Wbal reports firefighters rescued two workers who were trapped on a dangling scaffolding after an explosion at a downtown Baltimore building that seriously injured as many as 21 people. The Baltimore City Fire Department reported there was an explosion with a partial roof collapse at the Baltimore Gas and Electric building at West Fayette and Liberty streets. Fire officials said as many as 23 people were rescued and at least 21 people were taken to hospitals. Two people declined to be taken to hospitals. The scaffolding tore loose after an apparent explosion in another part of the building that caused…

The Allegany County Health Department reports that Allegany County’s cumulative COVID-19 case count is now at 5,172, with 147 deaths.  The current case rate in Allegany County is 78.31 cases per 100,000 population, while Maryland’s state average is currently 37.89 cases per 100,000 population.  Allegany’s positivity rate is now at 12.47%, while the statewide average is 7.36%.    Health Officials continue to urge the community to stay at home as much as possible and avoid gatherings of any size with others outside of your household.    “Typically, the holidays are a time to gather with the ones you love, but…

Coronavirus vaccinations are underway for residents and staff at Maryland’s nursing homes and long-term rehabilitation centers Wednesday. They are among the priority groups to receive the COVID-19 vaccine following doctors, nurses and hospital staff in the state.  Gov. Larry Hogan asked that people be patient as the state distributes the vaccines. Once all the nursing home and long-term rehab facilities are vaccinated, senior living facilities are next.

Maryland has suspended jury trials until the end of April because coronavirus cases continue to rise in the state. The Baltimore Sun reports that state’s chief judge issued the administrative order Tuesday.  Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera said in the order that jury trials won’t resume until April 23. District Court and circuit courts can still hear specific case types remotely or in-person are using technology for remote proceedings. Clerks’ offices throughout the state will remain open to the public for emergency purposes and by appointment for other matters. “We will continue to monitor the public health emergency and adjust court…

WBAL reports Maryland state Sen. Mike Miller, who was the longest-serving state Senate president in U.S. history, is stepping down from his Senate seat for health reasons. "For more than a half century, it has been my privilege to serve the people of Maryland," Miller wrote in a letter sent Wednesday to Senate President Bill Ferguson. "It is with tremendous sadness that I must write to you today to inform you that my service will end, effective today. My heart and my mind remain strong, but my body has grown too weak to meet the demands of another legislative session." In…

The Cumberland Times News reports the 2017 derailment of a CSX Transportation freight train in Hyndman, Pennsylvania, was caused by the improper use of hand brakes on empty rail cars and placement of empty cars at the front of the 178-car train. That is according to the National Transportation Safety Board. The final report on the derailment that forced evacuation of more than 1,000 Hyndman residents was issued by the NTSB this week — more than three years after the pre-dawn derailment of the train on Aug. 2 that included 70 cars carrying hazardous materials. One of the cars loaded…

For the period of December 12 – 23, 2020, ACPS reports 4 individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 who were within an Allegany County Public School.  These individuals will complete the required isolation period.  Contact tracing indicated no close contacts and no need to quarantine any individuals.  Notification was sent out if there was a positive case in a building.  ACPS will be on Christmas break until January 4, 2021.  The next COVID-19 update statement will be released on January 8, 2021.

Gov. Jim Justice Wednesday announced that Brian Abraham will become his new Chief of Staff, effective Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. “Brian is a true leader and the perfect fit for this job as we move into my second term,” Gov. Justice said. “He’s a Veteran and experienced attorney who loves our state as much as I do, and I know his skills and experience will be extremely beneficial as we continue to move West Virginia forward.” Abraham has served as Gov. Justice’s General Counsel since January 2017. He also serves as Chair of the Joint Staff in the West Virginia National…

On December 22, 2020 at 10:51, officers from the Cumberland Police Department responded to the 12000 block of Willowbrook Road for a trespassing complaint.  When officers arrived on the scene they contacted Timothy Spiker, age 41 of Cumberland, Maryland, and the complainant.  Spiker was asked numerous times to leave the property but he continually refused.  Due to Spiker refusing requests to leave the property he was arrested. Subsequently, Spiker was charged with trespassing and released on a Criminal Citation pending trial in District Court.

The Canal Place Task Force — established by legislation in 2018 — will need more time to complete its work. The task force had been in the midst of conducting a comprehensive review of the value and revenue potential for all entities making up the 13-acre Canal Place property. The review is to determine if Canal Place, which is state owned, should continue as is, or if all or part of the property should be marketed to private interests. The volume of work and time needed for the multiple appraisals required for the property initially caused delays- and the COVID-19 outbreak last March brought the…