Applause to everyone who helped set up and man local warming stations during this week’s extreme winter weather. When Pastor Roy Schneider of the Refinery Church in Elkins learned that temperatures overnight this week were projected to be well below zero, he knew he had to snap into action and make sure the unhoused people in the area had a place to go. The church offered two warming shelters this week. At the church on Third Street food and a warming station were offered each day from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. After that, people at the warming stations were transported for the evening to the Randolph County Housing Authority Learning Center on the Beverly Five-Lane, where cots and bedding had been set up. Other warming stations were set up this week in both Upshur and Barbour counties, to help local residents deal with the subzero temperatures.

Applause to local raptor specialist Jo Santiago, who for years now has helped rescue many injured birds and release them back into the wild. In the most recent rescue, a resident on Orchard Street in Elkins was enjoying a quiet evening at home when he heard sounds coming from his chimney. Thinking it was a squirrel trapped inside, the homeowner instead found a tiny, weakened bird — an Eastern screech owl. Santiago was called in to assist with the situation. She estimated that the owl had been in the chimney for a week or more, due to it being very weak and emaciated. It was evident that the owl had been without food for a long time as it weighed only 4.3 ounces. Because the resident expected the owl to be a squirrel when he explored his chimney, it was decided that the bird would be nicknamed “Jimmy the Squirrel.” The bird was transferred to Dr. Jesse Fallon at the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia in Morgantown. After just one month, the owl had made a full recovery and was set to return home. Santiago said the owl did not lack for energy when he returned, referring to him as acting “squirrelly.” Not only did he try to fight with Santiago and “get the best of” her a couple times, but he also escaped while spending the night at her residence. After his capture from Santiago’s closet, “Jimmy the Squirrel” was transported to the Days Inn back parking lot on Harrison Avenue to be released into nature.

Applause to everyone who helped with the large amount of snow removal necessary in recent weeks. The Elkins City Street Department worked overnight on Jan. 12-13, removing snow from Davis Avenue and Randolph Avenue from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., closing the roads during the process. Vehicles were not allowed to park on the street during these hours. “No Parking” signs were placed along the curbs, listing the times and dates of the removal of the snow. We salute everyone in our local communities, whether an employee or volunteer, who worked so hard to keep the streets and sidewalks clear during this month’s intense winter weather.