Minton resigns as police chief
Town of Bath Police Chief James Minton resigned last Friday afternoon, March 28. No reason was given by town officials for his resignation.
Minton, a retired federal marshal, was hired in December 2006 to replace former police chief Tony Lynch.
In a statement released this weekend, Webster said only: The chief gave his resignation on Friday. I wish him success in any future endeavors. I appreciated his efforts in establishing new programs for the Berkeley Springs Police Department, such as the K-9 Unit and the Police Auxiliary.
The important thing for our citizens, visitors and the business community to know is that the Berkeley Springs Police Department is stable, working hard and dedicated to the safety and security of the Town of Bath, Webster said.
The mayor said department employees and police officers were cooperating to maintain quality, professional service through the transition.
I will suggest to council that we use the time to give careful study to one of the most important aspects of our duties, public safety, Webster said.
Webster said she would have no further comment about the situation.
The chief's resignation came eight days after Mayor Webster asked Sgt. S. E. Davis, the State Police Detachment Commander, to investigate a possible misappropriation of funds inside town government.
Sgt. Davis said it appeared that $400 in parking meter funds, which were supposed to go into the general town fund, were moved instead to the Police Department petty cash fund.
Davis said the money likely went to the startup of the police department's reserve program.
All funds have stayed within the Town of Bath administratively, he stressed.
Asked who was responsible for putting the parking money in the proper fund, Davis said control of police money is the responsibility of the police chief.
The State Police investigation is now complete and will be turned over to the prosecuting attorney for her review to determine if there are any improprieties, Davis said.
Town of Bath Police Chief James Minton resigned last Friday afternoon, March 28. No reason was given by town officials for his resignation.
Minton, a retired federal marshal, was hired in December 2006 to replace former police chief Tony Lynch.
2008-04-02 Police investigating election sign burnings News Articles messenger John Douglas Full HTML West Virginia State Police are investigating the destruction of three campaign signs along Rt. 9, east of Berkeley Springs.
Signs promoting the candidacy of Larry Bradley for sheriff were burned, apparently in the early hours of Monday, March 31, according to police. The signs were on private property.
The Morgan Messenger learned of the sign burnings from a call on Monday morning, but police didn't receive a formal complaint until Monday afternoon when Larry Bradley went to the State Police barracks, said Sgt. S. E. Davis, the detachment commander.
A former detachment commander here, Bradley is vying with Vince Shambaugh for the Republican nomination for sheriff.
Davis said that while there have been reports of stolen signs in past elections, this is the first time he had seen a case of signs being destroyed in this way.
While police currently have no suspects, Davis said: It's going to be investigated until there are no more leads to follow.
Trooper J. C. McDonald is the investigator in the case. Anyone with information may call him at 258-0000.
Anonymous handouts
The race for the Republican nomination for sheriff has also been marked with anonymous handouts attacking Vince Shambaugh in the Great Cacapon area.
The winner of the Republican Primary on May 13 will move on to November's General Election with no Democratic opponent. West Virginia State Police are investigating the destruction of three campaign signs along Rt. 9, east of Berkeley Springs.
Signs promoting the candidacy of Larry Bradley for sheriff were burned, apparently in the early hours of Monday, March 31, according to police. The signs were on private property.
2008-04-02 Hampshire County tower visible in sky News Articles messenger Kate Evans Full HTML
A new tower constructed by Hampshire County for emergency communications is visible in the southwestern night sky. The tower will be hosting the state interoperability communications system, said Dave Michael, Morgan County emergency services director.
The 320-foot tower has red nighttime lighting and white strobe daytime lighting. The tower has the minimum of lighting required by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations for aircraft safety, Michael said.
The tower is located southwest of Ridge, near Fish Hatchery Road, Michael said. As the crow flies, the tower is three miles or so from Largent, though by road the distance is about 29 miles, he noted. Construction on the tower was completed on Tuesday, March 18, Michael said.
Multi-county, multi-user tower
Hampshire County received around $192,000 from the Wireless Tower Access Assistance Fund for the tower, he said. The emergency communications tower will serve Jefferson, Berkeley, Morgan and Hampshire counties and possibly Hardy and Mineral counties, Michael said.
The multi-county, multi-user facility will be used by law enforcement agencies, fire services, emergency medical services and emergency management as well as non-emergency government agencies such as the health department, water and sewer, the assessor's office and other government agencies that have radios, Michael said.
Cell, broadband coverage
The tower won't just be used for emergency and county government communications, but also for communications that benefit the general public, Michael noted.
They are actively engaging with commercial cell carriers and broadband wireless internet providers to supply coverage to western Morgan County and northern Hampshire County, he said.
Some existing wireless carriers that serve the county already have plans to provide coverage through the site, Michael said. Cell phone coverage via the tower is months away, he said.
The Hampshire County tower structure has been built but the radio equipment still needs to be installed, Michael said. It will take a month or two for the site to be up and running.
