On Tuesday, the CDC formally authorized the use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in children ages five to eleven, opening vaccination to roughly 4,000 Allegany County schoolchildren.  On the heels of that decision, the Allegany County Health Department has announced that it is partnering with Allegany County Public Schools (ACPS) to offer after-school vaccination clinics at various schools throughout the county.  Registration information for those pediatric clinics has been sent to parents through local public and private schools.   “Together, with science leading the charge, we have taken another important step forward in our nation’s fight against the virus that causes COVID-19,” stated…

On Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at approximately 8:00 p.m., the Cumberland Police Department responded to St. Patrick’s Church located at 201 N. Centre Street in reference to a Destruction of Property complaint.  Upon officers’ arrival contact was made with the complainant who advised an unknown suspect had broken into a glass display case which is located in the alley beside the church.  The unknown suspect removed a statue and destroyed it by throwing it on the ground.  Estimated damages are at $250.00.   The Cumberland Police Department is requesting help with solving this crime.  Anyone with information is asked to…

Maryland health officials authorized providers across the state to immediately begin scheduling appointments, holding clinics and vaccinating 5- to 11-year-old children, Gov. Larry Hogan announced Wednesday. WBAL reports the governor's update comes a day after Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky endorsed a recommendation to vaccinate children ages 5-11 against COVID-19, clearing the way for immediate vaccination of the youngest age group yet in the United States. Hogan said 515,000 Maryland children are now eligible to receive their COVID-19 vaccine. Based on requests from providers, the state placed an initial order of 180,000 doses, which began arriving directly…

The Cumberland Times News reports Maryland State Police continue to investigate the deaths of a Rawlings couple found in their home last week. Gregory Zembower, 65, and Lorraine Zembower, 54, were found Oct. 26 about 9 a.m. at the home in the 15000 block of Meadowdale Drive. "The cause of death is still pending the completion of the autopsy," said Ron Snyder, a state police public information officer. "However, we can confirm that there was no signs of trauma to the victims and there is no danger to the community," he said. Troopers were called to the residence after a…

On Tuesday, November 11, at approximately 7:00 pm the Cumberland Police Department and Cumberland Fire Department responded to a dormitory in the 100 block of Fayette Street for a report of an unconscious 15-year-old male.   Responding units began lifesaving efforts; however, the young man was pronounced dead at the scene.  Investigation into this matter is being conducted by the Cumberland Police Department and the Allegany County Combined Criminal Investigation Unit (C3I).   The cause of death is not known at this time; however, there were no signs of foul play or drug abuse at the scene.  The young man has been…

On Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021 the Cumberland Police Department served an arrest warrant on Devin Tashan Smith charging him was possession of CDS and possession with intent to distribute CDS.  The warrant was issued by District Court in reference to an incident on October 8th, 2021 in the W. Industrial Blvd. area where Smith was found to by officers to be in possession of a quantity of Psilocybin Mushrooms.  He was taken before the District Court Commissioner and was released on an unsecured bond of a $1,000 pending trial.   Devin Tashan Smith, age; 27, Cumberland, Maryland.

On Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021 at approximately 6:00 pm. the Cumberland Police Department responded to the area of City View Terrance and Broadway Street for the report of a vehicle accident.  When officers arrived, they observed a 2004 Volkswagen Golf on its roof.  Officers spoke with the female driver who stated she over-corrected when she thought she was too close to the shoulder of the road.  The 30-year-old Cumberland resident was transported to the UMPC Emergency Room with minor injuries.  The driver was not cited.

COVID-19 metrics in Maryland seem to be improving over the last few weeks. The latest is the lowest positivity rate since July 30. As of Tuesday, Maryland’s COVID-19 positivity rate is 2.95%, the lowest in three months. Hospitalizations are down 70.9% since its peak. The recent declines come after a sharp increase in metrics across the board as the delta variant spread across the country. The state also reports they have administered 415,734 booster shots, making the grand total of vaccinations 8,537,704 across the state. Governor Larry Hogan…

Unfilled jobs throughout Maryland remain one of the biggest barriers to rebooting a state economy that had been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. Having a large number of people unemployed at the same time businesses across the state have “help wanted” signs hung in their windows would seem to be a situation that would resolve itself- however that has not been the case. Dr Dararius Irani, chief economist at Towson University, said the idea that job vacancies would fill up rapidly once state and federal unemployment benefits ran out has not materialized…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last month approved a shorter quarantine period for anyone who may have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus, with the addition of a seven-day quarantine option. For the Allegany County Public School System that means less time away from the classroom for many students.  The CDC allows for three options. You can do the full 14-day quarantine, you can do a 10-day quarantine, which is considered a shortened quarantine, or a seven-day quarantine with a negative test on day five or later. The board of education’s student board member Brooklyn Noel said she…