Allegany County Sheriff Craig Robertson, in a letter issued Friday afternoon, announced that an internal investigation of the use of force by deputies on April 5th in Bowling Green has been completed- and that the matter has been referred to the State’s Attorney’s office. The issue came to light on social media and during a public meeting of the County Commissioners when representatives of the local NAACP asked officials for transparency following an altercation between sheriff’s office deputites and citizens during a recent eviction. A video posted to social media, reportedly at a Hickory Avenue property, showed the incident at…

A national analysis by Bloomberg shows that the State of Maryland ranks among national leaders for vaccinating minority populations against COVID-19. According to today’s analysis, Maryland ranks: 3rd among states for vaccinating the state’s share of the Black population, 9th among states for vaccinating the state’s share of the Asian population, and 12th among states for vaccinating the state’s share of the Hispanic population.  “Maryland has one of the most advanced equity plans in the country, and it is delivering results,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “Our goal throughout this process remains the same—we do not want to leave any Marylander…

The Office of the State's Attorney for Allegany County, Maryland, James F. Elliott, State's Attorney announced:  On Wednesday, April 7, 2021, the Combined County Criminal Investigation (C3I) Advisory Board, and the agency heads of local law enforcement, recognized the Honorable Micahel O. Twigg, Judge of the Circuit Court, for Allegany County, Maryland, with a plaque commemorating his more than twenty (20) years of service to C3I, members of local law enforcement, and the citizens of Allegany County, Maryland. Judge Twigg began his tenure with the State's Attorney's Office, and his involvement with C#I, as an intern with the State's Attorney's…

On Thursday, April 15th, 2021, the Cumberland City Police arrested Dustin Michael Edwards, 30, of Mt. Savage MD. Edwards was arrested on an outstanding Circuit Court Bench Warrant for violating the conditions of his pre-sentence release. Edwards was taken to the Allegany County Detention Center where he was held without bond. Arrested:    Dustin Michael Edwards          Age:  30 Charges: Bench Warrant – Violation of Pre-Sentence Release

The Allegany County Health Department will be moving its COVID-19 vaccination clinics from the Barton shell building in Rawlings to the Multipurpose Building at the County Fairgrounds, beginning the week of May 3. People who live or work in Allegany County can visit ACHD’s website and complete the COVID-19 Vaccine Interest Form to receive registration links for the next available vaccination clinic. Individuals should expect an email, or phone call if they have no email address, a day or two after submitting their information on the form.

The Allegany County Commissioners on Thursday were presented with a balanced budget for consideration – one that will not include any tax increases – and one that fully funds the requests made from each county department and agency. The $96.4 operating budget reflects 2% growth over last year and includes a healthy reserve fund. County Administrator and Finance Director Jason Bennett said that remarkably, despite dealing with the COVID-19 impacted economy, the county saw increases in property and income tax revenues. Further aiding in the budget process, Bennett said, was the fact that all of the departments held the line with…

A leading infectious disease physician tells WCBC News that although Maryland was among the first states in the nation this week to put a hold on administering the single dose Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine- there is no real cause for alarm. Following directives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration- a pause was recommended for the J&J vaccine over blood clot concerns. While blood clots were confirmed in a total of just six women nationwide- this latest news has only served to increase  vaccination anxiety among a large percentage of the population….

Following the release of new data from the Maryland Opioid Operational Command Center (OOCC) showing a significant increase in the number of overdose deaths in Maryland in 2020- Congressman David Trone is calling for immediate action.  Overdoses throughout the state increased by 18.7%, while Western Maryland experienced a 45.9% increase in overdose deaths. The Maryland Democrat said that this latest report confirms his worst fears- that COVID-19 has taken a significant toll on Marylanders of every demographic living with substance use disorder, especially those in Western Maryland. Trone, who lost a nephew to opioid abuse in 2016, said the consequences…

Cumberland city officials this week indicated that the $9.7 million Baltimore Street Redevelopment Project, which was expected to break ground in the fall, is not likely to get underway until next year. Jeff Rhodes, city administrator, said it will likely be spring 2022 before construction can begin. The project, which includes reinstalling Baltimore Street through the downtown pedestrian mall, has been pushed back several times. A significant step however take place today, when design plans are submitted to the State Highway Administration. Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss thanked the many groups and individuals who have worked for several years to move the…

Comptroller Peter Franchot spent the traditional tax day reminding Marylanders that the deadline to file your taxes has been extended by three months.  In addition, Franchot announced that all individual Tax Year 2020 tax forms have been updated and are ready for use by taxpayers and tax preparers, effective immediately. Ordinarily, April 15 would be the deadline for filing federal and state income taxes, but those due dates have been pushed back due to emergency legislation in Annapolis and Washington, D.C., that required extensive changes to the current year tax forms. Franchot told WCBC News that the extension was put into…