A new tower constructed by Hampshire County for emergency communications is visible in the southwestern night sky. The tower will be hosting the state interoperability communications system, said Dave Michael, Morgan County emergency services director.
2008-04-02 Planners updated on developments News Articles messenger Kate Shunney Full HTML
The Morgan County Planning Commission spent most of their hour-long March 25 meeting discussing ongoing projects and approved developments.
Planners extended preliminary approval for Phase 2 of Blue Mountain Estates, a subdivision planned at the intersection of Johnson's Mill Road and Earl Weber Road.
Local developers Thomas Close and Richard Gay, as Blue Mountain Estates, LLC, had already secured final approval for seven lots in Phase 1 in May 2007. Phase 2 will include 23 lots. Planners agreed to extend preliminary plat approval for those lots until January 23, 2009.
Engineer Joe Moss updated planners on the status of Ancora Estates, a nine-lot development in Sir John's Run.
Developer George Brent had received preliminary planning approval, contingent on getting a stormwater management permit. Moss said no work has been done on the steep site to manage severe erosion along the road and steep banks.
There's a pronounced likelihood of further degradation of the site, Moss told the Planning Commission.
Commission member Tommy Swaim asked if stabilization and drainage work would begin within 30 days. Surveyor Cindy Born said Brent has hired someone to address runoff problems, but weather has held off that work.
Planners asked Moss and County Planner Alma Gorse to keep them informed of the condition of the development site.
County soccer fields
Board members gave their okay for a plan by Morgan County Parks & Recreation to grade ten county-owned acres across from the U.S. 522 ballfield complex for future soccer fields.
Planners studied the grading plan, which shows two soccer fields and a gravel parking lot south of Dawson's Home Center.
Preliminary plans showed no structures, but depicted an area set aside for a future septic drainfield.
Excavation can begin once the Parks & Rec board receives a stormwater management permit from the state and a highway entrance permit from the Department of Highways, the board said.
Route 13 stop sign
Planning members' concerns about traffic from a proposed 65-lot subdivision along Spriggs Road resurfaced during the Wednesday night meeting.
Their preliminary approval of 130-acre Shadow Valley Farms was granted in June 2007, contingent on the resolution of questions about the effect of additional traffic on a nearby one-lane bridge and the Winchester Grade Road intersection with Spriggs Road.
A March 5 letter from the West Virginia Department of Highways to the development's engineers said state road officials saw no reason to add extra speed limit signs near the Spriggs Road bridge.
Instead, District Engineer Robert Amtower advised the developer that a new stop sign would be placed at the intersection of Spriggs Road and the northbound lane of Winchester Grade Road. This sign, which will stop traffic coming into Berkeley Springs from the Greenwood area, is expected to be put in place by the beginning of May, Amtower's letter said.
Planning commission members were generally dissatisfied with this solution to added traffic on the sharp curve, but agreed that the developer had taken the proper steps to address traffic concerns.
Subdivision rules,
flood maps
County Planner Alma Gorse told board members that a legal review of revisions to the county's Subdivision Ordinance would be complete and in the hands of the Morgan County Commission by April 20.
The County Commissioners hired Attorney Richard Gay to comb through proposed changes to the development rules and make legal recommendations. Commissioner Tommy Swaim said Gay's $2,800 bid for the legal review was the lower of two proposals for that project.
In other business, Gorse announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has updated floodplain maps for Morgan County, overlaying aerial maps with flood data for a more accurate view of 100-year floodplains across the county. Gorse said an electronic version of the map will be available in the fall.
Gorse also reported that she contacted the Hampshire County Planning office in response to concerns from a handful of Morgan County residents. Several residents told Gorse they were disturbed by a strobing light on a cell tower visible at the southern end of Cacapon Mountain.
The tower, which stands in Hampshire County, was erected by that county's 911 agency. Gorse encouraged their planner to hold public hearings about construction of new towers, as Morgan County does.
The Morgan County Planning Commission spent most of their hour-long March 25 meeting discussing ongoing projects and approved developments.
2008-04-02 Nothing like a hoax Editorials messenger John Douglas Full HTML Modern newspaper people are always a little embarassed when the subject of news hoaxes comes up. It's as if they want to disown a disreputable branch of the family. But 100 years ago, the hoax held an accepted – if not quite honored – place in journalism, especially in parts of America where news of the world was slow to reach.
For example, the Phoenix Gazette carried a story in 1909 about an explorer, G. E. Kinkaid, who allegedly found the remains of an ancient people in a remote section of the Grand Canyon. Much like the Egyptians, these mysterious folks mummified bodies and wrote in hieroglyphics. The story is still kicking around the internet today on all those sasquatch-seance-alien abduction websites that claim the government is covering up the truth.
