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Boos & Applause

Applause to Armstrong Flooring for donating 150 hams to Tygart Valley Ministries for distribution to local families. The food will go a long way in helping those less fortunate to have a merry and blessed Christmas.

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Applause to the Elkins Police Department for their continued progress in the local drug epidemic. Several more individuals were charged in connection to a drug bust on 11th Street during last week’s Christmas Parade. Each arrest and subsequent prosecution get the city that much closer to gaining the upper hand on this plague that has invaded not only our city, but cities and towns across the Mountain State. EPD deserves much praise for the significant progress that has been made in such an urgent issue.

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Applause to Addison Carr for her efforts in collecting items for the Randolph County Family Resource Network baby pantry. Carr celebrated her 8th birthday Tuesday, asked for items to be donated to the pantry instead of accepting gifts. Gestures like this not only show the true meaning of the holiday spirit this time of year, but also show that many of today’s children are growing up to be compassionate and giving adults.

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Applause to Governor-elect Jim Justice for selecting Randolph County Commission President Mike Taylor, Randolph County Development Authority Executive Director Robbie Morris, Upshur County Development Authority Executive Director Rob Hinton and local businessman and former state senator Mike Ross as part of his transition committees on policy. All four are among the best and brightest in our area, and all are in tune with the current climate in the Mountain State. Central West Virginia is lucky to call these men native sons, and we are even luckier they will be able to contribute their time and talent to make the state a better place to live and work.

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Applause and congratulations to Joyce Johns on her many years of service to Randolph County and her retirement, which was celebrated by Commissioners on Thursday. Johns began working in the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office in 1989, where she remained for 21 years before becoming a commissioner and serving in that role for six years. Johns lost a bid for re-election to Elkins Third Ward City Councilman Mark Scott earlier this year, but she has filed paperwork to run for Elkins City Council. Her years of public service are commendable, and her contributions to the betterment of Randolph County are many.

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Boos to those involved in the most recent bomb threat at Elkins High School. Those attending an Elkins High School basketball game Wednesday night were evacuated after the discovery of a threatening message found in a bathroom stall. There have been three previous threats, on Oct. 28, Nov. 2 and Nov. 17. These incidents not only disrupt the educational process, but they also put students, school faculty and law enforcement officials in danger. These needless threats must come to an end, and with any luck, officials will find the culprits so they can be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

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Applause to the Davis & Elkins College Student Assembly and other offices and organizations for their efforts in bringing joy and Christmas cheer to Valley Head Elementary School students this week. Administrators at Valley Head Elementary have worked with organizations in the community for several years to provide their students with something extra special during the holidays. This year, each of the 25 students at Valley Head Elementary School were asked to make a wish list that included three items they hoped to receive for Christmas. In addition to the three items, each child received a brand new winter coat from the groups from D&E who took part in the special surprise for the students. “It has been a humbling experience, to say the least, because a lot of our kids don’t get everything that they want, so we try to make sure that they do,” Valley Head Elementary Principal Melissa Wilfong said. The efforts made by all involved showcases the generosity of D&E students and the caring nature of our area educators.

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