2006
January
Confusion continues among many retirees and throughout the health care industry about the new Medicare prescription drug plan.
Glen Stotler is reelected as president of the Morgan County Commissioners.
Jeanette Dugan retires from her role with Morgan County bloodmobiles after serving the Red Cross for 50 years.
More than 10,000 of the county's 14,000 real estate parcels will see assessment hikes of 10% or more, according to the Morgan County Assessor's Office. Unless the county commission, school board and town councils cut tax rates, taxes will increase significantly for most people.
Morgan County Commissioners Bob Ford and Tommy Swaim, and County Administrator Bill Clark deliver 700 pro-U. S. 522 bypass letters to U. S. Senators Byrd and Rockefeller and Congresswoman Capito at the U. S. Capitol.
Commissioner Bob Ford says Governor Joe Manchin has promised a Berkeley Springs bypass and support for several local projects in exchange for the county breaking its contract with Valley Health and signing with West Virginia University to run county-owned War Memorial Hospital.
February
West Virginia University hospital officials say there's no deal to build a new hospital in Morgan County, but they plan to meet with the Morgan County Commissioners in March. As for the U. S. 522 bypass, highway officials estimate it will take another two years to finish plans for the road.
Headline in The Morgan Messenger: "Massive growth in South Morgan County predicted to impact Greenwood School."
Community concern grows about teenagers' abuse of prescription drugs.
The relatively mild winter is interrupted with a cold spell, an 8-inch snow on February 11 and wind storms bringing down power lines on February 18.
Six Berkeley Springs wrestlers advance to the state tournament in Huntington.
The old tannery building is torn down in Paw Paw.
A major power line, delivering electricity from western West Virginia to New Jersey, is proposed by American Electric Power. It may cut through a corner of Morgan County.
Locally, Allegheny Power is improving power lines through the southern half of Morgan County so that fewer people are affected if a power line goes down.
The West Virginia Legislature votes not to double the taxes on second homes and vacation properties.
Warm Springs Public Service District board members vote to condemn properties, if needed, for rights of way for the Warm Springs Sewer System expansion. Judge Gray Silver grants the sewer system immediate use of the rights of way.
March
A second major interstate power line, which could run through part of Morgan County, is proposed by Allegheny Power.
The Morgan County Commissioners meet privately with WVU Hospitals officials and later with Governor Joe Manchin in Martinsburg about the idea of WVU taking over War Memorial Hospital. Only Commissioner Bob Ford appears to favor the plan.
The State Fire Marshal is investigating four fires in the Paw Paw area that may be arsons. Three other fires in nearby Oldtown, Md. are also being investigated.
Waters from Ohio dominate the annual International Water Festival in Berkeley Springs.
Berkeley Springs High School wrestlers finish 11th in state.
Berkeley Springs is named the state's first certified arts community.
Cliff Cobern is hired as a new Morgan County Sheriff's Deputy.
More test wells are drilled for yet another large development near Cacapon State Park.
The Berkeley Springs High School basketball team ends its season at the Region II championships with a loss to Keyser.
Berkeley Springs Thespian Troupe member Emily Leighty was chosen best actress, and Jessie McLaughlan and Ashley Shade were selected for the All-Festival Cast at the regional one-act play competition.
A jury finds Amos "Fred" Pearrell not guilty of 57 counts of sexual offenses.
The Morgan County School Board, Morgan County Commissioners and Bath Town Council all cut tax rates slightly, but property taxes are still expected to go up more than 18% due to higher real estate assessments.
April
Bath Town Council decides to turn over management of Greenway Cemetery to a citizen board.
Bob Ford, whose county commission term concludes at the end of 2006, drops out of the race for House of Delegates, saying the people of Morgan County don't want to see the changes that he does.
Huntington Farms, a 56-home subdivision on 94 acres in South Morgan, gets the go-ahead from the Morgan County Planning Commission. Some neighboring property owners launch a protest — "The Outhouses of Morgan County" — to draw attention to their fears of their wells being ruined.
The Humane Society asks for help following a shake-up at the animal shelter.