Kinkaid was said to be connected with the Smithsonian Institute, as was his associate, Professor S. A. Jordan. The Smithsonian, however, claims to have never heard of either guy and to know nothing about a Grand Canyon-Egyptian expedition. And you can scan the web or spend years looking through dusty old journals and you won't find any proof that Kinkaid and Jordan ever existed, much less made such a marvelous find.
The truth may lie in the date of that Phoenix Gazette article. April 5, 1909. Just a few days after April Fool's Day.
Perhaps the Gazette was inspired by what is known as the Moon Hoax, a 1935 series of articles that boosted the circulation of the New York Sun. Reporter Richard Adams Locke chronicled the discoveries of astronomer Sir John Hershel, who was real enough but was far away in South Africa and knew nothing of the stories.
Locke detailed how Hershel's new telescope enabled him to see buffalo grazing on the moon, where a race of half-man/half-bat creatures flew around green marble cliffs. There were also blue goats and an amphibian shaped like a basketball that rolled across the moon's white beaches.
Even before that, the Indiana Gazette wrote of a 103-ft. snakelike monster in Cayuga Lake in 1804. And there was the report of Noah's Ark being found in Alaska, which isn't unlike some of the shows you see on cable TV today.
The famous Edgar Allen Poe even got into the act. In 1844, he wrote about an adventurer who crossed the Atlantic in a balloon, more than 80 years before Lindbergh. When a rival newspaper cried Hoax!, Poe replied that if the balloon hadn't actually crossed the ocean, there was no reason it couldn't have.
This, of course, is the bottom line for most of these stories – maybe they didn't happen, but why not? This unleashing of the imagination is why some science fiction writers look good decades later. They have somehow prepared us for the future. Others look less like visionaries because their dreams didn't come to pass, though, as Poe would say, they might have.
Newspaper tales like the Phoenix Gazette's lost civilization gave rise to today's tabloids, which boast stories that are often unbelievable, and no one seems to care. After all, we all like a good hoax now and then, so long as nobody gets hurt. Modern newspaper people are always a little embarassed when the subject of news hoaxes comes up. It's as if they want to disown a disreputable branch of the family. But 100 years ago, the hoax held an accepted – if not quite honored – place in journalism, especially in parts of America where news of the world was slow to reach.
For example, the Phoenix Gazette carried a story in 1909 about an explorer, G. E. Kinkaid, who allegedly found the remains of an ancient people in a remote section of the Grand Canyon. Much like the Egyptians, these mysterious folks mummified bodies and wrote in hieroglyphics. The story is still kicking around the internet today on all those sasquatch-seance-alien abduction websites that claim the government is covering up the truth.
2008-04-02 County Democrats to hold convention on April 12 Local Events messenger Full HTML The Morgan County Democratic Convention will be held on Saturday, April 12, at the Country Inn, Berkeley Springs at 2 p.m.
During the county convention, an official convention chair will be elected and attendees will elect 10 county delegates (half women, half men) to represent Morgan County during the state convention on June 13-14 in Charleston.
We encourage all registered Democrats, who are residents in Morgan County, to get involved in the Democratic process and attend this important event, said Margie McCumbee-Allgyer, Chairperson of the Morgan County Democratic Executive Committee.
This convention is important because for the first time those elected as a county delegate will go to Charleston in June and will vote for the people who will represent our state at the Democratic National Convention in August, she said.
The state's Democratic Party changed the way delegates to the national convention are chosen this year. They will no longer be on the primary ballot. The delegates to the national convention are now selected during the state convention by the county delegates. The people's vote for president on the primary ballot will determine how many delegates each presidential candidate receives for West Virginia.
We wanted to add more excitement and get more people directly involved with our convention, State Democratic Party Chairman Nick Casey said. Democrats need to turn out to their county conventions, so their voice can be heard.
The convention is open to all registered Democrats in Morgan County.
County conventions are mandated by the West Virginia Democratic State Executive Committee. A county must hold a convention every presidential election. At the state convention, the county delegates will also approve the party platform and elect five representatives to the Electoral College. The Morgan County Democratic Convention will be held on Saturday, April 12, at the Country Inn, Berkeley Springs at 2 p.m.
During the county convention, an official convention chair will be elected and attendees will elect 10 county delegates (half women, half men) to represent Morgan County during the state convention on June 13-14 in Charleston.
2008-04-02 Futurist Peterson to talk about the coming big world change Local Events messenger Full HTML John L. Petersen, Internationally-known futurist and editor of the acclaimed newsletter, FUTUREdition, will address the public in a free multimedia lecture in Berkeley Springs on Friday, April 4.
Petersen, who is president and founder of The Arlington Institute, will talk about the big changes that are coming to the world and the region in the next few years.
This second lecture in the TAI Presents series in Berkeley Springs sponsored by The Arlington Institute will present a high-level overview of what is happening in the world today. It will explore extraordinary global issues including climate change, the unraveling of the world financial system, an historical transition away from fossil fuels coupled with potential surprise events like a bird flu pandemic.
