Applause to all our area’s first responders, who have been working so hard during the past week, dealing with flooding and, in some areas, ice. On Friday, Jan. 31, hazardous weather conditions forced the closure of several streets and roads across the region, including Randolph Avenue, by Colonial Court, and Jamaica Lane, near Cupp’s Furniture, in Elkins. On Saturday, Feb. 1, the Belington Bridge and the “Concrete Bridge” in Philippi were both closed in Barbour County due to flooding. Officials blocked off the entrance to Glendale Park in Elkins Saturday, as floodwater covered the park’s roads and fields. After a few days of calm weather, on Wednesday night our region experienced another rain storm. Early Thursday morning thunderstorms caused water to rise once again, while an ice storm created further issues in Pocahontas County, where rising waters eventually led to an evacuation in Marlinton. The town of Marlinton issued a voluntary evacuation order at 4:22 p.m., according to the Pocahontas County Homeland Security & Emergency Management Facebook page. Residents were asked to proceed to Marlinton Middle School for shelter as the Greenbrier River continued to rise from the overnight storm. Officials said the town will be closed to reentry until water levels managed to subside to a safe level. Residents of Second and Third Avenue, south of 9th Street, were asked to pay close attention to the river level. In Randolph County, Sheriff Rob Elbon told The Inter-Mountain that a water rescue was performed in the Huttonsville-Mill Creek area Thursday. Rob Daman, deputy director for the Randolph County Office of Emergency Management and 911, said during Thursday’s Randolph County Commission meeting some roads had been closed in the Huttonsville-Mill Creek area. Residents in Pocahontas and Pendleton counties not only had to deal with flooding waters, but an ice storm caused havoc in those counties as well. According to the Pocahontas County Office of Emergency Management Facebook page, power outages were reported in several areas north of Marlinton Thursday morning, including in Dolley’s Mill, Clover Lick, Hiosterman, Green Bank, Arbovale, Boyer, and Bartow. The high water in those locations made it difficult for crews to restore power quickly. For dealing with terrible weather conditions during the past week, our first responders deeply deserve our respect and gratitude.

Applause to Juliann Harlan, now a sophomore at EHS, who won the 9th District Oratorical Contest at American Legion Post 29 in Elkins on Jan. 25. She will now proceed to the Section B contest on Saturday, Feb. 22 at Post 29 at 10 a.m. In March 2024, Harlan, competing as a high school freshman, won the statewide contest at American Legion Post 31 in Shinnston. Harlan competed against the Section A and C champions, both 12th graders. The students gave speeches on topics involving the U.S. Constitution. The winner of the state contest receives a four-year tuition waiver at a West Virginia college or university, and also $2,500. Post 29.

Applause to French Creek Freddie, West Virginia’s own weather-predicting groundhog, whose forecast of an early spring delighted the more than 600 people who turned out for the Groundhog Day celebration Sunday at the West Virginia State Wildlife Center in French Creek in Upshur County. Freddie emerged from his burrow and did not see his shadow due to overcast skies, bringing joy to those in attendance with his prediction that warmer temperatures are on the way. By contrast, Punxsutawney Phil disappointed his fans by predicting six more weeks of winter. We’re not sure which groundhog is correct, but we’re definitely putting our support behind Freddie, who has been making his predictions for the past four decades.