Breaking News
Life

2023 Year in Review

34 min read

The following are The Inter-Mountain's top 10 local news stories of 2023:

No. 1

Alderson Broaddus University files for bankruptcy

Sept. 1, 2023

By Brad Johnson

Executive Editor

PHILIPPI -- Alderson Broaddus University filed for bankruptcy Thursday in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of West Virginia.

"This action was taken one month after the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission directed AB to offer only limited classes to approximately 20 students during the fall semester," an AB press statement released Thursday evening said. "The inability of AB to receive anticipated normal tuition revenue for the fall semester precluded AB's continued operation. 

"Although AB anticipates receiving an Employee Retention Credit payment from the Internal Revenue Service in an amount in excess of $1,000,000, those funds were not received in time to permit ongoing operation of AB. The AB Board of Trustees released a statement today notifying members of the campus community of their decision."

"In the last month, AB arranged for all students who were enrolled for the fall semester to continue their education at other institutions of higher education," Thursday evening's AB press release states. "Student academic and financial records have been transferred to West Virginia Wesleyan College which will make transcripts and other information available to former AB students. 

"In addition, all employees have been encouraged to seek unemployment insurance benefits. The affairs of AB will now be handled by the trustee who will be appointed by the Bankruptcy Court to oversee the collection and liquidation of AB's assets and the payment of appropriate claims made by creditors."

"The AB Board is grateful to the students, employees, alumni and donors who have embodied the Christian spirit of the University, and through them, the legacy of AB will live on," said AB Board Chair James Garvin. 

In August, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission voted to revoke Alderson Broaddus' authorization to confer degrees in the state.

The order prevents Alderson Broaddus from conferring any degrees after Dec. 31, and the university is prohibited from enrolling any more students.

Later that week, the Higher Learning Commission announced that "Alderson Broaddus University in Philippi, West Virginia, voluntarily resigned its accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission, effective Dec.31, 2023, due to its upcoming closure."

Later in August, two class action complaints were filed against Alderson Broaddus University, on behalf of students and faculty at the school.

The complaints were filed Aug. 8 in Kanawha County Circuit Court in Charleston. The defendants in both complaints are listed as Alderson Broaddus University and James Garvin, chair of the AB Board of Trustees and Governors.

The two class action complaints include claims of fraud, misrepresentation and breach of contract.

No. 2

Hundreds attend Capitol tree event

Nov. 6, 2023

By Brad Johnson

Executive Editor

ELKINS -- Hundreds of people turned out to take part in a joyous community celebration Saturday evening, as the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree visited downtown Elkins on its way to Washington, D.C.

The 63-foot Norway Spruce was harvested in the Monongahela National Forest in Randolph County Wednesday, and arrived in Elkins on a lengthy tractor-trailer Saturday, accompanied by a mini-parade running from the Jennings Randolph Federal Building to the Elkins Depot.

"I want to thank this community for coming together and embracing this opportunity," Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco said during the celebration. "What a tremendous opportunity for us to give a piece of our state to go on national display. 

"We know how great our state is. We live in the best country, the best state, the best and biggest county and, in my mind, the best city. All that's going to be on display in our nation's capitol, so we're very excited."

The tree will make several more stops this week during a tour of West Virginia before heading to D.C., where it will be displayed on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol during the holiday season.

"I want to thank this community for coming together and embracing this opportunity," Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco said during the celebration. "What a tremendous opportunity for us to give a piece of our state to go on national display. 

"We know how great our state is. We live in the best country, the best state, the best and biggest county and, in my mind, the best city. All that's going to be on display in our nation's capitol, so we're very excited."

The tree will make several more stops this week during a tour of West Virginia before heading to D.C., where it will be displayed on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol during the holiday season.

Brian Aluise of Sen. Joe Manchin's office introduced the person he called "the man of the hour"Saturday evening, Beverly Elementary fourth-grader Ethan Reese. 

