(posted May 22^nd 8am) Two adults and three juveniles face charges in connection with a burglary at the old Sacred Heart Hospital which will soon be the site of the new Allegany High School Thursday the group allegedly broke into the building which is owned by the Allegany County Board of Education. They entered through a broken window and took several items including a fire extinguisher, old blue prints, schematic drawings, floor plans, specimen collection bottles and hospital signs. 18 year old John Fraley and 18 year old Jonathan Urgiles and three 17 year olds all from Cumberland are charged with burglary, theft and destruction of property.

(posted May 22^nd 8am) The cause of a fire in Oakland is ruled arson. The blaze broke out just before 10 am at a home on Sanders Lane. The fire caused about 70 thousand dollars in damage and took about 25 firefighters ten minutes to control. The blaze was discovered by the owner and started inside the home. Anyone with any details is asked to contact the Maryland State Fire Marshals Office at 301-766-3888

(posted May 22^nd 8am) Piedmont’s foreman faces up to 10 years behind bars after pleading guilty to using federal property. John Shingler is currently free on bond but faces a 250 thousand dollar fine if convicted. In 2009 the city of Piedmont received property from the West Virginia State Agency for Surplus Property including six travel trailers worth about 111 thousand dollars. Shingler and others allegedly paid the City of Piedmont one thousand dollars for each of the trailers. City officials claimed the trailers would be used for an upcoming water project, for the street department and for law enforcement but Shingler allegedly converted them for his own use. Shingler then in June 2010 reported told an inspector for the West Virginia Division of Administration that the trailers were being used by the city of Piedmont when he knew they were being used by private individuals.

(posted May 22^nd 8am) The Maryland State Board of Education approved new regulations designed to further improve safety for student-athletes.  The regulations make permanent emergency rules put in place last summer aimed at strengthening concussion safety, while including some important new protections.

The regulations, approved unanimously by the State Board, include the following new requirements:

• Coaches must complete biennial refresher concussion training.
• Physical education teachers are required to complete concussion training.
• Local school systems must implement policies for student athletes who have sustained a suspected concussion to ensure appropriate academic accommodations; documented notification to parents; and timely notification to athletic directors and school nurses.
• School systems must identify health care providers authorized to return student-athletes to play after a suspected concussion has occurred.
• MSDE, in collaboration with an appropriate medical, academic, and athletic advisory team, to identify collision, contact, and non-contact sports; and recommend limitations of contact athletic exposures to reduce concussion risk.

Emergency regulations approved last July by the State Board required training for coaches in the area of brain injuries, and put in place a process for returning injured athletes to competition.  At the same time, the Board directed the Maryland State Department of Education to convene a task force to study concussion-related issues including prevention strategies.  The work of that task force led to the new regulations approved yesterday. The regulations were published in the Maryland Register in March, with the comment period ending April 22.  The regulations go into effect immediately. 

(Posted May 22^nd 8am) Garrett County will be holding a Grand Re-Opening of their Youghiogheny Overlook Welcome Center on May 24 at 10 am. The Welcome Center is located in Friendsville, Maryland, off of Interstate-68 Eastbound at mile marker 6, between Friendsville (exit 4) and Rt. 219 (exit 14). The event will feature a ribbon cutting, refreshments and remarks from various speakers and dignitaries including Garrett County Commissioner Jim Raley. This event is free and open to the public.  The Youghiogheny Overlook Welcome Center offers travelers not only information about Garrett County but the entire state of Maryland as well. The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce will be staffing the center which will be open Thursday - Sunday from May 24 – October 13, 2013 and Friday -Sunday from October 18 –May 18, 2014. The re-opening of the Youghiogheny Overlook Welcome Center will give Garrett County two welcome centers, as it joins the current Garrett County Visitors Center in McHenry, Maryland, located near Deep Creek Lake. Garrett County, Maryland’s westernmost county, is less than a three-hour drive from the metropolitan areas of Washington DC and Baltimore, two hours from Pittsburgh, and a 45 minute drive from Morgantown, WV and Cumberland, MD. Garrett County is home to Maryland’s largest freshwater lake, Deep Creek Lake, Wisp Resort, the state’s only ski resort, and the Adventure Sports Center International, one of only two recirculating whitewater courses in the western hemisphere, which is the site of the Deep Creek 2014 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in September 2014. For more information about the Grand Re-Opening, please call Sarah Duck at 301.387.8746 or email sarah@garrettchamber.com.

