In an op-ed published Monday in the Washington Examiner, Maryland Gov. Hogan called on Georgia residents to vote for the two Republican candidates in that state's US Senate run-off elections,  which will determine the balance of power in Congress's upper chamber. Hogan said that as a Republican governor in a blue state, he knows “firsthand how one-party monopoly can wreak terrible consequences,” and went on to ask Georgians if they want a “one-party monopoly in Washington.” Sen. Kelly Loeffler was appointed last December to fill a vacant Senate seat, and has faced backlash over stock transactions she and her husband made,…

Delegate Daniel Linville, R-Cabell; Senator Robert Plymale, D-Wayne; and leaders of the West Virginia Broadband Enhancement Council today announced the creation of a new statewide broadband internet availability map.   The new, highly detailed West Virginia Broadband Availability map will allow lawmakers at the state and federal levels to identify unserved and underserved areas of the state and direct broadband expansion efforts – including financial resources and expansion programs – to those communities.   “Previous broadband availability maps – such as those provided by the FCC – relied on information from carriers and used the speeds they were advertising in…

The National Weather Service has posted a winter storm warning  for Garrett County, where up to 10 inches of snow was forecast in the westernmost sections of the county in the early morning hours of Tuesday and continue into Wednesday.  The warning was to take effect at 1 a.m. Tuesday and continue to 7 a.m. Wednesday.  Four to eight inches of snow was expected throughout most of the county, with periods of heavy snow and visibility reduced to a distance of one mile, according to the weather service. Motorists were cautioned to expected difficult travel conditions.

Allegany College of Maryland recruitment staff will host a special weekend virtual information session for prospective students beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, December 12. Recruiters will discuss programs of study, transfer options, financial aid, scholarships and on-campus housing. Pre-registration is required. Information about connecting to the Zoom call is available at allegany.edu/virtual-info-session and shared on ACM’s social media accounts.    For those unable to attend a group session, ACM is offering personalized virtual info sessions. To schedule a session, contact Sue Rowan at srowan@allegany.edu or call 301-784-5120. Onsite campus tours are available for prospective students and a limited number of…

Terry McLarney, who had been a State Farm Insurance agent in the Cumberland area for more than 30 years, has passed away in Florida. McLarney had become an agent with State Farm in 1975, and moved to Allegany County in the 1980's, initially taking the reigns of the companys office in Westernport, before succeeding longtime agent Bill Trozzo in Cumberland. He had retired a little over a year ago, and was a frequent guest on WCBC.s Dave Norman Morning Program. Arrangements are incomplete.

The Maryland Department of Health coronavirus data released Monday indicates the first death of a child under age 9. No further details were immediately available. There were 1,923 new coronavirus cases and 16 more deaths reported Monday, which marks the 27th straight day of new cases at or above 1,000. There were 66 new hospitalizations reported, which is the biggest one-day jump in 13 days, for a total of 1,527 people hospitalized, which is the highest total since May 14. Fifteen people have left intensive care, which is the biggest one-day drop since July. Gov. Larry Hogan tweeted: "As this new surge continues, each and every…

 The Cumberland Times News reports an unoccupied residence on Champion Street was destroyed early Monday when fire of an unknown origin swept through the structure. Aaccording to Wiley Ford Volunteer Chief Sean Malone "It was fully involved when we got there and fire was coming through the roof," said Malone, who was on the first-arriving Wiley Ford engine. Malone said the fire gutted the property but no estimate was available on the property loss. Officials were attempting to identify and contact the owner of the property. It was not known if the dwelling was serving as a residence or for…

In a letter to the Biden-Harris transition team, Governor Larry Hogan is urging the president-elect to prioritize a new stimulus relief package for states and small businesses struggling to weather the COVID-19 crisis. Read the letter here. “My first priority for the citizens of Maryland continues to be a Phase 4 COVID-19 relief package that includes robust and direct stabilization funding for state and local governments,” wrote Governor Hogan. “States are already fighting an uphill battle to rebuild our economies and maintain essential services in education, health care, emergency operations, and public safety.” As he has since March, Governor Hogan…

 Maryland State Police are on the scene of a single vehicle collision investigation resulting in the closure of segment of east-bound I-68 from Exit 34 to an area east of the Clarysville bridge (37mm).  The collision was due to the Trailer of a Tractor Trailer overturning and losing its load of plywood, blocking the roadway.  Heavy Duty removal equipment is on scene as well as elements of the Maryland State Police and the Maryland State Highway Administration and local Fire and Rescue.  

A correctional officer from North Branch Correctional Institution in Cumberland has been suspended without pay after being charged with sexually assaulting an inmate. Officer Brandon Opel is 31 and has been with DPSCS since 2016. The case, reported by the alleged victim during the summer, was quickly and thoroughly investigated by DPSCS detectives in the Intelligence and Investigative Division, who worked with multiple partner agencies to bring it to prosecution. DPSCS was a leader in education and enforcement when the national PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) guidelines were passed by Congress in 2003. The Department takes sexual assault allegations very seriously and vigorously investigates all PREA complaints.