The Allegany County Health Department reports that the total cumulative COVID-19 case count for Allegany County is now at 570.  The latest cases include six females and one male in their teens, three males in their 20s, a female and two males in their 30s, a male in his 40s, a female in her 50s, two males in their 60s, and two males in their 70s.  One of the new cases has required hospitalization.   To date, 19,610 Allegany County residents have been tested for COVID-19 and received their results.  Of those, 19,040 were negative and 570 were positive.  Currently,…

In the event of a positive Covid-19 case within the Allegany County Public Schools, ACPS in collaboration with the Allegany County Health Department, will directly notify the parents/guardians of those students who have had close contact with the ill person while at school. Close contact is defined as being fewer than 6 feet apart for longer than 15 minutes, with or without a face covering.    The school will also notify parents/guardians if the Covid-19 positive case was within their child’s school, even if their child was not a close contact.  This notification will be done through the ACPS Blackboard…

Allegany County Emergency Services reports a fuel leak into the creek at 14300 Jared Drive near Cresaptown.  A hazmat unit is en route

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that Maryland finished ninth in the nation for response to the 2020 Census. More than 2.2 million households were counted, representing a total of 99.9 percent of the state’s population.   “Our administration is proud that even amid all of this year’s challenges, Marylanders stepped up with one of the country’s leading response rates to the 2020 Census,” said Governor Hogan. “The participation of 2.2 million Maryland households will mean critical federal funding for our state over the next decade for services used by our citizens every single day—from meals to Medicare and health care…

Interim Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Jeff Blank, has announced several administrative staffing appointments as a result of retirements. Misty Dotson has replaced Bob Stevenson as the interim principal at Beall Elementary School effective immediately; Derek Horne will replace Alexa Fazenbaker as the interim principal at Westernport Elementary School effective November 1, 2020; and Shannon Ralston will replace Sharon Morgan as the interim principal at Flintstone Elementary School effective January 1, 2021.             Misty Dotson earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education and her Master of Education degree in Administration and Supervision, both from Frostburg State University. She…

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said he voted for Ronald Reagan in this year’s election, writing in the name of the late president after concluding that he could not support either President Trump or challenger Joe Biden. In an interview with the Washington Post on Thursday, the governor said he voted by mail last week and wrote Reagan’s name on his ballot because he wanted to make a statement about the major party nominees. Hogan called Reagan “my hero in politics” alongside his late father, Larry Hogan Sr., whom he wrote in for president in 2016 after deciding that he could not support Trump nor then-Democratic nominee…

With high school football games set to begin in two weeks- the Allegany County Board of Education is awaiting clarification from the state regarding exactly how many people will be permitted to attend games. Under the current guidelines for outdoor events in Maryland- 250 are permitted. However board president Tammy Fraley said that given that that number could include players, personnel, staff, officials and others- there needs to be some clarity in terms of how many spectators would be allowed. ACPS staff and administration is actively working on the possibilities available by game and by sport.   

The Greater Cumberland Committee held its first in-person meeting since March, with a special 20th anniversary ceremony and awards reception at the 1812 Brewery.  Now in it’s 20th year, The Greater Cumberland Committee is a not-for-profit, member-based organization of civic and business leaders representing Allegany, Garrett, Mineral, Hampshire, Bedford and Somerset counties. Founding member Barry Ronan presented the 2020 Greater Good Award to Carl “Buck” Belt Jr . Belt, owner and operator of local construction firm The Belt Group, was honored for lifetime achievements and generosity to the community…  

It’s LaVale Lions chicken time this weekend. However, like everything else, things will be a little different as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The popular event will still be held at LaVale Lions field on Braddock Road, but it is one-day only and is using prepaid tickets that have already sold out. A drive up service will be provided from 10:30 to 3 Saturday.  The LaVale Lions Club is the largest in Maryland, hovering at 100 members. Longtime Lion Steve Finger says the money raised from the dinners supplies the bulk of the club’s annual budget, the majority of which is…

Allegany County Public Schools is preparing to enter the next stage of their return to the classroom plan. Because of this, the system will also be moving ahead with the fall high school sports season.  In terms of fans attending sporting events; indoor games are limited to 50% or 100 people (whichever is less), and outdoor games are 50% or 250 people (whichever is less).  All student athletes will be provided up to two spectator tickets for each game. For football games, this includes both football players and cheerleaders. Board of Education President Tammy Fraley, during this week’s meeting, said families and friends…