Maryland officials say federal stimulus money has made a big impact on the state’s economic outlook, even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. The Maryland Board of Revenue Estimates voted this week for updated revenue projections. The updated revenue estimates project a 1.5% increase in fiscal year 2022 revenues. That’s nearly $300 million more from previous estimates for a total of about $20.1 billion. Comptroller Peter Franchot, during Wednesday’s Board of Public Works meeting, said while the report is good news for the state’s bottom line, it doesn’t represent the experience of many Maryland families who continue to face some of the…

West Virginia has had 168 coronavirus-related deaths which were previously unreported, and Governor Jim Justice said he will have state officials investigate. The governor said half of the unreported deaths came from hospitals. The information was not reported by 70 health care facilities in West Virginia. The numbers include home deaths, hospice, hospitals and correctional facilities. Not counting the latest numbers, West Virginia had had a total of 2,330 deaths reported during the pandemic, according to figures listed on the DHHR’s website Thursday. Justice said he planned to honor the 168 people who died from COVID and cases were previously unreported on…

On 3/11/2021 at approximately 12:00 AM an officer from Cumberland City Police Department initiated a traffic stop on Grand Avenue. During the stop the officer requested a drug detection K-9 respond to the scene. A scan of the vehicle was conducted and the K-9 alerted on the vehicle. A probable cause search was conducted and the officer located a glass pipe commonly used to smoke crack cocaine in the vehicle. The passenger William Orva Mosher III was arrested and issued a criminal citation. Mr. Mosher was released on the citation pending trial in District Court.   Arrested – William Orva…

The National Weather Service in Baltimore MD/Washington has issued a Fire Weather Watch for low humidity and gusty winds, which is in effect from Thursday morning through Thursday afternoon. * WINDS…Southwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY…As low as 22 percent. * IMPACTS…Critical fire weather conditions are possible Thursday, especially from midday to mid afternoon hours. All outdoor burning is discouraged. * FUEL MOISTURE… PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings.

The Allegany County Health Department reports that 11,724 Allegany County residents have received at least their first dose of vaccine against COVID-19 (16.7% of the population), with 8,199 of those individuals now fully vaccinated with their second dose (11.6% of the population).  By comparison, the state reported that 17.7% of all Marylanders had received at least their first dose of vaccine, with 9.7% now fully vaccinated.   Yesterday, Governor Hogan announced the Western Maryland mass vaccination site in Hagerstown will open one week early on Thursday, March 25. This will give the state at least one mass vaccination site in each region….

The audio of the Lieutenant Governor Boyd Rutherford's interview with WCBC's Dave Norman is available here and also at Audio Highlights on wcbcradio.com    

The school board voted at their March 9th meeting in favor of the Superintendent’s recommendation to transition students from half-days of instruction to full days beginning March 22nd. Students in Grades 2-12 will still attend school on an A/B day schedule. Additionally, after Easter break beginning the week of April 12th, A/B day students will alternate attending school on Fridays for in-person learning.                The original return to school schedule for the week of March 15th will remain unchanged, and students in Grades 7, 8, 10, 11 will return to buildings on an A/B day schedule for half days of instruction….

West Virginia has had 168 coronavirus-related deaths  that were previously unreported, and Governor Jim Justice said he will have state officials investigate. The governor said half of the unreported deaths came from hospitals. The information was not reported by 70 health care facilities in West Virginia. They include home deaths, hospice, hospitals and correctional facilities. Not counting the latest numbers, West Virginia had had a total of 2,330 deaths reported during the pandemic, according to figures listed on the DHHR’s website Thursday. Justice said he planned to honor the 168 people who died from COVID and cases were previously unreported…

On March 9, 2021, the Allegany County Narcotics Task Force arrested William Jacob Mongold, 23, of Cumberland and Brittany Nicole Wickard, 26, of Cumberland on Interstate 68 in the area of Jeffries Road, Cumberland, MD.   Mongold and Wickard were the subject of a CDS investigation for the distribution and sales of fentanyl in the Allegany County area. Mongold and Wickard were found to be in possession of a large amount of fentanyl. The approximate street value of the fentanyl found was $5,000.   Mongold and Wickard were both charged with the following:   Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl…

On March 7, 2021, the Allegany County Narcotics Task Force arrested Aaron Thomas Mitchell, 26, of Hagerstown and Samantha Jeanine Louden, 28, of Cumberland on Interstate 68 in the area of Flintstone, MD. Mitchell and Louden were the subject of a CDS investigation for the distribution and sales of fentanyl in the Allegany County area. Mitchell and Louden were found to be in possession of a large amount of fentanyl. The approximate street value of the fentanyl found was over $9,000. During the investigation, the Allegany County Narcotics Task Force also executed a search and seizure warrant in the 400…