Feb 19, 2021
Last week the Deep Creek Lake Property Owner’s Association Board of Directors held a Special Meeting to consider making a one-time contribution to the Deep Creek Watershed Foundation to allow the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to purchase an additional Water Quality Meter for the Lake. Your Board unanimously approved the expenditure.
The purchase at this time allowed us to take advantage of a volume discount based on additional purchases funded by the Foundation. The discount allowed us to fund the purchase in the amount of approximately $15,000. The Foundation is funding the purchase of four meters which will bring the number of permanent meters in the lake to eight. The ultimate goal of DNR is to have a meter in every cove.
The meters measure water temperature, salinity, conductivity, pH, depth, dissolved oxygen, turbidity and chlorophyll (which is a measure of algal biomass). The permanent placement of the meters will allow continuous rather than “snapshot” monitoring of water quality.
As explained on the Foundation Website, “continuous monitoring of water quality at Deep Creek Lake is a vital project. Without more sensors, information received will be limited. The sensors will allow for a baseline to be established that will indicate if there are changes in water quality in the future. The ability to place a sensor in each cove, or at a minimum several coves, will allow for a complete picture of water quality in all areas of the watershed and lake.
To best measure various parameters of Water Quality in DCL, DNR uses Water Quality Meters throughout the lake on a continuing basis under all conditions. These meters are used in the Chesapeake Bay, Lake Tahoe, the Great Lakes and a variety of locations around the world.
High quality clean water provides:
- Protection of property values and investments for you and your family for many years to come.
- Carefree swimming, boating, water-skiing, and more.
- Healthy habitats for a wide variety of fish and other aquatic creatures.
- A clean lake for residents and visitors alike to enjoy which, in turn, supports Garrett County’s reputation as a great place to visit and live.”
Your Board of Directors believes that this expenditure will help provide an important step forward in ensuring ongoing lake water quality which is essential to the long-term viability of our lake.
More detailed information can be found at the DNR website “Eyes on Deep Creek Lake” – http://eyesonthebay.dnr.maryland.gov/dcl/deepcreeklake.cfm
There is also detail available on the Deep Creek Watershed Foundation site which includes a PowerPoint presentation to the Foundation Board in April of 2020 entitled “DNR’s Continuous Water Quality Monitoring Project at Deep Creek Lake” by DNR Biologists Julie Bortz and Christine King, see – https://www.deepcreekwatershedfoundation.org/water-quality-testing
Feb 19, 2021
The Town of Oakland has officially welcomed its newest police officer.
Mayor Jay Moyer administered the oath of office to Police Academy Graduate, Patrolman Bryson Bittinger at a special ceremony at Oakland City Hall on Friday, February 12, 2021.
Bittinger, the son of Bill and Nichole Bittinger, grew up in Oakland and graduated from Southern Garrett High School in 2017 before earning an associate’s degree from Garrett College. Bittinger was previously employed part-time by the Town of Oakland as a member of the Street Department. He graduated from the Washington County Police Academy on February 5, 2021.
Police Chief, Bill Thomas, welcomed Bittinger to the department indicating, “He’s worked long and hard for this day and it’s very well deserved. We’re happy to welcome him to our team.”
After the swearing in ceremony, Mayor Moyer offered a few welcoming words to the new officer. “Welcome to the department Bryson. You are an outstanding individual and we know that you are very capable of performing the duties of an Oakland City Police Officer. We look forward to a long working relationship with you on the department.”
Feb 19, 2021
The weather today will be snow and freezing drizzle likely before 4pm, then a chance of snow between 4pm and 5pm, then a chance of snow and freezing drizzle after 5pm. Patchy fog after 11am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 27 and a low around 11. Light west wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph and could gust as high as 21 mph. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible. Saturday will be mostly cloudy with a high near 18 and a low around 7. A chance of snow, mainly before 2pm. Wind chill values as low as -3. West wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Sunday will be mostly sunny, with a high near 32 and a low around 23.
The National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC has issued a hazardous weather outlook for Garrett, Allegany, Highland, Grant, Mineral and Pendleton counties: Today and Tonight Wind Chill Advisories may be necessary for the higher terrain. There is a slight winter storm threat late Sunday night and Monday. If the threat materializes, there may be travel disruptions.
The Garrett County Health Department announced that the Vaccination Clinic scheduled at the MEDCO Building today (February 19, 2021) in the McHenry Business Park has been cancelled due to delayed shipments of vaccine from the federal government. All appointments will be automatically rescheduled for March 3 at the same time as the original appointment. No patient action is required.
Additional COVID-19 resources:
- Up-to-date county COVID-19 data and other information is available on garretthealth.org.
- If you have COVID-19 like symptoms, schedule a testing appointment at the Health Department by calling 301-334-7697.