"Sen. Manchin's office held a state-wide essay contest for fourth-graders to enter into a chance to light the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree this year in Washington," Aluise said. "I was thinking maybe we'd get 30, 40. We got 423. And every single one was special, but one in particular stood out the most."

Ethan Reese then read his winning essay, which noted that his great-great-grandfather, Arthur Wood, in 1931 became one of the first superintendents of the Monongahela National Forest.

After Reese read his essay, Randolph County Development Authority Executive Director Robbie Morris, who served as the emcee of the event Saturday night, said, "Ethan, take in this moment, and know that all of Randolph County is proud of you, and we can't wait to watch you light the Christmas tree in our nation's capitol."

Forest Supervisor Shawn Cochran of the Monongahela National Forest also spoke during the event, saying, "This year marks the third time the tree has come from West Virginia. It's an honor to be chosen to provide the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, but it's also a huge effort, and it takes a lot of people to make a project like this happen."

Cochran pointed out that the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree has been named "wa'feem'tekwi" by the Shawnee Tribe. The name means "bright tree" in the Shawnee language and is pronounced phonetically "wa thame tech we."

Shawnee Tribe representative Erin Paden, tribal historic preservation specialist with the Shawnee Tribal Government, also addressed the crowd.

"I'm so grateful to be here in Elkins, West Virginia," she said. "This past September, the Shawnee Tribe hosted a workshop for Shawnee citizens to make ornaments for the tree, and other Shawnee citizens from across the U.S. made ornaments to mail in."

Jack Tribble, the district ranger for the Greenbrier Ranger District of the Monongahela National Forest, the area where the tree was harvested, told the crowd, "It's just wonderful to see everyone come together like this. It's just been a great experience. Our Forest Service timber crew spent two-and-a-half to three days packaging up this tree."

Also speaking Saturday night were representatives for Gov. Jim Justice, Congressman Alex Mooney and Congresswoman Carol Miller, and also Mark Bowe, the host of Magnolia Network's "Barnwood Builders" television series.

The kickoff event was put together by the "Elfkins" Planning Team, including Marco and his staff, the Randolph County Development Authority, Elkins-Randolph Chamber, Elkins Main Street, Elkins Depot Welcome Center, Old Brick Playhouse, Citizens Promoting Community, and Our Town Inc.

No. 3

State investigates Upshur BOE fiscal allegations

June 16, 2023

By Joselyn King

For The Inter-Mountain

WHEELING -- West Virginia Board of Education member Dr. Jim Wilson believes if past financial safeguards for overseeing the spending of local school districts were still in place, current allegations of misspending in Upshur County Schools might have been caught earlier.

Upshur County Schools is now under investigation by the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia for allegedly spending some of the $16 million it received in federal COVID relief dollars on such things as school conferences, staff retreats, food and beverages and improper payments to staff members.

The Upshur County superintendent at the time was Sara Lewis-Stankus, who Roach hired as his deputy superintendent and served in that role until her resignation in May. 

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of West Virginia released a statement Thursday confirming it "is leading the investigation regarding Upshur County Schools and alleged misuse of funds."

"No further information will be released at this time to protect the integrity of the investigation," the statement continued.

The situation led to State Schools Superintendent David Roach being grilled by the state school board Wednesday over the handling of the matter. It was announced late Wednesday that the board would hold a special meeting June 23 to vote on accepting Roach's retirement, effective June 30. 

Wilson said there previously was an Office of Performance Audits within state government whose employees traveled to school districts to make surprise visits and audits of their accounts.

"But that was done away with," Wilson said. "The Legislature wanted more local control for counties. If it were still in place, they might have caught it (any misspending) sooner."

A special circumstances review of Upshur County Schools spending was triggered by a routine Local Education Agency (LEA) monitoring review that began in December 2022 and resulted in a report in February. The monitoring visit looked at county spending specifically relating to Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds provided to counties through federal COVID-19 appropriations.

Upshur County Schools received more than $16 million through three different ESSER fundings.

Wilson believes Upshur County officials "were working on it" to rectify issues regarding the improper spending of federal dollars, but did so while trying to hide the situation.

