January
Work begins by Columbia Gas Transmission on a 3.4-mile, 8-inch natural gas pipeline from Fulton County, Pa. to Morgan County.
Johnnie Walter is sworn in as Morgan County Sheriff.
Darren Thorne of Romney is tapped to become State Senator for this district, replacing Charles Trump IV who is West Virginia’s new Supreme Court justice.
A Morgan County teacher is charged with felony child abuse for injuring a special education student.
The Morgan County Commission agrees to spend the remaining $240,000 in American Recovery P. funds on a new facilities and Office of Emergency Services building near The Pines.
The Town of Bath’s new 1% municipal sales tax goes into effect. The town expects to bring in $60,000 from the new tax.
A Morgan County Grand Jury indicts the former Magistrate Court Clerk, Carla Ruppenthal, accusing her of embezzling funds from the court.
Bill Clark is elected the president of the Morgan County Commission for 2025.
House fires displace three residents in the second week of January.
Berkeley Springs High School wrestlers place second in the Braxton County Invitational.
A January 26 evening fire consumes the Coolfont Resort’s Treetop House. The fire caused no injuries to employees or guests but kicked off a multi-state regional fire response that lasted through the night. 
Berkeley Springs High School earns a spot in the West Virginia Academic Showdown State Championship.
Hampshire County resident and Republican commissioner David Cannon is selected as Morgan County’s western delegate, replacing Darren Thorne.
February
Cleanup begins at Coolfont’s Treetop House. The West Virginia State Fire Marshall issues a statement that the cause of the fire remains undetermined due to the significant damage to the buildings.
Ian Bosben-Grayson of Maryland pleads guilty in Morgan County Circuit Court to murdering county resident Geoffrey Reed in March of 2023 at Reed’s South Morgan home. He also pleads guilty to grand larceny and fraud for stealing Reed’s car and bank cards.
A Berkeley Springs man is sentenced to 16-80 years in prison for sexual crimes against minors. Shannon Hill, 64, committed the acts from 2012 to 2021.
Morgan County teachers Shanahan Elmore and Marianna Ruggiero earn National Board Certifications.
A Berkeley Springs man is sentenced to 25-100 years in prison for sexual assault of a minor. Aidan Roderick, 21, committed the crimes in 2023.
Residents along the U.S. 522 Bypass try to get the attention of the West Virginia Division of Highways to request action on light pollution from high mast lighting towers along the highway’s path, even before the bypass is open to traffic.
Hunter Reiff is hired as a new Town of Bath police officer.
County residents question extremely high Potomac Edison electric bills. The company says cold weather is to blame.
Berkeley Springs water is among the winners at the 35th Annual International Water Tasting event.
Berkeley Springs High School wrestlers finish second at the Class A/AA Region I Championship.
March
Ian Bosben-Grayson of Maryland is sentenced to life in prison with mercy for the 2023 murder of Geoffrey Reed.
The Morgan County Building Commission closes on the purchase of Rankin Physical Therapy & Fitness Center to become the new Morgan County Wellness Center. The county pays $3.65 million for the facility and land — $1.25 million from ARPA funds, $250,000 from Hotel/Motel Tax funding and a $2.15 million USDA loan. (Rankin physical fitness photo)
The opening of the U.S. 522 Bypass is delayed by a guardrail problem at Martinsburg Road’s overpass.
TC Energy/Columbia Gas Transmission contractors have to drill a different path under the Potomac River for an 8-inch natural gas pipeline after a mechanical failure breaks off a drill head underground.
April
Around 100 people attend a “Hands Off” rally at the Morgan County Courthouse, protesting large federal cuts to government agencies and the firing of federal government workers in large numbers.
A Morgan County Grand Jury indicts 21 people in the spring term, including Jaszmyn Rohrer, the Widmyer Elementary teacher accused of injuring a student.
A police sweep of vape shops in the region leads to charges against a Berkeley Springs shop owner for drug distribution.
Widmyer Elementary teacher Kimberly Pindell is Morgan County’s Teacher of the Year.