- Free COVID-19 testing is available (with or without symptoms) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the MEDCO Building in the McHenry Business Park, unless otherwise announced. Pre-registration is recommended. Visit garretthealth.org for more information.
- For all other COVID-19 related questions, or to report a COVID-19 compliance issue, call the local COVID-19 Hotline number at 301-334-7698.
GoGarrettCounty.com is a county-wide initiative designed to highlight local resources and connect our community. Earn prize points by watching videos and exploring articles about things in your community that could help you or someone you know. Save or spend your prize points in the handy shopping area (located in the top right corner) on great rewards!
New businesses are being formed at a phenomenal rate ever since the pandemic gripped the US in the middle of last year. Data from the US Census Bureau reveals that there were more than 4.25 million new business applications last year, up more than 20% on the year before.
Do you have your own or are you looking to start a small business? Tri-County Council for Western Maryland (TCCWMD) is offering businesses located in Allegany, Garrett and Washington counties low interest financing through Summit Financing Solutions Revolving Loan Fund Program. Loan amounts range from $10,000 to $500,000 with terms up to 15 years.
Visit Dutch’s for Weekend Dining (today, tomorrow and Sunday) from 11:30 am – 9:00 pm. Also, tonight is AYCE FISH DINNERS from 4 – 9pm!
Oakland Youth Baseball and Softball League – Tryout and Signup is Saturday and Sunday.
A way to celebrate Black authors and their books during Black History Month is also on Saturday: Black Representation Matters (Online) from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm.
Feb 19, 2021
The Garrett County Health Department today announced that the Vaccination Clinic scheduled at the MEDCO Building in the McHenry Business Park for tomorrow, Friday, February 19th, has been cancelled due to delayed shipments of vaccine from the federal government. All appointments will be automatically rescheduled for March 3 at the same time as the original appointment. No patient action is required.
The delay of vaccine shipments is weather-related, and is a nationwide problem.
Although CDC recommends an interval of 28 days between the first and second dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, they also advise that when necessary the second dose may be administered up to 6 weeks, or 42 days, after the first dose.
“We are sorry that we need to reschedule these second dose appointments, but we did not receive the last two vaccine shipments we were expecting,” said Garrett County Health Officer Bob Stephens. “The weather has caused significant delays across the country. We hope they will soon be able to get caught up on deliveries so we don’t have to reschedule our clinics for next week.”
If you are scheduled for a vaccine appointment next week, watch both your email and phone for messages generated by the Health Department through the vaccination appointment system if appointments need to be changed.
If you have questions about your appointment that are not answered by the email you receive from the system, please call the hotline at 301-334-7698 after Thursday, February 18th. The line is not being answered on Thursday due to the State of Maryland closure of state buildings in Garrett County, including the Health Department Office. Most GCHD employees are working from home today because of the closure.
Additional COVID-19 resources:
- Up-to-date county COVID-19 data and other information is available on garretthealth.org.
- If you have COVID-19 like symptoms, schedule a testing appointment at the Health Department by calling 301-334-7697.
- Free COVID-19 testing is available (with or without symptoms) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the MEDCO Building in the McHenry Business Park, unless otherwise announced. Pre-registration is recommended. Visit garretthealth.org for more information.
- For all other COVID-19 related questions, or to report a COVID-19 compliance issue, call the local COVID-19 Hotline number at 301-334-7698.
Feb 18, 2021
The weather today will be snow. High near 25 and a low around 24. East wind 5 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Total daytime snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible and nighttime snow accumulation of around an inch possible.
The snow emergency plan was implemented this morning at 2:00am.
Note the following government and COVID-19 sites are closed today due to inclement weather:
-Garrett County Health Department offices (including all clinics)
-COVID-19 testing at the Health Department and the MEDCO Building in the McHenry Business Park
-Garrett County Circuit Court
-Garrett County Courthouse (but all County offices are open remotely via phone and email)
Today isn’t the best day for a road trip but you can sit back and virtually plan your adventure along Maryland’s scenic byways. There are two right here in Garrett County.
The Red, Blue & Green trails at Herrington Manor State Park were last groomed on February 16th. Get out and take a long lunch break if you can… I went cross country skiing at Herrington Manor last Friday and it was absolutely perfect.
Participating in the Tucker Community Foundation’s Run For It event has become a tradition in supporting the Kalie Hostutler Ashby Academic Achievement Fund at Garrett College. Through this event, $2,682.39 was raised in honor of the late Kalie Hostutler Ashby and to provide textbook scholarships to GC students.
I worked with Kalie and I hold many fond memories <3
From a LawnStarter report “many of the best vacation rental home cities are near attractions in greater Appalachia”. Over half of Americans plan to travel in 2021, and more than a third will stay in a vacation home or homeshare rental during the winter and spring. Get here: Deep Creek Lake is proving to be an excellent location for a vacation home.