Office Equipment Services of Paw Paw is back in an expansion mode, after fears of closing in 2005.
The Morgan County Health Department says it's strapped for funds and has limited staff and financial constraints.
Effie Mae Divelbliss, 76, is killed on April 18 while crossing on U. S. 522, south of Berkeley Springs.
Widmyer Elementary School custodian John Blubaugh retires after 37 years of service.
Berkeley Club Beverages purchases West Virginia Spring Water Company.
Berkeley Springs State Park is now a wireless "hot spot," the first state park to be totally wireless for internet use.
About 100 people attend an April 18 public hearing about proposed changes to the county's Subdivision Ordinance. Most speakers favor tightening the development rules, while some developers criticize specific proposals.
May
Pieces of human bone are found at a campfire site along the Potomac River near the Hancock Bridge. Police are trying to match the remains and evidence from the site with a missing person.
A bus carrying Berkeley Springs High School seniors on a class trip to Florida is involved in a traffic accident in Virginia. The students return home without serious injury.
Morgan County's high teenage pregnancy rate raises questions and sparks a series of articles in The Morgan Messenger.
In the May 9 Primary Election, Wayne Omps wins the Republican nomination for Morgan County Commission and Brenda Hutchinson takes the Democratic nomination. Daryl Cowles wins the Republican nomination for House of Delegates (51st District) and Gary Lee Nelson is the Democratic nominee.
Winners of the Morgan County School Board Election are David Ambrose and incumbents Margaret Gordon and Margaret Zembower, who narrowly edges out Larry Schultz.
Opposition to billboards increases locally. The Morgan County Commissioners agree to a six-month moratorium on billboards along the George Washington Heritage Trail route.
Berkeley Springs High School boys track team captures the Potomac Valley Conference track title. The boys and girls teams finish third in state competition.
The Lady Indians Softball team loses in sectional play to Frankfort High.
The Indians Baseball team wins in sectional play at Frankfort for the first time since 1999.
A mother and daughter, Ann Stuart and Alice Gillespie, are killed in a traffic accident on U. S. 522, south of Berkeley Springs, on May 17.
David Banks is named assistant superintendent of Morgan County Schools.
Shawna Lansberry, Kalee McClure and Katarina Napfil are this year's Golden Horseshoe Winners from Morgan County.
Alison Carter, Anne Christiansen, Jay Lawyer, Doug Ritenburg, Cindy Stotler and Mary Adele Wolfe win this year's Morgan County Photo Contest, sponsored by The Morgan Messenger.
Sixteen students graduate from Paw Paw High School and 147 from Berkeley Springs High School.
Fire officials ask the Morgan County Commissioners to increase the county's fire fees.
Mass fish deaths – mostly involving suckers – are reported in the Potomac River over Memorial Day weekend.
The Treetop House and most of Coolfont Resort closes at the end of May while planning is underway for what will happen there in the future.
June
More than 150 people gather in southern Morgan County for the "Outhouses of Unger" rally. The group opposes Huntington Farms development and supports a moratorium on new subdivisions until the county has a plan to deal with growth.
Berkeley Springs Water Works urges customers to conserve water use due to drought and heavy usage.
Kenneth R. Stevens, 58, is killed on June 8 in an auto accident on U.S. 522.
Morgan County Rescue Service members say costs, calls and fewer volunteers are putting them in a bind.
State light crews install equipment to synchronize the traffic lights in the Town of Bath.
Washington Homeopathic Products holds a grand opening for their new factory in the U. S. Business Park.
Morgan County receives a $23,250 grant to help preserve courthouse records.
Cacapon State Park celebrates the 50th anniversary of Cacapon Lodge.
Cowgirl Up, Inc. of Simpson is selected to complete the water pipe replacement job in downtown Berkeley Springs.
John Lehman is hired as Morgan County Assistant Prosecutor.
The West Virginia Encyclopedia is published, with the Eastern Panhandle debut in Berkeley Springs. Among the writers are several from Morgan County – John Douglas, Stephanie Earls, Jeanne Mozier, Tommy Swaim and the late Andy Hansroth.
It is announced that sewer rates will go up in August.