A number of possible futures could come out of this confluence of trends, all of which would be much different than the present world.
Petersen believes that the next four or five years promise to be unlike any that humanity has experienced for hundreds of years and that they will tax the region significantly. He will present options for preparing for and dealing with this big change.
Petersen is author of two earlier books about future trends, Out Of The Blue: How to Anticipate Wild Cards and Other Big Surprises, and The Road to 2015: Profiles of the Future. His newest book, A Vision for 2012, will be published in June of this year by Fulcrum Books. He travels widely and regularly addresses audiences in many parts of the world on topics related to future change.
The free talk will be held at 8 p.m. in the Ice House Theater in downtown Berkeley Springs. John L. Petersen, Internationally-known futurist and editor of the acclaimed newsletter, FUTUREdition, will address the public in a free multimedia lecture in Berkeley Springs on Friday, April 4.
Petersen, who is president and founder of The Arlington Institute, will talk about the big changes that are coming to the world and the region in the next few years.
2008-04-02 Town of Bath submits revised budget to state News Articles messenger David Abner Full HTML
In a special council meeting Thursday afternoon, March 28, the Bath Council passed a revised budget for fiscal year 2008 - 2009.
The revision was necessary due to West Virginia State Tax Department's rejection of the 1.50 real estate tax modifier submitted by the Morgan County Commission. Because of the state's rejection, the modifier will stay at 1.75.
This caused the town's projected revenue from property taxes to increase by $351, Town Clerk Margie Allgyer said.
Councilman and Finance Committee Chairman David Crosby said the extra money was placed in the part time police budget.
The new town budget for the next fiscal year is $619,209.
In a special council meeting Thursday afternoon, March 28, the Bath Council passed a revised budget for fiscal year 2008 - 2009.
2008-04-02 Earth Day Week concerts Local Events messenger Full HTML In collaboration with the Ecology Coalition of Morgan County, the Sleepy Creek Children's Choir and the Living Springs Chorale will present programs of vocal and instrumental music celebrating nature and the environment.
Saturday, April 19 at 7 p.m., Voices of the Earth: Songs of our World will be performed by the Sleepy Creek Children's Choir at Union Chapel United Methodist Church, Route 522 South of Berkeley Springs.
Sunday, April 27 at 3 p.m., Voices of the Earth: Songs to the Creator – Songs of Creation will be performed by the Living Springs Chorale at Berkeley Springs High School Auditorium.
Both concerts are open to the public and free of charge. In collaboration with the Ecology Coalition of Morgan County, the Sleepy Creek Children's Choir and the Living Springs Chorale will present programs of vocal and instrumental music celebrating nature and the environment.
Saturday, April 19 at 7 p.m., Voices of the Earth: Songs of our World will be performed by the Sleepy Creek Children's Choir at Union Chapel United Methodist Church, Route 522 South of Berkeley Springs.
2008-04-02 Art in the park Local Events messenger Full HTML The first Art in the Park of 2008 will take place on Sunday May 5 (rain date May 12) at Berkeley Springs State Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is a showcase for local and regional artists to show and sell their work. Featured will be sculpture, paintings, wood, metal, jewelry, ceramics, glass (stained and slump), metal, photography and more.
If wishing to participate or want more information, contact Nancy or Michael Nathan at 304-258-6419. The first Art in the Park of 2008 will take place on Sunday May 5 (rain date May 12) at Berkeley Springs State Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is a showcase for local and regional artists to show and sell their work. Featured will be sculpture, paintings, wood, metal, jewelry, ceramics, glass (stained and slump), metal, photography and more.
2008-04-02 Property owners voice streetscape concerns News Articles messenger David Abner Full HTML A group of six property owners on the portions of Wilkes, Congress and Independence streets affected by phase 1 of the Streetscape Project attended the Tuesday, March 25 Streetscape Committee meeting.
Owners voiced concerns about parking, parking meters, streetlights, sidewalks, project timetable and coordination, and effect on the residential community.
All property owners along the three streets had been invited by letter to attend the meeting.
Phase 1 of the Streetscape Project will take place on Wilkes Street between Fairfax Street and Route 9 West and on the connecting blocks of Congress and Independence streets.
Parking issues
Bill Carey asked the committee if parking meters would be placed along Wilkes Street. He felt that Wilkes Street should remain without meters.
Tina Byers felt some meters should be in place. She said that cars have been parked in the same place on the street up to nine months at a time before they were moved.
Leslie Hotaling said, if meters were placed on the street, some parking accommodations should be made for residents.
Frank Miles, who owns a business on Independence Street, explained that parking near Maria's Garden is not a simple issue. Miles said that by mutual agreement, businesses park there between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and apartment residents use the parking spaces at night.