Be careful out there! Here are the current local road condition cameras:
Feb 18, 2021
Participating in the Tucker Community Foundation’s Run For It event in Davis, W.Va. has become a tradition in supporting the Kalie Hostutler Ashby Academic Achievement Fund at Garrett College.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual event transitioned virtually. Team members – Ashby’s family and friends, Garrett College employees, and Southern High School students – formally known as Kalie’s Crew, continued to show their support while raising a total of $2,682.39 this year.
“The Run for it Event has become one of my favorite traditions,” stated Brittney Hostutler, sister of the late Kalie Hostutler Ashby. “It’s a great day to remember and honor Kalie and I am truly grateful for those who participate in the race or who donate to the cause.”
Although this year was a little different due to the pandemic, the event continues to be an annual success for the scholarship.
“The day is spent with family and friends (and always some new faces), who take time out of their day to support Kalie’s Crew and the Kalie Hostutler Ashby Academic Achievement Fund scholarship,” continued Hostutler. “We had an overwhelming amount of support and were successful in the fundraiser, given the circumstances surrounding the pandemic.”
The Kalie Hostutler Ashby Academic Achievement Fund honors the late Kalie Hostutler Ashby and the value she placed on higher learning. To honor Kalie’s love for learning, the Kalie Hostutler Ashby Academic Achievement Fund provides textbook scholarships to students who attended Ashby’s alma mater, Southern Garrett High School, and were part of the College’s dual enrollment program, or students who previously attended Crellin Elementary School, a further tribute to Ashby’s commitment to her local community.
In addition to Ashby’s many accomplishments, she began her college education at Garrett College as a dual-enrolled student, a unique opportunity available to Garrett County residents where students can begin earning college credits while still in high school.
Madison Embleton and Kaelyn Glotfelty, two of this year’s academic scholarship recipients of the Kalie Hostutler Ashby Academic Achievement Fund, also began earning college credits at Garrett College as a high school student at Southern Garrett High School.
Currently studying business administration at Garrett College, Embleton graduated from Southern Garrett and was also a student at Crellin Elementary School. “The Kalie Hostutler Ashby Academic Achievement Fund scholarship has allowed me to take my mind off of the financial burden college expenses can have, and allowed me to focus on my education,” noted Embleton. “This scholarship has been used to help me purchase textbooks as well as cover additional college expenses.”
Thanks to the dual enrollment program at GC, she is now a first-year college student.
“I was able to start college with credits from my previous dual enrollment and AP courses,” she explained. “I wanted to attend college close to home, and Garrett College offered the program I was interested in as well. I have lived in Garrett County since I was five and I am happy to call this place my home.”
One of her highlights the past fall semester was joining the Student Government Association (SGA) at GC.
“By joining SGA, I have been able to create lasting friendships and memories with new people!” Embleton added.
After GC, she plans to transfer to Frostburg State University and continue her studies in business administration.
A computer science major, Glotfelty has a keen interest in programming, especially programing games. In high school, she was also a member of the GaCo robotics team.
Like Embleton, receiving this scholarship has been beneficial for her in so many ways.
“It helped me with allowing me to focus more on my schoolwork, since I could focus less on worrying if I had enough money for transportation, textbooks, and other necessities,” Glotfelty stated. “It also helped relieve anxiety on whether or not I had enough money to cover everything.”
Having just completed her first semester of college this past fall, Glotfelty wanted to get a jumpstart on earning college credits before transferring to a four-year university.
“I chose to start my education at GC because it’s close to home, and I would be able to adjust to college more easily if I could start at home,” she explained. “I really enjoyed all the projects in my digital logic design class, as well as being able to figure out programming errors and such.”
Elementary education major Emilee Tasker, of Oakland, and first-year student at GC, is also a recipient of the Kalie Hostutler Ashby Academic Achievement Fund. Being a scholarship recipient has helped her purchase books for her first semester of college.
“I chose Garrett due to me staying close to home, being able to live at home, and being able to still work to save money for the following years,” added Tasker. “So far my highlight has been meeting new people from different places.”
According to Hostutler, each of this year’s scholarship recipients are continuing her sister’s legacy in a way that Kalie would be proud of.
“This year’s recipients show many of the same qualities, goals and hard work that Kalie was known for and she would be thrilled to be a part of their journey to success. I wish them the best and hope that the scholarship helps them along their journey to reach their ultimate goals,” added Hostutler.
“My family and I are extremely grateful for Garrett College and the founders of The Kalie Hostutler Ashby Academic Achievement Fund,” she continued. “We are blessed to be able to see Kalie’s legacy continue in a way that Kalie would be so proud of.”
