Public Safety & Emergency Services

OEM/911 Director Paul Lewis reported the Lost City tower has almost all SIRN equipment installed, and should be finished this month.

He said the Helmick Rock tower was struck by lightning in June, which knocked out the circuit board to the generator and the County’s paging system particularly on the east side of the county. The generator is repaired, and technicians had the paging system repaired the same day.

Lewis reported agencies received the following number of calls:

WV Department of Natural Resources had 13 calls; the Hardy County Sheriff’s Office had 295; the Moorefield Police Department had 142, and the WV State Police had 60.

West Hardy EMS had 117 calls; HCEAA had 91; and Wardensville had 47.

Moorefield VFD had 36 calls; Capon Valley VFD had 14; and Mathias/Baker VFD had 12.

Lewis reported he’s not yet received information on 2025 grants, and that “most of that information” depends what happens with FEMA. Other grants depend on what the State receives, which depends on what they receive from the federal government.

He also said the county has not yet received funding from several approved grants, including the 2024 LEPC grant, for which all paperwork was mailed in December, “way before the closing deadline.”

Commissioner David Workman said a citizen talked to him about a pipe installed near the levee at the end of Welton Road that creates issues with drainage, and noted a lack of response from the town. Lewis said he would look into it.

Lewis also addressed recent severe weather reports, stating there is no evidence of a tornado touching down in the Old Fields area.

Roger Vacovsky, Operations Liaison for the Hardy County Emergency Ambulance Authority (HCEAA), provided a preliminary overview, noting the end of the fiscal year and the absence of finalized financial statements. HCEAA’s quarterly board meeting is set for July 9. Vacovsky acknowledged ongoing budgetary strain across EMS agencies and highlighted efforts to strengthen EMS staffing, especially in West Hardy, where crews have performed “spectacular work” despite resource limitations.

Bill Ours, Administrator of the Hardy County Health Department, announced the department has officially moved out of its previous location. He requested — and received — Commission approval to reappoint Nicole Keller to a five-year term. The Commission also approved a previously discussed $25 fee for fulfilling environmental records requests related to wells, due to the time-intensive nature of the work.

Ours also updated the Commission on discussions with Fresenius Medical Care regarding a potential dialysis center, noting positive feedback from a recent engineering assessment.

Ours ‘switched hats’ and praised the County’s support of the golf course and celebrated the recent opening of the Twisted Iron, a new full-service restaurant offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the clubhouse, and open to the public.

Sheriff Steve Dawson reported that the Hardy County Sheriff’s Office ended the fiscal year $40,000 under budget. He provided annual call statistics: HCSO responded to 3,279 calls, compared to 1,900 from Moorefield Police, 474 from WV State Police, and 161 from DNR.

He recognized and officially commended Deputy A. Vance for heroic actions in rescuing a victim from a burning vehicle and properly identifying hazardous materials at the scene to 911 dispatchers.

Continued & New Business

The Commission discussed replacing expiring AED batteries, with over 40 units across the county due for replacement between August and January. The Hardy County Training Center, operated through West Hardy EMS, requested $8,302 in assistance. Commissioners asked County Coordinator Wendy Branson about USDA grant assistance. She instead noted potential for Congressional direct funding, as the USDA grants that have purchased equipment for first response, including police cruisers, are no longer available.

Several board reappointments were approved:

Hardy County Rural Development Authority: Elwood Williams, Robert Williams and Greg Greenwalt were reappointed through June 2028, executive director Mallie Combs praised the board as “excellent.”

Hardy County Planning Commission: Reappointed Roger Saville and Robert Williams.

Hardy County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA): Daniel Aylor and Barry Conaty were reappointed for three-year terms.

Additional approvals included: a letter of support for the Community Education Group for grant application; and a contract renewal for the Assessor’s Office, funded by the Assessor Evaluation Fund.

Branson also updated the Commission on various county initiatives:

The pound took in 13 dogs, including a pregnant hound that gave birth to six puppies. PHAR accepted 10 of the animals. There are 14 dogs at the pound.

Surveillance cameras for the dog pound have been ordered and will be installed once interior work is complete.

A proclamation was approved in support of Hardy County’s continued participation in “Hardy County Goes Purple” for substance use awareness this September.

Branson enrolled in an advanced Grant Writing course through Marshall University from July 15 to September 12.

