Community News

At their April 17 meeting, the Morgan County Commission approved the new tax rates for the 2007-2008 fiscal year.

Class 1 properties will be taxed at the rate of 13.68 cents per $100 of assessed value.

Several more candidates came out for Paw Paw Town Council before the filing period ended on Tuesday night, April 17.

Joining the race for the five town council seats were: Stacey Kline, Steve Moreland, Jeff Palmer and Julius Watson. Previously, eight other candidates had filed – Lisa Groah, Karen Hayes, Eric Kidwell, Angela King, Cecil King Jr., Rose Newlon, Ed Ridgeway and Alton Wolfe Jr.

The Morgan County Commission proclaimed the fourth Friday of April as Children's Memorial Flag Day. The memorial flag will be flown each year "in remembrance of those young lives lost in senseless acts of violence," according to their proclamation.

Members of a community partnership presented the County Commission with a Children's Memorial Flag. Starting Points director Audrey Morris gave the Commissioners and others pinwheels from the West Virginia Children's Trust Fund and their Prevent Child Abuse campaign to remind people of ways that they could help ensure that children in our community grow up healthy, safe and loved.

The Berkeley Springs Rotary Club has been a significant part of the fabric that makes up our Morgan County community for more than 25 years. The club, formed in June of 1982, has supported a variety of community events, projects and non-profit organizations during those years.

Unsuspecting senior citizens across America and others are falling prey to international telephone and online scams. An elderly area man and his wife were recent victims of the "fake grandson" scam. It is one of a known "relative in distress" scams, according to the www.crimes-of-persuasion.com website.

Local businesses were also recognized during the Governor's visit for their contribution to local economic development. Pictured with Governor Joe Manchin (in center rear) and Chris Lundberg (far left) and Nancy Ferner (far right) of the Small Business Development Center are (left to right) Isabella Yosuico of CY Communications, Nancy Sostaric of the Country Inn, Linda Sprankle-Lillard of Washington Homeopathic Products and Frog Valley Artisans Angela Matthews, Veronica Wilson and Mark Schwenk. Not present were other recognized business owners, who were Joe Lillard of Wasington Homeopathic Products, Frankie Tan of Atasia Spa, Judy Webb of Nature Niche and Chuck Wheeler of Mountain Laurel Gallery.

State Treasurer John Perdue's office disbursed $6.7 million to 425 volunteer fire departments during the first three months of 2007.

Each volunteer fire department received $15,906 as

History essay contest winners for the Ye Towne of Bath Chapter of The Daughters of the American Revolution American were: Colin McPeak, fifth grader, Emma Bostic, sixth grader and Chelsea Hessler, eighth grader. The students and their families were guest at the chapter's April meeting where each read their essay. Anne Spriggs, the Chapter Regent, presented each a certificate signed by the DAR National General President. They were each given a gift by Julia Lineaweaver, the Chapter's American History Chairman.

Emma Bostic was also honored as the State of West Virginia second place winner. Over one hundred students were participants in this year's contest.

Volunteers are needed to help with spring cleanup of Warm Springs Run through The Town of Bath on Saturday, April 28.

The Ecology Coalition of Morgan County (Eco) and Town of Bath officials are sponsoring this activity in hopes of forming a permanent group to join Friends of Cacapon and Sleepy Creek Watershed Association as the third major stream monitoring group in Morgan County.

by Kate Evans

The Rock Shop has jewelry, gemstones and gifts made by local artists. The shop opened on December 15 and also carries beads and jewelry-making supplies and books. The Rock Shop is located in Berkeley Springs at 240A Wilkes Street near the corner of U.S. Route 9 West and Wilkes Street.