For information on making a gift to the Kalie Hostutler Ashby Academic Achievement Fund, contact the Garrett College Foundation at 301-387-3131. All gifts made through the Foundation are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
Feb 17, 2021
ForeFront Power and TurningPoint Energy Announce the Completion of Four Community Solar Projects in Maryland, With Three More on the Way
ForeFront Power and TurningPoint Energy today announce the completion of four Maryland-based community solar projects. The Leigh Friend Solar Project was completed this month, and three additional projects (Kingsville, Croom Road, and South Osborne Road) began delivering power to residents in late 2019. Together, these four projects created over 150 jobs and represent 9.8 megawatts-DC (MW) of solar power being delivered to over 1,300 households in Garrett, Prince George’s, and Baltimore Counties. This solar energy will provide tens of thousands of dollars in county revenue over the 25-year lives of the projects.
These projects were awarded to and developed by TurningPoint Energy as part of the State of Maryland’s Community Solar Pilot Program. ForeFront Power purchased the projects in 2019, constructed the projects, and now serves as the long-term owner and operator. ForeFront Power and TurningPoint Energy are collaborating on three additional community solar projects in the state that will enter operation in the coming quarters.
“As a long-time Maryland resident myself, I’m proud to play a part in empowering our state’s local communities to have a say in the types of energy powering their homes,” said Michael Smith, CEO of ForeFront Power. “Solar energy keeps Maryland’s air clean, while bringing jobs and economic growth to our state at a moment when this is needed.”
“These seven projects demonstrate the resilience of the solar industry and U.S. economy in these trying times and the importance of leadership in progressing the economy forward by the State of Maryland, Maryland Public Service Commission, Baltimore County, Prince George’s County, Garrett County, ForeFront Power, and TurningPoint Energy,” said Jared Schoch, president of TurningPoint Energy. “We remain committed to investing in Maryland and its communities through continued development of community solar projects, which generate tax revenue, create jobs, provide electric bill savings and allow us to invest in deserving local causes at a time when Marylanders need it most.”
TurningPoint Energy and its partners have also pledged more than $90,000 in community investment to worthy food pantries, emergency response service providers, schools, fire stations, and police stations in concert with development of these projects. TurningPoint Energy has already delivered on $45,000 of this commitment to date.
“Maryland’s support of clean and renewable energy development is evidenced through its commitment to thoughtful solar development, net metering policies, and aggressive renewable portfolio standards. Community solar projects are particularly important to ensuring that all Marylanders, regardless of income-level or where they live, have access to the direct benefits of solar power,” said Chairman Jason Stanek of the Maryland Public Service Commission.
Support in Garrett, Prince George’s, and Baltimore Counties:
“There is no doubt that clean, green energy will be a huge part of the future and I’m happy to support efforts to diversify our energy supply. Equally as important are the well paid, long-term jobs that are created by this industry. Implemented correctly, solar energy is an excellent economic development opportunity for Baltimore County and I’m proud to have one of the first solar farms in the 6th district, with hopes of more to come,” said Councilwoman Cathy Bevins of Baltimore County.
“Garrett County has been pleased to collaborate with TurningPoint Energy to develop this renewable solar energy project. The County supports clean energy development and is thankful for the additional jobs afforded by this and future projects by TurningPoint Energy and its partners,” said Garrett County Commissioner Paul Clayton Edwards.
“Driving down electricity costs, creating jobs, combating climate change, and generating tax revenue are very compelling reasons to support solar. We have been impressed by the resilience of the industry and specifically TurningPoint Energy’s efforts to keep developing these projects, especially during a pandemic,” said Prince George’s County Council Chair Calvin Hawkins.
Benefits for the Community:
Community solar projects offer all the benefits of solar to those who are unable to install solar at their home. These projects enable individual households, whether they rent or own, the ability to source electricity from a community solar project at a discount to current utility rates.
Beyond the customer-level benefits, these projects will also benefit local communities economically and environmentally. The projects have utilized various local expertise and labor during the development and construction processes, including local legal, consulting, engineering, and land expertise. During operation, many of the projects engage local electricians and landscaping maintenance providers. Additionally, ForeFront Power also planted pollinator-friendly ground cover at the project sites to foster habitat for bees, birds, small mammals, and other wildlife.
About ForeFront Power:
ForeFront Power is a leader in the United States for solar and energy storage solutions. The ForeFront Power team holds more than a decade of experience working together across nearly one gigawatt-DC (GW) of renewable electricity, spanning more than 1,300 distributed generation and community solar projects. Serving business, the public sector, and community solar customers in the U.S. and Mexico, ForeFront Power is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in New York City and Mexico City. ForeFront Power is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co. Ltd., a global energy infrastructure and investment leader with a robust balance sheet and an “A” credit rating from Standard & Poor’s. For more information, visit forefrontpower.com.
