Hancock firefighters responded to a trailer fire on Stoneybreak Road in Warfordsburg just before 9:30 p.m. last Monday night, September 7.

Engine 52 was the first on the scene and found fire coming from all sides of a…

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The Berkeley Springs High School cross country team turned in a collection of gutsy performances Saturday, September 12, at Frankfort in its third meet of the season, highlighted by a thrilling finishing kick from freshman standout Rylee Yost and several season and career-best efforts across both the girls and boys squads.

The Lady Indians were led by Rylee Yost, who showcased both speed and determination down the final stretch. Locked in a…

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Harold Bobby Yost

1935-2026

Harold Bobby Yost, age 91, of Berkeley Springs, W.Va., died on Thursday, September 10, 2026 at his home.

Born August 5, 1935 in Macon, Ga., he was the son of the late Harold Franklin and Ruth Pauline Leith Yost.

He tried to live life by the example left by Jesus but knew God’s grace covered all that believed.

Bobby was a graduate of Berkeley Springs High School Class of 1955.

He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

He was employed by Cacapon State Park and worked at the front desk for 35 years. He also was a farmer.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, farming and loved horses and spending time with his family and grandchildren.

He was a member of the Morgan County Farm Bureau and attended Mt. Pleasant Church.

Bobby is survived by his wife of 59 years, Barbara Ann Iden Yost, at home; five children: Vanessa Yost, Cathy Jo Yost, Rhonda Keenan (Lloyd), Renee Fincham (Ryan) and Kevin D. Yost, all of Berkeley Springs, W.Va.; one sister, Rebecca McIntyre of Berkeley Springs, W.Va., and six grandchildren: Brandon Keenan, Colin Breeden, MaKayla Kyne, Haden Fincham, Lydia Fincham and Macey Fincham and one nephew and two nieces.

Private graveside services will be in Oakland Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Friday, September 18, from 4-7 p.m. at Helsley-Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 95 Union Street, Berkeley Springs, W.Va., where the funeral home will be open from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. for the convenience of family and friends.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.helsleyjohnsonfh.com.

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1945-2026

Paul A.Ward, 80, of Berkeley Springs, W.Va., passed away on Friday, September 4, 2026.

Born in 1945 in Grand Rapids, Mich., he was a son of the late Keith Ward and the late Betty Lou Finkbeiner.

Paul served in the U.S. Army as a Morse Code Interceptor, stationed at bases in both Vietnam and Japan during his time in service. Upon his honorable discharge and return to the US, he began a career in the airline industry, starting as an aircraft marshaller out on the tarmac and later moving inside to become part of a then burgeoning computer programming department. This career trajectory would take Paul to a variety of places and career environments as a Systems Analyst, including the banking and hotel industries, as well as the federal government.

Shortly before retirement, Berkeley Springs, W.Va., became home and a little brick house surrounded by trees and nature was a fitting “last stop” for Paul, who was a country boy at heart.

Throughout his lifetime Paul was a lover of outdoor pursuits, especially fishing and gardening. Always a sports fan, Paul supported his home team (Go Blue!) and his locals. He also enjoyed the occasional chess match, good music, and crossword puzzles – the more challenging, the better!

Paul is survived by his wife, Linda; a daughter, Lisa; a son, Adam; five grandchildren, Amanda, Keara, Ian, Carson and Matthew; and a great-grandchild, Roma; as well as a sister, Pamela; a brother, Lance; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Burial will be private and a memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a contribution in Paul’s memory to Friends of the Cacapon River (www. cacaponriver.org), an organization dedicated to preserving the river and the local wildlife who depend upon it.

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Marvin Augustus Wills

1928-2026

Marvin Augustus Wills, 98, of Berkeley Springs, passed away Friday, September 11, 2026, at the Martinsburg, Va. Medical Center.

Born May 14, 1928, in Hancock, Md., he was the son of the late Burman Augustus and Ida Belle Barnhart Wills.

Marvin served in the United States Army in the 151st Airborne Division and fought in the Korean war from 1950 to 1952. He retired April 1, 1990, from Martin Marietta Stone Quarry, Boonsboro, Md., after over thirty years of service.

Marvin enjoyed his flowers, gardening, automobiles, and he sold and repaired bicycles.

His family will always remember him throwing horseshoes at their reunions.

He is survived by his loving wife of fifty-eight years, Bessie Wills; four daughters, Pamela Stokes and husband Robert, Teressa Payne and husband Larry, Cathy Stotler and husband Richard, and Vicky Shupp and husband Daniel; eight grandchildren, Amber Frederick, Tiffany Campbell, Larry (Allen) Payne, Jr, Robert Stokes II, Christopher Stotler, Ashley Stotler, Jacob Shupp, and Levi Shupp; nine great-grandchildren; siblings Jesse Weicht, Charlotte Golden, Gary Wills and Judy Powell; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his son Marvin Augustus Wills, Jr; siblings, Mary Booth, Vesta Maravelis, Phyllis Appel, Nancy Martin, Herbert Wills, Jacob Wills, and Buelah Maravelis and two infant sisters.

