INNformer

10/21/2025

Weather and Traffic
October 21, 2025 9:40 a.m.

Good Morning! Today is Tuesday, October 21, in the Year of Our Lord Two thousand and Twenty-Five. It’s American Frog Day, National Apple Day and, in the United Kingdom, Everyone Writes Day.

Obviously, we don’t do that last one here. Normally I would expand on the why we don’t have an Everyone Writes Day but my coffee hasn’t kicked in yet and I probably wouldn’t be able to refrain from sharing my well known opinion on why many were never taught the difference between to, too and two.

Besides, I have too much writing to do or I would be tempted to say a thing, or two.

Buy advertising! The more ads we have, the more writing I have to do and the less time I have to procrastinate! Email [email protected] (One “n: in the email) for our latest rate card. We reach more people and we are cheaper! What a deal!

And if your club or intentional not-for-profit is having an event coming up in November or December please get the information to us as soon as possible so we can get it in the paper.

On this day in 1797 the USS Constitution was launched in Boston. The 44-gun frigate earned her nickname, Old Ironsides, during the War of 1812 when an American sailor observed that British cannon balls were bouncing off her oak sides.

Also, on this day in 1805, the pivotal Battle of Trafalgar was fought off the Spanish coast when British Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson engaged a numerically superior French and Spanish fleet, destroying 19 out of 33 ships without losing a single vessel.

During the course of the fighting, Nelson, who massaged “England expects that every man will do his duty” at the beginning of the fight, was shot by a French sniper. As he lay dying on the deck of his flagship HMS Victory his last words were “Now I am satisfied. Thank God I have done my duty.”

What does the HMS Victory and the USS Constitution have in common? They are both still in commission in their respective navies. HMS Victory, launched in 1765, being the oldest commissioned warship in the world and USS Constitution being second oldest.

Weather:
Cooler today, with rain showers moving in this afternoon. High in the low 60s. Cloudy tonight with overnight lows in the lower 40s. For tomorrow, cloudy, with highs in the mid 50s.

Traffic:
If you are traveling out the Short Line in Wetzel County you may experience delays just before Reader as the Department of Highways is supposed to be working on that absolutely horrid stretch of embarrassment. If you have been out there recently then you know what I am talking about.

And New Martinsville is still annoying.

Currently at our Downtown Sistersville News Command Center it is 45 degrees under hazy skies. When news happens it better be later in the day after the caffeine kicks in.

10/20/2025

Tonight!

10/19/2025

Special Weather Statement
Issued: 7:57 AM Oct. 19, 2025 – National Weather Service
Showers will be accompanied by strong, gusty winds today as a cold
front approaches. Southwest winds will be sustained at 10 to 20
mph with occasional gusts of 30 to 40 mph. The strongest winds
will likely occur during the afternoon hours.

Strong winds can blow around loose and unsecured objects. Ensure
that all outdoor decorations, furniture, and other objects are
secure today.

10/16/2025

As I am getting ready to head out the door to deliver the latest issue of the INNformer, which is full of ghost stories, just a reminder"

The Sistersville Ferry is OPEN today through Sunday!

10/03/2025

Weather and Traffic
October 3, 2025 8:50 a.m.

Good Morning! Today is Friday, October 3, 2025 and it’s National Body Language Day and, damn, a continuation of you can’t believe everything you read on the internet day.

Either someone intentionally “reinterpreted” an event or AI is engaging in creative writing for one of the things listed for today. It’s a toss up.

The INNformer is out for distribution. Most places in Monroe County will be getting it today do to a surprise insert that arrive without notice. We work hard to accommodate our advertisers including when they drop ship 3,000 fliers unexpectedly.

On this day in 42 BC the First Battle of Philippi took place, pitting Mark Antony and Octavian against Caesar's assassins Brutus and Cassius. Philippi is in modern Macedonia, in the Mediterranean.

Southeast of us in Barbour County is also the county seat of Philippi. The county was named after Virginia lawyer Philip P. Barbour and it was intended that the county seat also to be named in honor of him, only- as a tradition- using the Latinized feminine form of his first name, Philippa. However, because of misspellings and confusion over the name’s origin- some thought the town was named after that key and historic battle and not after the lawyer, Phillippa because Philippi.

Weather:
Pleasant today. Sunny with highs in the lower 80s. Good sleeping weather tonight with lows in the mid 40s. Tomorrow, sunny with highs in the mid to upper 80s.

Traffic:
The Sistersville Ferry is OPEN! Until 6 p.m., that is.

Currently at our Downtown Sistersville News Command Center it is 50 degrees under clear skies. When news happens it better not be today, I’ve got too much work to do.

10/02/2025

Weather and Traffic
October 2, 2025 9:15 a.m.

Good Morning! Well now, it’s Thursday, October 2, 2025. It’s still 2025, right? Too much to do, not enough time to procrastinate.

Today I start distributing the latest copy of the INNformer. In it you can find details on our photo contest! Tomorrow I will try to get back into the habit of writing my little updates.

And..... I’m looking for local ghost stories from both sides of the river to include in our Halloween coverage. If you’ve had a spooky experience send me a message (don’t post it here).

Traffic:
The Sistersville Ferry is open today!

Weather:
The skies are clear, my brain is cloudy. I need coffee.

Currently at our Downtown Sistersville News Command Center it’s 58 degrees and sunny.

09/16/2025

And now it's time to play "Frontier Communications" daily game:

Works or Not!

The suspenseful game where we see if one or both of our phone lines are operational- allowing us to conduct normal business

-or-

Will we be faced with the challenge of not being able to do normal things, like run credit cards, make marketing calls or taking reservations.

