Kate Evans

The Morgan County Commission considered two different drafts of procedures for county volunteer board appointments and reappointments at their August 24 meeting.

The Morgan County Commission approved paying $4,000 in annual dues to the West Virginia Association of Counties at their Friday, August 24 meeting. The vote was 2-1.

The Morgan County Commission heard ideas about heating and cooling the future county courthouse with geothermal energy at their Friday, August 24 meeting.

Since her bone marrow transplant in the fall of 2005, 11-year-old Adrianna Shingleton has been on the mend from her battle with leukemia. She remains cancer-free, but has had complications from the treatment of her disease.

A packed room of more than 40 people awaited the Morgan County Commission's reconsideration of Wayne Omps' appointment to the planning commission last Friday morning, August 10.

In the end, the Omps appointment stood, though the commissioners are drafting new county board appointment procedures.

Plans for rebuilding the Morgan County Courthouse are moving forward with a public meeting scheduled to unveil a revised courthouse design. The public meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 16 at the Berkeley Springs High School cafeteria.

The Morgan County Commission had asked architect Tom Potts of Silling and Associates to go back to the drawing board and come up with a design that was within the county's means to build.

Many people are unaware of the process of how county board positions are filled, said Commissioner Brenda Hutchinson at last Friday's commission meeting. A lot of people have told her they didn't know there were vacancies on the boards.

"We often have to go begging for people to serve on them," said Commission President Glen Stotler.

A "Meet the Artist" reception for metal sculptor Peter Wood is scheduled on Friday, August 17 from 5-7 p.m. on the porch of Lot 12 in Berkeley Springs.

The restaurant has two of Wood's large lifelike metal sculptures—"Man" and "You, Me and Baby" on display in their garden. Both pieces are for sale. "Man" was displayed at the Washington, D.C. United Sculpture Park from August 2000 until April 2001.

A loan from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) looks hopeful to fund the rebuilding of the Morgan County Courthouse, according to the Morgan County Commission.

A public meeting to present revised architectural plans for the new Morgan County Courthouse is scheduled for Thursday, August 16 at 7 p.m. at the Berkeley Springs High School cafeteria.