Former Morgan County Magistrate Kermit Ambrose is sworn in as the Town of Bath’s new municipal judge.
The Town of Bath approves a $984,667 budget for the 2026 fiscal year.
Morgan County Commissioners approve an $11.7 million budget for FY 2026.
David Abruzzi of Largent and Terry Golden of Berkeley Springs are named “History Heroes” by the West Virginia Division of Culture & History for their historical research and preservation work.
Morgan County commissioners suspend their Unsafe Structures ordinance and board, citing lack of participation.
County bus driver Stephen McDoniel is the Morgan County Schools Service Person of the Year.
Candidates for the Bath municipal election are Greg Schene for mayor, Susan Webster for recorder and eight candidates for five council seats – Mary Lynn Hickey, Rebecca MacLeod, David O’Connell, Elizabeth Skinner, Rob Campbell, Reba Dalson, Ryan Kessel and Rick Weber.
A microburst storm on April 19 brings down trees and cuts power, snapping utility poles on Fairview Drive and blocking accessing to the hospital for a time. 
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey visits Cacapon State Park and other Morgan County stops to sign legislation and take tours.
An accident near the Fish Hatchery on April 26 claims the life of a Chicago truck driver.
Morgan County’s Golden Horseshoe history winners are Payton Swink, Corali Johnson and Joshua Lucas.
Historical markers around Berkeley Springs start being replaced by new ones by the Morgan County Historical & Genealogical Society.
May
More than 100 protestors gather near the county courthouse as part of a national May Day protest in favor of workers and working families.
Morgan County 911 moves to the NexGen911 with enhanced emergency response capabilities, at a cost of $63,507.
Bath town officials report they received $55,000 in municipal sales tax revenue in the first three months the 1% tax was in place at businesses inside the town limits.
Laura Glascock of Glascock’s Produce LLC wins the “Make it Morgan” Business Pitch competition.
Morgan County Schools proposes a $41 million budget for the 2026 Fiscal Year.
A memorial bench for the C-130 Air Guard crash victims is set in place in front of the Morgan County Courthouse. 
Flooding to the west raises the Potomac River, causing river and swift water rescues here.
Shayla Tanouye of Paw Paw is the West Virginia State Champion in the Long Jump and 300-meter hurdle events.
Donovan Tanouye of Paw Paw is the State Champion in the 800-meter event.
Elizabeth Kessel is Berkeley Springs High School’s Valedictorian of the Class of 2025. Kevin Anderson is the class Salutatorian.
Myley Mullins is Paw Paw High School’s Valedictorian and Andrew Harrold is the Salutatorian of the Class of 2025.
Morgan County historian Ed Steers receives the national “Spirit of Lincoln Award” from The Abraham Lincoln Association for his writings and teachings on Lincoln.
Paw Paw hosts the 65th Annual William H. Norton Memorial Day parade and associated activities.
June
The Morgan County Board of Education approves a $41 million budget for the 2026 fiscal year.
Paw Paw voters elect five residents to serve on the town council: Devin Abe, Johnathan Paramore, Ricki Armel, John Pritchard and Angela Newlon. Mary Parker Marcus is elected Town Recorder.
Two Paw Paw men are arrested after a lengthy police standoff. Dalton Ginevan and James Flint are charged with fleeing and obstructing an officer.
Rebecca Huber is named Morgan County Schools’ new Special Education Director.
Town of Bath residents elect Greg Schene as the town’s new mayor, Susan Webster as recorder and give council members – Ryan Kessel, Elizabeth Skinner, Mary Lynn Hickey, Reba Dalson and Rick Weber. 
Morgan County is one of four area counties designated as part of a natural disaster area due to drought conditions.
A June 20 crash on U.S. 522 near Eddie’s Tire claims the life of Theresa Messersmith, 57, of Little Orleans.
Online comments about political parties from councilwoman elect Reba Dalson causes a stir at the June 10 Bath Council meeting.