July
The human remains found along the Potomac River in April are tentatively identified as those of Keese Bare of Berkeley Springs, who has been missing since September, 2004.
The U. S. Supreme Court orders the West Virginia Supreme Court to reconsider whether there should be a new trial for Denver A. Youngblood, Jr., convicted of sexual assault in 2003.
Laura Smith is elected new president of the Morgan County School Board as those elected in May take office.
Morgan County's elected officials get big pay hikes on July 1.
Many people find property tax increases of up to 50% when they open their county tax bills.
Tara Silver is named postmaster at Great Cacapon Post Office. Paw Paw also has a new postmaster: Lori Moreland.
Dawson's Variety Store closes after nearly 90 years on Washington Street, Berkeley Springs.
More than 150 people attend a public hearing about changes in the county's subdivision rules. Most call for tougher development rules. Soon, the Morgan County Commissioners adopt most of the changes.
The Morgan Messenger editorializes that county officials need to take a look at zoning and at development trends in adjoining counties.
Lawsuits are filed against Town of Bath, Danny Murray and Jackie Fischer-Murray by Katherine McAnulty, mother of Justin McAnulty, an 18-year-old bicyclist killed when he was struck by Murray's vehicle in June, 2004.
Hail, wind and rain hit the Berkeley Springs area on Tuesday evening, July 18.
August
The Morgan County Courthouse is destroyed by fire in the early hours of Tuesday, August 8. County officials respond to the crisis by setting up temporary offices in mobile homes in the Stotler Lot behind the courthouse. Governor Manchin, Congresswoman Capito and others visit and pledge help.
Reed's Pharmacy is broken into while the courthouse is on fire.
The State Fire Marshal determines that the courthouse fire was caused by old wiring near the jury box in the circuit courtroom, where the blaze began.
The Morgan County Fair is again a success.
Movie scenes are shot in Berkeley Springs for the "Music Across The River" film.
Tone Belt, a Berkeley Springs High School graduate, is part of the U. S. team at the World Junior Games in China. He finishes second in long jump with a personal best of 26 feet, 3 inches.
Ed Wiley meets many Morgan Countians as he walks to Washington to draw attention to the plight of Marsh Fork Elementary School in southern West Virginia. He and others are seeking a new school there, away from a coal dust silo that sits near the present school.
The Morgan County Commissioners sign a 15-year agreement for World Airwaves, LLC to provide wireless broadband internet service to the
U. S. 522 Industrial Park, county and school offices, and eventually all of Morgan County.
Sarah Morris, a language arts teacher at Berkeley Springs High School, is Morgan County Teacher of the Year. A few weeks later, she is chosen West Virginia Teacher of the Year for 2007.
Linda Steinkamp is the county's First Year Teacher of the Year. Jimmy Breeden is named School Service Personnel of the Year.
September
The aftermath of the courthouse fire continues to take much of the effort of Morgan County government. By month's end, the first $1 million in insurance money has been received and a committee is named to review the architectural firms that have expressed interest in designing a new courthouse.
STS International of Berkeley Springs announces it is developing a security camera system for U. S. troops.
Lawyer Motor Company closes after 19 years in business. The dealership is sold to Douglas Motors of Hancock.
Jim McCoy is inducted into the National Traditional Country Music Hall of Fame in Missouri Valley, Iowa.
A new Coolfont resort and community is being planned with 1100 housing units. The plans are announced by The Carl M. Freeman Companies after a week of meetings here.
A Washington, D.C. developer is planning a 56-home project in Town of Bath, spurring town officials to activate their planning commission.
Jim and Jackie Michael's farm wins county and district awards as Conservation Farm of the Year.
Sally Marshall is named a Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scouts of the Eastern Panhandle.
Jeanne Mozier is one of five "Classic Women for 2006," chosen by Traditional Home magazine.
Paw Paw receives a $40,916 Recreational Trails grant to build a welcome center.
Paw Paw Mayor Jeff Palmer resigns, saying the post takes too much time and attention away from his teaching duties.
The Morgan County Rural Water Committee chooses deep wells as the preferred public water supply method for the future in southern Morgan County and Great Cacapon.
