According to the Maryland State Police, law enforcement officers throughout the state have arrested or charged 132 individuals for various violations of the Governor's Executive Orders since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in March. Police agencies in the state have received 4,688 calls for service and there have been 42,166 compliance checks conducted statewide. In November, Governor Larry Hogan announced the deployment of additional personnel to assist in the ongoing enforcement effort, in order to increase compliance with the existing COVID-19 orders, protocols and business mandates.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan urged Congress to pass another round of stimulus, and said he and Lieutenant Governor Boyd Rutherford would set an example by taking the vaccine when it becomes available. He annunced a continuing spike and that the state registered over 50 deaths in the last 24 hours. Department of Health staff outlined the plans for distributing the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Cumberland Economic Development Corporation today announced a groundbreaking ceremony for the Cumberland Gateway project for December 18trh. The project, which will be using the Rolling Mill area, will see some site work commence almost immediately, with grading and construction pad placement for businesses on the near horizon Executive Director Matt Miller told WCBC Ness the developer feels comfortable with the current level of acquired properties, and is said to be closing in on deals with a few others.

The Cumberland Economic Development Corporation is pleased to announce that Katherine W. Getty will be joining the Board of Directors in the beginning of 2021. Ms. Getty serves as Director of Business Relationships for First United Bank and Trust where she works closely with business clients to provide financial services and expertise. Ms. Getty will be taking Barry Ronan’s position on the Board, as he retires from his post as President of UPMC Western Maryland after more than 30 years of leadership and contributions to the Cumberland Community. “We are pleased to have Kathy Getty joining our dynamic board of…

ANNAPOLIS, MD—The public schedule for Governor Larry Hogan for Tuesday, December 8, 2020 includes the following: Tuesday, December 8, 2020: 3:00 PM: Governor Hogan will provide an update on Maryland COVID-19 vaccination planning. Governor’s Reception Room State House NOTE: To protect public health and preserve media access, our office will enforce the following protocols at all press conferences and media availabilities. 

As of 9:15AM –  Extensive damage was reported following an early-morning fire at the Boynton Woodyard between Salisbury and Meyersdale, Pennsylvania. The main building at the site reportedly was destroyed. There could be residual traffic delays on Route 219 in the area due to emergency vehicles at the scene.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.

On Tuesday December 8, 2020, the Cumberland Police Department was dispatched to the 200 block of Decatur Street for a domestic assault complaint.  Upon arrival, officer contacted the victim and Ernest Magruder III, age 36 of Cumberland, Maryland. Officers investigating the incident learned that there was an argument between the victim and Magruder.  The argument then turned physical, and the victim was assaulted by Magruder.  Subsequently, Magruder was arrested and charged with second degree assault.  Magruder was later taken to District Court for his Initial Appearance and released on his own recognizance.

Paul Sarbanes, who served five terms as a United States Senator from Maryand, died Sunday at the age of 87.  Sarbanes won election to the Senate in 1976 after serving in the House of Representatives for six years.  Known as a quiet politician, Sarbanes wrote the first article of impeachment against Richard Nixon, and later was a co sponsor of the Sarbanes Oxley financial reforms. In his three decades in the United States Senate, Sarbanes was not normally in the midst of political debate, but was part of the fray when resources for the Democratic minority came to the floor……

During Monday’s Dave Norman program, former Allegany County Board of Education candidate Linda Widmyer called in to the show to push back against an assessment by school board president Tammy Fraley about the quality of virtual learning that has taken place thus far within the county school system. Fraley had said the overall product, though difficult to quantify, was deserving of at least a B-Minus. Widmyer strongly disagreed, and also took issue with the board's concept of virtual learning…

The Allegany County Sheriff’s Department is teaming up with the Health Department to begin a program designed to educate local businesses on the rules, guidelines, regulations and restrictions pertaining to COVID-19. There are currently restrictions in place regarding business capacity as well as the need to wear masks and practice social distancing. However, there have been reports of many cases in which customers or the business are not in compliance.  Sheriff Craig Robertson discussed the program and the goals during the regular meeting of the County Commissioners…