Area News
Morgan County sees first death attributed to COVID-19
by KATE EVANS An 88-year old Morgan County man has died of COVID-19, health officials announced on November 21. This is the first reported COVID-related death in the county. The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) made the announcement in their Saturday update report about the status of coronavirus infection in the state. …
Read MoreBerkeley Springs man dies after being struck on I-70
Maryland State Police have said Thomas S. Cox, 38, of Berkeley Springs was struck and killed along Interstate 70 in the early morning hours of Tuesday, November 17. Police had responded to a motor vehicle accident near the 18 mile marker of I-70 near Clear Spring shortly before 5 a.m. on Tuesday. They determined that…
Read MoreFulton County shows “substantial” spread of COVID on Pa. state metrics
by KATE SHUNNEY Fulton County went from a designation of “low” community transmission of COVID-19 during the week of October 23 to its current “substantial” transmission rates, according to a Pennsylvania Department of Health report. Fulton County, which borders Washington County, Md. and nearly touches Morgan County, W.Va. has never had a “Moderate” transmission level designation…
Read MoreWest Virginia buck firearms season opens Monday
West Virginia’s buck firearms season opens next Monday, November 23. The season has been extended to 14 days and includes an additional Sunday this year. “The buck firearms season traditionally opens on the Monday before Thanksgiving and closes two weeks later on a Saturday, but hunters will be able to get out into the woods…
Read MoreFight leads to drug arrests
A Saturday evening 911 call for a fight at a Morgan County apartment building has resulted in three people being charged for drug-related crimes. Police responded around 6 p.m. to the 6000 block of Valley Road to two emergency calls about a physical altercation. According to a criminal complaint filed in Morgan County Magistrate Court,…
Read MoreCounty schools say student in Paw Paw positive for COVID
On Monday morning, November 16, Morgan County Schools Superintendent informed local families that a student at Paw Paw High School has tested positive for COVID-19. Superintendent Kristen Tuttle said school and health officials were aware this weekend of the possibility the student had the contagious respiratory disease, but “the official confirmation was not received until…
Read MoreState puts focus on indoor mask rule, other steps to curb COVID spread
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice today said an indoor mask rule that’s been in place for months has been amended and he expects the public to follow it, and businesses to enforce it. Under the rule, people are required to wear a face covering or mask in any indoor public space for the entire time they are…
Read MoreHancock students will return to virtual learning for three weeks starting Monday
Washington County Public Schools officials announced this week that students will start learning from home again, starting next Monday, November 16, for at least three weeks.“In-person activities may resume on Monday, December 7, 2020, depending on community health metrics,” the school board said in a statement Tuesday. “WCPS will continue to monitor and review community…
Read MoreCounty libraries continue services under COVID-19, plan holiday activities
by KATE EVANS Morgan County Public Library and Paw Paw Public Library are still providing services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff is planning for holiday activities beginning this month. Morgan County Public Library library director Sarah Drennan said that the library would be offering their annual Santa’s Mailbox this year beginning next Monday, November 16. …
Read MoreLocal family journal captures life out west in flu pandemic of 1918-19
“Despite my young age, it was something I would never forget” by Kate Shunney Iva Lou Michael Dawson’s personal diary chronicles the sickness and financial burdens of the 1918-1919 “Spanish flu” pandemic that swept through the U.S. and across the globe, leaving its mark on her family . Dawson’s daughter, Sylvia Thomas, transcribed the pages…
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