About TurningPoint Energy:
TurningPoint Energy is a clean energy development, advisory and investment company with solar development projects underway throughout the United States. Its principals have experience developing solar projects for utility and community solar clients totaling more than $2.5 billion in value over 1.1GW of operating solar power plants throughout the United States within the last decade. TurningPoint Energy is a lean, privately-held firm that adapts to its clients’ needs and finds ways to invest in its clients and their communities…at every turning point. For more information about TurningPoint Energy, visit https://turningpoint-energy.com.
Feb 17, 2021
The weather for today will be partly sunny, with a high near 25 degrees with wind chill values as low as zero. Light and variable wind.Tonight expect snow, mainly after 2:00 am. Low around 21. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible. Dress for very cold conditions!
With the cold, icy weather yesterday, we were placed under a snow emergency plan, which is now to be lifted. The snow emergency plan requires motorists to operate vehicles that are equipped with snow tires as designated by the manufacturer or equipped with chains. Studded tires are allowed from November 1st through March 31st.
Oakland mayor Jay Moyer administered the oath of office to Police Academy Graduate, Patrolman Bryson Bittinger at a special ceremony at Oakland City Hall on Friday, February 12th. Bittinger, the son of Bill and Nichole Bittinger, grew up in Oakland and graduated from Southern Garrett High School in 2017 before earning an associate’s degree from Garrett College. Congratulations Bryson.
Here’s a simple, nice shot of a deer in the snow, as submitted by Dot Sissler. I guess deer like cleared roads/paths just like we do. Thanks for sharing Dot.
Deer on the Path
The Property Owners Association of Deep Creek Lake has announced a donation of about $15,000 to the Deep Creek Watershed Foundation for the purchase of an additional Water Quality Meter. The Foundation is funding the purchase of four meters which will bring the number of permanent meters in the lake to eight. The ultimate goal of DNR is to have a meter in every cove. The meters measure water temperature, salinity, conductivity, pH, depth, dissolved oxygen, turbidity and chlorophyll (which is a measure of algal biomass). The permanent placement of the meters will allow continuous rather than “snapshot” monitoring of water quality. That is great news on many fronts and we thank the POA and the Watershed Foundation for their great work on this.
More detailed information on the lake and water quality can be found at the DNR website “Eyes on Deep Creek Lake” – http://eyesonthebay.dnr.maryland.gov/dcl/deepcreeklake.cfm. There is also detail available on the Deep Creek Watershed Foundation site which includes a PowerPoint presentation to the Foundation Board in April of 2020 entitled “DNR’s Continuous Water Quality Monitoring Project at Deep Creek Lake” by DNR Biologists Julie Bortz and Christine King, see – https://www.deepcreekwatershedfoundation.org/water-quality-testing
And, in case anyone is wondering why the lake’s water quality is so important, here’s just a few of the reasons. High quality clean water provides:
- Protection of property values and investments for you and your family for many years to come.
- Carefree swimming, boating, water-skiing, and more.
- Healthy habitats for a wide variety of fish and other aquatic creatures.
- A clean lake for residents and visitors alike to enjoy which, in turn, supports Garrett County’s reputation as a great place to visit and live.
- A strong foundation for continued community small businesses and economic stability, including a strong tax base.
The importance of the lake to our quality of life and to Garrett County’s success cannot be underestimated!
With many students continuing their education remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic and BLS data showing a correlation between higher education levels, higher income and lower unemployment rates, the personal-finance website WalletHub yesterday released its report on 2021’s Most & Least Educated States in America, as well as accompanying videos. In order to determine the most educated states, WalletHub compared all 50 states across 18 metrics that examined the key factors of a well-educated population: educational attainment, school quality and achievement gaps between genders and races. Maryland performed very well.
How educated is Maryland? (1=Most; 25=Avg.):
- 25th – % of High-School Diploma Holders
- 10th – % of Associate’s Degree Holders or College-Experienced Adults
- 3rd – % of Bachelor’s Degree Holders
- 2nd – % of Graduate- or Professional-Degree Holders
- 6th – Avg. University Quality
- 18th – Racial Gap in Educational Attainment
- 1st – Gender Gap in Educational Attainment
For those of you who like to get into the details, you can see the full report here: https://wallethub.com/edu/e/most-educated-states/31075
Finally today, a plug for a friend, executive chef Larry Roby. Larry has been accepted into a national Favorite Chef competition. The winner will be featured in Bon Appetit magazine, and will also win a cash prize. The event will be helping feed the hungry, so if you know or wish to support our local chef, please vote and pass this along to as many as you can. Voting starts today. Here’s the link: https://favchef.com/2021/larry-roby
Feb 16, 2021
For today, snow is likely, mainly after 1:00 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a temperature falling to around 21 by 5:00 pm. West wind 14 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.Total daytime snow accumulation of less than one inch possible. Tonight, we have a chance of snow before 1:00 am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 9. Wind chill values as low as -1. West wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
As if the pandemic has not confined us enough, now some of us are experiencing an ice jail! Thanks to Russ Dijak for submitting this photo of icicles that resemble the bars on a jail. Nice photo Russ. Let me out…
Ice Jail
With all the snow, Wisp is really booming and busy. We continue to hear reports of visitors arriving at Deep Creek Lake planning to ski, snowboard or tube and being disappointed due to all of the slots already being reserved. If you are coming out to the area and wish to partake of Wisp’s great amenities, plan in advance and reserve your spots. Just a tip. Here’s the link to their site.
