Applause to the presentation of three checks to local law enforcement agencies Wednesday by State Treasurer Riley Moore. The Elkins Police Department, represented by Police Chief Travis Bennett, received $5,703.50 in a ceremony outside the Jennings Randolph Federal Center in Elkins. The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, represented by Sheriff Rob Elbon, Jr., received $4,143.75. The Mountain Region Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, represented by Commander Cpl. David VanMeter, received $27,960.75. The funds for the unclaimed property checks came from last month’s firearms auction.

Applause to the annual Ted Harriman Memorial Log-A-Load for Kids, which took place at Newlons International Sales in Elkins Oct. 3. One hundred percent of the money taken in for the annual event goes to WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital in Morgantown. Last year alone, Log-A-Load raised $190,000 for the hospital.The Mountain Loggers Group, made up of members from West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, began raising money for WVU Children’s Hospital in 2006. Close to 100 companies and individuals attended this year’s event.  

Applause to Donald Lambert for receiving a national American Legion award. Lambert, a Technical Sergeant with the West Virginia Air National Guard and Past Commander of The American Legion H.W. Daniels Post 29 in Elkins, was the Air National Guard recipient of The American Legion Auxiliary’s Salute to Servicemembers award. Lambert received the award during the Auxiliary’s 103rd National Convention in New Orleans in August. The award, presented annually at the National Convention, honors all military personnel who are currently serving our country in the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force, and the National Guard/Reserve. 

Applause to an upcoming local panel event regarding domestic violence. Davis & Elkins College is set to host a Community Conversation on Domestic Violence on Tuesday, Oct. 15 with speakers from Centers Against Violence, the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office and more. The event will take place from 6-8 p.m. at the Senate Commons in D&E’s Myles Center for the Arts on 100 Campus Drive. Attendees are invited to arrive early at 5:30 p.m. for a “Meet and Greet” with the panelists. All are encouraged to attend.

Applause to local law enforcement officers who took the time to patrol Elkins during last week’s Mountain State Forest Festival, even walking through the massive Grand Feature Parade crowd Saturday to protect residents. Their diligence is greatly appreciated.

Applause to City of Elkins workers for cleaning up the town after the MSFF ended. “The Street Department and the Sanitation Department … worked around the clock… Just did a tremendous job, making sure everything was picked up every night, every morning,” Elkins Operations Manager Michael Kesecker said during a special Elkins City Council meeting Thursday night. “I’ve had people come to me to tell me they walked through town on Monday and had no idea there was ever a parade.”

Boo, however, to all those who felt the need to litter in downtown Elkins during Forest Festival week, especially during Saturday’s Grand Feature Parade. Let’s have some more pride in our area’s appearance, and make life a little easier on the folks who have to clean up after the fun is over.