Democrat leaders in the West Virginia Legislature held a media briefing Monday following the revelation that Republican Delegate Brandon Steele had tested positive for Coronavirus. House Minority Leader Doug Skaff said he and his caucus wish nothing but a speedy recovery for Steele, and indicated that 86 of 100 House members had been vaccinated.   Steele is the chairman of the House Government Organization Committee.  He was tested after feeling tired and experiencing symptoms at the end of last week.  Initially, he thought he was suffering from seasonal allergies. Skaff said Steele made a long speech without a mask on Friday, and…

At a news briefing today, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice said he would be opening the state's COVID-19 vaccination program to everyone over the age of 16. Registration of those newly eligible can begin online at vaccinate.wv.gov.   Even with the lower age group, Justice said that those over the age of 65 would still be given priority.  Over two out of three of those in the upper age group have been fully vaccinated.   Governor Justice also announced that fairs, festivals and other large events would be allowed beginning May 1.

With Phase 2 of Maryland’s vaccine distribution plan set to take effect, the Maryland Department of Health continues to increase direct vaccine allocations to the state’s 24 local health departments. Overall, allocations to local health departments have increased by 54% since the week of February 8. The Allegany County Health Department recieved 500 first doses on Monday.  The state allocates vaccines to mass vaccination sites as well as an expanding network of vaccine providers within each state jurisdiction, including hospitals, pharmacies, local health departments, primary care physicians, and community health centers. More than 350 providers are listed at covidvax.maryland.gov. “We…

UPMC Western Maryland Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Nancy Adams will retire at the end of March, capping four-decade career of caring service.     “I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone here,” Adams said. “I’ve learned so much from so many people and I will do my best to continue to pass on the lessons I’ve learned, even in retirement.”      Adams began her career as a labor and delivery charge nurse at Cumberland’s Memorial Hospital in January, 1981. Over the next nearly 40 years, she rose her way through the nursing and administrative ranks at…

On Sunday March 21st, 2021 officers of the Cumberland Police Department served four Arrest Warrants on Arthur Tejeno Bunbasi. The Arrest Warrants were issued by both the District and Circuit Court stemming from an assault that had occurred on February 23rd, 2021. Arthur was placed under arrest and taken before a District Court Commissioner where he was held without bond.   Arrest: Arthur Tejeno Bunbasi, age 22, Cumberland Maryland. Charges: Assault Second Degree, Violation of a Court Order, Violate a Protective Order, Violation of Pretrial Release Conditions, and Violation of Probation.

The Allegany County Sheriff's Office located Bruce Windle May, 85, with the assistance of the Wilderness  Rescue Resource Group, Mountain Maryland Search and Rescue, Maryland State Police, and MSP Aviation Trooper 5 after seeking the public's assistance in locating the missing man. May suffers from a medical condition and is considered as a vulnerable missing. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Friday it is relaxing its COVID-19 guidelines-  saying students can safely sit just 3 feet apart in the classroom as long as they wear masks but should be kept the usual 6 feet away from one another at sporting events, assemblies, lunch or chorus practice. The revised recommendations represent a turn away from the 6-foot standard that has sharply limited how many students some schools can accommodate. Three feet gives school districts greater flexibility to have more students in for a prolonged period of time. The Allegany County Board of Education will…

After having been dubbed “Lockdown Larry” by many critics during the COVID-19  pandemic for taking an overly cautious approach to re-opening, Governor Hogan is now hearing criticism from the other side. Maryland’s swift and far-reaching plan to reopen businesses and public venues announced recently took many key stakeholders by surprise- with some saying he went further than some industry and health representatives had requested. Outside public health experts described the decision to reopen  as “premature” given the state’s coronavirus metrics. Hogan said his team has been closely following the metrics and the science- and he believes Maryland has struck just the right balance…

When City Administrator Jeff Rhodes retires from his post in just a few months,  it will bring to a close a 23-year career with the city of Cumberland. Now 62, Rhodes  announced his plans to retire during a  meeting of the mayor and City Council last November.  His last day will be June 1, which coincides with the end of his latest four-year contract. A search committee was selected and applications are being reviewed. Appearing on WCBC’s “Dave Norman Show”, Mayor Ray Morriss said  the city is looking for someone with experience in city management or being a department head…

Allegany County announced last year plans to demolish the old Allegany High School- however before that effort can begin the arduous task of asbestos removal has to be completed. The former Allegany High School, located on Sedgwick Street, has been vacant since the summer of 2018 after construction of a new school was completed on Haystack Mountain. The old school, built between 1925 and 1926, has suffered from major vandalism since its doors were closed.  County Administrator Jason Bennett said the asbestos and hazardous materials abatement is considered part of the demolition process- and it is nearly complete…