In addition, Miles is concerned that businesses and residents might lose parking spaces if a sidewalk is planned there.
Streetscape coordinator Larry Lower said those decisions had not been made yet and a grant for a parking study had been applied for.
Committee member Bob Marggraf explained that a parking study would take into consideration all of the concerns mentioned by property owners and more.
Committee member Beth Curtin pointed out that the grant for a parking study may not come through until after phase 1 of the streetscape project had started.
Streetlights
Byers said she was a big fan of street lighting because of safety issues. She said that good lighting would discourage loitering and drug use.
But Byers said maintenance of streetlights has been a big problem on Wilkes Street. She said it took months and numerous calls to Allegheny Power and the Division of Highways (DOH) before one burned out streetlight was repaired. Then the other streetlight burned out within a week.
Committee member Diane Peterson said the committee was looking at LED (Light Emitting Diode) streetlights that require less maintenance.
Sidewalks and furnishings
Patti Miller asked if a sidewalk on one side of the street could be made wide enough for two wheel chairs or baby strollers to pass each other.
Lower said that a condition of the streetscape grant was to make sidewalks ADA (American Disabilities Act) compliant where possible.
Don't lose sight of the fact that Wilkes Street is a mixed use street with businesses, residences and a church, Byers said. She said she wouldn't want to see trash receptacles placed in front of residences.
Byers also noted that benches would encourage loitering and shouldn't be placed in residential areas.
There may not be much opportunity for street furniture and tree planting because Wilkes Street is so tight, Lower said.
If you have to do anything, make room for trees, Byers said.
My basic feeling is to pretty it (Wilkes Street) up a little and leave it the way it is, Carey said.
Coordination and timetable
Many property owners voiced concerns about coordination between the DOH and Streetscape.
Lower said DOH has scheduled Wilkes Street paving for this summer. Lower hopes streetscape construction can start in August, but that funding issues had to be dealt with first.
Wilkes Street is more complicated than we originally estimated. We have to figure out how to provide a street enhancement program in that area, Lower said.
Lower explained design firm Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson will deliver a plan for phase 1 that is 30% complete in three to four weeks, followed later by a preliminary final draft that is 60% complete and then the final plan.
At each stage, the Streetscape Committee will have an opportunity to change the design, Lower said.
A third public workshop is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, April 24, time and place to be announced later.
Town of Bath Streetscape Committee meets every second and third Tuesday at 5:15 p.m. in Town Hall. A group of six property owners on the portions of Wilkes, Congress and Independence streets affected by phase 1 of the Streetscape Project attended the Tuesday, March 25 Streetscape Committee meeting.
Owners voiced concerns about parking, parking meters, streetlights, sidewalks, project timetable and coordination, and effect on the residential community.
2008-04-02 Richard Gay briefs county Land Use Committee News Articles messenger David Abner Full HTML
A crowd of 30 people, including 14 members of the Morgan County Land Use Advisory Committee and 16 interested county residents, turned out to hear Berkeley Springs Attorney Richard Gay speak about West Virginia land use law.
The briefing took place Thursday evening, March 27 at the Cacapon State Park lodge.
Gay talked about limitations the state puts on county commissions. Unlike many states, county commissions in West Virginia can only act if the state legislature grants them the power to do so.
That means county commissions cannot create ordinances banning, for example, the use of all terrain vehicles (ATVs) on state roads or enacting a noise ordinance unless authorized by the state legislature – two ordinances that Morgan County was able to enact last year, after given authority by the legislature.
The county only has the authority given to it by the state legislature. For some reason, the legislature doesn't seem to want to give the counties much authority, Morgan County Commission President Glen Stotler said.
The legislature gives out authority on an as needed basis, State Delegate Daryl Cowles said.
West Virginia Code
The section of West Virginia code that deals with land use is Chapter 8A, Land Use Planning, which sets out requirements and guidelines for land use ordinances.
Gay said one requirement for land use is the requirement of certainty. There must be standards and conditions, parameters set up by engineers, permits, etc., that are reasonably definite.
When a subdivision builder meets all the standards and requirements, it is the responsibility of the planning commission to approve the subdivision, Gay said.
What that means is that a county commission cannot stop a subdivision from being built just because people don't like it or don't want it there.
If all the rules and standards set out by county, state and federal law are met by the builder, the commission must approve the subdivision.
Counties can enact a subdivision ordinance if they have first completed a comprehensive plan. A comprehensive plan is a guideline. Subdivision ordinances and zoning define how the land is to be used, Gay said.
Subdivisions should be environmentally sound, promote a high quality of life and economic and efficient use of public funds.
Responding to questions, Gay said that waivers and voluntary proffers cannot be granted by a county commission unless there are provisions for them written into a county land use ordinance.
Proffers vs. impact fees
Impact fees can only be imposed on builders if the county enacts a zoning ordinance. Impact fees may only be collected for specific needs caused by the development.