The school district has 60 days in which to respond to accusations, according to Wilson.

"You just hate to see a county get in that situation where they (allegedly) misuse federal funds, then (allegedly) try to cover it up," he said.

"If they would have just come out and said they misused funds, maybe they would have had to just pay back the money. Now it could be a real problem for them."

Roach was named state superintendent in August 2022 after serving as executive director of the West Virginia School Building Authority. Shortly after, he hired Lewis-Stankus as his deputy superintendent.

Lewis-Stankus had served five years as superintendent of Upshur County Schools prior to her move late last year to become deputy superintendent last year. She departed the State Department of Education in May.

Wilson acknowledged Roach's reputation came into question when it was discovered his second in command may have been involved with the alleged misspending of COVID relief funds, and that this led to his announcing his retirement.

The West Virginia Department of Education has had multiple departures in superintendents over the last decade.

"Some (of the departures) were voluntary, some weren't," Wilson said. "This one was semi-voluntary. When he (Roach) heard what was going down, he decided it would be best to retire.

"It is a shame as he was an excellent educator. I hate to see him get tarnished with something like that."

Wilson credited Roach with turning around the SBA while he was there.

"He was also in the process of redoing our English and math programs in the state, and he has done an excellent job with that," Wilson said. "He has a long history in West Virginia of being a very good administrator.

"He just fell short of what was going on in Upshur County, and it was one of those things you just can't let go by."

For now, Assistant West Virginia Schools Superintendent Michelle Blatt has been sent to Upshur County to oversee operations there until a new superintendent is hired.

"The situation there is under control now," Wilson said.

Wilson noted it was necessary for the State Board of Education to turn over the investigation to the U.S. Attorney's Office as the matter involved the misspending of federal funds.

The Office of the Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Education and the West Virginia State Police have been notified and will handle any investigations needed at the local level, Wilson said.

"We don't have investigatory powers, so we have to turn it over to the U.S. Attorney's Office," Wilson explained. "We were very disappointed that this happened. If we would have had that audit group still functioning, they would have caught this and it would not have been as much of a problem.

"Now I fear it will be a real mess," he said.

No. 4

Manchin announces federal designation for Elkins

July 6, 2023

By Taylor McKinnie

Staff Writer

ELKINS -- Senator Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., announced the designation of Randolph County as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) on Wednesday, a move that will deploy additional federal resources to the county and help support the coordination and development of drug control efforts among federal, state and local law enforcement officials.

Manchin held a press conference at the Jennings Randolph Federal Building to announce the official designation. He was joined by Dr. Rahul Gupta, the director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, and William Ihlenfeld, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia.

"We are going to be able to address the epidemic in a much more forceful and informed way with the resources that comes with being a HIDTA designation," Manchin said. "This state has the highest cases per capita of any state in overdoses and loss of lives, and what it does to families is something we can't fix unless we stop this scourge."

Manchin spoke about China and Mexico's part in fentanyl-laced drugs coming into the U.S. and how we now live in a world where "one pill can kill."

"We're losing more Americans than in any war that we've ever fought to drugs that we haven't declared a war on, and we're gonna have to," said Manchin.

The senator also spoke on his efforts to fight the drug epidemic on the federal level, from negotiating for federal funding against drugs and fighting the pharmaceutical companies, to writing a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken asking the Department of State to hold China and Mexico accountable.

"This is a great opportunity for West Virginia," Manchin said. "To continue to wage this war that we have going on right now and be able to defeat it. We can't do it without the investment from the federal level and local level. That's what the HIDTA designation will do and raise it to another level."

Gupta also stressed how helpful HIDTA will be for the area.

"HIDTA is the best return of investment in U.S. taxpayer dollars. And it's working right here," said Gupta. "Just last year more that 26,000 pounds of fentanyl was seized. It couldn't have been done without HIDTA."

Gupta, who formerly served at the helm of the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health, also said that HIDTA in Randolph County will begin to work right away.

