This morning, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued the statement below about recent reports of adverse reactions to the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine and its recommendation to pause administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Based on the federal government’s recommendation and out of an abundance of caution, the Maryland Department of Health directs all Maryland COVID-19 vaccine providers to pause the administration of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines until further federal guidance is issued. Providers should continue to maintain their supplies of Johnson & Johnson vaccines…

On April 12th, 2021 officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to an address in the 600 block of Bedford Street for a reported assault. Upon officers arrival they spoke with the victim who advised that they and Patrick Lionel Smith Jr were engaged in an argument when Smith began to choke them. Officers observed evidence of the assault and placed Smith under arrest. Smith was taken before a District Court Commissioner where he was held without bond.   Arrest: Patrick Lionel Smith Jr, age 40, Cumberland Maryland. Charges: Assault 1st Degree, Assault 2nd Degree.

On April 13th, 2021 officers of the Cumberland Police Department responded to an address in the 900 block of Fayette Street for a reported breaking and entering. Upon officers arrival they spoke with a witness who advised they could hear glass breaking in the area. Officers located the residence and heard someone inside. Officers were able to speak with the property owner who stated no one should be in the residence. Officers searched the residence and located Rachel Nicole Dolly inside the residence. Dolly was placed under arrest and is currently awaiting her initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner….

The 90-day Maryland General Assembly session ended at midnight, and Governor Larry Hogan described it as the best of his 7 years in office. It was a session dominated by COVID-19, with lawmakers approving a $1.5 billion relief bill and a Senate work group holding weekly meetings on the state's COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Earlier this month, lawmakers approved a $52 billion budget…  

Despite some last-minute concerns expressed by members of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad board of directors, Allegany County Commissioner Dave Caporale believes plans to have pedal car excursions should go on as scheduled. Tracks and Yaks, a company offering pedal-powered rail bike rides, is expected to begin operating in May on tracks between the Frostburg Depot and the Cash Valley Road area in LaVale. At a meeting in March, company representatives and county officials said they would accommodate the WMSR schedule. However, the railroad board has not signed off on the proposal. Board member Bob Flanigan said that ultimately the Federal Railroad…

With cases of COVID-19 increasing in West Virginia, Governor Jim Justice focused on vaccinations and continued mask-wearing during his virtual briefing Monday. The increase in cases is the reason why Justice says he still pleads with state residents three days a week to wear masks and to get vaccinated. When it comes to matters of life and death, Justice says it is imperative for people to follow the advice and guidance of the medical experts…

The Allegany County Health Department reports that 20,068 Allegany County residents have received their first dose of a two-dose vaccine against COVID-19 (28.5% of the population), with 12,938 of those individuals now fully vaccinated with their second dose (18.4 % of the population).  Additionally, 1,985 Allegany County residents have received the single dose Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine (2.8%).   By comparison, the state reported that 34.5% of all Marylanders had received their first dose of a two-dose vaccine, with 20.3% having had both doses and an additional 2.7% vaccinated with the single dose vaccine.   Vaccine providers statewide have…

The Mayor and City Council of Cumberland will be receiving funding requests from community groups interested in receiving support from the City’s hotel/motel funds.  Interested organizations must submit a written request to the office of the City Clerk no later than May 21, 2021, with the following information:   Amount of hotel/motel funding being requested. Proposed use of funding if received (i.e., specific projects, events, operations,         capital purchases, etc.). Account of how the hotel/motel funding your organization received last year          was used, if funding was received. Most recent fiscal year financial account for your organization.   No public…

ACPS Bus #73 en route to Westernport Elementary School has experienced mechanical issues and will be replaced by bus #170 this afternoon. This will result in an approximate 30-minute delay picking students up at school.