After many years of advocacy, last week Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development released a statewide housing plan with maps for every are of the state prepared by the National Center for Smart Growth and Enterprise Community Partners. Here’s the Link to the Full Report.
Virtual Community Development Day will be held in Annapolis on Wednesday starting at 11:30. They want to hear from folks in all counties to ensure an equitable recovery across the state of Maryland at all levels and to help partners secure the resources to provide badly needed services throughout Maryland. Join them for a short virtual program with representatives across the state! Last chance to register here and note that only registered participants will receive program link.
A good friend of mine, Patrick O’Brien, mentioned this to me and I said I would include in Notes. I am definitely NOT preaching here as we at Deep Creek Times celebrate and support ALL religions. This looks interesting and informative as it will include inspired testimonies from three men imprisoned overseas for their religious beliefs. It is a virtual and free event to be held on March 5th at 6:30 pm. You can find more information and register at VOM.org/event.
Here’s a great photo form another friend, Clint Bradley, which does a great job showing the winter wonderland we are living in these days. He took this shot from his bedroom window on Saturday. If you are not in town this week, this gives you a great idea of what you are missing. Thanks Clint for the great photo.
Winter Wonderland
I will add that if any of our readers have special non-profit events, religious or otherwise, please send to us at info@deepcreektimes.com and we will do our best to mention it in Notes and elsewhere on the site as space and time allow.
On a more secular note, my wife and I just finished watching the six seasons of Longmire on Netflix. It is a “PG-rated” series with beautiful mountain scenery (sound familiar, only in Wyoming) about a small town sheriff and his team and community. It also includes a fair amount of insight into native American culture and life. Just a suggestion if you are looking for something…
Feb 15, 2021
I hope you all had a very nice Valentine’s Day. I sure did. My wife Jean and I went for a nice swim at the CARC, then got some take-out sandwiches at Brenda’s Pizzeria. Happy belated Valentine’s Day to all of our readers.
The weekend had some minor precipitation, which included more localized freezing rain and/or freezing fog. With all that and the snow, it is truly a winter wonderland out here now. I have seen lots of folks pulling over off the road to photograph the trees, fields and the frozen lake. Here’s a photo of a small evergreen showing the snow, ice and frozen fog on its branches.
Everything is Coated and Beautiful
Today we can expect patchy fog, snow, freezing rain, and sleet likely before 1:00 pm, then a chance of freezing rain between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm, then a chance of freezing rain and sleet after 5:00 pm. Patchy freezing fog between 9:00 am and 11:00 am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 32 degrees. Limited accumulations expected during the day. This evening we expect freezing rain and sleet before 3:00 am, then freezing rain, possibly mixed with snow and sleet. Low around 28.
Please be careful on the roads and when you first walk outside your house today, especially on steps. There is a high likelihood of a thin coat of ice on things. This appears to be shaping up to be an active week throughout the country. Check this AccuWeather
link to see some of the potential events and which ones will impact us here on the mountain.
Last Wednesday I mentioned I was scheduled to receive my COVID vaccine up at the business park on Bumble Bee Road in McHenry. Well, I went and I got the shot. In addition to feeling safer due to the shot (my second one is scheduled for March), the process was really simple, fast and easy. The health care workers and all involved were friendly, professional and engaged, making the experience about perfect. So, a BIG shout-out to all involved at the McHenry site and throughout the County, especially Ms. Dee Kennell, RN, who gave me my vaccine. Here’s her photo after giving me my shot. And, for the record, I didn’t even cry! Get yours scheduled as soon as you can…
Dee Kennell, RN
Governor Larry Hogan provided an update on Maryland’s vaccination initiatives as well as other COVID-19 items during a press conference Thursday. In Garrett County, COVID-19 vaccination appointments with the Garrett County Health Department are already fully booked for February. Allotments for March are currently being reviewed and vaccination clinics are being planned for March. Registration links will be available on garretthealth.org beginning in late February. At that time, appointments will be open for March clinics for Garrett County residents not yet vaccinated from Phase 1A and 1B, as well as Garrett County residents who are at least age 65. Here’s the whole press release with some good information in it.
Here’s the schedule for remaining winter Mountain Fresh Farmers Markets that are held at Simon Pearce.