Robert "Bobby" Wilson, 62, of Berkeley Springs is killed in a tractor accident on September 27.
A letter writing campaign is launched to make state and federal officials aware of the need for money for a new courthouse.
The long-awaited Town of Bath water line project gets underway.
October
Bricks from the old courthouse are sold as a fund raiser at Apple Butter Festival. More than $4,600 is raised for the building fund for a new courthouse. Many more are sold by the end of the year.
Jim McCoy is honored as grand marshal of the Apple Butter Festival parade. The festival goes on despite a cold, rainy Saturday.
Morgan County School enrollment is up 78 students this year, to a total of 2694.
Julie Kidwell takes over as acting mayor of Paw Paw.
Steven Allen Ward, 37, dies in a one-car accident near Great Cacapon on October 9.
The West Virginia Supreme Court agrees to hear Brian Daniel Murray's appeal of his 2005 conviction and sentence for failing to render aid at a fatal accident.
Morgan County War Memorial Hospital announces it has purchased the Hancock medical practice formerly operated by Dr. Frank Thomas, who retired in the summer.
Jeffrey Melvin of Shepherdstown is sentenced to 36 years in prison for robbing the Carriage House in 2005.
The Berkeley Springs High School Lady Indians Cross Country team wins the Class AA Region II title.
Berkeley Springs High School Boys Soccer team wins a sectional title for the first time ever.
Seniors Ryan Morris and Ashley Shade are Homecoming King and Queen at Berkeley Springs High School.
Tony Lynch resigns as Town of Bath police chief.
Silling Associates of Charleston is chosen to design the new courthouse complex.
November
Scoring landslide victories in the November 7 General Election: Brenda Hutchinson for Morgan County Commissioner and Daryl Cowles for House of Delegates (51st District).
Rachel Buser wins her third state cross-country title.
The Inn & Spa of Berkeley Springs is purchased by Stjepan and Nancy Sostaric, who return the name to The Country Inn.
The Morgan County Commissioners extend their ban on off-premises billboards until May, 2007.
William Walters, Jr., 78, of Berkeley Springs dies in an auto accident on November 7.
A $150,000 state grant is awarded for a local World War II Memorial. With the donations already received, it should be enough to cover the costs.
The 7th Annual War Memorial Hospital Benefit Golf Tournament raises $8,000 for scholarships for local students.
Residents in the Timber Ridge area petition county officials to block further construction of a motorcycle and ATV racetrack. At year's end, the project appears to be on hold.
Great Cacapon Volunteer Fire Company celebrates the 25th anniversary of its "quick response" medical emergency team.
The Morgan County Commissioners pass a fire fee increase that will double the fee on most homes here.
December
The Morgan County Commissioners receive a $500,000 grant toward a new courthouse from the West Virginia Courthouse Facilities Improvement Authority. Several counties gave up their annual allotment so Morgan could get a bigger share.
U. S. Marshal James L. Minton is the new police chief for Town of Bath.
Tony's Butcher Block and Bath Bookworks win the Christmas Decorating Contest sponsored by Travel Berkeley Springs.
Overall deer kill appears to be down in Morgan County during the regular deer season. By an unofficial count, about 1380 deer were checked in this year, compared to about 1500 last year.
Ron Davis is the new postmaster for Berkeley Springs.
Joshua M. Freeman dies in a helicopter accident near Ocean View, Delaware on December 14. Freeman is president and CEO of Carl M. Freeman Companies, the development firm that bought Coolfont Resort in 2005.
Morgan County is awarded a grant of $40,000-plus to help with homes and renovations for low-income persons.
The Morgan County School Board votes to require school staff and visitors to wear ID badges at county schools.
Gina Marie Groh is appointed to the new circuit judge post in the fast-growing Eastern Panhandle.
Coolfont Recreation completely closes on December 31, with demolition of nearly all of the buildings expected in 2007 in preparation for the proposed new community there.
The long-awaited rewrite of the Morgan County Comprehensive Plan is winding down. A public hearing about the proposed plan is set for Thursday, January 18, 2007.