Four Morgan County deputies are honored for bravery in standoff with suspects. Bradley Knotts, Ryan Diehl, Chris Roper and Luke Shambaugh all received a Letter of Commendation.
Paw Paw’s Holly Palmer is named WVSACA Class A Volleyball Coach of the Year.
The 3.4-mile four-lane U.S. 522 Bypass opens to traffic on June 25.
Columbia Gas says new natural gas line is in service on June 26.
July
The 911 fee on cell phones rose on July 1.
Morgan County Schools names Scott Lykins as the new principal of Warm Springs Intermediate School.
Energy Express returns to Morgan County despite federal cuts.
A Maryland Transportation Authority report says a Hancock rail station is a distant possibility.
Critton Hollow String Band celebrates 50 years in the music business.
A Paw Paw teacher resigns from his position after being charged with felonies in Louisa County, Virginia.
A Great Cacapon home on Youngblood Road is destroyed by fire on July 21.
The food pantry at Great Cacapon’s Calvary United Methodist Church is named in honor of the late Louise Spring, community leader.
The Morgan County Expo is held as a one-day showcase on July 26.
A new Morgan County Sheriff’s deputy is shot when responding to a domestic incident on July 26. Deputy Bradley Meacham was shot in the hand and face by Melvin Gallion of Flintstone, Md. when officers arrived in response to a burglary call. Gallion is alleged to have shot and killed two dogs at the residence of a former partner before confronting police and being wounded in the exchange. Meacham is hospitalized and released, and must undergo surgery for the wounding.
August
Morgan County seeks public input about the uses of the new county-owned Wellness Center, the old Rankin’s gym.
Senior Life Services of Morgan County announces it will cut back on hours and services at the Paw Paw Senior Center, turning it into a meal distribution site that will be open limited hours.
Brian Kendall of Largent heads to Britain to compete in the Precision Rifle 22 LR World Championship – the only West Virginia competitor.
Morgan County approves disbursement of $425,000 in Hotel/Motel Tax fund requests.
Bath moves closer to remediating the former industrial lot at the Berkeley Springs Train Depot, to use the area as a trail head for the North Berkeley Rail Trail.
Morgan County Schools officials announced that Berkeley Springs High School classrooms will be phone-free zones in the new academic year.
The 11th Annual Back to School Bash gives out school supplies to hundreds of families.
A tractor-trailer carrying explosives gets stuck on a guardrail on Cacapon Road below the Panorama Overlook, closing the roadway in both directions for hours on August 18.
Public input is invited on a new Warm Springs Watershed Protection Plan.
School begins on August 19 in six county schools for more than 2,000 Morgan County pupils.
The Tom & Virginia Seely Foundation grants $262,000 to local organizations who work with children.
A public sewer system upgrade begins in downtown Berkeley Springs, particularly along Biser Street.
The 4th Annual South Morgan Fireman’s Carnival returns to the county August 26-31.
Pleasant View Community Center hosts its first fundraising Cruise-In.
A Paw Paw man, Alan Valido, is arrested and charged with drug distribution, firearms possession and conspiracy after a State Police search warrant is served at his residence on August 20.
A destructive moth hits boxwood shrubs in Morgan County, killing plants all over.
The Warm Springs Watershed Association and Cacapon Institute will work with property owners along the U.S. 522 Bypass to replant trees removed by highway construction.
September
The Foxglove Garden Club celebrates 50 years of public gardening, education and environmental stewardship.
Results of the West Virginia General Summative Assessment stows that Morgan County students made gains in subject proficiency in nearly all grade levels in the 2024-2025 school year. County students were slightly above the state proficiency levels in English, Math and Science.
County building permit fees are raised, to go into effect in October.
A lawsuit brought against the Brimelows, claiming a misuse of charitable funds tied to the Berkeley Castle.
Senior Center officials say they’re open to ideas and effort to keep the Paw Paw Senior Center open five days a week through the end of 2025.