Have a great Monday dear readers…
Feb 14, 2021
State and Local Update on Vaccination Rollout
By Garrett County Joint Information Center Team
Governor Larry Hogan provided an update on Maryland’s vaccination initiatives as well as other COVID-19 items during a press conference Thursday. His update included information about visitation policies for hospitals and nursing homes, vaccine administration, and plans for additional mass vaccination sites across the state.
Limited visitation is to resume at Maryland hospitals and nursing homes per Maryland Department of Health (MDH) orders. Each hospital will set its own visitation policy, which must comply with CDC guidelines. Indoor visitation at nursing homes may resume as early as March 1, 2021, as long as facilities do not have active cases and follow proper testing protocols.
The Governor announced that Maryland has created the infrastructure to administer between 50,000 and 100,000 doses of vaccine per day as more vaccines become available. The current record number of vaccines administered in one day in Maryland is 26,179.
A mass vaccination site will open at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium on Thursday, February 25, making it the third mass vaccination site in Maryland. Hogan reported that additional sites are planned to open in March in the Western, Southern, and the Eastern Shore regions of the state. The exact locations of these sites have not yet been released.
In order to facilitate better planning, Governor Hogan directed state health officials to provide county leaders with four-week projections for vaccine allotments for their local health department clinics.
In Garrett County, COVID-19 vaccination appointments with the Garrett County Health Department are already fully booked for February. Allotments for March are currently being reviewed and vaccination clinics are being planned for March. Registration links will be available on garretthealth.org beginning in late February. At that time, appointments will be open for March clinics for Garrett County residents not yet vaccinated from Phase 1A and 1B, as well as Garrett County residents who are at least age 65.
It was also announced during the Governor’s press conference that MDH and Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) have launched a program to provide up to 1 million COVID-19 tests for both public and non-public schools. Testing supplies will be provided in proportion to the number of students and staff returning for in-person learning this school year. Schools will be able to opt-in to this voluntary program.
Each Maryland county was asked to appoint an equity officer to serve as a liaison to the Maryland Vaccine Equity Task Force in order to closely coordinate equity initiatives, including working with local partners to stand up mobile clinics to reach critical populations.
Additional COVID-19 resources:
- If you have COVID-19 like symptoms, schedule a testing appointment at the Health Department by calling 301-334-7697.
- Free COVID-19 testing is available (with or without symptoms) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the MEDCO Building in the McHenry Business Park. Pre-registration is recommended. Visit garretthealth.org for more information.
- For all other COVID-19 related questions, or to report a COVID-19 compliance issue, call the local COVID-19 Hotline number at 301-334-7698.
Feb 12, 2021
By Garrett County Joint Information Center Team
Garrett County Health Department is not currently taking appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations. February appointments are fully booked and no March appointments are currently being scheduled.
“We are glad that there is a high demand for the vaccine, but disappointed our supply remains low,” said Garrett County Health Officer Bob Stephens. “When we are able to more accurately project our March supply of vaccine, we will be able to open up appointments and post the link for persons to register.”
The Health Department does not expect to open up new appointments until at least sometime next week. When clinics are opened, availability will be announced on the Health Department’s website, Facebook page, and through local news media.
Community testing clinics continue to be open weekly at the MEDCO Building in the McHenry Business Park near the Garrett County Airport on Bumblebee Road. Testing is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“It’s important to continue to test for COVID-19 if you have been exposed to someone who tests positive, or if you have symptoms,” Stephens said. “We have shifted a lot of our resources to vaccinations, but it’s important that we keep a handle on where the county stands as far as the virus itself.”
Additional information for Garrett County today includes:
- 6% of county residents have received a COVID-19 vaccination and 4.7% have received their second doses compared to the state rates of 9.4% for first and 3.0% for second
- A 7-day case rate of 11.32 per 100,000 Garrett County residents, compared to Maryland’s case rate of 21.7
- A 7-day positivity rate of 3.87%, compared to Maryland’s rate of 5.32%
- A total of 1,823 COVID-19 cases
- A total of 57 deaths due to COVID-19 or its complications
Additional COVID-19 resources:
- If you have COVID-19 like symptoms, schedule a testing appointment at the Health Department by calling 301-334-7697.
- Free COVID-19 testing is available (with or without symptoms) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the MEDCO Building in the McHenry Business Park. Pre-registration is recommended. Visit garretthealth.org for more information.
- For all other COVID-19 related questions, or to report a COVID-19 compliance issue, call the local COVID-19 Hotline number at 301-334-7698.
Feb 12, 2021
Happy Valentine’s Day! 💕
The weather today will be a chance of snow showers and freezing rain between 11am and 5pm, then a chance of flurries and freezing rain after 5pm; otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 29 and a low around 20. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Saturday will be a chance of freezing rain after 8am, mixing with snow after 5pm. Patchy fog before 2pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 27 and a low aroun 24. East wind 3 to 7 mph. Saturday night is a chance of snow, freezing rain, and sleet. Sunday will be mostly cloudy wiht a slight chance of freezing rain mixing with snow in the afternoon. A high near 31 and a low around 18. Calm wind.