(Posted May 22^nd 8am) Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin was highlighted in the article "Ten People Who Made a Difference in the South" by Southern Business & Development magazine. The article cites Gov. Tomblin's economic know-how, as well as his popularity.

"...when Earl Ray Tomblin stepped into the West Virginia governor's office, the state's economy took off," Mike Randle writes. "In 2011, West Virginia was home to the second-best job growth in the U.S. and No. 1 in the South and first in export growth nationwide."

Also included in the article are Dan DiMicco, executive chairman of Nucor steel; John Correnti, an Arkansas entrepreneur; J. Wayne Leonard, a Louisiana energy innovator; Michael Hecht, the President and CEO of Greater New Orleans Inc.; Mike Eades, a Louisiana economic developer; Agnes Zaiontz, a major part of the Mississippi-based Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Development Authority; Glen Fenter, the president of Mid-South Community College; Texas Governor Rick Perry; and Missouri Governor Jay Nixon.

To read the excerpt, click here.

(Posted May 22^nd 8am) Dimensional Insight, a developer of business intelligence (BI) solutions, today announced that Western Maryland Health System, a 275-bed hospital based in Cumberland, Md., will be using The Diver Solution™ (Diver) to help it analyze its data more quickly. Western Maryland Health System is the first customer to purchase Diver through Dimensional Insight's recently announced partnership with Premier healthcare alliance.Like most hospitals, Western Maryland has massive amounts of data in disparate systems, such as MEDITECH, eClinicalWorks and Kronos. It can be challenging for hospitals to tie this information together in a fast and reliable way, and then take action based on the data.Based on feedback from Premier during an audit of its operations and expenses, Western Maryland sought out a business intelligence solution that would enable it to use its data more effectively. Bill Byers, CIO of Western Maryland, met Dimensional Insight at the HIMSS12 Conference, and he was drawn to Diver's functionality and ease-of-use."For us, it's all about getting the right information into the right hands at the right time," says Byers. "Diver impressed me because it not only enables us to do that, but it also allows us to do so much more quickly and inexpensively than do other business intelligence solutions we had considered. What also really impressed me about Dimensional Insight was that I was able to talk to its MEDITECH customers and verify the ease-of-use and results they were able to realize through the technology. That really spoke volumes to me."One area in which Western Maryland will be using Diver is readmissions.

(posted May 21^st 8am) A Georgia man faces charges after brandishing a gun. At about 10 pm last night Maryland State Police out of McHenry were called out to a pizza shop parking lot. 37 year old James Cleveland allegedly brandished a gun during an altercation. He was arrested without incident.

(Posted May 22^nd 8am) Joseph Gill is now Maryland’s 8^th Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources. He was sworn in by Governor Martin O’Malley yesterday. As Deputy Secretary Gill moves up to head the 1,200-person agency responsible for managing Maryland’s natural and living resources, two department veterans have also been named to new posts.After 29 years with DNR, Assistant Secretary for Aquatic Resources Frank Dawson has been named the agency’s new Deputy Secretary. Dave Goshorn, who has been with the department for 21 years and currently serves as Director of the Office for a Sustainable Future, will be taking over as Assistant Secretary. Kristin Saunders, Assistant Secretary for Land Resources, and Wilson Parran, Assistant Secretary for Mission Support, round out the agency’s senior management team.

