by Kate Shunney After months of discussion, negotiations with county fire companies and a public hearing, the Morgan County Commission voted last Wednesday, August 17 to give fire companies the option to bill property owners for their services. First proposed in December 2021, the ordinance would allow any of the county’s four volunteer fire companies, […]
News
Empire Cheer named Grand Marshals of ‘22 Apple Butter Festival Parade
The 47th Annual Apple Butter Festival has named Empire Cheer as the grand marshal for the 2022 parade. In just five years, the local group has gone from one team practicing in a church, to five teams with over 60 first place banners and 18 national titles in their own practice facility. This year’s Apple […]
County commits $200K match to get funds for water/sewer extension
by Kate Shunney Morgan County Commissioners voted on Monday to commit $200,000 from the county’s ARPA fund as a match to potential state and federal funding for a proposed sewer and water line extension down U.S. 522. In an emergency meeting on August 15, county officials voted to allocate the money from Morgan County’s share […]
“Killer Oak” taken down
by Trish Rudder A large oak tree about 200 years old had to be removed last week from the front yard of Tom and Vita Hall who live on Route 9 east of Berkeley Springs, not far from U.S. 522. A massive 75-foot oak tree that was leaning toward Route 9 East was cut down […]
Paw Paw can pursue funding for sewer upgrade plans, state says
by Kate Evans The Town of Paw Paw was approved for sewer system improvements that are estimated to cost $2.58 million. In a press release, the West Virginia Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council announced funding for five sewer and two water system improvement projects at its August 3 meeting. The council also approved technical reviews […]
Catalytic converter case yields four drug arrests
by Kate Shunney An investigation into the sale of catalytic converters in Morgan County led to the arrest of four county residents on a variety of drug charges last Friday, August 12. According to criminal complaints filed in Morgan County Magistrate Court, officers working with the Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force investigated […]
Substance abuse treatment facility seeks state certificate to move forward
by Trish Rudder The Lotus Recovery Center, with plans to renovate and operate an in-house substance abuse treatment facility in the old Bath Schoolhouse, has applied for a Certificate of Need to the WV Health Care Authority (HCA), the state regulating agency. The July 14 application is for the addition of 26 acute care psychiatric […]
Latest phase of Bath water line project begins
by Trish Rudder Supplies have arrived to complete the last of the Phase IV water line replacement project and construction is ready to begin. Ron Jainniney, manager of the Berkeley Springs Water Works (BSWW), the town-owned water department, said on Monday that pipe replacements in the Merrywoods Drive area were to begin this Tuesday, August […]
Lady Indians soccer ready for 2022 campaign
by Jamie Harris The Berkeley Springs Lady Indians soccer team will be hitting the pitch this season with four returning seniors and an experienced mix of underclassmen. Right now the team has developed a good teamwork and friend- ship approach while practicing last week and during the preseason conditioning. The team has bonded and plan […]
Messenger staff receive General Excellence, editorial & ad awards at state press convention
Staff from The Morgan Messenger collected a number of editorial and advertising awards last Saturday, August 6 at the West Virginia Press Association’s annual convention, held this year in Charleston. The Morgan Messenger was also chosen as one of three West Virginia weekly papers with a circulation of over 3,500 to receive a General Excellence […]