For example, Jefferson County has an impact fee of $13,000 for each new home being built. Most of that money goes to the school system for building new schools.
In order to enact the impact fee, the school system had to have a 10 year plan in place calling for new school construction.
Voluntary proffers are written offers to satisfy reasonable capital improvements agreed to by the developer, Gay said.
Examples of proffers might be an agreement by the developer to improve an intersection, build a fire access road or donate land for a buffer zone.
Proffers give you more flexibility than an impact fee, Gay said.
It's better to have proffers than impact fees because you get specific problems addressed, committee member Bob Ford said.
Gay said that land owners have a vested right to use their land. After preliminary plat approval is given, it can't be taken away by a change in ordinance.
You can't change the rules after the fact, Gay said.
The next meeting of the Morgan County Land Use Advisory Committee will be 6 p.m. April 2 at the Homestead Restaurant.
Guest Speaker and Law Professor Joyce McConnell of West Virginia University will continue the discussion on land use law.
A crowd of 30 people, including 14 members of the Morgan County Land Use Advisory Committee and 16 interested county residents, turned out to hear Berkeley Springs Attorney Richard Gay speak about West Virginia land use law.
2008-04-02 Spring food drive is now under way Local Events messenger Full HTML The 2008 LifeBridge AmeriCorps Spring Food drive is under way and will run through May 3.
Drop off points will be Starting Points, BB&T Bank on North Washington and City National Bank.
It is co-sponsored by AmeriCorps Vista and United Way of Central WV. All the donations collected will be distributed to the Meal Time Community Kitchen at Starting Points, 292 North Washington Street.
The kitchen is open Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. It is free to the public.
If any questions or concerns, call 258-5600. The 2008 LifeBridge AmeriCorps Spring Food drive is under way and will run through May 3.
Drop off points will be Starting Points, BB&T Bank on North Washington and City National Bank.
2008-04-02 Grace V. Mullen Obituaries messenger Full HTML
1921-2008
Grace Viola Mullen, 87, died Monday, March 24, 2008, at the Washington County Hospital.
Born March 14, 1921, in Clear Spring, Md., she was the daughter of the late Jacob Rush Wiley and Leona R.F. Oleary Wiley.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Donald R. Bo Mullen, in 2007.
She was a member of the Church of God of Lanes Run where she served as a deaconess.
She retired from the Washington County Board of Education in 1983 as a school bus assistant and was a home care provider.
She attended the Indian Springs School.
She is survived by three daughters, Patricia Everett and Paulette Seibert, both of Clear Spring, and Beverly Divelbiss, Hagerstown; three sons, Donald Mullen Jr., Mercersburg, Pa., Wayne Mullen, Martinsburg, W.Va. and James Mullen, Berkeley Springs; 15 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by four sisters, Lilly Itnyre, Margaret Suffecool, Catherine Hart and Dorothy Wiley; and one brother, William Wiley.
Services were held Friday, March 28, at the Church of God of Lanes Run, Clear Spring. Rev. Carl Harper, Rev. Richard Fox and Rev. Louie Charlebois officiated Burial was in the Blairs Valley Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Washington County, 747 Northern Ave., Hagerstown, MD 21740.
1921-2008
2008-04-02 Kathleen J. Kerns Grove Obituaries messenger Full HTML 1923-2008
Kathleen J. Kerns Grove, 84, of Martinsburg, W.Va., died Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Ranson, W.Va.
Born June 10, 1923 in Morgan County, she was the daughter of the late John W. Kerns and Grace P. Hawvermale Kerns.
She was a homemaker.
She was a member of the Otterbein United Methodist Church in Martins-burg, W.Va and formerly a member of Frances Asbury United Methodist Church, where she served as a member of the Women's Society of Christian Service (WSCS). She was a member of the Altar Guild, a Volunteer Pink Lady at the Morgan County War Memorial Hospital in Berkeley Springs.
She is survived by one daughter, June E. Hendricks and husband, Jeff, of Kearneysville, W.Va.; one sister Norma L. Ambrose of Martinsburg, W.Va.; one grandchild Tyler Lane Hendricks of Kearneysville, W.Va. and several nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Emerson N. Grove who died November 16, 2004; one sister, Doris Stillson and one brother, J. Andrew Kerns.
Funeral services were held Sunday, March 30
at the Hunter-Anderson Funeral Home in Berkeley Springs with the Rev. Susan Grove Hamilton officiating. Burial was at Friendship Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice. 1923-2008
Kathleen J. Kerns Grove, 84, of Martinsburg, W.Va., died Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Ranson, W.Va.
2008-04-02 Nancy L. Bernhard Obituaries messenger Full HTML
1939-2008
Nancy Lee Bernhard, 68, of Great Cacapon, died Thursday, March 27, 2008 at the Berkeley Springs Rehab & Nursing, Berkeley Springs.