"It's a great, great day for folks right here in Randolph County," said Gupta. "Working together we are going to make these goals a reality and stop the drug trafficking that happens and beat the opioid epidemic, as President Biden has called for to work in a bipartisan way."

Randolph County Sheriff Robert Elbon Jr. also spoke at the press conference, saying Randolph County had tried to receive the HIDTA designation before he was sheriff, and that since he took office he tried twice before but the efforts were unsuccessful. Elbon said he then asked Ihlenfeld for advice.

"Mr. Ihlenfeld took interest in our work and our effort, and he offered any assistance needed to work on the application, and assisted us greatly. During that process, we shared data and information. During that time, he contacted Sen. Manchin, and his office contacted us and offered to help in any way possible with the grant process," Elbon said. 

Members of the Mountain Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force attended Wednesday's ceremony, as did Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco, Elkins Police Chief Travis Bennett and Randolph County Prosecuting Attorney Michael Parker.

Officials said the designation will result in the federal Drug Enforcement Agency placing a full-time DEA agent in Randolph County, and in the county having a federal prosecuting attorney in Elkins.

The HIDTA program was created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 and provides assistance to federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States, including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia. There are currently 33 HIDTAs.

Randolph County will be joining the Appalachian HIDTA, which consists of counties in Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Now a total of 24 counties in West Virginia have been designated as part of the Appalachian HIDTA, including Berkeley, Boone, Brooke, Cabell, Fayette, Hancock, Harrison, Jefferson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Marshall, McDowell, Mercer, Mineral, Mingo, Monongalia, Ohio, Putnam, Raleigh, Wayne, Wood and Wyoming.

HIDTAs are directed and guided by Executive Boards at the local level. The boards are composed of an equal number of regional federal and non-federal (state, local, and tribal) law enforcement leaders. There are 24 members of the Appalachian HIDTA Executive Board, five of which are from West Virginia.According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) website, for an area to be considered as a HIDTA it is required that:

-- The area must be a significant center of illegal drug production, manufacturing, importation, or distribution.

-- State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies have committed resources to respond to the drug trafficking problem in the area, thereby indicating a determination to respond aggressively to the problem.

-- Drug-related activities in the area are having a significant harmful impact in the area and in other areas of the country

A significant increase in allocation of federal resources is necessary to respond adequately to drug related activities in the area.

To learn more, visit dea.gov, hidtaprogram.org, and ahidta.org.

No. 5

DHS celebrates joining Vandalia health system

Dec. 5, 2023

By Edgar Kelley

Staff Writer

ELKINS -- Officials and employees alike celebrated "Vandalia Day" Monday as the agreement has been finalized for Davis Health System to join CAMC Health System and Mon Health System as part of Vandalia Health.

A Vandalia Day Celebration was hosted by each Davis Health System hospital on Monday. The first of the three events took place at the Davis Medical Center MarketPlace, as DHS staff, community members and local stakeholders came together to kick off the celebration, along with West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner.

"We are very pleased to bring our health systems together and bring better care to communities across the state," DHS President and CEO Vance Jackson said during Monday's celebration. "Rural, underserved communities will gain access to the best providers and medical care available as we leverage the strengths of this integrated health system."

The combined health system is the second largest not-for-profit integrated health system in West Virginia. It includes more than 180 outpatient care locations, more than 70 specialties, and employs nearly 13,000 staff and providers.

"Davis Health is the newest member of Vandalia Health, and we look forward to building on our collective strengths to improve local healthcare," David Ramsey, Vandalia Health President and CEO, said Monday. "Each member of Vandalia Health shares a commitment to the well-being of our communities and the health care we can provide."

Davis Health System includes Davis Medical Center in Elkins, Broaddus Hospital in Philippi, and Webster Memorial Hospital in Webster Springs. The health system also includes a cancer center, specialty care clinics, long-term care, and other complimentary affiliates. 

As part of Vandalia North, Davis Health System will be closely aligned with Mon Health System.