Additional Reports

Peggy Moomaw reported a $1,700 quote for a second television in the Commission chambers; no motion was required due to the minimal expenditure. She also noted rescheduling of the Public Information Officer (PIO) training, now set for August 5–7 in Hampshire County.

The Commission renewed a contract with Global Science & Technologies for tech support.

The Commission approved a state budget revision to carry over funds for Fiscal Year 2026.

The May regional jail bill was reported at $33,832.26.

Farmland Preservation reported $13,091.10 in transfer tax collections for June. Notably, all related transfer taxes will now stay within the county moving forward.

The next Farmland Preservation Board meeting is scheduled for July 10.

The Commission meets again for the next regular meeting on August 5 at 9 a.m. in their courthouse chambers. The public is encouraged to attend.

At present, both the Legislative Auditor and the State Auditor conduct rolling audits of each of the state’s more than 400 volunteer fire departments, albeit with the Legislative Auditor reviewing only state funds received by volunteer fire departments and the State Auditor reviewing each department’s entire finances.

“Senate Bill 500 will eliminate this unnecessary overlap,” said State Auditor Mark Hunt, “making the process more efficient and removing the burden of duplicative financial examinations by multiple state agencies.”

Although Senate Bill 500 consolidates the audits of volunteer fire departments with the Legislative Auditor, existing Code will remain unchanged as to the requirement that audits or financial examinations “shall be scheduled as to complete a review of each volunteer fire company at least once every five years.” Auditor Hunt credited Senator Laura Chapman (R-Ohio) for sponsoring the bill and bringing the issue before the Legislature.

“Under current law, which will remain unchanged, the scope of the audits will include all income of the volunteer fire departments, regardless of the source of funds, the assets, liabilities, and all expenditures of the departments,” said Senator Chapman. “Likewise, current law also provides that our volunteer fire departments may be audited more than once in a five-year period if there is reason to think that loss, mismanagement, misuse, or waste of funds is occurring.”

In those instances, Senate Bill 500 would require the Legislative Auditor—“upon discovering any concerning or suspicious financial transactions”—to report the matter to the State Auditor’s Office “to investigate and pursue correction or prosecution…of any misconduct, mismanagement, misuse, or waste.”

Senate Bill 500 now goes to the West Virginia House of Delegates for consideration and passage. The Legislature’s 60-day Regular Session concludes on April 12

Eco Valley Sandblasting has been working at the park to remove the old paint from the basketball backstops to get them ready to be painted. I expect to have a LWCF (Land, Water, Conservation Fund) project invoice number 4 ready to submit for reimbursement later this week. I followed up on invoice number 3 only to learn that LWCF staff could not find it. The documents were re-submitted.

The town has begun the budget process for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Ferrari & Associates have finalized our annual audit for 2023-24. Business hours have been adjusted for the public due to being short staffed. The office is open from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and by appointment. The answering machine is updated with the new hours. We received five applications for the administrative clerk position. A committee will review the applications.

Jason Smith removed 21 trees at the park and the large tree beside the cafeteria building. The Creative Art for Lifelong Learning Classes are underway. The basket weaving class is being offered in two locations (Wardensville & Moorefield). We are trying to reach more people.

Our three senior employees have left the Senior Employment Program. Two candidates no longer met the income requirement and the other has been timed out of the program. I would like Council to consider the employment program with Region-9. A candidate could be hired to work 30 hours a week. The program would cover the first $6,000 of payroll or the first six months of employment. I have signed up for a webinar on the Ameri Corp program to see if there are possibilities there for positions.

Presentation

The Youth Giving Committee from the Farmers Work Wonders (FWW) program addressed the council. FWW is a non-profit organization located in Wardensville that places an emphasis on gardening and outdoor activities while mentoring youth to become responsible adults with useful skills. Teen officers of the Youth Giving Committee provided information about program goals. The group works to keep Main Street clean and attractive. They have applied for a grant through the Make It Shine project with West Virginia REAP (Rehabilitation Environmental Action Plan). Several local businesses partner with them. On Saturday, April 19th the group will clean Main Street from 9 a.m. to noon. The Council gave their endorsement and agreed to help spread the word. More can be learned about the Youth Giving Committee by visiting https://farmsworkwonders.org/youth-giving-committee/ on the Internet.

