Kate Evans

Committee appointments for the new Morgan County Commission were decided at the Friday, January 2 meeting.

Commission President Brenda Hutchinson will serve on the Morgan County Economic Development Authority, the Farmland Preservation Board, the Senior Life Services Board, the Morgan County Fair Board, the Work Force Investment Board, the Region 9 Planning and Development Council and the Park Advisory and Planning Board.

The Morgan County Commission unanimously approved changing the courthouse complex office evening hours from Fridays to Thursdays at their Thursday, January 15 meeting.

County offices will now be open every Thursday from 9 am until 7 pm, beginning on Thursday, January 29. Courthouse complex hours will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays, starting Friday, January 30.

Morgan County Commissioner Tommy Swaim took issue last week with office changes that he felt had been made without discussion.

One proposed change listed for discussion or action on the commission's agenda for Thursday, January 8 was office space for the commissioners office space that had already been arranged before the meeting.

The Morgan County Commission approved a new county inclement weather policy at the beginning of their Thursday, January 8 commission meeting.

Commission President Brenda Hutchinson will confer with County Administrator Bill Clark regarding the need to close or delay opening county offices due to any inclement weather situations.

If you're looking for women's clothing that runs from fun to elegant, the Gypsy Shop has that and more.

The unique women's clothing boutique offers quality new and gently worn fashions and accessories. It also features custom-designed clothes and jewelry. The shop is located on the corner of Wilkes Street and Route 9 West.

The Morgan County Commissioners appointed Ginger Johnson as their new secretary at their Thursday, January 8 meeting.

Johnson was hired six months ago as assistant to County Planner Alma Gorse. Longtime commission executive assistant Bette Kidwell will be reassigned to assistant planning responsibilities.

Morgan County Commissioner Stacy Dugan, Morgan County Assessor Ronald McIntire and Morgan County Sheriff Vince Shambaugh took office last Friday.

County Clerk Debra Kesecker administered the oath of office to the new county officials at Friday's county commission meeting, which was held at Magistrate Court. The ceremony drew nearly 80 people, many of whom stood in the hallway outside the courtroom to be present at the event.

The Morgan County Commission is considering changing their inclement weather policy for county offices.

At their Friday, January 2 meeting, Commissioner Brenda Hutchinson proposed following the Morgan County School Board inclement weather policy for school closings and delays.

The construction groundwork for the new Morgan County Courthouse has been progressing on schedule, said County Administrator Bill Clark.

The culvert and manhole for the courthouse geo-thermal system pipeline have been installed. Water and sewer lines in the alley are being replaced and electrical work is being planned, Clark said. Cable and phone lines for the courthouse complex have to be moved.

Area firefighters battled a Christmas Day flue fire, a New Year's Eve house fire and a six acre brush fire over the holidays. High winds fueled two of the fires.

The Christmas Day fire call came in at 1:21 p.m. The fire was at the home of Patty and Aaron Wise in the 5100 block of Central Avenue, said Great Cacapon Volunteer Fire Chief Roger Steiner.