The nation's three major bond agencies — S&P Global Ratings, Moody's Investors Service and Fitch Ratings — have reaffirmed Maryland's coveted AAA bond rating in advance of an upcoming sale of up to $800 million in general obligation bonds. The competitive sale of the bonds will be used to finance capital projects for public schools, community colleges, universities and hospitals. Maryland is one of 13 states to hold the AAA rating, the highest possible rating, from all three agencies. The agencies also said the bonds had stable outlooks.  Lt Governor Boyd Rutherford sat in for Governor Hogan during the most recent…

Congressman David Trone this week hosted a virtual press conference about how Western Marylanders stand to benefit from the newest COVID-19 relief bill, the American Rescue Plan, which the House passed over the weekend and is currently being considered by the Senate. Over the past year, Congressman Trone, a Democrat, said he has heard from hundreds of workers, families, and business owners in Western Maryland struggling with the economic and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. He has worked closely with local leaders, even leading a bipartisan request with over 60 local leaders, including Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss, to Congressional leadership urging…

With a third coronavirus vaccine approved in the U.S., what is the difference between the vaccines and should you pick one over the other? According to medical experts,each of the three vaccines currently available in the U.S. offer some level of protection. Pfizer and Moderna COVID vaccines have been circulating across the U.S., both requiring two shots for full protection- while the newly approved Johnson and Johnson requires just a single shot. The subject of patient choice when it comes to COVID vaccinations was addressed on Wednesday’s “Dave Norman Show” on WCBC by Dr Matthew Simmons, vice-president Medical Affairs at UPMC…

Allegany County Emergency Services reports a tractor railer fire on Interstate 68 East in the area of Hillcrest Drive. Police and ems units are on the scene. 

The Cumberland Times News reports that deputies with the Allegany County Sherif’s Office took a man into custody and seized a handgun after investigating a report of shots fired early Wednesday in the East Wilson Road area. No injuries were reported in the 12:42 a.m. incident that remains under investigation. The suspect was not identified. A handgun was seized when the suspect was located, police said. Additional weapons were confiscated when police executed a search warrant following the arrest. Police said the man who was taken into custody was transported to UPMC Western Maryland for a medical evaluation.

Potomac Edison crews are responding to scattered power outages in Allegany County with more than 300 customers currently impacted in Cumberland, Flintstone, Little Orleans and Oldtown. 

U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressman David Trone (D-Md.) today announced $3,565,694 in federal funding to support Tri-State Community Health Center in Hancock, Md. “The Tri-State Community Health Center, and other CHCs around Maryland, have played an essential role in delivering quality and affordable healthcare services to rural and underserved neighborhoods,” said Senator Cardin. “This new federal investment will ensure Western Maryland’s local health providers have the necessary resources to efficiently care for Marylanders during and after COVID-19. I am committed to removing the barriers to affordable health care and securing supplementary funding to bolster our Community…

Assuming COVID-19 metrics continue along the current trajectory, there will be a delayed DelFest this year. September 23rd through the 26th will be the festival dates, according to an announcement from festival organizers on Wednesday.  The event normally takes place in May.

On Tuesday, the Allegany County Narcotics Task Force and Cumberland City Police arrested William Edward Wright, 45, of Nottingham, MD in the area of Park Street, Cumberland, MD.   Wright was the subject of a CDS investigation for the distribution and sales of fentanyl and crack cocaine in the Allegany County area.  Williams was found to be in possession of a large amount of fentanyl and large amount of crack cocaine.    After the arrest, investigators with the Allegany County Narcotics Task Force executed a search and seizure warrant in the 1300 block of National Highway, Lavale. Investigators seized large…

On March 2, 2020, the Allegany County Narcotics Task Force and Cumberland City Police arrested William Edward Wright, 45, of Nottingham, MD in the area of Park Street, Cumberland, MD.   Wright was the subject of a CDS investigation for the distribution and sales of fentanyl and crack cocaine in the Allegany County area. Williams was found to be in possession of a large amount of fentanyl and large amount of crack cocaine.   After the arrest, investigators with the Allegany County Narcotics Task Force executed a search and seizure warrant in the 1300 block of National Highway, Lavale. Investigators…