Maryland Governor Larry Hogan’s long-awaited announcement that will see the state move into phase three of reopening is now official. During a Tuesday press conference, Hogan announced that all businesses can reopen when phase three of the state's reopening plan goes into effect at 5 p.m. on Friday. Movie theaters and live entertainment venues can open at 50% capacity or up to 100 people indoors or 250 people outdoors with appropriate health and safety guidelines in place. Retail businesses and houses of worship can increase their capacity from 50 to 75%. Hogan said the overwhelmingly positive trends in COVID numbers…

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan’s long awaited announcement that will see the state move into phase three of reopening. During a Tuesday press conference, Hogan  announced that all businesses can reopen when phase three of the state's reopening plan goes into effect at 5 p.m. on Friday. Movie theaters and live entertainment venues can open at 50% capacity or up to 100 people indoors or 250 people outdoors with appropriate health and safety guidelines in place. Retail businesses and houses of worship can increase their capacity from 50 to 75%. Hogan said the overwhelmingly positive trends in COVID numbers across the…

The September 2020 Mineral County Grand Jury List has been released by the prosecuting attorney’s office:   ACCUSED:     Brandon Lee Kausky One Bridgewater Drive, Elkins, WV 26241 Crime: “Possession of CDS w/Intent to Deliver”, felony, West Virginia Code §60A-4-401(a)(ii); Crime: “Fleeing on Foot”, misdemeanor, West Virginia Code §61-5-17(d); Date: August 2020                                                             ACCUSED:     Bobbi Renee Landis Post Office Box 386, Shanks, WV 26761 Crime: “Driving Revoked for DUI – 3rd offense”, felony,   West Virginia Code §17B-4-3(b); Date: October 2019                                                             ACCUSED:     Bobby Eugene Driver                                              58 Skylark Terrace, Keyser, WV 26726 Crime:…

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s (WVDEP) Rehabilitation Environmental Action Plan (REAP) has postponed its tire collection events indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the interim, state citizens can lawfully dispose waste tires at local tire shops or landfills for a nominal fee.   Tire collection events are often hosted by a combination of REAP staff, tire contractors, and local volunteers, and require citizens to provide a state-issued ID before dropping off their tires.

The Allegany County Library System is hosting a series of book discussions to continue to engage our community in conversations about race in America.  As a follow-up to Dr. Ibram X. Kendi’s live discussion on How to Be Antiracist, we invite you to join us for a number of conversations centered around themes from Dr. Kendi’s other award winning book, Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America.   Beginning tonight, September 1, discussions will be held at 7:00 PM every other week through the end of October, totaling five events.  Two hosts from the library will…

Two employees of the North Branch Correctional Institution were taken to UPMC Western Maryland after a correctional officer was assaulted Saturday morning. According to the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. "An inmate struck a correctional officer during an inmate assault on a staff member Saturday morning at North Branch Correctional Institution". DPSCS spokesman Mark Vernarelli said that two employees were taken to the hospital for medical evaluation of non-life threatening injuries and as a precaution. Further details of the incident were not provided. Detectives of the state agency are working with NBCI officers on the investigation.

The Maryland State Board of Education rejected state Superintendent Karen Salmon's proposal to change up local school schedules. The Maryland State Education Administration cheered the decision, with President Cheryl Bost warning schedule changes announced as schools start up would cause confusion and stress for parents, students and teachers

Federal prosecutors are asking for nearly three years in prison for ex-Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh’s aide Gary Brown Jr., saying he carried out an “eight-year pattern of nonstop criminality.” Brown was deeply involved in four different schemes, sometimes acting in concert with Pugh and other times acting alone, according to prosecutors, who said he played the role of “bagman” for a campaign finance scheme in addition to helping carry out the “Healthy Holly” children’s book scandal.  Pugh is serving a three-year sentence at a federal prison. Her legal troubles began when the Baltimore Sun reported she had entered into a no-bid deal with the…

On Monday at approximately 10:30 PM the Cumberland City Police Department were dispatched to the 300 block of Frederick Street for a disturbance. Upon arrival officers spoke to the victim and learned that they were inside their vehicle when they were assaulted by Melissa Ann Vanmeter. Ms. Vanmeter then stood behind the vehicle not allowing the victim to leave. Officers contacted an independent witness who observed Ms. Vanmeter standing behind the vehicle causing a disturbance. Ms. Vanmeter was arrested and taken before a District Court Commissioner for an initial appearance. Ms. Vanmeter was released on her personal recognizance pending trial…

If you’re a high school athlete in the Mountain State and your county is coded yellow, your parents will be permitted to come to your games.   If your code is green, then other members of your household can also attend. WCBC got that word from West Virginia Secondary Schools Athletic Association Executive Director Bernie Dolan Monday…