The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Friday that vaccinated teachers and students don't need to wear masks inside school buildings. The changes come amid a national vaccination campaign in which children as young as 12 are eligible to get shots, as well as a general decline in COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths. The nation's top public health agency is not advising schools to require shots for teachers and vaccine-eligible kids. And it's not offering guidance on how teachers can know which students are vaccinated or how parents will know which teachers are immunized.  Allegany County School Superintindent Jeff Blank…

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan recently announced Project Restore- and Cumberland’s Downtown Development Commission is looking to get the word out to local businesses who could benefit. The program will provide $25 million in economic incentives to businesses and developers to revitalize empty storefronts across the state- offering rental grants and sales tax relief to help offset some startup costs. Small businesses with 50 or fewer employees will be eligible for even more benefits.DDC executive director Melinda Kelleher…   

Congressman David McKinley, who represents West Virginia counties in our listening area, recently participated in an Energy Subcommittee panel discussion on the future of power generation and what cost the proposals might add to current electric bills on an annual basis. McKinley questioned a Biden Administration rep…  

The National Weather Service has posted a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Allegany, Garrett, Mineral,Bedford and Somerset Counties until 9 PM. Storms will approach from the west and could generate winds up to 65 mph and quarter sized hail. Monitor WCBC AM 1270 and FM 103.1 and Classic Hits 107.1 for warnings.

Cumberland Police Saturday responded to a business in the 100 block of S. Centre Street for a reported disturbance and a subject refusing to leave. Upon officers arrival they spoke with an employee who advised that Noah Charles Dicken was spitting food at patrons of the business and was advised to leave. The employee further advised that they told Dicken to leave the business and he refused. Officers advised Dicken that he needed to leave the business, but he continued to create a disturbance. Dicken was subsequently placed under arrest and later released on Criminal Citations.   Arrest: Noah Charles…

On Saturday, officers of the Cumberland Police Department served an Arrest Warrant on 26 year old Michael Gage Butler, of Cumberland. The Arrest Warrant was issued by the District Court when Butler failed to appear for his trial on June 22, 2021. Butler was taken before a District Court Commissioner where he was held on $2,500. Also on Saturday,  Cumberland Police served an Arrest Warrant on 45 year old Anthony Michael Vassallo, of the city. The Arrest Warrant was issued by the Circuit Court when Vassallo failed to appear for his trial last Tuesday. Vassallo was taken before a District Court Commissioner…

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) reports as of July 9, 2021, there have been 3,039,147 total confirmatory laboratory results received for COVID-19, with 164,465 total cases and 2,908 deaths. DHHR has confirmed the deaths of a 57-year old male from Monroe County, an 83-year old female from Kanawha County, a 74-year old male from Raleigh County, and an 82-year old female from Berkeley County. “As we send our condolences to these grieving families, we remind West Virginians that a COVID-19 vaccine is the best protection from getting very sick with COVID,” said Bill J. Crouch, DHHR Cabinet Secretary. "I urge…

Governor Larry Hogan today announced the award of $22 million to 25 ecological restoration projects that will improve water quality and habitat in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, while building local resilience to climate impacts. These awards encompass 123 unique sites that will be restored using best management practices, including riparian buffer and reforestation plantings, stream restoration, stormwater management, and wetland creation. “Our administration has committed record investments in bay restoration and remains committed to preserving this national treasure,” said Governor Hogan. “These funds will improve the quality of our bay, and make Maryland a better and more resilient place for…

On Friday officers of the Cumberland Police Department served two Arrest Warrants on Andy Russell Crabtree. The Arrest Warrants were issued by the District Court when Crabtree failed to appear for two of his trial dates. Crabtree was taken before a District Court Commissioner where he was released on his own recognizance.   Arrest: Andy Russell Crabtree, Age 46, Romney West Virginia. Charges: Two Counts of Failure to Appear.   Also Friday officers of the Cumberland Police Department served an Arrest Warrant on Jasmine Marie Park. The Arrest Warrant was issued by the District Court when Park failed to appear…

The state of Maryland recently reported that, of 130 people statewide who died of COVID-19 in the month of June, every one was unvaccinated against the disease.  Additionally, unvaccinated persons made up 95% of new COVID cases in the state and 93% of new COVID hospitalizations.  The state data is representative of statistics seen across the U.S.  In fact, more than 99% of US COVID-19 deaths in June were among unvaccinated people.   “COVID vaccines are FREE, safe, and highly effective at preventing hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19,” explained Allegany County Health Department spokesperson Brenda Caldwell.  “With COVID strains like…