With dozens of people shot in Baltimore City since the start of last week, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, appearing on WBAL, said he places the blame on city leaders, State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby and lawmakers who failed to pass his proposed legislation that, among other things, would have increased penalties for violent crimes. In addition, Hogan said he would like to see more of a focus on the victims and the victims family and less talk about political movements such as Black Lives Matter and defunding the police…  

The head of the Maryland Restaurant Association is asking Gov. Larry Hogan to increase indoor dining capacity from 50% to 75%. With fall fast approaching and the temperatures dropping, MRA President Marshall Weston says outdoor dining will soon not be a viable option for restaurants, creating a need for more indoor capacity during COVID-19 conditions…

West Virginia state health officials have reported 10 additional deaths in West Virginia related to COVID-19, a tie for the highest recorded number of deaths in one day. As of Wednesday the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources has confirmed a total of 290 deaths. State health officials report 220 new positive cases of COVID-19, for a total of 13,196 cases, with 3,236 active cases and 9,670 West Virginians who have recovered. Governor Jim Justice, during his regular COVID briefing, urged the state’s younger population to step up and take every precaution to help protect the elderly who…

The Allegany County Health Department reports five new cases of COVID-19 including a female in her 30s, two females in their 40s, a male in his 50s, and a male in his 60s.  None of the new cases have required hospitalization.  This brings the cumulative case count for Allegany County to 435.

Maryland lawmakers and health care advocates proposed increasing the state’s alcohol tax on Wednesday to generate millions of dollars to address health disparities, which have been highlighted by the coronavirus pandemic. Supporters are backing a hike in the state’s sales tax on alcohol from 9% to 10% in 2021. Maryland last raised its sales tax on alcohol in 2011. “The COVID pandemic has made it even more clear that certain communities, especially communities of color, do not have the health care resources they need, which leads to disturbing health disparities,” said Sen. Antonio Hayes, a Baltimore Democrat who is sponsoring…

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Jamie Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) announced $14,760,223.60 in federal funding for Washington, Frederick, and Garrett County firefighters through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program.   Awards were allocated as follows: $8,080,776 to the Washington County Board of Commissioners to hire 33 full-time firefighters $5,581,395.60 to Frederick County to hire 22 full-time firefighters $1,098,052 to support recruitment & retention activities for Garrett County’s 11 volunteer fire departments   “SAFER funding helps fire departments across Maryland better serve our residents and communities by…

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources confirmed 10 additional COVID-19 related deaths in the state on Wednesday.  All of the cases were people over the age of 70.  Most were in their 80s.  The state death total is now 290.  Kanawha County continues to lead West Virginia in the number of infections, and was moved into the "red" category on the state's color-coded county alert system map on Wednesday, with 25.02 cases per 100,000 people on the rolling 7-day average.  

On Wednesday at  approximately 2 a.m. Deputies with the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of Frostburg. Upon making contact with the occupants, Deputies observed several factors consistent with criminal activity. A probable cause search was established, and, pursuant to the investigation, Deputies located a large quantity of cocaine, along with a large amount of U.S. currency, and a dangerous weapon (Brass Knuckles). As a result of the investigation, Saylina R. Jackson Anderson Age 33 of Lexington, Kentucky was arrested and charged with the following:   CDS Import Into State CDS Possession with Intent…

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) today launched an eight-part diabetes education series for health care providers and residents with diabetes or at risk of diabetes. The webinar series, developed by MDH's Center for Population Health Initiatives, is part of Maryland’s Diabetes Action Plan and is another tool aimed at preventing and managing diabetes in Maryland.   Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in Maryland and places individuals at higher risk of complications, including death from COVID-19.    “We continue to move forward with our commitment to reducing the prevalence of diabetes in Maryland, using the strategies outlined…

Mayor Ray Morriss will join WCBC Radio this morning at 8:30 to discuss Cumberland updates in and around the city.