Viewing will be held on Thursday, September 17, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Grove-Rogowski Funeral Home, 141 W. Main St., Hancock, MD 21750. Funeral Service will be held on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 11 a.m., with one-hour prior visitation at Grove-Rogowski Funeral Home. Pastor James Touchton will officiate. Interment will follow at Tonoloway Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.

Arrangements were entrusted to Grove-Rogowski Funeral Home, Hancock, Md.

Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.grfuneralhome.net.

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William H. “Bill’ Lawyer

1927-2026

William H. “Bill” Lawyer, age 99, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 19, 2026 at War Memorial Hospital Extended Care Unit.

Born January 28, 1927 in Berkeley Springs, W.Va., he was the eldest of four sons of the late Harry and Pearl (Laign) Lawyer.

He graduated from Berkeley Springs High School and attended the University of Maryland and graduated with a BS degree in Engineering.

He worked at Pennsylvania Glass and Sand as an engineer from August 1, 1963 to July 31, 1984 and retired as vice president.

He married Nell Duke Huber on August 27, 1960. After Nell’s passing 1983, he married Dorothy Biggert on July 26, 1986.

He was a lifelong member of the Berkeley Springs Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder, a Deacon, a Sunday school teacher and a member of the choir. He remained true to his faith his entire life.

He was on the board of Woodmont Lodge and he worked on the sale of the property to Maryland DNR. After his retirement, he was involved in delivering meals for the Senior Center and he spent his winters at his home in Pine Island, Fla.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing golf. His family was very important to him, and he loved spending time with family and catching up on stories of the present and sharing stories of the past.

During his 13 years at War Memorial Extended Care, he was blessed with the special care he received and all the special friends that visited him there. Special thanks to Dr. Andrew Berens for always being attentive to his needs.

Bill is survived by one son, William C. “Billy” Lawyer of Ohio; two stepdaughters, Barbara Short Greene of Washington and Yvonne Short of Colorado and grandchildren: Collin, Gavin and Teagen; three sisters-in-law, Bev Lawyer of Ormond Beach, Fla, Maud Lawyer of Berkeley Springs, W.Va. and Donna Lawyer of Weyers Cave, Va., and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and both wives, he was preceded in death by one son, Gary and three brothers, James (2004), Raymond (2002) and David (2023).

A Celebration of Life Service will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2026 at the Berkeley Springs Presbyterian Church, 101 S. Mercer Street, Berkeley Springs, W.Va. Following the service food and refreshments will be in the Fellowship Hall next to the church where we can share memories and stories of Bill.

Bill’s wishes were to donate his body for research to the Department of Anatomy at West Virginia University; therefore, his interment will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Berkeley Springs Presbyterian Church, PO Box 206, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411 or to Senior Life Services of Morgan County, 106 Sand Mine Road, Suite1, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.helsley johnsonfh.com.

Arrangements were courtesy of Helsley-Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 95 Union Street, Berkeley Springs, W.Va.

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The Berkeley Springs Indians golf team enjoyed a busy and successful week on the links, highlighted by hosting one of the area’s premier tournaments and turning in another strong performance on the road.

On Friday, September 4, the Indians welcomed 13 teams and 65 golfers to Cacapon Resort State Park for the annual Berkeley Springs Invitational. With some of the region’s toughest competition gathered on the course, Berkeley Springs rose to the…

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The Berkeley Springs Lady Indians may have finished the week with a 1-2 record, but their biggest statement came under the bright lights of Morgan Field when they knocked off longtime rival Keyser, 4-1, in front of an energized home crowd on Monday, August 31.

The victory showcased the offensive firepower and determination of the Lady Indians as they delivered one of their most complete performances of the young season.

Berkeley Springs…

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The Berkeley Springs Indians made a powerful statement Friday night, September 4, traveling to Maryland and overwhelming the Class 1A Clear Spring Blazers 41-12 to earn the first victory of the CJ Watts era. Behind a record-tying performance from senior quarterback Jalen Miller and a dominant defensive effort, the Tribe controlled the game from start to finish.

Miller delivered one of the finest passing performances in…

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The Berkeley Springs Indians soccer team sent a loud message to the rest of the region Saturday afternoon, September 5, storming past regional rival Lincoln by a score of 7-4 in a thrilling offensive showcase.

While individual statistics were unavailable at press time, there was no doubt about the significance of the victory. The win marked the Indians’ third victory of the season and, perhaps even more importantly, their second regional win…

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