On Wednesday, November 25th, 2020 at approximately 10:01 p.m., Deputies with the Allegany County Sheriff's Office responded to the Sheetz Store located on Mount Savage Road, Corriganville, MD for a reported suspicious subject inside. Upon arrival deputies made contact with Chandler Tyler Thornton,(24 of Oldtown, MD), and Jennifer Nicole Moore (37 of Frostburg,MD).  A  warrant check of both subjects revealed an active arrest warrant for Thornton. At that time, Deputies assisted by a State Police Trooper attempted to take Thornton into custody. Thornton began to struggle with the officers in an effort to escape. Thornton's attempt to flee was unsuccessful, and…

The downtown Cumberland Tree Lighting Ceremony is set for Friday evening, and thanks to some callers to WCBC voicing concern with the lack of decorations and ornaments, it should once again be a holiday highlight. On Wednesday’s “Dave Norman Show” on WCBC several callers expressed their dismay with what they felt was a less than satisfactory holiday display downtown…   On that note, the Downtown Development Commission sprang into action, working with the city to secure additional decorations. DDC executive director Melinda Kelleher…    

It’s the holiday season, and while that usually means spending time and celebrating with friends and family, in the year of COVID-19 all of those norms have changed, with agencies such as the Western Maryland Food Bank being among the hardest hit.  The nonprofit distributes food to local organizations and member agencies, including church pantries, day care centers, on-site feeding programs, emergency assistance organizations and more, serving more than 10,000 individuals monthly. Executive Director Amy Moyer talked with WCBC News about some of the challenges created by the pandemic, not the least of which is a dramatic rise in the number…

The Salvation Army’s holiday push is now in full swing, and with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there is an expected increase in the services provided. Throughout Western Maryland and parts of West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle, the Salvation Army served 3,777 people last year. If the expected increase arrives as projected, that number could come close to 6,000 this year. Captain Ronnette Smith tells WCBC News that there is a need for volunteers for the Red Kettle campaign…

The death toll from COVID-19 in Mineral County continues to rise and the infection rate is the highest in the state of West Virginia. During a press conference, Governor Jim Justice identified Mineral County as one of the counties in the state where officials are considering “additional modifications” to public health procedures and guidelines. Talks between the state and Mineral County Health officials are ongoing. Justice said he isn’t prepared to propose a county wide shut down, but he is urging Mineral County residents to avoid travel anywhere unless it is an absolute emergency…

With the Thanksgiving holiday now upon us, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan says that although it has been a deadly and tragic year like no other, there are still reasons to be thankful, moving forward. During a press conference this week, the governor acknowledged that in some ways the COVID situation is worse now than it was during the initial outbreak in the late spring. However, in other ways, there are marked improvements. He said that while the “spike of the curve is higher than it was” in the spring- the rate of growth of the state’s positivity rate, the transmission rate and hospitalization…

The Allegany County Health Department reports 251 new cases of COVID-19 and 5 additional deaths.  This brings Allegany County’s cumulative total number of cases to 2,583, with a total of 61 deaths from COVID-19.   While statewide case and positivity indexes have slightly decreased since Monday, Allegany County’s numbers continue to rise.  Currently, Allegany County’s case rate is 166.76 per 100,000 population, more than four times the state average of 37 per 100,000.  Allegany County’s current positivity rate is 16.61%, while the statewide average is 6.52%.    Understanding isolation   Isolation is required for individuals who test positive for COVID-19….

An eighth resident of Piney Valley nursing home in Keyser has died from complications of COVID-19, the Mineral County Health Department reported Wednesday. The Cumberland Times News reported that the nursing home is the site of an ongoing outbreak that has seen 70 residents and 34 employees test positive for the disease caused by the coronavirus. "The Mineral County Health Department would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends," read a news release from the agency. Fifteen Mineral County residents have died from the illness, health officials said, including at least seven since Monday. As of Wednesday…

Giving Tuesday this year comes with an increased sense of urgency and need. Many more Marylanders are experiencing hardship and turning to nonprofit organizations for basic needs and support. As a result, many of us may feel compelled to donate. For those that do choose to make a donation this Giving Tuesday, Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh and Secretary of State John C. Wobensmith advise consumers to be vigilant and donate wisely. “During the holiday season, scam artists abound,” said Secretary of State Wobensmith. “They steal hard-earned cash from unsuspecting donors. We urge donors to be on the alert…

The Thanksgiving night game between the Ravens and Steelers has been switched to Sunday because of coronavirus issues with Baltimore. The NFL announced the move Wednesday, but did not specify a time of game nor which network would televise it. Previously, it was scheduled for NBC's prime-time telecast. Baltimore placed outside linebacker Pernell McPhee on the reserve/COVID-19 list, joining running backs Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins and defensive tackle Brandon Williams. The Ravens also have been doing team work virtually. Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster was one of several Steelers to express his unhappiness with the move. “First the NFL takes…