by KATE SHUNNEY The first day of the new school year for Washington County students is Monday, August 31. All students in grades Kindergarten through 12th grade will start the year doing full distance learning – online schooling. County school officials said that model will remain in effect “until it is safe for students to physically […]

Superintendent says students will have “staggered start” by KATE EVANS Morgan County Schools Superintendent Kristen Tuttle said last Friday the school system is planning to release a second version of the school reentry plan that will have individual school plans attached. This should answer many parent questions, Tuttle said. School officials are also working on a […]

BY KATE EVANS Last Friday Governor Jim Justice and state education and health officials unveiled the new metrics and color-coded system that will guide how in-person instruction, athletics and extracurricular activities will be conducted at West Virginia pre-K through twelfth grade schools. The School Reentry Metrics and Protocols, which were developed by the Governor’s Office, […]

by GEOFF FOX During last month’s town meeting, council members heard a proposal about using town-owned property at the entrance to Kirkwood Park for public composting. While no decision was made about the proposal, between meetings, residents wrote letters to The Hancock News, researched, signed letters and petitions, and questioned town officials about the composting location. […]

West Virginia State Police have charged a Berkeley Springs woman with embezzlement following an investigation into the finances of a local youth wrestling club. According to a criminal complaint filed in Morgan County Magistrate Court, Jamie Bowers, 34, was charged on July 29 by Cpl. V.E. Branham of the West Virginia State Police. At the […]

by KATE EVANS Governor Jim Justice issued an executive order on Wednesday, August 12 that temporarily prohibits in-person visitation to all nursing homes in West Virginia after 28 active outbreaks of COVID-19 infections occurred in nursing homes around the state. Justice was also concerned about community spread of the virus and 12 new deaths from COVID-19 […]

Rev. R. D. Smith, Sr. 1932-2020 Rev. R. D. Smith, Sr., husband of 67 years to Margaret Edna (Leake) Smith, was born on October 1, 1932, in Lonaconing, Md., and departed this life at the age of 87, on Friday, August 14, 2020, in Middleburg, Fla. He was the son of the late Edgar Mortimer […]

Virgil E. Hoover 1955-2020 Virgil Earl Hoover, 64, of Berkeley Springs, died Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at the Hospice of the Panhandle Inpatient Facility in Kearneysville. Born August 25, 1955 in Berkeley Springs, he was the son of the late John Earl and Winona Marie Spielman Hoover. He was a member of Love Assembly of […]

Judith “Judi” Ann Shriver 1945-2020 Judith “Judi” Ann Shriver, 75, of Hedgesville, passed peacefully on Saturday, August 8, 2020. Born February 23, 1945, in Berkeley Springs, W.Va., she was the daughter of the late Arthur Scott Stotler and Nellie Russell Fox. Judith devoted her life to her family, church and God. She is survived by […]

Robert S. Redding 1930-2020 Robert Samuel Redding, age 90, of Hedgesville, W.Va., died Sunday, July 19, 2020 at his home while under care of Hospice of the Panhandle. He was a member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church. Born June 6, 1930 in Seat Pleasant, Md., he was the son of the late George Ellyson and […]