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Edwards supports Hogan’s school reopening decision

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan caught many off guard when he gave all systems in the state his approval to have students attend classes in person. District 1 State Senator George Edwards is among those who agree with the decision…

WV schools superintendent: In-person learning is best

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice announced Monday that southern counties which would be unable to participate in sports this week will have players and coaches tested to possibly reverse that decision. Last week, WCBC asked State Superintendent Clayton Burch about the overall percentage of parents electing to not send their children for in person learning, and he indicated it is 27%.  Monday, he stayed with the theme that he believes the kids need to be in school…  

Volunteer Maryland Graduates Class

Volunteer Maryland today announced the graduation of Volunteer Maryland Class 32, recognizing 14 AmeriCorps members who mobilized more than 3,600 volunteers, serving 58,058 hours, for 20,000 community members in need across Maryland. Of the 3,600 volunteers, more than half were newly mobilized by Class 32 during their service year. For the first time, Volunteer Maryland hosted the graduation ceremony virtually to protect attendees during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing AmeriCorps members to invite guests to support them from all over the country. “Since 1992, a diverse group of people have been coming together to serve Maryland as AmeriCorps members with Volunteer…

Interstate 68 Ramp Work Continues

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will close three I-68 (National Freeway) westbound ramps tonight for milling work in Cumberland starting at 10 p.m.   Crews will close and detour I-68 at the MD 639 (Willowbrook Road) on ramp, the Maryland Avenue on ramp and the Maryland Avenue off ramp until 6 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1.    The work is part of a $6 million safety and resurfacing project on I-68 from the Willowbrook Road bridge to the Crosstown bridge. The project, which includes adding an auxiliary lane on the MD 639 ramp, is expected to be complete this fall, more than six months ahead of schedule. Crews will return by the end of the month for paving…

Maryland Senators Blast Trump COVID Response

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) sent a letter on Friday to Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar criticizing the Trump Administration for their continued political interference in the COVID-19 response. Along with 30 of their colleagues, the Senators warned that decisions to pressure and overrule public health experts will erode public trust and hamper efforts to respond to the COVID-19 crisis.   “The timing of this interference is particularly troubling, as people across the country are waiting anxiously for a safe and effective vaccine to COVID-19. More than ever, public…

Four New COVID Cases Bring County Total to 395

The Allegany County Health Department reports four new cases of COVID-19 in Allegany County.  The latest cases include a female in her teens, a male in his 30s, a male in his 50s, and a female in her 60s.  None of them has required hospitalization.  The cumulative total number of cases in Allegany County now stands at 395. 

Following dismissal, former MD Governor’s Office employee to hold press conference

The Maryland state official fired on Saturday for expressing support for a suspected Kenosha, Wisconsin, shooter is speaking out against his dismissal. Arthur Love IV was dismissed after he posted comments and pictures of 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse, the Illinois teen charged with murder in the shooting of two protesters during a riot in Kenosha. Love had served as deputy director in the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives, which oversees the Commission on African American History and Culture.  He is planning to hold a news conference in Baltimore on Monday afternoon. In a statement, a family friend said Love is "exploring all options" to contest his…

WV DMV issues another extension for expired licenses

The West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles announced on Monday that any driver's license, instruction permit, Graduated License (level 1, 2, or 3), or Commercial Driver's License (CDL), as allowed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), with an expiration date of March 1, 2020 or later, will be extended until December 31, 2020. Identification cards are included in the extension as well. This announcement revises the July memorandum that extended the expiration date on the face of these documents until September 30th. Additionally, this new extension applies to driver's license and ID card transactions only. Customers are encouraged to…

High Speed Chase Ends in Crash on Shades Lane

On Sunday, August 30th, 2020 a Cumberland Police Officer on patrol in the area of Frederick Street observed a maroon late model mustang travelling at a speed well above the posted speed limit.  The officer attempted to stop the vehicle but it failed to stop.  Another officer in the area of Bedford Road and Nave’s Crossroads, observed the same vehicle speeding and driving recklessly.  He also tried to stop the vehicle but it failed to yield for him and travelled onto Shades Lane well above the speed limit.  The officer then lost sight of the vehicle and moments later, located…

Police searching for alleged sex offender

The Cumberland Police Department is requesting the assistance of the public in locating Paul Edgar Wilhelm; age 53.  He’s a white male, approx. 5’6”, and weighs approx. 310 lbs; last seen wearing a red t-shirt, blue jeans, and camouflage hat. Wilhelm was last seen on 8/30/2020 around 6:30 p.m. in the 500 blk. of Columbia Avenue.  He has been reported missing and is also wanted for questioning in a breaking and entering and a sexual offense that was reported to police earlier on 8/30/2020.  Anyone that has information to Wilhelm’s whereabouts is asked to contact the law enforcement or the…