Public Works Report

Erich Atkinson provided the latest news on the new water system project. Fire hydrants on Sassafras, Carpenter, and Mulberry Lanes have dead valves. While those are being replaced, the main water line will be shut off. After the work is completed, there will be a boil water advisory in place temporarily. All new service lines have been installed at Warden Acres including new meters and meter setters. Work on the water system has been completed at Stonecrest Village also. The water boy at town park which allows residents purchase to large amounts of water at a cost saving rate instead of using their own, is being re-installed by Barry and Associates. It will be shut down for three to four weeks while the new kiosk is put in place. Once it is available to the public, residents can use a keypad to buy water with a credit or debit card and enter the amount of water to be purchased.

Hardynet will install a new keypad at the Community Center. Fobs will be provided only to those who are approved to have access. The old key system used a code that was widely known and routinely used by many who were not authorized to enter the building. The surface of the basketball and tennis courts at the park are currently being sandblasted. Once work is finished, the public will be able to use the courts. Walking trails in the park will be closed until the new water system is installed in that area. Council members estimate that the trails will be accessible again in July at the earliest.

Consent Items

Minutes of the March Council meeting were unanimously approved.

Unfinished Business

Orndoff-Sayers presented Resolutions 2025-08 and 2025-09 for Council’s approval. The first concerns a drawdown of money from the town water revolving fund to provide a payment for the water project in the amount of $9,624. The latter is a drawdown of $259,000 to be paid to Snyder Engineering for the sewer project. A roll call vote resulted in unanimous approval for both resolutions. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has offered a grant for the purchase of a generator that will be used at various town owned buildings. The mayor an invoice from the supplier which will be submitted to FEMA as proof of costs. Two other generators will hopefully be purchased with funding from Congressional earmarks. Engineers with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Community Facilities Program will be in Wardensville on Thursday, March 13th to measure the old school cafeteria for renovation. This is a $1.3 million project with a 20 percent match from the town.

New Business

The Fitness Center Board has been dissolved. A new board will be reconfigured once work in the cafeteria and fitness center is complete, that will not be as specialized.

The council entered into an executive session at 7:36 p.m. to discuss personnel issues. Following that session, the meeting adjourned with the Council’s full consent. The next meeting of Town Council is scheduled for Monday, April 10, 2025, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Visitors Center

“We knew by consciously deciding this year to spend more time learning about issues and talking about potential solutions the natural result would be fewer bills brought to the House floor for a vote and I believe that’s a good thing,” said House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay. “I’ve been excited to shift the mindset and the narrative away from assuming the goal here is to pass as many bills as possible because often what is necessary to fix a problem in this state is not a new line of Code.”

Hanshaw gave as an example the issue of dilapidated buildings and structures, something every town throughout West Virginia struggles to manage. He said that with roughly 50 different proposals on how the state could or should address it, each looking only from a narrow perspective in a specific portion of the state, it would be a disservice to look with blinders at each individual bill one at a time.

“We have probably 50 different proposals on that, and it’s incumbent upon us as the Legislature to really examine how we want to deal with that issue as a state,” he said. “There are many other problems that truly are not ours to solve, but these are the types of decisions we should be making here as a body to solve what problems we can.

“I’m proud of our members for showing up to the 60-day session ready to listen and talk rather than just perform a rapid-fire sorting of bills that come from any number of sources.”

Hanshaw pointed out the House has passed 63 bills, including two that completed the legislative process this week after unanimous votes in the House of Delegates.

Senate Bill 138 would create enhanced criminal penalties for a person repeatedly convicted of fleeing an officer, and those repeat offenses would play into sentencing. Senate Bill 240 would update definitions included under the state’s criminal code as it relates to the extortion of sexual conduct and would criminalize the practice of threatening blackmail under the threat of disclosing private images without consent. Those two measures now go to the Executive for action.

The House Health and Human Resources Committee this week advanced several measures related to foster care. House Bill 2503 would revamp the foster care clothing allowance program by establishing what is considered an adequate wardrobe and approved necessities for children removed from their homes. It also would provide reloadable purchasing cards for more flexible purchasing online or at any store that accepts an electronic payment transaction. House Bill 2934 would require the Department of Human Services to prioritize housing applications, such as HUD or any government-assisted housing, for children who have turned 18 and transitioning from foster care. House Bill 2377 would update child welfare data reporting and create a Critical Incident Review Team to review both fatalities and near fatalities involving children in the child welfare system. It would allow the Foster Care Ombudsman to access relevant report and would require reports to be retained for at least one year.

