With Allegany County’s COVID-19 numbers among the worst in the state- the county commissioners have requested Governor Larry Hogan to include the county’s frontline healthcare workers and correctional officers in the first round of vaccines when they are  distributed this month. The letter notes that Allegany County has tested the highest percentage of people in Maryland with more than 48% of the population having been tested. In other county COVID news, Commissioners President Jake Shade announced that CARES funding will be distributed to fire and EMS deparments countywide. In addition, the commissioners will be matching state CARE funds of $651,000 targeted…

Maryland officials on Thursday reported 48 deaths from the coronavirus, the highest daily total since late May. In all, 4,606 Marylanders have died of the virus since March.  The seven-day positivity rate is also trending up, reaching 7.68% on Thursday. Hospitalizations have also spiked by more than 50% over the past two weeks. Earlier this week, Gov. Larry Hogan announced additional steps to bolster hospital capacity and staffing. By next Tuesday, hospitals must submit surge plans to state health officials.  UPMC Western Maryland President Barry Ronan said the local health system is well prepared…

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan Thursday was a guest on  "Good Morning America"  discussing the state’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plans.  The state has been allocated about 155,000 coronavirus vaccines, but Hogan notes there are more than 300,000 frontline health care workers…

Earlier this week, a group of lawmakers unveiled a bipartisan relief proposal that generated some initial excitement around the notion that perhaps the months-long wait for compromise on coronavirus stimulus was coming to an end.  However, Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat, says Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is blocking the effort, refusing to compromise with Democrats. He calls the developments “disappointing” and accused McConnell of trying to “leverage a pandemic”…

On Thursday, December 3, 2020, the Cumberland City Police served an Arrest Warrant on Drew Truman, age 30, of Newton, West Virginia.  The Warrant charged Truman with robbery, 2nd degree assault, destruction of property, theft under $100, and conspiracy to commit robbery. Following Truman’s Initial Appearance in District Court, he was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center without bond.

The Mineral County Health Department reported Thursday an employee of  Denny's restaurant in Keyser has tested positive for COVID-19.  Anyone who visited the restaurant on Nov. 19, 22 or 29, or Dec. 2 may have been exposed, per a news release. Contact tracing is underway, and the store was closed for environmental cleaning. It has reopened following an inspection. As of Thursday morning, the county's infection rate was 145.69 per 100,000 and percent positivity 11.24%, per the Department of Health and Human Resources. The county has seen more than 1,250 cases and 23 deaths linked to the coronavirus

The area has lost two prominent businessmen in the past week with the passings of Gerald Albright Sr and Leo Helmstetter.  Albright, 77 of Wiley Ford, was the owner/operator of Albright and Sons Heating and Air Conditioning. In his spare time, he and his wife Shirley made several mission trips to Guatemala, helping with several orphanages.  Helmstetter, 94 of Cumberland, was owner/operator of the Greene Street Gulf Station with his family since 1963. A United States Naval veteran-  Leo was also employed at Crown Cork and Seal, the Macaroni Factory, and Marietta Concrete. Albright passed away last Friday, November 27th…

Juli McCoy has been tabbed as the next executive director of the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce. The announcement was made during the annual Chamber membership meeting Thursday. McCoy, who will officially begin her duties at the Chamber, has served as the executive director of the County United Way since November of 2017.  In addition to serving as the United Way finance director for three years- she held executive positions with the Greater Cumberland Committee for 13 years. She replaces Stu Czapski who stepped down at the end of October to take a position with the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation

Allegany County Commissioners President Jake Shade is calling on Governor Larry Hogan to prioritize vaccine for Allegany County's frontline healthcare workers and correctional officers Text of letter below and PDF of letter attached December 3, 2020   Governor Lawrence J. Hogan 100 State Circle Annapolis, MD 21401   Dear Governor Hogan,    As your administration indicated earlier this week, decisions will be made imminently regarding the prioritization and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine in the State of Maryland.     On behalf of the residents of Allegany County, I respectfully request that all frontline healthcare workers and correctional officers in Allegany County…

This week U.S. Congressman David Trone (MD-06) hosted a call with business leaders from Maryland’s Sixth District to discuss the recent spike in COVID-19 cases and hear what businesses need to keep their doors open.   “I brought together a diverse group of business owners from the Sixth District. More and more small businesses are shutting down every day and they need federal support now,” said Congressman Trone. “With COVID cases on the rise in the region, it’s more important than ever for the federal government to step up and help these hard working folks keep their businesses afloat and…