Born September 2, 1939 in Berkeley Springs, she was the daughter of the late Lester Vernon and Mary Catlett Stotler.
She was a member of the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Great Cacapon.
She attended Berkeley Springs High School.
She was a homemaker most of her life.
She was a member of the Ladies of the Moose, Chapter #1311 in Berkeley Springs.
She liked gardening, fishing and camping.
She is survived by her husband, Jacob William Bernhard, at home; two sons, Ulysses John Everett, Jr., Berkeley Springs and Timothy Scott Everett, Hagerstown, Md.; one daughter, Deborah Elaine Rickett, Hagerstown; two stepdaughters, Glenda Kay Buxton, Purcellville, Va. and Brenda Lee Ford, Leesburg, Va.; six sisters, Emma Lea Everett and Phyllis Jean Clingerman, Great Cacapon, Judy Ann Miller, Berkeley Springs, Darla Dean Ward, Warfordsburg, Pa., Mary Ellen Pryor and Marguerite Louise Unger, both of Hancock; one brother, Lester Roy Stotler, Great Cacapon; five grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, two step-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by one son, Brian Lester Everett; one stepson, Jacob William Billy Bernhard, Jr. and her first husband, Ulysses John Everett, Sr.
Memorial services were held Saturday, March 29, at the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Great Cacapon, with Pastors Larry Tomlinson and Dave Duckworth officiating. Interment private.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Emmanuel Baptist Church, 777 Amberwood Lane, Great Cacapon, WV 25422.
Arrangements were by Helsley-Johnson Funeral Home Inc., Berkeley Springs.
1939-2008
2008-04-02 Michelle M. McCarty Obituaries messenger Full HTML
1967-2008
Michelle Morgan McCarty, 41, of Berkeley Springs, died Saturday, March 29, 2008 at Winchester Medical Center.
Born January 15, 1967 in Fairfax, Va., she was the daughter of Susan Laura Baker Morgan, Berkeley Springs, and the late Ronald Marshall Morgan.
She was a member of St. Thomas' Episcopal Church in Hancock.
She was a graduate of Oakton High School, Oakton, Va.
She had worked as a sales clerk at the Food Lion and ROCS Convenience Mart, both in Berkeley Springs.
She especially liked dogs.
In addition to her mother, she is survived by her husband of 20 years, Roger Kee McCarty, Jr., at home; two sisters, Sharon Lee Hottle, Woodbridge, Va. and Karen Sue Leonard, Stafford, Va.; five brothers, Ronald George Morgan, Alexandria, Va., Donald Reed Morgan, Berkeley Springs, Nonnie Marshall Morgan, Fairfax, Roland George Marshall, Alexandria, Va. and Otto Lee Morgan, Woodbridge, Va., and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, 2 E. High Street, Hancock, with the Rev. F. Allan Weatherholt, Jr. and the Rev. Steven L. McCarty officiating. Interment will be private.
Memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 1107 Kenilworth Drive, Suite 202, Baltimore, MD 21204.
Arrangements are being handled by the Helsley-Johnson Funeral Home, 95 Union Street, Berkeley Springs.
1967-2008
2008-04-02 Deana J. Bennett Obituaries messenger Full HTML
1967-2008
Deana Jo De De Bennett, 40, of Berkeley Springs, died Friday, March 28, 2008 in Longshop, Va.
Born June 9, 1967 in Baltimore, Md., she was the daughter of Lacy Ronald Bennett, Longshop, and Theda Huffman Shipe, Berkeley Springs.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by her husband, Scott Douglas Ledbetter, Berkeley Springs; one daughter, Shelby Rae Ledbetter, Berkeley Springs; one son, Scott Douglas Ledbetter, Jr., Berkeley Springs; one sister, Dana Marie Bennett, Berkeley Springs; two brothers, David Lowell Bennett, Longshop and Lacy Ronald Bennett, Jr., of Florida; one stepsister, Debra Hippler, Berkeley Springs; one stepbrother, Larry Shipe, Martinsburg; one niece; four nephews; one step-niece; one step-nephew and one great nephew.
She was preceded in death by one brother, Darrell Ray Bennett.
Graveside services were conducted Tuesday, April 1 at King Cemetery, Ramp, with the Rev. Ray Martin officiating.
The Helsley-Johnson Funeral Home, Berkeley Springs, handled the arrangements.
1967-2008
2008-04-02 Regina Mary Garvey Obituaries messenger Full HTML Regina M. Garvey
1924-2008
1924-2008
Regina Mary Garvey, 84, of Berkeley Springs, died Saturday, March 29, 2008 at her home.
Born February 5, 1924 in Hancock, she was the daughter of the late Bruce and Leona Miller Keefer and the widow of Richard E. Garvey.
She was formerly employed as a seamstress with Londontown Corp, formerly in Hancock.
She was a member of the Supreme Council of the House of Jacob Church in Hancock.