The Morgan County Sheriff’s Department signs onto the ICE Taskforce under the federal 286G Program, making them partners to ICE operations in the local area.
The second year of the Pawpaw Festival draws a large turnout on September 13. (Pawpaw festival photo)
Morgan County officials approve a plan to have the county’s first paid fire response staff.
A Morgan County Grand Jury indicts 14 people in the September term, including the man who shot a Sheriff’s deputy.
Beth Curtin, former Chamber of Commerce director and business owner, is named the 2025 Morganite, a community hero.
Morgan County is in moderate to severe drought conditions.
Two local bridges are approved for listing on the National Register of Historic Places – the 1937 Great Cacapon bridge over the Cacapon River and the 1916 Largent Bridge. Historian David Abruzzi nominated the structures and provided the historical documentation to get the listings.
October
The Berkeley Springs-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce puts on the 50th Annual Apple Butter Festival on Columbus Day weekend. 
A new Potomac Edison electrical substation in Great Cacapon goes online, serving 2,000 customers in the western part of the county.
A memorial to “Decoy 81” C-130 crash victims is dedicated in front of the county courthouse.
The Morgan Messenger brings home a wide variety of editorial and advertising awards from the West Virginia Press Association annual newspaper contest, including a second place General Excellence Award.
Berkeley Springs High School golfer Cayden Swink qualifies for the state golf championship.
Town of Bath officials adjust their budget to accommodate higher than budgeted municipal sales tax revenue.
History and Civil War groups hold a Veterans Day event at Greenway Cemetery to recognize historic graves and figures buried there.
The Berkeley Springs High School Lady Indians soccer head to the Regional Championship.
Berkeley Springs Indians Cross Country team heads to the State Cross Country championship.
Morgan County Commissioners hold public hearings about imposing a commercial ambulance fee.
Bath’s new municipal sales tax brings in $165,000 in its first six months in effect.
Public sewer upgrades in Berkeley Springs impact the town’s public water line service through accidental line breaks.
A public meeting seeks landowner input on the Sleepy Creek watershed area and flooding in order to create a protection plan for the watershed.
A local “No Kings” protest draws 500 people to the courthouse area on a nationwide day of demonstrations in opposition to presidential actions on a variety of fronts.
November
Josh Stangle is sworn in as new Berkeley Springs Police Department officer.
Jessey Messner is sentenced to 1-5 years in prison for sexual assault of a minor in 2023.
Rutter’s opens their gas station and convenience store along U.S. 522 on November 13. 
Paw Paw teacher Megan Bennett is named a state semi-finalist for the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching.
Local food pantries see higher demand for help as federal food stamp benefits are suspended during a federal government shutdown that lasted 43 days.
The Morgan County Board of Education approves the formation of an Esports team at Berkeley Springs High School.
A November 21 crash on Martinsburg Road kills Leroy Boffen of Berkeley Springs.
Bath town officials tell Morgan County Commissioners that future development from a planned water line extension down U.S. 522 could push the Berkeley Springs Waterworks treatment plant past its daily capacity.
The Berkeley Springs Lions Club hosts a free community Thanksgiving dinner on November 22.
December
The first visible snow accumulation of the 2025 winter season comes on December 2.
The 9th annual Winter Fest Parade fills Berkeley Springs with Christmas cheer on December 5.
School board president Aaron Close announces he won’t run for re-election to the board of education in 2026. Three seats will be up for election.
Morgan County Schools suspends in-school student surveys after a controversy over the age-appropriateness of questions in a recent survey.
Morgan County Commissioners decide to move ahead with drafting changes to the Ambulance Fee ordinance to include a commercial fee. They’ll hold public hearings on the proposed changes.
Morgan County Animal Control officer Ivory Brown pulls a man from a burning trailer on December 29, getting him to medical treatment before emergency crews arrived on the scene.
Persistent high winds contribute to the ignition of a wildfire at Cacapon State Park on December 30 that burns three wooded acres in the upper park near the reservoir lake. Wildland units from around the region use UTVs to reach the fire and contain it.
