The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) announced that an adult living in the Baltimore metropolitan area has tested positive for the West Nile virus – the first confirmed human case of the virus in Maryland this year.   The West Nile virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes who have been infected by feeding on birds who have the virus. In rare instances, the virus may be spread from person to person through organ donation, blood transfusion, breastfeeding, or from pregnant mother to fetus.   The disease affects the nervous system, and up to 80 percent of people who are…

ACPS bus#58 from Allegany, Northeast, and John Humbird could be approximately 30 minutes late dropping students off at their stops this afternoon.

Volunteer firefighters from three counties responded to  a residential fire in Patterson Creek. The Cumberland Times News reported the fire on Patterson Creek Village Pike was reported about 7:35 a.m. When the first units arrive, there was heavy fire in the rear of the two-story structure. Firefighters reportedly had the fire under control and were extinguishing hot spots by 8:05 a.m. Firefighters from Mineral, Allegany and Hampshire counties were at the scene.

On Tuesday, August 24th, 2021 the Cumberland Police Department served an arrest warrant on Carly Alexa Yates.  The warrant was issued by the District Court of Queen Anne’s County for an incident that occurred back on July 23rd, 2021 when the Maryland State Police responded to a trespassing complaint at a Grasonville, Maryland establishment involving Yates.  She was charged with disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, intoxicated public disturbance, assault, and resisting arrest.  Yates was taken before the District Court Commissioner and was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center held on a $2,500 bond. Carly Alexa Yates, age; 34, Cumberland,…

On Tuesday, August 24th, 2021 a Cumberland Police Officer stopped a vehicle on Henderson Avenue for an equipment violation.  The driver was identified by the officer as Brad Franklin Fazenbaker who told the officer that he “may have a revoked” license in Maryland.  His license was confirmed by the officer to be suspended and revoked.  After citing Fazenbaker, a search of his vehicle was conducted and officers located a quantity of suspected crystal methamphetamine and Suboxone.  He was arrested and charged with possession not marijuana and CDS paraphernalia in addition to being cited for driving on a suspended and revoked…

Governor Larry Hogan this week criticized the way the Biden administration has handled Afghanistan while at the same time reiterating that Maryland is open to accepting more Afghan refugees on Special Immigrant Visas..

Today marks the start of the new school year in Allegany County- and with COVID-19 cases spiking- a mask mandate will be in effect. Much like the end of the last school year- the COVID pandemic is expected to dominate much of the early activites while health and safety protocols are expected to be fluid. Allegany County Board of Education President Crystal Bender tells WCBC News that face coverings and social distancing will all be required as the new semester gets underway… With about 80% of faculty and staff vaccinated- she says there have been no discussions about a vaccine…

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice began his regular COVID-19 briefing with some startling statistics. Nearly 2,500 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported since Friday, with now more than 10,000 cases in the state. There are no longer any green counties on the state’s map. Also, over the last eight weeks, health officials have seen a 26% increase in cases among fully vaccinated residents, a 21% increase, among the vaccinated, in cases requiring hospitalizations and a 25% increase in deaths among those who have gotten their shots. If the trends continue Justice says everything will be on the table for consideration…

Although Allegany County’s COVID-19 numbers are spiking dramatically- and the vaccination rates are among the lowest in the state- Commissioner Jake Shade tells WCBC News there are no plans to consider a vaccination mandate. The state has implemented mandates for some state employees and health care workers; and many private businesses are moving in that direction. Allegany County’s vaccination rate of just over 41% is nearly 20 points behind the rest of the state. Shade said that is a concern- but the commissioners aren’t supportive of a county wide mandate…

Allegany College of Maryland will be the site for the first in a series of town halls being held across the state to discuss the continuing opioid and overdose crisis. The town hall, which will run from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. on Aug. 26, is the first of a planned statewide series organized as part of the Maryland Stop Overdose Strategy, or Maryland SOS, a campaign launched in June to combat the wave of substance abuse disorder that worsened with COVID-19. Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford will be joined by officials from the Maryland Department of Health and the state Opioid…