1935-2018 James Calvin “Indian” Close, Sr., 82, of Berkeley Springs, died Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at his home while under the care of Hospice of the Panhandle. Born November 30, 1935 in Berkeley Springs, he was the son of the late William Henry and Margaret Belle Karns Close. He was a Christian. He attended public schools in […]

1936-2018 David Wise, long time resident of Berkeley Springs, passed away peacefully at his winter home in Zephyrhills, Florida, on February 16, 2018. Dave was the beloved father of David Wise, Sierra Vista, Ariz.; Robert Wise, Lothian, Md.; Trena Schaumburg, Melbourne, Fla.; Josie Riffle, Berkeley Springs, W.Va.; James Wise, Orlando, Fla.; and Micheal Wise, Okinawa, […]

by Kate Evans Area fire companies responded to multiple water rescues around the county and assisted water rescue teams from other counties during the worst of the flooding on Sunday. Residents were trapped in vehicles and also in their homes. Great Cacapon Volunteer Fire Company Chief Jimmy Reed said their firefighters responded to two water […]

Updated Tuesday, June 5 Flooding in small creeks and streams in the Paw Paw area undermined roads, causing several to collapse or develop dangerous sinkholes during Sunday’s flooding. Route 9 into Paw Paw was reportedly covered in large rocks and rubble, mud and water, making it impassable. Bevans Industrial Lane near the American Legion collapsed. […]

UPDATED 12:52 P.M.      Cacapon State Park officials announced they are evacuating cabins there out of concern that the upper reservoir dam was at risk of failing due to flooding. The dam, situated roughly a quarter of a mile west of cabins in the lower part of the park, serves as a reservoir for the […]

Larry Thomas. In a special meeting held this morning, Friday, June 1, Morgan County commissioners voted unanimously to fire County Administrator Larry Thomas from the job he’s held since November 13 of last year. The agenda for the June 1 special meeting included one item: “Discussion of Employee Grievances presented to Dan James, Morgan County […]

by Colin McLaughlin Co-Salutatorians Katey Banks and Stephanie Golden as well as Valedictorian Violet Hott spoke at the Berkeley Springs High School’s class of 2018 graduation last Thursday May 24. Banks started with a thought that she had that morning. “On Nov. 5, 2004 [the Incredibles] movie was released and almost everyone has seen it,” […]

by Kate Evans The Morgan County School Board unanimously approved Morgan County Schools Superintendent Erich May’s contract for a two-year term of employment beginning July 1 at their May 22 meeting.  May has been serving as Interim Superintendent since Erich May. August 15. May’s salary for the first year of his term will be $105,120. […]

by Kate Shunney A group of Winchester mountain bikers have added several miles of trails at Cacapon State Park for cyclists and hikers, and plan to create several loops through the park forests in the future. The Winchester Wheelmen have coordinated their work with park officials, reopening old trails and creating new ones from the […]

Hancock’s Cora Keefer selected as Player of the Year by Jamie Harris and Bill Sterner The sports writers from The Morgan Messenger and The Hancock News  partnered with the athletic directors and head coaches from Berkeley Springs High School, Hancock High School and Paw Paw High School to select an All Area team for the […]