lifted the outdoor mask mandate in Maryland and all restrictions for outdoor dining. Hogan also announced that the state has entered a new phase of its vaccination campaign, moving to direct scheduling at mass vaccination sites and continuing to expand points of distribution…
After receiving a request for a second vaccination site, the Maryland Department of Health opened a Mobile Vax site in the Southern Garrett Industrial Park on Route 135 east of Mountain Lake Park. Garrett County Health Officer Bob Stephens told WCBC that the county's vaccination rate is lagging behind the state numbers… The Garrett County Mobile Vaccination Site is open daily from 11 AM until 7 PM and is presently offering the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Stevens said that Johnson and Johnson vaccines may become available in early May after the CDC approved a resumption in usage.
During Wednesday’s media briefing, Governor Jim Justice continued to emphasize the importance of having younger West Virginians “step up” and get vaccinated. Justice said that West Virginians from 16 to 35 years of age are transmitting the disease faster than any other demographic. Justice announced his plan to give $100 savings bonds to that age group would be administered retroactively…
Despite a 2-month delay of the state tax filing deadline, Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot said more than 2 million returns already have been processed. Franchot's office also reported that nearly 1-and-a-half million taxpayers have received refunds, so far. And while he says he’s pleased that so many people have chosen not to wait until the last minute to file, Franchot tells WCBC the extension is serving its intended purpose… Franchot is also warning about a new scam against taxpayers, in which letters with public record lien information have been sent out, claiming to be from a collections agency operating on behalf of the…
Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Board of Directors Chair Mike McKay announced during this week’s meeting that Allegany County Commissioner David Caporale has stepped down from the board… While Caporale has been on the board of the tourist train for several years- it appears serving that role at the same time as holding elected office was becoming challenging recently as the county commissioners often expressed frustration with railroad operations and management. Caporale supported the county’s hire of a consulting firm to conduct a performance audit of the scenic railroad in 2018- and in January publicly called for a financial audit. …
The Cumberland Mayor and City Council are looking at a budget shortfall of $411,000 in the prelimary budget- but the vast majority of that can be covered by funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. As a result the city does not plan a tax hike and the water and sewer rates will hold steady. City Comptroller Mark Gandolfi presented the preliminary budget recommendations to the council during a Tuesday work session. He said there is a great deal of flexibility in how the city chooses to utilize those federal dollars…
17-year-old Mitchell Septoff has been one of the more vocal student members of the Allegany County Board of Education in the 27 years that the position has existed. However, he says that he believes his voice – and those of the students he is representing – is being largely ignored. Septoff made his frustration known during last week’s school board meeting when a vote was taken to halt discussion on the school calendar, and his input was not allowed prior to the motion being defeated… Board…
Nonprofits are critical players in communities responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency, and the related effects of major disruptions to daily life. With that in mind, the Allegany County Board of Commissioners announced last week a “nonprofit recovery grant”. Commissioners President Jake Shade said grant sizes will range from $5,000 to $50,000 and applications will be accepted beginning on May 17th….
