Maryland’s COVID-19 recovery continues as Governor Larry Hogan today announced that the statewide seven-day positivity rate has dropped to a record-low 2.57%, the state’s case rate fell to its lowest level since July 11, and weekly unemployment claims are at their lowest level since March 14. Seven-Day Positivity Rate Drops to Record-Low 2.57%. Maryland’s seven-day average positivity rate fell to 2.57% today, the lowest level reported since the pandemic began. The daily positivity rate remained steady at 2.63%. The statewide positivity rate has been under 5% since June 25–91 days ago.

On Wednesday, September 23, 2020, the Cumberland City Police served an Arrest Warrant on Nicolas Moreland, age 29 of Cumberland, Maryland.  The Warrant stemmed from Moreland failing to obey conditions of probation.  Moreland was later provided his Initial Appearance in District Court and remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center on $1000 bond.      On Wednesday, September 23, 2020, the Cumberland City Police served an Arrest Warrant on Vernon Anderson, age 30 of Cumberland, Maryland.  The Warrant stemmed from Anderson failing to appear in District Court on September 22, 2020 for the charge of Disorderly Conduct.  Anderson was later…

Longtime Allegany County Chamber of Commerce executive director Stu Czapski will be stepping down at the end of October to take the position with the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation.  The Chamber and the CEDC both issued statements on Wednesday morning. Czapski will take over the position of economic development specialist for the CEDC- a job that had been handled by Matt Miller  for several years prior to his recent appointment as the organizations executive director.  Czapski tells WCBC News that he believes he will be able to take a more specialized approach to assisting the business community in his new…

Maryland's local school systems, including Allegany County, received a passing grade on their reopening plans, but there are still some key concerns districts may be facing when it comes to coronavirus testing and personal protection equipment. In the words of state school Superintendent Karen Salmon, those much-talked-about reopening plans fall in the category of either "acceptable or comprehensive.” But new questions were raised about other back-to-school concerns. Even as school systems announce plans for the return of teachers and students to the classroom, they're also keeping a close watch on local coronavirus numbers and what they're required to do when…

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan says he believes it would be a mistake for his party to “ram through” a nomination to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court before the November election. The Republican, who has said he will consider running for president in 2024, made the comments Wednesday in an interview at the TexasTribune Festival…  

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice, during his regular COVID-19 briefing Wednesday, provided an actual demonstration of just how easy it is to get tested. The Governor, who began his press conference, by recounting the list of those who passed away from COVID-19 in recent days, once again emphasized the importance for everyone to get tested. Toward the end of the session, to reinforce the need for testing and to show how simple a process it is, the Governor was administered a test…

UPMC Western Maryland president Barry Ronan made it official on Wednesday- announcing that he will will retire in March. Ronan has been a part of the local health care industry for 30 years and has served as president and CEO of the local health system from 2000 until earlier this year. In February, he became president of UPMC Western Maryland.  Ronan discussed his decision on WCBC’s “Dave Norman Show”…

The Allegany County Health Department reports nine new cases of COVID-19 since Monday.  The latest cases include three males in their 20s, a female in her 30s, two males and two females in their 40s, and a female in her 50s.  None of the new cases have required hospitalization.  The cumulative case count for Allegany County now stands at 460.

According to the Maryland Restaurant Association, the expanded indoor dining rules are effectively wiped out by the existing 6-foot social distance requirement, and restaurant owners want guidance from the state health department.  Governor Larry Hogan recently signed an order allowing for 75% indoor capacity, but the association says without changes, the increase has no positive impact on most restaurants. Marshall Weston, president and CEO of the Restaurant Association of Maryland, said in a statement, "The Maryland Department of Health issued a Directive and Order yesterday that essentially negates Governor Hogan’s Executive Order increasing indoor dining capacity to 75 percent. The restrictions outlined in the MDH order make it impossible for restaurants…

Longtime executive director of the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce Stu Czapski will be laeving that post to take a position with the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation. Both the Chamber and the CEDC have released statements: The Allegany County Chamber of Commerce announces that Executive Director, Stu Czapski, has informed the Board of Directors that he will leave his position on November 1, 2020. We wish him the best of luck as he pursues a new opportunity with the Cumberland Economic Development Committee as their Economic Development Specialist.   While his contributions to our community are too numerous to list,…