Allegany County Tourism, in partnership with the Downtown Cumberland Business Association, Cumberland Downtown Development Commission, and FrostburgFirst, will be giving away $1,000 in cash prizes during the “Shop Small, Win Big” contest, valid November 28 through December 20, 2020. The collective goal is to encourage shopping local during the holiday season. Shoppers who purchase online or in-person from small businesses in Allegany County during the contest period can submit entries that will qualify them to win weekly drawings for $50 Visa gift cards as well as the grand prize drawing for a $550 Visa gift card.   “This season, more…

West Virginia U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito has joined the growing list of Republicans who now support the presidential transition process for Joe Biden.  In a statement, Capito said President Trump has few opportunities remaining to challenge vote tallies. “I have been clear that President Trump — like any candidate for office — has the right to request recounts and to raise legal claims before our courts. However, at some point, the 2020 election must end,” said Capito. "While some irregularities and fraud have been found and should be punished, there is no indication that these are widespread enough to call…

On  Tuesday at approximately 8:00 a.m., the Cumberland Police Department responded to an apartment complex located in the 200 block of Baltimore Avenue in reference to an assault.  Responding officers were advised that the victim was stabbed with a screwdriver. Officers arrived on the scene and spoke with the victim and were able to see a small puncture and laceration, medical treatment was refused by the victim. The victim stated that she was involved in an argument with Debra Lee Linaburg as Linaburg was accusing her of stealing her property. The argument escalated into pushing and shoving before Linaburg produced…

Bedford Road was closed briefly this morning after a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle in the area of Western Maryland Recovery. Allegany County Emergency Services reported that the scene was cleared and the road reopened just after 8 AM.  The victim's injuries were described as non-life threatening.

On 11/23/2020 at approximately 8:00 AM the Cumberland City Police Department were dispatched to the 200 block of Baltimore Avenue for a trespassing complaint. Upon arrival officers observed the residence to be abandoned with an open exterior door. Officers entered the residence and located Todd Ellsworth Adams Jr. and Andrew Jacob Getz. Officers contacted the owner of the property and learned neither suspect had permission to be in the residence. They were arrested without incident and taken before a District Court Commissioner for an initial appearance. Mr. Adams was released on an unsecured $1,500.00 bond. Mr. Getz was remanded to…

A fire that broke out in a storage shed at a residence at 216 New Hampshire Ave. caused combined property losses totaling $150,000, according to the Cumberland Fire Department. The blaze consumed three storage sheds at the rear of the property. City firefighters were hampered in the early minutes of the fire operation by gusting winds and downed electrical lines at the rear and front of the property. First-arriving city firefighters reported flames shooting higher than a utility pole after being dispatched to the scene. No injuries were reported.    

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice revealed three deaths reported over the weekend in Mineral County from COVID-19. Governor Justice also went over the school map, with most local systems opting for virtual learning through Wednesday of this week… All West Virginia schools will remain closed from Thanksgiving until the next Thursday.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan Monday tasked the State Police with increasing enforcement of his executive orders designed to slow the spread of COVID-19. Governor Hogan said the effort will begin tomorrow evening from Mountain Maryland to the Eastern Shore… Governor Hogan said the State Police would be establishing a 24-hour hotline to field complaints of those businesses and individuals not adhering to mask orders.

Many families in our area have made it a tradition to share Thanksgiving dinner with a neighbor who is elderly, or on their own. WCBC asked West Virginia Health Officer Dr Ayne Amjad what changes should be made to that custom in light of the ongoing pandemic… If you find someone in less than ideal health, you should not contact 911, but perhaps their family doctor or family members as soon as feasible.

The Allegany County Health Department reports 149 new cases of COVID-19 and 9 additional deaths since Friday.  This brings Allegany County’s cumulative total number of cases to 2,332, with a total of 56 deaths from COVID-19. Currently, Allegany County’s case rate is 165.34 per 100,000 population, more than four times the state average of 38 per 100,000.  Allegany County’s current positivity rate is 15.95%, while the statewide average is 6.88%.  “With widespread community transmission of COVID-19 in Allegany County, it is more important than ever for people to stay at home as much as possible, wear a mask at all…