"We're already expanding our nationally recognized Mon Health cardiology services with Davis Medical Center in Elkins," said David Goldberg, Mon Health System President & CEO and Executive Vice President of Vandalia Health. "This represents just one service line where enhanced access will benefit the local community. We are excited for the opportunities the merger creates to enhance care and make it more affordable and accessible to the local communities in which we serve."

Vandalia Day celebrations also took place at Broaddus Hospital and Webster Memorial Hospital Monday afternoon.

On May 31, officials announced that Davis Health System planned to join Vandalia Health, although the DHS brand would stay intact.

DHS employs nearly 1,000 healthcare professionals, according to the system's LinkedIn page.

Mon Health System and Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) Health System merged in September of 2022 to form Vandalia Health.

No. 6

WAMSB opens in Buckhannon

July 21, 2023

By Brad Johnson

Executive Editor

BUCKHANNON -The World Association of Marching Show Bands world championship kicked off with a two-hour-plus opening ceremony Wednesday night, which included performances from 20 international bands.

At the beginning of the ceremony, which took place at West Virginia Wesleyan College's Ross Field, a gentleman from Honduras stepped up to the podium set up on the football field and took the microphone. 

"As a tribute to the city of Buckhannon, West Virginia, as the site of the World Association of Marching Show Bands, we present to you, ladies and gentlemen, the Bethel Marching Band from Honduras, interpreting 'Take Me Home, Country Roads,'" he said.

The Bethel Marching Band then marched into the stadium playing the song so close to West Virginians' hearts, and the crowd roared its approval.

Buckhannon Mayor Robbie Skinner officially welcomed all the bands and visitors to the city.

"Welcome to Buckhannon and welcome to West Virginia. Is it ever an honor to welcome everyone to the country that we love, the United States of America. Isn't this awesome?" Skinner said.

"We are so fortunate to be here and to live here and to host this event. We're also very thankful and we're very, very blessed to have the neighbors that we do."

The mayor mentioned that the instruments belonging to one of the bands that flew to America for the competition had not yet arrived in the U.S. 

"You may have seen, earlier today on social media, a group from Poland, their instruments didn't arrive," Skinner said. "We thank the members of the Grafton High School band and the Philip Barbour band for coming to the rescue. 

"We have fantastic neighbors, and as West Virginians, we know our spirit, we always lend a helping hand to our neighbor."

Skinner also recognized Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco in the audience, asking him to stand, and thanking him "for all of your hospitality. We have bands staying in Elkins ... thank you to Weston and Lewis County, and Harrison County as well. We couldn't put forth this event without our neighbors."

Skinner also introduced country music star Lee Greenwood, who closed the event by singing his classic tune, "God Bless the U.S.A."

WAMSB 2023 Buckhannon Host Committee President Randy Sanders stood at the podium during the event to introduce many of the bands to the crowd, while some of the international bands were introduced by one of their own members or officials.

Several of the musicians noted that this was their first time coming to the United States.

Events will continue today, with the official WAMSB field parade competition at 4 p.m., followed by the drumline competition at 7:30 p.m.

The event's Parade of Nations will begin at noon Saturday. The WAMSB final field competition will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, with the official closing ceremonies at 7 p.m. Sunday.

No. 7

Randolph official rails against TIF

July 7, 2023

By Edgar Kelley

Staff Writer

ELKINS -- Randolph County Assessor Phyllis Yokum provided an update to the County Commission regarding the City of Elkins' Tax Increment Financing (TIF) project on Thursday.

Yokum spoke during the reports portion of the commission's regular meeting and addressed President David Kesling and Commissioner Cris Siler at the James F. Cain Courthouse Annex.

"This morning I sent a letter to (Elkins City Clerk) Sutton Stokes and to the County Commission concerning the TIF," Yokum said. "Back when it was first proposed, I gave the city a preliminary face value because they had to have that for their application.

"Since their application has been approved, I've spent some time researching TIFs in other counties, because I had never done a TIF before for tax purposes. I also tried to find out some different information and make sure that the face values I provided were correct."