The 60-day, regular legislative session ends at midnight April 12.

Regular Events: Crochet – Thursday’s at 1:00 pm Story Time – Wednesdays at 10:00, every 1st Saturday at 10:00 Book Club – 1st Saturday at 1:00 New fiction:

Ambush : a Sanctuary novel by Colleen Coble

Paradise Alden’s childhood in Nova Cambridge, Alabama, was idyllic until the night her parents were murdered. Since then, life has left her scarred. The abuse she suffered in the foster care system, her first love’s betrayal, and the jaguar attack that nearly destroyed her career have led to an unshakable distrust–in men, in God, and maybe even in herself. After fifteen years, returning to her hometown is a last resort to finding her life again. She’s hoping the wildlife refuge where she’s accepted a veterinarian job will be the perfect place to heal from her recent traumas and unlock her memories about the night her parents died.

A killing cold by Kate Alice Marshall

A woman invited to her wealthy fiance’s family retreat realizes they are hiding a terrible secret – and that she’s been there before.

Penitence : a novel by Kristin Koval

When their thirteen-year-old daughter Nora kills her terminally ill brother, Angie and David Sheehan struggle to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. They turn to small-town lawyer Martine Dumont for help, but Martine isn’t just legal counsel–she’s also the mother of Angie’s ill-fated first love Julian, a successful criminal defense attorney. Martine promptly draws him into the legal battle against an overreaching district attorney determined to try Nora as an adult. As the families grapple with the lasting strain of blame and the complexities of an often unfair criminal justice system, Julian and Angie must confront their own culpability in a long-ago accident and the guilt they still carry over how their prior life together in New York City ended.

The Jackal’s mistress : a novel by Chris Bohjalian

In this Civil War love story, inspired by a real-life friendship across enemy lines, the wife of a missing Confederate soldier discovers a wounded Yankee officer and must decide what she’s willing to risk for the life of a stranger. It’s an uneasy life in the Shenandoah Valley, the territory frequently changing hands, control swinging back and forth like a pendulum between North and South, and Libby awakens every morning expecting to see her land a battlefield. And then she finds a gravely injured Union officer left for dead in a neighbor’s house, the bones of his hand and leg shattered. Captain Jonathan Weybridge of the Vermont Brigade is her enemy-but he’s also a human being, and Libby must make a terrible decision: Does she leave him to die alone? Or does she risk treason and try to nurse him back to health? And if she succeeds, does she try to secretly bring him across Union lines, where she might negotiate a trade for news of her own husband?

The business trip by Jessie Garcia Stephanie and Jasmine have nothing and everything in common. The two women don’t know each other but are on the same plane. Stephanie is on a business trip and Jasmine is fleeing an abusive relationship. After a few days, they text their friends the same exact messages about the same man–the messages becoming stranger and more erratic. And then the two women vanish. The texts go silent, the red flags go up, and the panic sets in. When Stephanie and Jasmine are each declared missing and in danger, it begs the questions: Who is Trent McCarthy? What did he do to these women–or what did they do to him?

Far from home : a novel by Danielle Steel

Fleeing Paris after her husband’s execution for opposing Hitler, Arielle von Auspeck hides in Normandy, joins the Resistance and forges a bond with a grieving widower as they fight to reunite with their loved ones.

The crash by Freida McFadden

Tegan is eight months pregnant and desperately wants to put her crumbling life in the rearview mirror. So she hits the road, planning to stay with her brother until she can figure out her next move. But she doesn’t realize she’s heading straight into a blizzard. She never arrives at her destination. Stranded with a dead car and broken ankle, Tegan worries she’s made a terrible mistake. Then she is rescued by a couple who offers her a room in their warm cabin until the snow clears. But something isn’t right. Tegan believed she was waiting out the storm, but staying here may have been her most deadly mistake yet. And now she must do whatever it takes to save herself.

New Easy Readers:

Hard Hat Hank and the sky-high solution by Charlotte Gunnufson

Hard Hat Hank and his hardworking crew must rethink their plans when some birds build a nest on the construction site.

Bitsy Bat, team star by Kaz Windness

When Enzo, a nonspeaking Owl, joins Bitsy Bat’s class and might be a better flier than her, Bitsy learns the importance of being a teammate and friend.

Heartfelt by Elaine Vickers

A young child cuts out paper hearts and shares each heart along with acts of kindness or love to the people in the neighborhood.

