Applause to Upshur County Sheriff John Michael Coffman and Upshur County Homeland Security and Emergency Management Deputy Director Derek V. Long, who were presented West Virginia Medals of Valor this week by Gov. Jim Justice during a ceremony in Charleston. On the morning of June 16, 2022, Long saw what he believed to be a car accident. In an attempt to offer aid, he encountered a lone gunman who opened fire. While taking gunfire, Long successfully blocked the opposite traffic lane, thus reducing the risk of injury to motorists. Coffman, who was one of the first law enforcement officers to arrive on the scene, was shot in the leg by the gunman. After Coffman was struck, Long left his position of cover and assisted in rendering aid to Coffman. This all took place while they were taking fire. Long was able to get to Coffman through a barrage of gunfire, and drive him to the hospital where he received life-saving medical care. “you’re the first people we call. The first person we call when we’re in real trouble is you,” Justice said during the ceremony. “And what do you do — over and over — you run to the fire. You run to the defense of all of us.”

Applause to Ruth Hepler, whose 100th birthday was celebrated with a party in Elkins last week. Gov. Jim Justice’s Regional Representative, Lynn Phillips, presented Helper with an award from the Governor’s office during the party. Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco gave Hepler a Certificate of Achievement and the Mayor’s Challenge Coin. Representatives from Davis & Elkins College, from which Hepler graduated, attended the celebration and presented her with a certificate honoring her as an official D&E Centenarian. Hepler was greeted by four members of Our Town Inc.’s Rosie the Riveter planning committee. Each member dressed in Rosie the Riveter attire for their visit and presented Hepler with a bouquet of roses and a tiara, and shared a framed biography of her life. Hepler was born on Feb. 26, 1924, in Collierstown, Virginia. After graduating high school she served as a Rosie the Riveter during World War II, where she made nylon and rayon parachutes at the Dupont Laboratory in Waynesboro, Virginia.

Applause to the announcement that a new semi-pro football team in Elkins, the Appalachian Thunder, will be practicing and playing its home football games at the former Alderson Broaddus University football stadium this season. Alderson Broaddus closed its doors in August of last year, and the campus was purchased by Elkins businessman Craig G. Phillips during an auction process in United States Bankruptcy Court in January. The property is now known as Battlers Knob. The Thunder are part of the Tri-Point Football League (TPFL), which consists of 16 teams from West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Along with the Thunder, the Tri-State Longhorns (Ripley) and West Virginia Leviathan (Fairmont) make up the Mountain State’s three squads. The Thunder, which is co-owned by Brandin Carr, will open its regular season June 1 on the road against the Leviathan. They will play their home opener the following week on June 8.

Applause to Peggy G. Phillips, who has been announced as Director General of the 86th Mountain State Forest Festival. This year’s MSFF theme is “Timeless Traditions” and Phillips chose the theme “A Forest Fairytale” for the Parade of Children. Phillips previously served as Deputy Director General in the 85th festival, served four years as Queen’s Department Director and one year as a Queen’s Department Assistant. Her daughter served as a Flower Girl in the 77th festival and, most recently, as a Maid of Honor in the 84th festival.