Comptroller Franchot has virtually presented the remaining 2019 William Donald Schaefer Helping People Awards to honorees in Allegany, Caroline, Garrett, Somerset and St. Mary's counties. In Allegany County, Dorian Birkholz received the Helping People Award for her work with the Western Maryland Mission of Mercy Dental Clinic, providing free dental treatment to adults who could not otherwise afford it.  In Garrett County, Phyllis Trickett was honored for her lifelong work to achieve women's equality, from equal pay to Title IX. She was also recognized for founding the Dove Center to provide safety, advocacy and counseling to individuals whose lives have been shattered…

On November 11th, 2020, The Cumberland City Police Department arrested Daekwon Devin Silas Wingate, 24, of Cumberland MD. Wingate was arrested on three outstanding Arrest Warrants for three separate incidents that each occurred on November 9th, 2020. During the first incident, officers responded to a residence in the 100 block of Grand Ave for the report of a breaking and entering. The victim at the residence alleged that Wingate kicked in a door of a residence and began demanding drugs from the occupants inside. Wingate then assaulted a female victim in the residence and fled the scene on foot prior…

UPMC medical leaders on Wednesday spoke about the health system's COVID-19 preparedness efforts amid the current surge in cases in western Maryland as well as in Bedford, Somerset and Altoona in Pennsylvania. Dr. Donald Yealy, senior medical director, said while there are spikes statewide in Maryland and Pennsylvania, the sharpest increases have been in rural areas…

They are both highly popular Republican governors from neighboring states, but when it comes to the issue of last week’s presidential election, Larry Hogan of Maryland and Jim Justice of West Virginia have polar opposite views.  Hogan, in a press conference this week, said the reluctance by President Donald Trump and many congressional Republicans to acknowledge Trump's defeat is hindering the response to COVID-19. He said it’s clear that former Vice-President Joe Biden has won the election and that there is little to be gained by Republicans for failing to recognize him as President-elect and to slow the transition… Conversely, Justice,…

The goal has been to have drawings for the Baltimore Street Redevelopment Project completed and submitted to the Maryland State Highway Administration for approval by the end of the year. However, some hurdles have not been cleared, and that could impact the timeline. The project includes reopening Baltimore Street to one-way vehicular traffic, a bike lane, limited parking, new utility lines and infrastructure and other amenities. The estimated price tag stands around $9.5 million with the hope being that a late spring/early summer groundbreaking could be scheduled. Until the final design is submitted, however, the project can’t be submitted for…

Allegany County Health Department officials were unable to provide any definitive answers to the board of education this week, when some members asked about the reason for the surge in COVID-19 cases in the county and in the school system. The board ultimately was forced to close schools and return to all virtual learning as a result of spiking numbers impacting both students and staff. After a briefing by Allegany County Health Officer Jenelle Mayer and Medical Deputy Health Officer Dr Jennifer Corder, board member Robert Farrell asked how the county’s COVID numbers have shifted so dramatically in the past month…  …

Although there were a record number of COVID-19 cases in West Virginia over a 24-hour period –  and 23 additional deaths – MIneral County's numbers improved slightly, dropping from red to orange on the state's COVID education map. Orange still does not allow for in-person instruction or extracurricular activities. Coaches in the county remain hopeful that the numbers will improve enough in the coming days to allow for football games to be played this weekend. Governor Jim Justice offered his assessment….

Light House Christian Academy will be closed Thursday and Friday as a result of a COVID-19 sitiation. They will be consulting with the Allegany County Health Department, 

The University of Maryland football team will pause team-related activities due to an elevated number of COVID-19 cases within the Terrapins' program. The Ohio State game set for Saturday has been canceled. WBAL reports Athletic director Damon Evans and university President Darryl Pines reached the decision after consulting with university health officials and the Big Ten Conference. Officials said eight football players have tested positive for the coronavirus over the past seven days. “There is nothing more important than the health and well-being of our student-athletes, coaches and staff,” Evans said in a statement. “We realize that this news is disappointing…

Maryland's statewide COVID-19 surge continues, with the latest update confirming 1,714 new cases over a one-day period, the third-highest daily increase since the pandemic began. An additional 16 residents have died from the coronavirus since Tuesday, bringing the total to 4,100, which is the highest amount of daily deaths since July. The state’s calculation of the positivity rate also has increased steadily each day this week, and is now 5.6%. Maryland has confirmed 158,423 cases of the virus since early spring.