(Posted May 22^nd 8am) Congressman David B. McKinley, reintroduced the Safe Housing for Homeless Veterans Act (H.R. 2065), a bill that would require veterans’ homeless shelters to meet building and fire codes.   According to McKinley Many shelters are not servicing homeless veterans in compliance with state, local or federal safety codes.  There have been numerous reports of fires at shelters where dozens of residents have been killed or seriously injured.  Unfortunately there is no law mandating homeless shelters that receive funding from the VA to meet code. This bill would require all shelters that receive funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs to have documentation that their building meets or exceeds all building codes.

(posted May 21^st 8am) Maryland State Police are investigating a burglary. Sometime between May 15^th and 16^th someone broke into a home on Friendsville Road in Friendsville and stole an air conditioner.  Anyone with information regarding this incident please contact the Maryland State Police, McHenry Barrack at (301) 387-1101.

(posted May 21^st 8am) The Home Buying workshop sponsored by Region 8 Planning and Development Council and the West Virginia Housing Development Fund scheduled for today at the Mineral County Health Department has been cancelled due to the lack of interest.

(posted May 21^st 8am) The Environmental Protection Agency or EPA will help the Route 219 project move forward. In a letter sent to the US Army Corp of Engineers EPA officials claim the project will not be subject to additional levels of review which would push back the timetable for the project. The project includes upgrades to a section of Route 219 between Somerset and Meyersdale.

(posted May 21^st 8am) The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Jennings Randolph Lake announces a variety of activities planned for Memorial Day weekend 2013. Memorial Day weekend activities at the lake include interpretive programs and intake control tower tours. The interpretive programs will be presented in the Robert W. Craig campground amphitheater on Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26 at 9 p.m. The public is encouraged to take part in these free events.Tours of the Jennings Randolph tower are scheduled from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, May 26.Tours will begin every 30 minutes and interested parties are asked to meet at the West Virginia Overlook. Each tour is limited to no more than 20 people.Photography and videography of any kind (including cell photos) are not permitted.Due to the sensitive flood risk management mission, all participants must sign-in with the ranger and provide federal or state issued photo identification card.Adults with proper identification are able to sign for accompanying children (16 years old or younger).Additionally, cameras, cell phones, video equipment and bags of any kind (purses, backpacks, briefcases, etc.) are not permitted inside.Please make arrangements prior to signing up for the tour on site as exceptions will not be made.Contact the park office at 304-355-2346, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. or visit http://www.nab.usace.army.mil/missions/damsrecreation/jenningsrandolphlake, for more information.

(posted May 21^st 8am) The Bedford Rotary and Bedford Elks Clubs are partnering to seek nominations for the 2013 Bedford County Citizen of the Year. The award recipient will be chosen based on recent contributions to the life and welfare of our county’s citizens, and whose lives exemplify both the Rotary Motto of “Service above Self,” as well as the Elks Motto of “Elks Share, Elks Care.” The nominee must be a resident of Bedford County. To nominate a person for this award, please pick up a nomination form at the Bedford County Chamber of Commerce, the Bedford County District Attorney’s Office, the Bedford Elks Club, or you can submit your nomination in a letter. Please be sure to include your name and contact information, the nominee’s full name and contact information, and a detailed summary of the nominee’s qualifications. Nomination forms and letters should be submitted no later than June 5, 2013, and sent to: Bill Higgins, Jr., Rotary/Elks Citizen of the Year Committee, 228 S. Bedford Street, Bedford, PA 15522 The Citizen of the Year Banquet will be held in July, 2013 at the Bedford Elks Lodge. Also, at the banquet, there will be recognitions of both the Elk of the Year and Rotarian of the year.

(posted May 21^st 8am)The final section of the Great Allegheny Passage is finished. A One mile section of the 150 mile trail that links Pittsburgh to Cumberland Maryland is now open and ready for riders. The Great Allegany Passage connects with the  184.5 mile C&O Canal Towpath which begins in Cumberland and ends in Washington DC.  A June 15 celebration in West Homestead and Downtown Pittsburgh will mark the official completion of the passage. The celebration begins at 10 a.m. and would-be participants are encouraged to bring their bikes.