Yokum said she attached some reports to what she had sent to the city and provided the commissioners with the same information. The reports included the final face values for real estate and personal property for 2023, which is what the TIF is based upon.

"The face value for the Class 2 real estate is $6,409,909, the based assessed value for Class 4 real estate is $45,832,570, and the base value for personal property, which is all Class 4, is $25,266,206,"said Yokum. "These are the values I will use in figuring the increase in assessment every year when I do this certification."

When Kesling, who has spoken out repeatedly against the city's TIF program, asked Yokum if that was the rate that will be frozen for the county for the next 30 years, she replied yes.

"So next year when we do the assessed value on the TIF district, which is basically almost all the businesses in Elkins, and say it goes up to $60 million dollars from the $52 million this tear, the taxes that would come off that additional $8 million will now all go to the city," said Kesling. "And it will be like that for the next 30 years."

"It's money that will be taken away from the county, that we could have used for projects for the next 30 years," he said. "And this county commission had no say in what they did. It would be like us going down there (City Hall) and saying we want 5% of your 1% sales tax - just give it to us. They would be mad about it, too."

Kesling said when he attends the state's county commissioners conference in August, he plans on addressing the TIF issues in the state, and, hopefully, some changes will be made.

"This will be a topic I will push as a County Commissioners Association project for next year," he said. "It was changed at one point and the county commissioners used to have a say in it. But these lobbyists went and lobbied the Legislature to change the rule and make it easier for cities to do this. This commissioner will fight at our session in August to push for a change in this legislation, because it is wrong. Anyway you look at it, it's county money and it should go to the county."

Siler reiterated that the TIF project will diminish the county's plans.

"This money affects how much we can help people out," he said. "This TIF kind of cripples us on what we can and can't do."

In January, Elkins City Council voted to submit an application to the state to issue bonds in order to fund projects through TIF. The TIF application was approved by the state on April 7.

Prior to the approval, the Randolph County Commission announced that it would ask the Department of Economic Development to decline the city's TIF application and sent out an opposition letter to the organization.

No. 8

CORRIDOR H DEVELOPMENTS

Ground Broken

June 10, 2023

By Anthony Gaynor

Staff Writer

HAMBLETON -- Gov. Jim Justice joined other officials at a groundbreaking ceremony for a nearly $50 million section of Corridor H in Tucker County Friday.

Justice, joined by his K-9 companion Babydog, told the crowd that Corridor H is vital for the Mountain State.

"I have said it over and over and over, Corridor H is the most important of them all," Justice said. "Some way, somehow, we are going to be under contract to have Corridor H done, before I leave office. We're going to finish this road."

Justice thanked all those who have worked on the project from helping garner funding to construction, including Senators Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va. and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., who both had representatives present at the groundbreaking.

"It is the absolute most important to drive growth, to drive business opportunity, to drive jobs, drive all kinds of tourism, drive everything right here in our lap," Justice said. "It is really that important."

Robbie Morris, director of both the Corridor H Authority and the Randolph County Development Authority, spoke about the importance of finishing the highway.

"Welcome to a great day for Corridor H," Morris said. "It is an honor to be here today as we break ground on section three of the Kerens to Parsons section of Corridor H.

"For decades, citizens of West Virginia have waited for this long-overdue project to be completed. Today, we celebrate another milestone in this journey to complete Corridor H. For a project of this magnitude to become reality, it takes a diverse team of individuals and organizations to make it happen."

Morris noted that while it requires significant financial resources from the federal government, the priority to complete this highway must be set at the state level.

"From day one, Gov. Justice has said that Corridor H is the number one highway construction project priority in the state," Morris said. "Throughout his time in office, he has held true to that promise. There are states sitting on hundreds of millions of dollars for the Appalachian Development Highway System because they are interested in completing their ADHS corridors."

Morris said Justice working with his team at the Division of Highways has applied for and used every federal dollar possible to put toward Corridor H.

