The Morgan Messenger

12/09/2024

We wondered who was reorganizing our pages!

📰 ❄ 📰 ❄ 📰 Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Our mischievous little elf, Berkeley, has been on a quest for breaking news about the town! Whether he’s digging for the latest scoop or sharing whispers from the holiday grapevine, Berkeley’s been fully immersed in his hunt. Today, he spent his time "helping" at The Morgan Messenger, our trusted local newspaper that's been keeping Berkeley Springs informed since 1893! From playing roving reporter to "definitely not" reorganizing the desk drawers, he’s been hard at work uncovering all the latest buzz in town. 😉 Could he have been unearthing stories of our rich local history? Searching for tales of yuletide cheer? Or maybe just keeping an ear to the ground for what’s happening in town? One thing’s for sure—he always seems to know what's going on! Want to stay in the know too? Make sure your subscription to The Morgan Messenger is up to date for all the latest news. 📬 And a big congratulations to those who correctly guessed Berkeley’s location—you’re officially on the Nice list and in the running for the Apple Butter Festival prize package! 🍎✨ Stay tuned and make sure you like and follow us for more elfish adventures! 📰 ❄ 📰 ❄ 📰

12/09/2024

Berkeley Springs High School is CLOSED today, Monday, December 9, due to a lengthy water shutoff.

12/09/2024

A mountain fire on Cacapon Mountain has continued to burn all day Sunday, with fire units assisting Forestry to manage the area.

🚨 UPDATES🚨 as of 0800 Monday December 9th WV Forestry reports the fire line have held overnight, total acres reported is at 131. The rain today will be helpful with keeping the fire contained. There will likely be smoke from the area for several days as stump and large trees within the burned area continue to burn. Forestry will continue to monitor the area over the next several days.

750pm.
As the last units were clearing, an area of concern was noted. WV Forestry, a Wildfire team from Washington County, Brush unit from Frederick County VA remain on scene with units from Great Cacapon units.

530pm
Command is advising that units will continue to work until 6pm securing the fire lines. At this post, fire is reported 100% contained with fire lines all the way around it.
Hot spots will continue to burn throughout the night within the fire lines & burnt areas and smoke will be noted in the area. WV Forestry will have crews to monitor the fire overnight. At this point an estimated total of 100 acres have been burned on both private and state park ground.

330 pm
Forestry and crews from multiple local fire departments are still on scene, winds had driven the fire outside the fire containment lines. At this point there are units in place for structural protection at a single residence off Kessel Rd. Crews are continuing to work to re-establish fire containment ahead of night fall.

UPDATE*** 105pm
Forestry has requested additional resources from local fire departments that are now in the area assisting. We have received no reports of any structures being endangered. We will attempt to provide an update in the next hour or so.

WV Forestry crews and a tanker from Great Cacapon Volunteer Fire Department are in the area of the mountain fire that burnt yesterday. There will be smoke in the areas while they work to extinguish hot spots within the burned area. Currently all hotspots are reported within the burned area and are contained.

Forestry personnel has direct communication with our center and has access to any additional resources they may need from our county.

12/06/2024

Efforts are underway to help a couple who lost their home and possessions in a Wednesday afternoon fire.

Community members are mobilizing to support a couple that lost their home and possessions earlier this week in a structure fire. A Wednesday afternoon fire first reported on the back porch of a residence on Ruppenthal Road in southeastern Morgan County destroyed that home and burned at least six out...

12/05/2024

Morgan County Schools are operating on a two- hour delay this morning, Thursday, December 5.

11/29/2024

Amidst all the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, set aside some time to visit your hometown stores & we promise you'll find far more than just unique gifts.

The shopping for Christmas and other holidays has already begun, bringing the thrill of the search and the fun of soaking in the brightness and sparkle of the season. This weekend, make a special effort to bring some of your dollars and your Christmas spirit to local shops. Each year,[Read More...]

11/28/2024

From our families to yours -- Happy Thanksgiving, enjoy time together and thank you for your readership.

11/27/2024

🍗Happy Thanksgiving week! Grab a copy of this week's edition of The Morgan Messenger to plan your family activities, shopping strategy and more! Keep up to date on local happenings in between your turkey dinner and retail outings. Don't forget -- Shop Local! 🎁Your hometown merchants deliver more than just great gifts -- they support our community every day! 🫶

11/26/2024

Our 2025 photo calendars, featuring local winning pictures from the 2024 Morgan County Photo Contest, are now on sale at The Morgan Messenger office. Makes a great gift! Calendars cost $5.44, or $4.99 each if you buy two or more!

11/20/2024

Things are about to get wintry, so grab your weekly issue of The Morgan Messenger and settle in with a hot cup of something to catch up on Morgan County news & plan your holidays! Find your copy at the grocery store, gas station, convenience store and at our office. Check out www.morganmessenger.com to see stories online and subscribe, so it all gets delivered to you each week!

11/18/2024

Following recent rain, West Virginia's burn ban has been lifted and the normal fall Fire Season rules remain in effect. Burning forestland, grass, grain, stubble, slash, debris, or other materials is allowed only from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. Additionally, fires must be attended to at all times, and all fires must be fully extinguished before 7 a.m. daily.

11/13/2024

🫳Grab this week's Morgan Messenger to get a deep dive into the county's voter precinct results, get answers about the U.S. 522 bypass and its future, plus a look at several Veterans Day events 🇺🇸that honored our service men and women throughout the county. There's must more inside, with high school sports, school news and holiday event details to plan your season! 📅

11/11/2024

On November 11, David Rose, Commander of American Legion Post 60, and W. Gray Jones, Commander of the Tri-State Honor Guard, laid wreaths at the memorials on Fairfax Street in Berkeley Springs in memoriam of those who served, and made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States of America.
photo by Jim Hoyt

11/06/2024

https://wvmetronews.com/2024/11/06/west-virginians-approve-amendment-to-prohibit-physician-assisted-deaths/

The explanation provided on ballots was that 'The purpose of this amendment is to protect West Virginians against medically-assisted su***de.'

11/06/2024

https://www.morganmessenger.com/2024/11/05/morgan-county-turns-out-in-historic-numbers-to-back-gop-in-2024-election/

by Kate Shunney On a warm and sunny Election Day, lines of Morgan County voters cast their ballots in the 2024 General Election at 13 precincts around the county as November temperatures swelled in the upper 70s. By 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday night – just two hours after polls had[Read More...]

11/06/2024

According to preliminary vote totals from all precincts, Morgan County voters backed Republican Donald Trump with 76.75% of the vote and 21.3% cast votes for Democrat Kamala Harris in election day voting, early voting and absentee balloting.

11/06/2024

All of Morgan County's precincts have now reported results, with a total of 9,150 ballots counted -- a countywide voter turnout of 65.6%.

11/06/2024

Six of Morgan County's 13 precincts have reported results.