With the Nov. 3 election less than three weeks away, tempers are beginning to flare as a renewed sense of urgency over passing coronavirus relief aid continues to mount.  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wants a large, comprehensive $2.2 trillion plan to provide a package of aid that includes a second stimulus check; Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wants the Senate to pass a standalone bill on Oct. 19 to fund more payroll assistance, with no additional check; and President Trump is continuing to send out mixed messages with his latest tweet, telling congress to “go big or go home”. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said this is a…

Frankfort Middle School will be closed Thursday after an employee reportedly tested positive for COVID-19, Mineral County Schools Superintendent Troy Ravenscroft said in a news release Wednesday.  Per the release, contact tracing is currently underway. Thursday will be a distance learning day for all students.  County health Administrator A. Jay Root told the Times-News by email Wednesday afternoon that the case is a newly-reported one, and not among the 14 new cases reported Tuesday. The county has seen at least 192 confirmed cases of the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.  

The Allegany County Health Department reports that the total cumulative COVID-19 case count for Allegany County is now at 551.  The latest cases include a male child under the age of 10, four males and one female in their teens, three males and seven females in their 20s, one male and four females in their 30s, a male and female in their 40s, a male and two females in their 50s, and three males and a female in their 60s.  None of the new cases have required hospitalization.  

Mineral County health officials report a sharp spike in new COVID-19 cases in Mineral County over the course of the last week can be attributed to community spread. As of Oct. 8, the county reported 177 cases, three of which were active. On Tuesday morning on the Mineral County Health Department's Facebook page, officials wrote that the count had climbed to 186 cases with 11 active, and that they expected to add more later in the day. As of their evening update Tuesday, the county had 191 cases, 15 of which are active. The Cumberland Times News reports that when…

The City of Cumberland is preparing for its annual leaf collection, which will begin on Monday, November 2nd and conclude the week of December 14th. The Street Maintenance branch of the Public Works Department will be responsible for the leaf collection. Residents in the area scheduled for pickup during a particular week should rake their leaves the weekend prior to the collection. Leaves should be raked in piles to the edge of the sidewalk adjacent to the street, but not into the street, to avoid clogging the storm sewer collection basins. The City’s leaf collection machine will collect leaves only and is not…

The Allegany County Board of Education on Tuesday received an update on the next phase of the system’s return to school program. That begins Monday, October 19th when 2nd graders will begin to  receive in person instruction in the classrooms. Two weeks ago pre-k and kindergartners returns to school; and last week they were joined by first graders. The second graders will use alternating A/B schedules Monday through Thursday with Friday being a virtual learning day. With more and more kids returning to class- concerns are starting to rise about the possibility of a surge in the spread of COVID-19….

Nearly a year in the making- the Cumberland Mayor and City Council has officially received the final presentation of a Comprehensive Housing Analysis- and can now begin moving forward with implementation. The Cumberland Economic Development Corporation commissioned Lisa Sturtevant and Associates out of Alexandria VA last November and the study was originally targeted for completion in April but that schedule was slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic.  For nearly an hour on Tuesday, Sturtevant presented the findings which include a  needs assessment, including low income needs, and a five-year plan. In addition, the study is designed to help determine the ideal housing for…

Two-thirds of Marylanders say they are at least somewhat concerned about themselves or a family member contracting the coronavirus but they are split on whether they would get vaccinated for it, were a vaccine available today.  WBAL reports that from new Goucher College Poll results out Tuesday. The poll surveyed 1,002 adults from Sept. 30 to Oct. 4.  A vast majority of Marylanders (89%) agree that individual actions like wearing a mask or social distancing can help stop the spread of the virus. Pollster Mileah Kromer reports that when it comes to getting a vaccine, Marylanders are split…

The subject of three large organized student dances held on October 3rd-  has become a subject of controversy and heated social media debate.  A press release issued last week by the Allegany County Health Department stated that “individuals who were in attendance at the parties have tested positive” for COVID-19 although no specific numbers were provided. A follow up release the next day reported 17 new  cases- leaving many people to conclude that the large number of new cases could be linked to the dance events. A caller to WCBC’s “Dave Norman Show” Tuesday said her granddaughter attended one of…

The Parks and Recreation Department and the Downtown Development Commission (DDC) will be jointly hosting some Halloween fun to try and preserve the Halloween spirit. A drive-up Trick or Treat event will be held at Constitution Park on Friday,  October 30th from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Participating cars should enter Constitution Park from either Fort Avenue or Reservoir Avenue. At the Stop sign, cars will be motioned into the area alternately to the “Drive-up Trick or Treat” area where each child in the car will receive a treat bag. Cars will exit the area, continuing on Fort Avenue to Parkview to Avondale Avenue and on to…