On the Friday before Labor Day, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan approved Stage Three of the state’s reopening plan, allowing indoor theaters to open to the general public at 50% capacity, or 100 people per auditorium and all retail stores as well as bars to resume business.  When announcing his decision, Hogan praised the state's mitigation efforts and said it's absolutely critical to remain vigilant as the state continues to battle the virus. Locally, officials say so far, so good when it comes to business’ and the public following the health and safety protocols and guidelines. Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss…

Allegany County Emergency Services Director James Pyles has announced that an agreement has been reached by the committee charged with determining a fair billing rate structure for EMS and the county’s eight volunteer fire and rescue companies. The situation came to light publicly in late August when a large number of representatives from the volunteers companies attended a county commissioners meeting voicing concern with several issues- with many of the criticisms directed toward Pyle and his handling of the matter. During Thursday’s meeting, Pyles said that the committee agreed that two providers who received 50% will see that increase to 60%,…

When Maryland Governor Larry Hogan called for schools to put kids back in the classrooms just two weeks before the scheduled start of the new school year, many were caught off guard and there have been strong criticisms and pushback from teachers, administrators and parents. One of those critics has been a frequent ally of the governor: Comptroller Peter Franchot. Although Franchot is a Democrat and Hogan a Republican, the two more often than not have been aligned on any number of key issues during Hogan’s six years as governor. That is not the case on schools, however, with Franchot telling WCBC…

On Friday, the CDC released an eviction moratorium that would stop evictions until the end of this year, but it’s not that simple. The moratorium does not immediately protect renters from being evicted. While those guidelines look good on paper, the CDC can only suggest them, stopping an eviction still has to be approved by a judge and that leaves a gray area. In West Virginia, there is an absolute for tenants to pay their rent. But with the COVID-19 pandemic, that sort of got thrown on its ear. For federal housing and in some states and cities eviction moratoriums were…

Cumberland City Police responded to the 1700 block of Frederick Street Saturday for the report of a disturbance. Subjects in the area advised that a male subject was in the street yelling and creating a disturbance. When officers arrived on scene, they located the male suspect, Eric Matthew Yutzy, age 27, of Cumberland. Yutzy had been contacted earlier in the evening by police for a similar disturbance and advised him to cease his disruptive behaviors and return home. Yutzy was placed under arrest and transported to Police Headquarters for processing. Once at PH, Yutzy also caused damage to property inside police…

On Saturday, Cumberland City Police arrested Michael Anthony Butler Jr, age 32, of Cumberland. Butler was arrested on an outstanding Bench Warrant issued on July 27th, 2020 for Violation of Probation. Butler was taken before the District Court Commissioner for his Initial Appearance where he was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center, held on a $15000 bond. Arrested: Michael Anthony Butler Jr. Age: 32, Cumberland, MD Charges: Bench Warrant – Violation of Probation

West Virginia Coronavirus cases have spiked, leaving the Mountain State with the highest transmission rate in the nation. On Friday, WCBC News asked Governor Jim Justice if he was monitoring the wearing of masks, and whether the reluctance of some to follow guidelines is causing a big problem for everyone. Justice referenced a poll which says most West Virginias would support stricter mandates for wearing masks.

Whatever side of the debate you are on, there is agreement there are financial issues that need to be addressed with EMS services in Allegany County. Department of Emergeny Services Director Jim Pyles tells WCBC News, that he has been looking at areas which have gone through the same hard choices, and told us there is one in Maryland in Howard County, that made similar moves a decade ago. Could Volunteer Fire Departments be next? Pyles tells WCBC News, that he does not see any change with VFD's in the foreseeable future..

The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) has posted the September 12, 2020, School Alert System Map update. This map, guided by information from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) and vetted by the COVID-19 Data Review Panel, determines which counties will hold in-person and blended instruction, and it will direct the level of extracurricular activities permitted for the week of September 13-20. The weekly updates are posted at https://wvde.us/reentrymetrics. The color-coded counties are as follows: Red (Substantial Community Transmission): Counties that are red must move to remote learning mode. No extracurricular competitions or practices are permitted….

Kingwood is the county seat of Preston County, West Virginia, and Saturday morning was the scene of two sets of competing rallies. Eyewitnesses tell WCBC that protests were held at the Preston County Courthouse, and at the Craig Civic Center.  While it has not been confirmed as to official sponsorship, it appears one group is supportive of the Black Lives Matter cause, while the other group is opposed to the message. Police were on the scene in an attempt to keep the peace.  At times, both sides chanted "All Lives Matter."