Little echo by Al Rodin

Little Echo lives alone in a cave until, one day, a chance encounter encourages her to be brave and make a new friend.

Home by Matt de la Peña

An exploration of the various places, people, and feelings that create a sense of home and provide refuge in the face of instability.

Lawrence & Sophia : big & bold by Doreen Cronin

When Lawrence makes a new friend, Sophia feels left out until she discovers that she can be big and bold on her own.

The Hardy County Board of Education met on Monday March 3, 2025, at the central office. Present were Dixie Bean, President; Melvin Shook, Vice-president; board members Roy Harper (phone), Douglas Hines, and Janet Rose; Dr. Sheena VanMeter, Superintendent; Jennifer Strawderman, Assistant Superintendent; Shawn Cullers, Executive Secretary to the Superintendent; Jessica Markwood, Director of Instructional Technology and Programs; Josh See, Director of Transportation and Maintenance; Logan Moyers, President of the Moorefield Athletic Boosters Club.

The meeting opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Transportation and Maintenance Update

Josh See presented the county’s electric usage status. The biggest difference this school year is the decrease in kilowatts used. Some of this is attributed to LED lighting being installed late this summer. See pointed out that while actions have been taken to reduce usage, the one thing that cannot be controlled is the cost of rates. Currently, the charge of power for 3,600 square feet is $320 per month. The heating bill for East Hardy High School (EHHS) is higher because it is powered by electricity versus Moorefield High School which uses propane.

Another factor that affects the cost is whether certain buildings are grandfathered in under Potomac Edison policy. The company entered into a settlement that grandfathered in current net-metering customers for 25 years. This means that customers who signed up before a certain date can keep their current rates for 25 years. The settlement also applies to solar customers who sign up before the end of 2024. Rates for those not grandfathered in fall into the “peak hour” category. Generally, “on-peak hours” refers to the daytime hours between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Using high-energy appliances during this time would be considered “on-peak” usage and may result in a higher electricity bill compared to off-peak hours.

Window blinds have been installed at multiple schools following requests from teachers. See is expecting new locking mechanisms to arrive soon for the gymnasium doors at Moorefield Middle School.

Community and Technical Education (CTE) Report

Jessica Markwood reported the submission of two grant applications for agricultural initiatives. The Farm to School – Patrick Leahy Implementation Grant will help fund equipment for our high schools’ farm-to-table initiative, allowing agriculture students to grow fruits and vegetables and process pork products. Ms. Markwood requested $100,000. Grant awards should be announced by July 1, 2025. Most funding will replace the 20-plus-year-old refrigeration units in the CTE programs. In January, the refrigerator in the EHHS meat lab failed. Thanks to Andy Miller and M&M Trucking of Moorefield providing a refrigerated trailer on short notice, students were able to preserve and safely process EHHS bacons and hams for the Ham, Bacon, and Egg Show.

Ms. Markwood also submitted a proposal of $119,000 for a SAEF (State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula) grant with the United State Department of Labor. If funded, the grant will provide time tracking for apprentices, integrate a learn-in-place program, support a county apprentice coordinator, and enhance community outreach for the GYO (Grow Your Own) program. The latter is a teacher preparation strategy that trains new educators from within a community.

Ms. Markwood announced program achievements and upcoming events. Lacee Kesner, an agricultural teacher at EHHS, has received a National Board Certification and will be acknowledged at the State National Board Ceremony in Charleston on March 11. The MHS DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) won a gold medal for their School Based Enterprise. They remain the only business program in the state to meet the additional review process in retail operations to earn this distinction. Students are competing at the West Virgini DECA state competition this weekend March 8th to 10th. The Ham, Bacon, Egg Event takes place Friday, March 14th at the launch pad next to MHS. The CTE Awards Ceremony is May 14th in the MHS auditorium beginning at 6:00 p.m. Launchpad is now open each week on Wednesday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Hours can be seen on the fence signs and on the Launchpad Facebook page.

Ms. Markwood also informed the Board of Technology Program news. The Teacher Tech Team has been a tremendous asset this year. The objective of this new initiative is to improve communication and ensure that available technology aligns with the needs of educators. In addition to monitoring tech inventory and AUPs (Acceptable Use Policy) at the school level, team members have become valuable resources for their colleagues, providing key insights that have helped shape the five-year Tech Plan. A special thank you goes out to Kendra Weese, Robin Williams, Linda Wright, Jamin Hershberger, Stephanie Simmons, and Michelle Sites for their outstanding contributions.