During the suspenseful bonus round, if Line One works, we will then check to see if Line Two still has the screeching howl and scratching noises that makes us wonder if it is connected to an electronic hell!

And Today's answer is: NOPE! We can currently receive calls but can't dial out.

There was a period yesterday when we could actually make and receive calls but it was just a teaser for today's Frontier Communications Works of Not!

Send a message to learn more

09/15/2025

Update: "Wednesday" became 30 minutes.

Behold! The power of vile Yorkian temper!

Original post below

Thanks the absolutely astounding incompetence of Frontier Communications the only way to reach us is through messenger or via email until further notice.

Last night I called in a service call and reported that I couldn't make outgoing calls and only could receive them. They then, without asking my permission, forwarded all calls to a cell phone that is no longer functional.

Now, after an hour of dealing with someone in some God forsaken country, I am being told that due to problems with their switching equipment they can't take the forward off.

First it was "it will be fixed on Monday." Then, as the customer service guy is telling me it will be fixed on Tuesday, I get an email from them telling me that they won't be working on it until Wednesday.

Send a message to learn more

09/11/2025

The Sistersville Ferry is OPEN! It will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Sunday!

Send a message to learn more

09/10/2025

Weather and Traffic
September 10, 2025 8:30 a.m.

Good Morning! Today is Wednesday, September 10 and the year is 2025, I think. Today is National TV Dinner Day, for all those who are nostalgic for Salisbury Steak and some sort of potato mush. And on a serious note, it’s World Su***de Prevention Day. Normally I would inappropriately inflict my whit and wisdom on everyone but I’m going to take a hard pass- just this one time.

I once stopped a tenant of mine from offing himself, by the way. I knew he was in a rough patch but didn’t see him as the type and I still wonder if I missed something.

If you, or someone you know, is in a similar situation, step-back and call or text 9-8-8, that’s the Su***de and Crisis Lifeline.

And remember, even after the darkest of nights, the dawn will come and the sun will shine. Be there to see it. Please.

Okay, now that I’ve done my good deed for the day....

On Thursday, Sept. 11, Devarjaye "DJ" Daniel, will be a special guest at the 57th Annual West Virginia Oil & Gas Festival. He will be sworn in as an honorary Deputy of the Tyler County Sheriff’s Department by Sheriff Dean Pratt at a ceremony ay 5:30 p.m. at the Sistersville City Park.

DJ is truly an inspiration. He was diagnosed in 2018 with brain and spinal cancer and has become a national symbol of bravery. He was recognized by President Trump during the State of the Union Address where he was sworn in as an honorary Secret Service agent.

This year’s Oil and Gas Fest looks to be the best in years!

On this day in 1609 John Smith was elected council president of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in North America. In December 1607 Smith and two other colonists were captured by Powhatan warriors. While the two other men were killed, Smith, according to his 1624 account, was spared and released because of the intercession of Pocahontas, the 13-year old daughter of Chief Wahunsonacock, known as Chief Powhatan by the English.

In 1813 a fleet of nine American ships under the command of Capt. Oliver Hazard Perry defeated a British naval squadron during the Battle of Lake Erie. It was the first time in history that a US force had defeated a British squadron and led to the British evacuation of Detroit and ensured the control of Lake Erie and the northwest.

After the battle Perry sent the famous dispatch “We have met the enemy, and they are ours,” to US General William Harrison.

And in 1894, across the pond in London, taxi driver George Smith earned a footnote in history as the first person to be fined for drunk driving and in 1913 the Lincoln Highway was completed with a dedication on Oct. 31 of that year. The highway was conceived by Indiana entrepreneur Carl Fisher and was the first coast to coast route laid out.

Weather:
Perfect for the Oil and Gas Fest. Today will be sunny with highs in the low 80s with an overnight low in the upper 40s. Tomorrow, mostly sunny with highs in the lower 80s.

Traffic:
The same. Expect delays in New Martinsville as it is annoying.

Currently at our Downtown Sistersville News Command Center it is 51 degrees under clear skies.

And remember 9-8-8.

Send a message to learn more

09/06/2025

Weather and yawn
September 6, 2025 9:47 a.m.

Good Morning! Today is Saturday, September 6 and the year is still 2025. Today we have two contradictory days to celebrate and one that everyone an get behind. First, it’s Fight Procrastination Day AND National Read a Book Day. I don’t about everyone else, but I read a book when I am procrastinating. Second, it’s International Bacon Day!

Advertise in the INNformer! The other day I was asked by a potential advertiser why they should advertise with me when there are other papers around that people subscribe to. I told them that my readers had to go find mine, which meant that they were far more likely to read it than the one that just shows up in their mail box.

I was going to write more, I have a whole list of things to include, but I think I’m going to read a book instead. Later I will fight procrastination, but not right now.

New Martinsville is really annoying and it feels like its going to rain.

Currently at our Downtown Sistersville News Command Center it is 60 degrees and cloudy.

Send a message to learn more

09/05/2025

Weather Brief
September 5, 2025 8:41 a.m.

Good Morning! Today is Friday, September 5, 2025 and this is going to be brief. Too much work to do to find time to procrastinate.

Weather:
Scattered clouds today, with isolated thunderstorms this afternoon. Some storms may be severe. Highs in the mid-80s. Tonight, scattered thunder boomers early, again some may be severe. Low 60.

Tomorrow, rain in the morning with highs around 70.

Currently at our Downtown Sistersville News Command Center its 61 degrees under cloudy skies.

Send a message to learn more