(posted May 20^th 8am) Two people face charges after a fight in Cumberland involving a brick and a machete. At about 7:30 Friday night Cumberland Police were called out to Maryland Avenue and Harrison Street. Several people were sitting in a car when 41 year old Robert Miller of LaVale threw a brick at the car. When the occupants got out of the car Miller pulled a machete out of a backpack and began to swing it at the victims. Miller was arrested on assault and reckless endangerment charges. He is being held at the Allegany County Detention Center on 25 thousand dollars bond. 24 year old Whitney Hollingsworth of Ridgeley was also arrested on a bench warrant and is also being held at the Allegany County Detention Center.

(posted May 21^st 8am)Bonnie’s Bus, the mobile mammography program of the WVU Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center and WVU Healthcare, has received a $35,000 grant from the West Virginia affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure to provide education and mammography screenings to women of color in West Virginia. “This funding will allow us to reach out to all women of color to encourage them to have regular mammograms to reduce their mortality rate from breast cancer. It will also allow us to provide mammograms for any West Virginia women who have no insurance or other coverage,” Sara Jane Gainor, director of Bonnie’s Bus, said. “Early detection is the best way to reduce deaths from breast cancer.” Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest breast cancer organization, and the West Virginia Affiliate is one of 125 affiliates on the front lines dedicated to ending breast cancer in their communities. Komen affiliates fund innovative programs that help women and men overcome the cultural, social, educational and financial barriers to breast cancer screening and treatment.

(posted May 21^st 8am)Motorcycle enthusiasts from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia will gather for the 23^rd Annual Operation God Bless America Ride on June 2^nd to raise funds for patients of the Martinsburg Veterans Affairs Medical Center and honor those who served. The Martinsburg VAMC outreach team will be at the event to provide information on women’s health, enrollment in health care, My HealtheVet, prosthetics, and Operation Enduring Freedom / Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND) Veteran services.The event is open to all Veterans, volunteers, Veterans Service Organizations, community partners, families and friends, all in support of America’s courageous Veterans.Upon arrival at the medical center riders will travel through the patriotic Avenue of Flags lined with United States flags donated by the families of deceased Veterans.Departure from Greencastle, Pa. is set for noon with an anticipated arrival of 1 p.m. at the medical center.  A ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. at the medical center. No alcoholic beverages are permitted and helmets are required. All motorcycle enthusiasts are invited to attend, come rain or shine.  For more information about Operation God Bless America Motorcycle Ride, go online to www.ogbaride.com.

(posted May 21^st 8am)Tickets are now on sale for the fall Tri-State Concert's Country LIVE music shows. Line up - Garth and Friends tribute show Sept 21 (tribute to Brooks and Dunn, Dolly, Hank Williams Sr plus more surprise artists) and 7 Bridges Ultimate EAGLES Experience Oct 19. Tickets available online at www.tri-stateconcerts.com - 301-759-0580 - or @ TWR, 549 N Centre St. Best seats now available.

(posted May 21^st 8am)U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) announced  that he was pleased West Virginia’s request to withdraw from No Child Left Behind (NCLB) was granted by the U.S. Department of Education. The waiver allows the state to implement education reforms best fit for West Virginia children, teachers, schools and communities.  He says “While one of our top priorities must be to continue raising our standards and making sure that we have the best-educated children in the world, it is important that states have the flexibility to structure education programs that work best for them,” Senator Manchin said. “We must strike a thoughtful balance between federal standards and successful teaching practices. We need government to work smarter for the sake of our kids and their bright futures.”The U.S. Department of Education is offering each state educational agency (SEA) the opportunity to request flexibility to better focus on improving student learning. This voluntary opportunity will provide educators, along with state and local leaders, with flexibility regarding the specific requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). In exchange, states must develop rigorous and comprehensive plans designed to improve educational outcomes for all students, close achievement gaps, increase equity, and improve the quality of instruction.