Looking ahead, Ms. Markwood plans to apply for COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) and Homeland Security grants once federal grant windows are open. If granted, these funds will be utilized to upgrade the camera systems at Moorefield Elementary School, Moorefield Intermediate School, and other schools based on needs identified by the principals. Additionally, iPads for aides are being delivered, and substitute nurse computers have been distributed, ensuring continued access to technology to support staff with job duties.

Consent Items

The minutes from the February 17, 2025 meeting were approved as written.

Unfinished Business

Logan Moyers announced that the MHS Athletic Boosters secured funding from the office of former Governor Jim Justice in the amount of $100,000 to rubberize the track at MMS. This part of the project was funded by a 10-year interest-free loan from Pendleton Community Bank. Those funds may be used for other needs which Mr. Moyers listed among the following items.

– Installation of the track will result in a high edge of 8 to 10 inches. He recommends using crusher run fill to offset the shoulder drop.

– Improvement of the long-jump, discus and shot-put areas which were not part of the renovation plan.

– Forty-foot shipping containers will be used for storage.

– Locker room rooms and space for storage

He said that the current coach’s office could be turned into locker rooms. At present, that space does not have toilet facilities. So, the plan calls for the doors to the public restroom, which are adjacent to the coach’s office, to be removed, and the entrance sealed so that space can be used for locker room bathrooms. Contractors are available to start as soon as possible.

New Business

The Board unanimously approved the following items.

– Changes to the 2024-2025 School Calendar

– Proposed 2025-2026 School Calendar

– Mowing Bid for Each Campus

– Dual Credit Courses Update

Board Members/Superintendent Discussion

At the request of Chip Combs of WELD, a resolution for March as Music in Our Schools Month was passed. Funding in the amount of $5,000 from last year’s competition fund will be used to support the MHS robotic team’s trip to Houston to participate in the international finals. The second board meeting next month will be moved from April 15th to April 22nd.

Announcements

On March 17, 2025, a public calendar hearing will be held at East Hardy Elementary School at 4:30 p.m.

Mission Statements/Accomplishments

Dixie Bean recognized the DECA team for winning a gold medal in the School Based Enterprise competition. The board applauded MMS boys’ basketball team which won the Potomac Valley Conference championship for the third consecutive year. Also recognized were the eleven EHHS and MHS wrestlers who will compete in the state finals this month.

Having concluded all business matters, a motion to adjourn the meeting was duly made, seconded, and approved. The Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 17th, 2025, beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the East Hardy Elementary building at Baker.

The County Commission shall meet with all Elected Officials and Department Heads / Managers to review their Budget Request for the ensuing fiscal year.

The County Commission meeting will be open to all members of the public. A quorum of the County Commission is scheduled to meet and make decisions and take official action on matters scheduled on the meeting agenda.

The meetings are for the purpose of working on and setting the Levy Estimate Budget Document for the ensuing year in accordance with §11-8-9, §11-8-10 and §11-8-10a; and any other business which may be put on the agenda.

Any person desiring to address the County Commission should contact the County Clerk’s Office at the telephone number and/or address below.

Hardy County Clerk’s Office, Room 111, 204 Washington Street, Moorefield, WV 26836 or telephone number 304-530-0250 or facsimile number 304-530-0251.

Regular Events: Crochet – Thursday’s at 1:00 pm Story Time – Wednesdays at 10:00, every 1st Saturday at 10:00 Book Club – 1st Saturday at 1:00 New fiction:

The antidote by Karen Russell

On Black Sunday 1935, a historic dust storm ravages the town of Uz, Nebraska, entangling the fates of five characters.

Blood moon by Sandra Brown

Detective John Bowie is one misstep away from being fired from the Auclair Police Department in coastal Louisiana. Recently divorced and slightly heavy-handed with his liquor, Bowie does all that he can to cope with the actions taken (or not taken) during the investigation of Crissy Mellin, a teenage girl who disappeared more than three years prior. But now, Crisis Point, a long-running true crime television series, is soon to air an episode documenting the unsolved Mellin case. Bowie has been instructed by his unscrupulous boss to keep to his grievances and criticisms over the mishandling of the investigation to himself. Beth Collins, a senior producer on Crisis Point, knows what classifies as a great story and when there’s something more to be told. After working on the show for seven years, Collins is convinced that Crissy Mellin’s disappearance was not an isolated incident. A string of disappearances of teenage girls in nearby areas have only one thing in common: They took place on the night of a blood moon. In a last-ditch effort to find out the truth, Beth enlists Detective Bowie to help her figure out what happened to Crissy and find the true culprit before he acts on the next blood moon–in four days’ time. With their jobs and their lives at risk, Bowie and Collins band together to identify and capture a perpetrator, while fighting an irresistible spark between them that threatens to upend everything.

