The Allegany County Health Department reports that Allegany County’s cumulative COVID-19 case count is now at 4,101, with 90 deaths. The current case rate in Allegany County is 198.41 cases per 100,000 population, well above the state of Maryland case rate of 43.9 cases per 100,000 population. Allegany’s positivity rate is now at 18.12%, while the statewide average is 7.89%. Health officials continue to urge the public to continue to avoid gatherings, practice social distancing and frequent handwashing, wear a face covering when around others who are not members of your household, and follow all requirements for isolation and quarantine….

– Gov. Jim Justice has issued a proclamation, ordering all United States and West Virginia flags at the Capitol Complex and all State-owned facilities in Kanawha County be displayed at half-staff, from dawn to dusk, on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, in honor of Charleston Police Officer Cassie Johnson on the day of the services celebrating her life. Click here to view the proclamation Gov. Justice also announced that the dome of the West Virginia Capitol Building and the front of the Governor’s Mansion will be lit in blue tomorrow, from dusk until 9 p.m., as a tribute to Officer Johnson’s…

The Garrett County Health Department has received 75 additional positive COVID-19 results since the last report on December 4th, bringing the current county total positive cases to 1,044. The death of a county resident also was announced, increasing the total number of coronavirus-related deaths countywide to nine. The case was a person over the age of 70, living in a long-term care facility, according to the update. The 7-day positivity rate among Garrett County residents is 17.7%, whereas the Maryland rate is 7.9%. The 7-day case rate per 100,000 among Garrett County residents is 122.1, while the statewide rate is…

Former Democratic U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes, who represented Maryland for 30 years in the Senate, has died. Sarbanes is perhaps best remembered for co-writing a landmark anti-fraud bill and, during his time in the U.S. House, drafting the first article of impeachment against President Richard Nixon. After three terms in the House during the 1960s, Sarbanes unseated Republican Senator and Frostburg resident J. Glenn Beall, and would go on to be reelected four times.  As chairman of the Senate’s Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, Sarbanes co-wrote the 2002 Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which reshaped corporate oversight after accounting scandals at Enron, WorldCom and other major corporations exposed inadequate internal controls and…

On 12.06.2020 at approximately 7:00 PM, deputies of The Allegany County Sheriff’s Office Entry Team executed a search and seizure warrant in the Valley Road-Cumberland area. The search warrant was applied for pursuant to a recent investigation into a local opioid overdose.  Deputies executed the warrant and seized numerous capsules and vials of suspected heroin and fentanyl. Additionally several firearms were located within access of the suspect, who is prohibited from possessing firearms, as well as digital scales in the vicinity of the suspected CDS to indicate distribution.  The suspect, 27 year old Brandon Thomas Bowman of Cumberland, was located in a…

With more and more criticism of virtual learning coming to the forefront, many parents are concerned that their kids are missing out. That is a subject WCBC News has discussed with members of the incoming Allegany County Board of Education. Last week, West Virginia’s State Superintendent of Schools called online learning a failure; those comments were echoed during the most recent meeting of the Allegany County Commissioners. Tammy Fraley is president of the local school board…

Free COVID-19 testing is being provided by the city of Cumberland this week with two days set aside at Constitution Park. The two-day, drive-thru event, Tuesday and Wednesday, is for employees of Cumberland businesses and will be administered by PharmaCare staff, at no cost. The testing will be conducted at the park from 9 to 11 a.m. on both days. Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss said the test will provide rapid turnaround, whereas other free testing in the area has taken nearly a week…

In his latest COVID-19 briefing, Governor Jim Justice joined state health experts and leaders with the West Virginia National Guard to provide an overview of the state’s initial allocation plan ahead of the upcoming arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine. Justice announced that the targeted receipt date for the first doses is Tuesday, Dec. 15. The first available vaccine doses will be distributed to healthcare workers, long-term care facility staff and residents, individuals critical to community infrastructure and emergency response, public health officials, and first responders. There are over 100,000 West Virginians who fall into those categories. With the vaccine literally just…

After years of negotiations, planning and seeking funding, Delegate Jason Buckel told area business leaders this week that it's time for final decisions to be made on two key city projects: Rolling Mill and the Downtown Mall. The city, along with the Cumberland Economic Development Coporation and the Downtown Development Commission began talks several years ago about a redesign of the mall that would include re-opening it to traffic, limited parking, a Boutique Hotel and major infrasatructure upgrades. At last report, city officials were finalizing plans to submit for state approval.  During the annual Allegany County Chamber of Commerce legislative preview meeting, Delegate…

Fort Hill High School and University of Maryland Star Ty Johnson led the New York Jets rushing attack Sunday, running 22 times for 104 yards and one touchdown in a 31-28 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Johnson also caught two passes from QB Sam Darnold for 13 yards.