(posted May 21^st 8am)On Friday, May 24, 2013 beginning at 8:00 pm, members of the West Virginia State Police will be conducting a sobriety checkpoint along US Route 11 near the intersection of Evans Run Drive, near Martinsburg, WV, Berkeley County. The checkpoint will last until 2:00 am, Saturday, May 25, 2013.  The secondary location will be located off of US Route 11, near the intersection of Musselman Drive, near Inwood, WV.The primary purpose of the checkpoint is to educate the motoring public about the effects of driving impaired either by alcohol, drugs, or both.   During the checkpoint, drivers will be checked for any other traffic infractions, as well.  This project is funded through the Commission on Drunk Driving Prevention.

(posted May 21^st 8am)Shawn Swisher, teacher at Westmar Middle School, was successful in winning the Beachbody Company’s February Monthly Challenge for weight loss, and was recently notified that he is one of only four finalists that have earned a chance to win Beachbody’s “Ultimate Health Transformation 2012”.  He is currently coaching more than 800 people from eight different counties on their weight loss goals.  For more information, visit www.teambeachbody.com. 

(posted May 20^th 8am) A Cumberland man is behind bars on burglary charges. At about 4 am yesterday Cumberland police were called out to West Second Street. 30 year old Jason Edwards of Cumberland allegedly threw something through the front window of a home then forced his way through a door and assaulted several people inside. He is charged with burglary and malicious destruction of property.  

(posted May 20^th 8am) Congratulations goes out to Deputy First Class Robbie Smith and K-9 Kira of the Mineral County Sheriff’s Department. They were recently given the West Virginia Police Canine Association’s K-9 Team of the Year award.

(posted May 20^th 8am) Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the death of a drag racing competitor. The 15 year old male was participating in a Bedford County Dirt Drag race when he lost control of his quad and hit a tire barrier causing the vehicle to flip. The driver was thrown off the vehicle and hit a light pole.

(posted May 20^th 8am) Food left to cook unattended is the reason for a fire on Decatur Street. The blaze broke out just before three am on Friday. One person inside the home was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation. The fire was ruled accidental. The blaze caused about 15 thousand dollars in damage. About 13 firefighters were on the scene and had the fire under control in about five minutes.

(posted May 20^th 8am) Allegany County Combined Criminal Investigations Unit officials are searching for the suspects who broke into the old Sacred Heart Hospital complex. Thursday morning the four suspects were caught on surveillance video taking items from the building which is currently owned by the Allegany County Board of Education to be the site of the new Allegany High School.

(posted May 20^th 8am) Construction will continue on Glendale Road in Cumberland this week. The roadway will be open during the evening hours. The roadway will continue to be closed to thru traffic (no traffic will be allowed to cross Glendale Bridge) during normal working hours of 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday.  Only public school busses and emergency vehicles will be allowed to pass through the work zone.  A flag person will be on site to direct traffic accessing and exiting businesses and residences located on Glendale Road between Route 219/Garrett Highway and the Glendale Bridge, however delays may be experienced.  All other traffic will be directed to detours.Daily updates will be posted on the Department of Public Utilities web site at www.co.garrett.md.us/public-utilities.  Questions may be directed to the Department at 301-334-6983.

(posted May 20^th 8am) Two local fugitives are arrested thanks to the Mountain State Fugitive Task Force. 33 year old Tony Hodge of Martinsburg was wanted for violation of parole on an underlying charge of Murder. Hodge, originally from Washington, DC remains in Eastern Regional Jail while he awaits the outcome of his federal parole hearing.  Bernard Phillips IV 29, of Runnymeade Rd, Inwood, West Virginia was wanted by the Frederick County Virginia Sheriff’s Department for failing to appear on multiple Fraud charges. West Virginia. Members of the Task Force located Pillips IV in a bedroom at 166 Runnymeade Rd, Inwood, WV. Phillips IV was booked as a fugitive from justice and remains in Eastern Regional Jail awaiting extradition to Virginia.