Battle Mountain : a Joe Pickett novel by C. J. Box

The campaign of destruction that Axel Soledad and Dallas Cates wreaked on Nate Romanowski and Joe Pickett left both men in tatters– especially Nate, who lost almost everything. Wondering if the civilized life left him vulnerable to attack, Nate dropped off the grid with his falcons in tow to prepare for vengeance. When Joe gets a call from the governor asking for help finding his son-in-law, who has gone missing in the Sierra Madre mountain range, he enlists the help of a local, a rookie game warden named Susan Kany. As Nate and fellow falconer Geronimo Jones circle closer to their prey, Joe and Susan follow the nearly cold trail to Warm Springs. Little do Nate and Joe know that their separate journeys are about to converge at Battle Mountain.

Pro bono by Thomas Perry

Los Angeles attorney Charles Warren is helping a young widow find her late husband’s missing money when he recognizes a con job that targeted his widowed mother years before, and he quickly becomes entangled in the web of fraud, betrayal, and criminals surrounding the theft.

Welcome to the Honey B&B by Melody Carlson

With a moody teenager in tow, Jewel Benedict returns to the family farm to help her aging parents. Turning the old farmhouse into a charming B&B seems like a fun solution to looming money problems, but juggling her dad’s dementia, an old flame, and the oh-so-helpful neighbors is not exactly what she had in mind when she uprooted her life.

Presumed guilty by Scott Turow

After Rusty Sabich’s heated acquittal in the trial for his life, he’s restlessly tried to accept his retirement and get his name out of the spotlight. Now, years later, he’s found himself living a quiet life in the town of Mirror with a house on the idyllic lake and a new love, Bea. But the peace that’s taken him so long to find comes crashing down when Bea’s adoptive son, Aaron, who’s under Rusty and Bea’s supervision while on probation for a possession conviction, goes missing.

New Non Fiction:

Sift : the elements of great baking by Nicola Lamb

Lamb begins with the foundational ingredients that underpin great bakes–flour, sugar, eggs, fat–before delving into the techniques that bring recipes to life: texture, color, how things rise, and a technical overview. 100 tested, tried, and true recipes follow and are organized by difficulty and time commitment, ranging from easy 30-minute cakes to spectacular showstoppers you can devote a weekend to.

Sweet farm! : cookies, cakes, salads, and other delights from my kitchen on a sugar beet farm by Molly Yeh

More than 100 recipes for sweet treats from Yeh’s cozy kitchen on a sugar beet (and wheat!) farm, to be shared in potlucks, set on the counter for family snacking, or scarfed down in one sitting.

New Easy Readers:

The baby who stayed awake forever by Sandra Salsbury

At bedtime, a family tries in vain to get their energetic baby to fall asleep.

Big bike, little bike by Kellie DuBay Gillis

Different animals approach the same simple bike, in a story that celebrates how circumstances can change perspective and how far one’s perspective–and one bike–can take someone.

Will the Pigeon graduate? by Mo Willems

The Pigeon had better graduate! He did the work! He paid attention to the little details! He overcame some BIG obstacles! The Pigeon’s got this… Or does he? Do YOU think The Pigeon will graduate?

That’s not funny, David! By David Shannon

David finds a lot of things funny that the people around him–including his mother–do not find at all amusing.

“I appreciate Secretary Lutnick wanting to improve the BEAD program after learning the Biden administration added many unnecessary mandates that led to delays in getting broadband deployed in West Virginia. It has been nearly three and a half years since BEAD was signed into law and it hasn’t connected a single person in my state,” Senator Capito said.

“West Virginia has jumped through every hoop to deploy the $1.2 billion in broadband funding, which is sure to be a game changer for our state’s connectivity goals. While I am all for improving the program, I do not want to see West Virginia wait longer than is necessary or have to redo their proposals and application. I will continue to push to get the more than 97,000 unserved locations and nearly 15,000 underserved locations across West Virginia connected through the BEAD program as quickly as possible.”

