Delma L. Zirkle 1933-2019 Delma L. Elbin Zirkle, 85, of Little Orleans, died Friday, August 9, 2019 at WHMS Hospital, Cumberland. Born December 21, 1933 in Artemas, Pa., she was the daughter of the late W. Kelly and Mabel R. Clingerman Elbin. She was married in 1951 to William Wayde Zirkle who died March 31, 1982. She is survived by children, Leon […]

Douglas E. Smith, Sr. 1938-2019 Douglas E. “Gene” Smith, Sr., 81, of Great Cacapon and Kingwood, died Thursday, July 4, 2019 in Kingwood. He was born June 18, 1938 in Berkeley Springs, son of the late Turner Nelson and Agnes Louise Close Smith. He was a retired printer for the Baltimore Sun newspaper. He liked being outdoors, camping, […]

Peter V. Michael 1952-2019 Peter Vernon Michael, 66, of Arlington, Va., died Wednesday, August 7, 2019 at ManorCare Health Services-Arlington, Arlington, Va. Born November 24, 1952 in Arlington, Va., he was the son of the late George Vernon and Mary Lucille Stotler Michael. He attended the Church of Christ. He was a graduate of Arlington County schools […]

Ward L. LaRue 1931-2019 Ward L. LaRue, 87, died July 31, 2019 in Williamsport, Md. Born on October 1, 1931 in Tunnelton, he was the son of the late George R. and L. Fay (Maier) LaRue. He graduated from Tunnelton High School, served overseas in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict, and graduated from […]

Thomas L. Johnson Bennett 1944-2019 Thomas Lee Johnson Bennett, 75, of Great Cacapon, died Monday, August 5, 2019 at his residence. Born March 18, 1944 in Salisbury, Md., he was the son of the late Charles William, Jr. and Isabelle Johnson Bennett. He was a Christian. He was a pharmacist. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psyschology […]

2011 West Virginia Girls State Track Champions, front row, left to right: Kayla Mundey, Lacee Fulton, Michelle Williams, Alicia McJilton and Melissa Colby. Back row: Assistant Coach John Rowland, Assistant Coach David Aberegg, Sara Younker, Casey Solomon, Jordan Bennett, Leah Kidwell, Macy Houk, Amanda Case and Head Coach Dave Mundey. Not pictured: Toni Davison and […]

Nehlen by Jim Buzzerd What do you remember about the process of West Virginia University getting the invitation to join the Big 12 Athletic Conference? I remember being on top of the process as much as I could. I remember being at a pre game party in College Park, Maryland prior to the WVU-Maryland game […]

by Geoff Fox A small parade of 16 pieces of fire apparatus made their way down Main Street this past Saturday, August 3, as they headed to Kirkwood Park for a fire muster and display. The parade was led by the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association banner, president, and hose cart pulled by members. Apparatus […]

Morgan Messenger Managing Editor and Publisher Sandy Buzzerd earned the West Virginia Press Association’s top honor at the group’s annual convention and awards ceremony on Saturday, August 3. Buzzerd received The Adam R. Kelly Award for her outstanding dedication to the newspaper industry, the West Virginia Press Association (WVPA) and her local community. WVPA Executive […]

by Kate Shunney A handful of citizens showed up at the county’s public hearing last Tuesday, July 30 about a proposed increase to the 911 fee paid by landline phone users in Morgan County. County officials want to double the fee, from $2.50 per month to $5.00 per month. Those who spoke at the hearing […]