She is survived by one brother, Floyd Keefer, Hancock; four sisters, Deloris Zimmerman, Mercersburg Pa., Actress Goller, Winchester, Va., Janesta Clingerman, Great Cacapon, W.Va. and Kay Douglas; one granddaughter, Angela M. Beddow, Berkeley Springs; and one great-grandson.
She was preceded in death by one son, James G. Myers and one brother, Albert Keefer.
A service will be held today, Wednesday, April 2 at 11 a.m. at the Supreme Council of the House of Jacob Church. Bishop K. Paul Bowers and Advance Presiding Elder Mark Faith will officiate. Burial will be in the Rehobeth United Methodist Cemetery, near Hancock.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Panhandle, 2015 Boyd Orchard Rd, Martinsburg, WV 25401. Regina M. Garvey
1924-2008
2008-04-02 Elias J. Garcia Jr. Obituaries messenger Full HTML
1938-2008
Elias Joseph Garcia Jr., 70, of Berkeley Springs, died at his home Wednesday, March 26, 2008.
He was born in Detroit, Mich. February 12, 1938, son of the late Elias Joseph Garcia, Sr. and Josephine Mojica Garcia of Shadyside, Md.
He was retired as custodian for the Milan School District in Milan, Mich.
He was of Catholic faith.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.
Surviving are his wife, Cynthia Kinsey Garcia, Berkeley Springs; three daughters, Dawn Bennette, Mesa, Ariz., Jeanette Tanzer, Hendersonville, Tenn. and Christina Beam and Lisa Garcia, both of Berkeley Springs; two sons, Ronald Joseph Garcia, Paducah, Ky. and Sean Michael Garcia, Toledo, Ohio; four sisters, Theresa Garcia, Detriot, Mich., Liz Klavitter, Taylor, Mich., Julie Wilson, Shadyside, Md. and Cici Hilyer, Thorsby, Ala.; one brother, Ronald Salvador Garcia, Detroit; 12 grandchildren; one great granddaughter and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Tuesday, April 1, conducted by Ronald Garcia at Hunter-Anderson Funeral Home. Graveside services were conducted by Tri-State Honor Guard. Interment was at Greenway Cemetery.
Memorial contributions toward funeral expenses can be sent to C/O Hunter-Anderson Funeral Home, 36 S. Green St., Berkeley Springs, WV 25411.
1938-2008
2008-04-02 Ruth H. Horz Obituaries messenger Full HTML
1925-2008
Ruth Helen Horz, 83, formerly of Berkeley Springs, died Sunday, March 23, 2008 at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center in Bel Air, Md.
Born January 9, 1925 in Morgan County, she was the daughter of the late Charles Stanley and Ilena Mae Householder McBee.
She attended North Berkeley Elementary School and Berkeley Springs High School.
She was a homemaker.
She was a member of AARP, the Women of the Moose #1311 and the Webster B. Harrison American Legion Post Ladies Auxiliary Unit #26.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Maxwell Henry Horz, Sr.; one son, Maxwell H. Horz, Jr.; three sisters, Evelyn Barnes, Hazel Barnes and Viola Mae Rogers; three brothers, Charles Alvin McBee, Ralph Cameron McBee and Herbert Peyton McBee.
She is survived by four grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be conducted at 2 p.m., April 20 at the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church at Spohrs Crossroads in Berkeley Springs. Private interment will be in Spohrs Crossroads Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, Maryland Office, 800 Wyman Park Drive, Suite 110, Baltimore, MD 21211.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Helsley-Johnson Funeral Home, 95 Union St., Berkeley Springs.
1925-2008
2008-04-02 Keith A. Keeler Obituaries messenger Full HTML
1968-2008
Keith Allen Keeler, 39, of Springfield, and formerly of Berkeley Springs died at Mount Carmel Hospital, Columbus, Ohio on Tuesday, April 1, 2008.
He was born September 13, 1968 in Winchester, Va., son of Betty Jean Richmond Keeler, Berkeley Springs, and the late Charles Alfred Keeler.
He was a correctional officer at the Maryland Correctional Institute, Hagerstown, Md.
He is survived by his wife, Marsha Keeler of Tennessee; caregiver Candida Royer, Fort Ashby; grandmother Blanche Richmond, Berkeley Springs; two daughters, Kayla Keeler, Boonsboro, Md. and Linda Keeler of Tennessee; one son, Keith Allen Keeler, Jr. of Tennessee; one sister, Tammy Lynn Mattingly, Berkeley Springs; one brother, Matthew Keeler, Berkeley Springs and one nephew.
Friends will be received Friday, April 4 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Hunter-Anderson Funeral Home, 36 S. Green Street. Services will be Saturday, April 5 at the funeral home at 11 a.m. with Pastor Lisa Unger and Rev. Danny Hess officiating. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.
1968-2008
2008-04-02
