Local

By Stephen Smoot Last week, a backyard flock of chickens in Pocahontas County tested positive for the virus called Highly Pathogenic Avian Flu, specifically the H5N1 strain that has caused concern throughout the country. This represents the second case discovered in West Virginia. Last February, another backyard flock in Kanawha...

By Stephen Smoot   Despite the sporadic outbreaks of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 strain during the past year, the United States Centers for Disease Control on Christmas Eve shared that “the risk to the general public has not changed and remains low.” The past several months, the CDC...

By Stephen Smoot There’s a little white church in the valley that stands in the memories of generations of the faithful in Pendleton County. Just off the side of US Route 33 between Franklin and North Mountain, it rests in a dell – or vale, if preferred. Only a few...

Jeff Bowers, Pendleton County attorney, swears in new Circuit Judge John Treadway at the Hardy County Courthouse last month.  

Penny, the Pendleton County Schools service dog, shows that she loves snow days as much as the kids.  By Stephen Smoot The warnings and maps released before this week’s powerful winter weather appeared intimidating enough. Every national forecast showed a multicolored blob of a forecast that extended from Kansas City,...

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources announced that hunters harvested 17 percent more fall turkeys in 2024 compared to last year. “West Virginia is truly a top destination for turkey hunting, and our thriving turkey populations are a testament to the success of sustainable wildlife management,” said Brett McMillion,...

By Stephen Smoot Governor-elect Patrick Morrisey last week announced an initial round of key appointments as his executive administration takes shape. His executive team starts with Tom McCaffrey (chief of staff), who was previously assistant secretary for health affairs/principal deputy assistant secretary at the United States Department of Defense under...

Raven and John Siciliano of Harrisonburg, Virginia, are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Beckham Riley, born on Dec. 26, 2024, at Augusta Medical Center in Fishersville, Virginia. She was welcomed home by big sister, Baylor. Maternal grandparents are Tom and Debbie Turner of Franklin. Maternal great-grandmother is...

Alexis and Tyler Evans of Upper Tract are proud to announce the birth of their twin daughters, Adler James and Letty Turner, born on Dec. 3, 2024, at Grant Memorial Hospital in Petersburg. Their big sister, Kenley, was excited to welcome them home. Maternal grandparents are Tom and Debbie Turner...

By Stephen Smoot “We are blessed to have them. The children are blessed to have them too.” So said Sonny O’Neil, Pendleton County Board of Education member, of the administration, faculty, staff, and other personnel of Franklin Elementary School. After the invocation, all sat down to enjoy a menu of...