"Through the governor's Roads to Prosperity program the state has thrown in significant dollars towards this project as well," Morris said. "It is leadership and commitment like that why we are here today. It is also why people are finally gaining hope that this long overdue project will finally be completed."

DOH to consider alternative Corridor H route

Aug. 31, 2023

By Brad Johnson

Executive Editor

CHARLESTON -- The West Virginia Division of Highways confirmed Wednesday that it is providing data for an alternate northern route for the section of Corridor H to be built between Parsons and Davis.

The DOH said in a press release Wednesday it is providing the additional data "in order to expedite the design process."

"We've really listened to what the public asked us to do," Jason Foster, P.E., Chief Engineer of Development, said. "We have continuously revised that alignment to make it better for the region."

Earlier this week, the Go North Corridor H Alliance said it had been notified by email from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration that an upcoming report will include the study of "a Blackwater Avoidance Alternative," an alternate route that has been supported by many local residents.

An online petition asking that an alternate northern route for Corridor H from Parsons to Davis be considered has been signed by more than 5,000 people.

"Providing additional evaluation of alternate routes is not uncommon on large projects and can in many cases provide efficiency to the process," the Wednesday DOH press release stated. 

The DOH is preparing a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement to submit to the Federal Highway Administration that includes a Blackwater Avoidance Alternative route that runs north of the towns of Davis and Thomas. 

The alternate route is in addition to the DOH's Revised Original Preferred Alternative, which would connect just east of Parsons, crossing over Backbone Mountain, to connect with the existing portion of Corridor H at Davis.

Foster said the design includes a relocation of WV 32 to serve as a truck bypass route for the town of Thomas, as well as a new interchange to serve Tucker County High School, and improvements to help the communities of Thomas and Davis.

A draft of a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement including the additional information on the alternate route is expected to be published for public comment in late 2023, with a final draft expected by late 2024.

The four-lane Corridor H highway, now about 90 percent complete, begins at Weston and travels across central West Virginia, to eventually link up with Interstate 81 in Strasburg, Virginia. The highway is expected to open some of West Virginia's most remote areas in Grant, Tucker and Hardy counties to economic development, connect West Virginia's highlands with eastern ports, speed travel times through the mountains and provide a smooth, safe highway for travelers and local residents.

No. 9

Chenoweth Creek man charged with murder

March 29, 2023

By Edgar Kelley

Staff Writer

ELKINS -- A Randolph County man was arrested and has been charged with second-degree murder after an incident Monday evening on Chenoweth Creek Road.

Stephen Ray Cross, 54, was taken into custody after a shooting that took the life of Jonathan Chenoweth, Randolph County Sheriff Rob Elbon said. 

Cross was transported to Tygart Valley Regional Jail, where he is awaiting arraignment.

According to the criminal complaint, on Monday at approximately 5:05 p.m., officers with the Randolph County Sheriff's Office and West Virginia State Police responded to a call of shots fired at 5185 Chenoweth Creek Road.

The complaint states that while en route to the scene, officers learned there was one shooting victim with a gunshot wound, but were unable to get to the victim due to the fact that the alleged shooter was still inside the residence.

After a short time, Cross exited a side door of the residence, the complaint states. 

"Myself and three other deputies were able to talk him out of the residence," said Randolph County Sheriff Rob Elbon. "We were very happy to get him out without any further incident."

According to the criminal complaint, officers observed a UTV with a man -- later identified as Chenoweth -- slumped over the center console, who appeared to have suffered a fatal gunshot wound. Police observed at least three bullet holes through the front windshield of the UTV.

After Cross was placed under arrest, he was transported to the Randolph County Sheriff's Office to be interviewed, the complaint states. Cross advised law enforcement officers that he did not want to speak to them and would like to speak with an attorney.

Officers with the Mountain Region Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force obtained two search warrants from the Randolph County Magistrate Court and responded to the crime scene to serve the warrants for clothing and firearms, according to the criminal complaint.

