Applause to the many volunteers who came out to support the community and lend a hand during the sixth annual Tygart Valley United Way Day of Action on Sept. 6. Local volunteers made their way to the Randolph County Humane Society, the Randolph County Homeless Shelter, Tyrand Ministries, the Randolph-Tucker Children’s Advocacy Center, the Randolph County Senior Center and Meals on Wheels. Project work was also conducted in Elkins City Park. For the first time ever, a Day of Action service project was scheduled and completed in Tucker County, as volunteers helped with improvements at the Tucker County Senior Center. The Barbour County service project this year was at the Junior City Building.

Applause to the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office for covering the Beverly area after the town’s police department was disbanded weeks ago. Sheriff Rob Elbon said his department already makes it a priority to keep a watchful eye on school zones when children are present. Elbon said his department had already been patrolling a big part of Beverly, and has the manpower to provide coverage of that area throughtout the night. Elbon said Beverly residents should call 911 for any emergencies, or for assistance from law enforcement.

Applause to the Elkins High School graduating class of 1979 recently held its 45th class reunion and as part of the celebration class members participated in a “Fill the Truck” campaign that benefited the Randolph County Humane Society. Class member Dave Baker came up with the idea in honor for Class President Kathi “Kat” Simons, who passed away earlier this summer. Simons had worked in radio locally at WDNE before moving to Virginia, where she continued her radio career for more than 25 years. Simons, who was known for her affection for animals, helped find shelter pets new homes by hosting a “Pet of the Day” segment on her radio show. When the fundraiser concluded, Baker’s truck bed was completely filled with an estimated total of 600 pounds of pet supplies that was valued at almost $1,000. The Class of 1979 has issued a challenge to other classes to create fundraising events as well. 

Applause to the Mobile Feed and Read program recently completed another successful summer of operation for Randolph County Schools students. Since 2019, Randolph County Schools has sponsored the Mobile Feed and Read program, an initiative that features a school bus which travels throughout the county and provides children with access to free. books, snacks and a read-aloud activity. The good news is that 1,358 students took part in the five-week summer program, which makes stops throughout Randolph County, including outlying communities such as Helvetica, Pickens, Montrose and Whitmer. The bad news is that the future of the program is uncertain because it is unclear if the current grant that funds the program, the Third Grade Success Act, will be able to provide funding in the future. Here’s hoping that if the Third Grade Success Act can’t fund Mobile Feed and Read program, a substitute funding source can be found.

Boo to the combination of bad weather and old plumbing that resulted in a sewage backup flooding Elkins City Hall’s first floor and basement. Officials estimated this week that repair work may keep the facility closed to the public until sometime next year. Here’s hoping that all the repairs and renovations can improve City Hall’s plumbing system so that this type of calamity never happens again.