Look at these adorable clay earrings a friend’s daughter made! She is so talented! (if you’re interested in a pair, message us and I will connect you with Harper’s mom)
Herrington Manor State Park is, again,a great place to cross country ski. There is about a 12″ base with the red, blue and green trails having been groomed, Thursday 2/11. Note: per Governor Hogan’s most recent order in regards to COVID-19, Herrington Manor and New Germany State Park are not offering cross-country ski (or fat bike) rentals.
The latest reported COVID-19 information for Garrett County includes:
- 6% of county residents have received a COVID-19 vaccination and 4.7% have received their second doses compared to the state rates of 9.4% for first and 3.0% for the second
- A 7-day case rate of 11.32 per 100,000 Garrett County residents, compared to Maryland’s case rate of 21.7
- A 7-day positivity rate of 3.87%, compared to Maryland’s rate of 5.32%
- A total of 1,823 COVID-19 cases
- A total of 57 deaths due to COVID-19 or its complications
Better late than never (after the last storm….), our SnowStix are on their way! Tell Mr. Berk that Deep Creek Times sent ya!
Did you know? Located in the McHenry Business Park adjacent to the Garrett County Airport, there is a MEDCO (Maryland Economic Development Corp) spec building is now available for lease? Over 20,000 square feet of flex space!
Garrett County’s Agriculture Marketing Grant Program was created to aid in the promotion of agriculture-based businesses in Garrett County. Grants up to $750 each may be awarded annually to fund up to 90% of project costs.
One more reminder about the Kitzmiller Lion’s Club Soup Sale!
It’s AYCE FISH DINNERS tonight at Alpine Lake Resort (just 7 miles from Oakland) and Valentine’s Day Dinner Specials and RIB NIGHT tomorrow evening!
And, lastly today, I bet you’re curious about this virtual event: Wild Sex: How Nature Does It by Kerry Wixted, Education and Outreach Specialist.
Feb 11, 2021
The Town of Oakland weather forecast for the coming weekend and next week calls for low temperatures within the 20’s and below. The anticipation of extremely cold temperatures may have an effect on the Town’s water distribution system and may result in higher than normal water main failures. The Town of Oakland Water Department recommends that citizens and businesses consider leaving a small trickle of water running in a sink to avoid water line freezing. Most frozen water lines occur on service lines in and around residential homes and commercial buildings and are the responsibility of the property owners or occupant. If citizens experience low water pressure or see any water line failures, they are advised to call the Town’s water department at (301) 334-3836 immediately.
Additionally, here are some tips to help minimize damage to water pipes due to freezing temperatures:
- Let cold water drip from any faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipes-even at a trickle –helps prevent pipes from freezing.
- Wrap any exposed pipes with insulation to help protect from freezing weather. Pipe insulation can be purchased at your local hardware store.
- Keep garage doors closed, especially if there are water supply lines in the garage.
- Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around plumbing, especially if your sinks are on the exterior wall of your home.
- Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature during the day and night.
- For the long term, add insulation to attics, basements, and crawl spaces. Insulation will help maintain higher temperatures in those areas during relatively cold weather snaps.
Feb 11, 2021
The weather today will be cloudy with a chance of snow showers and freezing rain. A high near 30 and a low around 17. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the afternoon. There is a slight winter threat for Saturday, and Monday into Tuesday. If these threats materialize, they may cause travel disruptions.
The Snow Emergency Plan for Garrett County went into effect at 2030 hours (8:30 PM) yesterday. We received nearly 8″ of snow overnight. It’s a pretty slippery snow; my husband couldn’t get in the driveway after work yesterday.
Send us your winter DCL photos! We’d love to see your winter wonderland! Email info@deepcreektimes.com
COVID-19 testing at the MEDCO Building in the McHenry Business Park is canceled today due to inclement weather. Persons with symptoms may call the Garrett County Health Department at 301-334-7697 to schedule an appointment. Testing will resume on Tuesday unless otherwise announced.
Did you know? Maryland State Parks welcomed a record number of visitors in 2020—more than 20 million—far surpassing the previous record of 14.9 million total visitors in 2019.
Thanks to Cody Organ for sharing his winter vacation photos with us (and you!):
A reminder from the Town of Oakland: The Town’s weather forecast for the coming weekend and next week calls for low temperatures within the 20’s and below. The anticipation of extremely cold temperatures may have an effect on the Town’s water distribution system and may result in higher than normal water main failures. The Town of Oakland Water Department recommends that citizens and businesses consider leaving a small trickle of water running in a sink to avoid water line freezing. See more tips about avoiding freezing pipes here.