The complaint states officers obtained a written statement from a witness to the incident. The witness told police that he was speaking to Cross, who admitted to shooting a dog that might have belonged to a relative of Chenoweth. The witness said he observed Chenoweth, who he said had no weapons, pull into the driveway, after which Cross opened fire, shooting five to eight times. 

"We're still gathering more information on the alleged dog being shot as part of this," Elbon told The Inter-Mountain. "We've heard that it was either the victim's dog or his (relative's) dog, but we've been getting some conflicting stories, so we are still looking into it. We haven't been able to find the dog yet, but we're looking."

Before officers were dispatched to the shooting scene, Randolph 911 received a call about a person shooting a dog on Chenoweth Creek Road. Officers were redirected to Cross' residence.

According to the complaint, the witness stated Cross was standing approximately 5 to 10 feet away behind a white van when he observed him produce a sidearm and open fire on Chenoweth. While processing the scene, a total of seven spent shell casings from a 9mm gun were located. No weapons were found near the victim.

"(Chenoweth) had no weapons on him," Elbon told The Inter-Mountain. "We did recover several 9 millimeters and we are pretty sure that we have the one that was used."

According to Elbon's post, Chenoweth was hit by five of the seven shots that were fired.

Elbon said no bond was set after the Cross arrest because magistrates are unable to set bond for a capital offense that can lead to life in prison. 

"First-degree murder, second-degree murder, anything like that, the magistrate can't set a bond on,"he said. "He will be arraigned by a circuit judge."

The Elkins Police Department, Randolph County Emergency Squad and Randolph County Humane Officer assisted at the scene.

No. 10

New pool saw more than 6K swimmers

Aug. 19, 2023

By Edgar Kelley

Staff Writer

ELKINS -- More than 6,000 swimmers took advantage of Randolph County's new pool and splash pad this summer, officials said.

Representatives from the Randolph County Community Pool and Splash Pad gave a facility update to the Randolph County Commission this week.

Elks Lodge Trustee Stanley Teets and other members from BPOE 1135 presented information to the commissioners, who during the meeting also honored the pool's lifeguards for the work this summer.

"We are very proud of you guys for doing the Randolph County Pool and Splash Pad," Teets told the commissioners. "We have had nothing but positive remarks and I'm there every day, mostly. When people walk in and see the place they are totally amazed. It's greatly appreciated and Randolph County has needed something like this for a long time."

Teets told commissioners David Kesling, Chris See and Cris Siler, who were all present at the meeting, how happy he was they chose the Elks to run the recreational facility.

"On behalf of the Elks, we are very proud that you let us do the work at the pool, taking care of the lifeguards, the concession stand, and things like that," said Teets. "Like any business we had some problems in the beginning, but those all got worked out. If any business is going to be successful, you have to have good employees, and we had very good ones this year."

Staff members from the Elks tallied some numbers from the pool, dating back to when the facility first opened on May 27 and running through July 31. During that time, 6,026 swimmers passed through the gates of the facility. Guests visited from all over the state of West Virginia and the pool/splash also hosted guests from Virginia, Ohio, and Florida. 

"We feel as a commission that this was a very worthwhile project," said Kesling. "We did it for all county residents, not just for any certain group. We did it for everybody."

Kesling praised the Elks staff, especially the 11 lifeguards who worked throughout the summer.

"The lifeguards and your staff you had this summer did a fantastic job," said Kesling. "I have people comment to me all the time on how attentive and professional the lifeguards were this summer. So we wanted to thank the lifeguards for everything they have done and give them a certificate of appreciation."

Sofia Triplett, who attended the meeting representing all of the pool's lifeguards, was presented certificates from the Randolph County Commission. 

The Elks also announced during the meeting that this is the final weekend the pool will be operating on its normal summer hours. From Sunday on, the pool will only be open on weekends and for parties. 

That schedule will run until the pool closes for the season after Labor Day weekend. The Elks are planning to keep the splash pad open, however, throughout the week until Labor Day. 

The times and days for the splash pad will be announced soon on the Randolph County Community Pool and Splash Pad Facebook page.

Starting at /week.