Paul Lewis told the Commission a contractor has the antennae and microwave for both the Helmick Rock and Lost City towers in a Charleston warehouse. The state must still install the Motorola equipment, and they had not yet scheduled a date.

Lewis said there’s still part of a bill outstanding but, “I don’t think I should pay it until the equipment’s been installed.”

Commission president Steven Schetrom asked about expectations for personal communications. Lewis said there will be no improvement until cellular equipment is installed, which happens based on cell companies’ construction schedule.

Schetrom told those present he’d been at the National Association of Counties meetings the previous day. He said representatives from a county in Florida spoke about reactions to Hurricane Ian and preparedness beforehand, including have contracts already in place to expedite recovery.

“We can’t not have FEMA,” Schetrom said. “We can’t have 50 separate agencies. We need improvements.”

FEMA is usually able to distribute money after a disaster well before states can pay.

Lewis reported the 911 Center dispatched 536 calls in February.

The Hardy County Sheriff’s Office had 237 calls; Moorefield Police Department had 131 calls; the W.Va. State Police had 21 calls; and W.Va. Department of Natural Resources had eight.

West Hardy EMS had 100 calls; Hardy County Emergency Ambulance Authority (HCEAA) had 68; and Wardensville Rescue Squad had 26.

The Moorefield Volunteer Fire Department had 29 calls; Mathias/Baker had 18 calls; and Capon Valley VFD in Wardensville had 16.

The Center dispatched 24 calls to the Department of Highways in January.

Lewis reported he’s not received 2025 grant information. He said most of it will depend on what happens with FEMA, and what the Governor does with the Office of Emergency Management.

HCEAA director Derek Alt said total February expenses were $106,786.06; total revenue was $198,277.37.

All vehicles and county equipment are in service.

Commission members unanimously approved HCEAA’s April budget drawdown of $60,000.

Alt reported that February was the first month, “in about nine months, that we didn’t have to come in for additional funds.”

Alt said HCEAA is starting to see income from Wardensville Rescue Squad.

The Commission recognized Roger Vacovsky, who was present, as the newest member of the HCEAA board of directors, and operations liaison (unpaid).

“(Vacovsky is) a huge asset to that Board, and that organization,” Schetrom said.

Bill Ours, administrator for the Hardy County Health Department, advised the Commission not to get too “excited” about vaccination legislation coming out of the West Virginia Senate: “We don’t anticipate the House will accept it.”

Ours said he’s contacted the State for information about measles vaccines, as his office has been fielding citizens’ calls.

“I would like public schools to require vaccinations,” Ours said. “There’s a reason we haven’t seen polio. There’s a reason we haven’t lost lives to some of these diseases in the last 40-50 years.”

“I talked to you guys about disaster preparedness,” Ours said. “Disaster preparedness is changing. They used to want you to take care of yourself for three days. Now it’s three weeks, before you can get expect help.”

Ours added that more information is forthcoming following a meeting with State officials.

He also told the Commission he’s nearing a 10-year contract to open another dialysis center operated by Fresenius.

Ron Miller, George Leatherman and Don Whetzel, District Operations Manager for the Potomac Valley Conservation District, presented information to the Commission and reminded them of their monthly meetings.

They requested flood control dams maintenance funds, asking for $10,000, which the Commission unanimously granted.

Whetzel noted that water from the dams was used to fight fires in March 2024, and to help farmers with water during severe drought conditions. About half of the States’ dams are in Hardy, Grant, Pendleton and Mineral Counties.

Most of the dams are between 70 and 80 years old, and federal funding is currently on hold pending outcomes of cost cutting.

Their next meeting is Tuesday, April 8 at 7 p.m. at the Farm Credit Union in Moorefield.

The Commissioners approved a request from the American Red Cross to designate March as Red Cross Month.

They voted to accept an engagement letter from lawyer Robert Ryan. He will provide general advice and counsel to the Commission as need arises, and will bill the County $275 per hour.

“I see this as a public service,” Ryan said, noting he bills $475 per hour working in a known law firm.

The Commission signed a proclamation that March is Music in Our Schools Month.

Several discussions on the agenda were tabled pending more information on the budget, and how much money the County will receive. Budget meetings are scheduled in the coming weeks.

The Commission’s next meeting is Tuesday, March 18 at 5 p.m. in their chambers. The public is encouraged to attend.