With 16 new COVID-19 cases reported in the public school system this week, the Allegany County Board of Education is advising parents and the community to be prepared for the possibility that schools could close in the near future.  At a special afternoon meeting of the board on Friday, a vote was taken to give interim Superintendent Jeff Blank the authority to take the necessary steps to close and possibly return to all distant learning as an alternative. The primary concern centers on maintaining adequate staffing levels, given that quarantines have led to a significant reduction. Blank said that while currently…

The Allegany County Board of Education will meet in a Special Session today, Friday, November 6, 2020, at 1:30 p.m. At that time, it is anticipated that the Board will consider closure of the Open Session to meet in an Executive Session to discuss personnel matters, negotiations, consult with counsel, and conduct administrative functions. These discussion items are permitted under the Open Meetings Act, Section 10-508 (a)(1) and (a)(7) and Section 10-103. The Executive Session will be followed by a Special Public Meeting at 2:30 p.m.  

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced that state health officials will open a COVID-19 testing facility at the Allegany County Fairgrounds. The governor said the site comes in response to growing infections in the county and will be operated in partnership with the county health department. Allegany County now has the highest Covid case rate in the state, and Hogan is pledging support to local governments that desire implementing additional restrictions…   The governor singled out Allegany County, he says, as one area of the state that initially offered resistance to the CDC guidelines to address the virus. He says the county is…

As a result of increased health metrics related to COVID-19 in Allegany County, the public school system announced Thursday that it  is cancelling all in-person extra-curricular activities and athletics events and practices effective immediately. According to a statement issued by the system, the decision was made in collaboration with the Allegany County Health Department and school system staff after reviewing recent health data. Coaches and advisors will be in contact with students if they opt to conduct their activities in a virtual format. Community health metrics will continue to be monitored to determine when ACPS can resume in-person extra curricular activities…

Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Tiffany Robinson promised this week more help for people stuck in the state's unemployment system. WBAL reports the promise of more help comes in response to complaints from Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot who warned the unemployment crisis could get worse. The state has seen little letup in complaints about the unemployment system, almost since the coronavirus pandemic began, throwing thousands of people out of work.  At the state's Board of Public Works meeting, Franchot said he has heard the complaints, many that come to his office, even though it's the wrong agency…

Governor Larry Hogan is opening up new financial assistance programs for Maryland  restaurants hit hardest during the COVID-19 outbreak. The funding comes from $250 million Hogan pulled last month from the state's "rainy day" fund to support economic recovery. Hogan urged local jurisdictions to match the funding with their remaining funding from federal coronavirus relief. Allegany County Commissioners President Jake Shade announced that the county will receive nearly $650,000 that can help struggling bars and restaurants..

On 11/05/2020 at approximately 5:30 PM the Cumberland City Police Department responded to the single digit block of West First Street for an assault. Upon arrival officers contacted the victim and they observed a small laceration on their neck. Officers learned the victim got into an argument with Samantha Leigh Smith. Ms. Smith then produced a knife and swung it at the victim causing the laceration. The victim did not require medical treatment. Ms. Smith had fled the area prior to police arrival. The officer submitted charges through District Court and a warrant for Ms. Smith’s arrest was obtained. Ms….

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has announced the establlishment of a testing site at the Allegany County Fairgrounds in response to the recent spike in COVID-19 cases. The governor made his announcement during a press conference Thursday afternoon.

The Joint Communications Center of Allegany County has dispatched police, fire and EMS units to US Route 220 south of Cumberland near the Upper Potomac Industrial Park for a vehicle rollover. McMullen has been shut down in the area of the accident.

According to data released Thursday by the state’s Department of Labor, 18,383 Marylanders filed for unemployment last week, down slightly from the previous week when 19,946 people filed claims. More than 8,000 of the claims were new, according to the DOL. Since March 9th, 94.8% of the completed claims filed have been processed, of which 80.1% received benefits and 14.7% were denied for not meeting eligibility requirements. Another 5.2% of claims are pending.  Of the claims that were flagged and investigated, 84% were found to be fraudulent.