West Virginia University Medicine Grant Memorial Hospital administration and staff members, local elected officials, local community leaders, business owners and members of the Grant County Chamber of Commerce gathered to celebrate the official opening of the RapidCare Clinic and Children’s Clinic.

West Virginia University Medicine Grant Memorial Hospital recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of the RapidCare Clinic and the WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Outpatient Clinic. These two new services are designed to expand access to care and better meet the healthcare needs of the region.

There is an ongoing investigation into the death of a 20 year-old man who was found unresponsive at a “gentleman’s club” in Hardy County. The incident began on Saturday, Jan. 3 at approximately 3 a.m. when offi cers with the Hardy County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to Paradise City in Mathias. The initial report of the incident was in reference to an intoxicated male acting belligerent at the establishment.

The Grant County Clerk’s office issued an update last week for anyone interested in running for an elected position in the county. According to the update, the candidate filing period for the May 12 primary election began on Monday at 8:30 a.m. and will be open through Saturday, January 31.

Per West Virginia State Code, the Clerk’s office will be open on Saturday, January 31, from 8:30 a.m. until noon for official candidate filing times.

Those interested in running for office may file for the following offices in the Clerk’s Office: County Commission, for a filing fee of $439.09; Board of Education (expired position) for a fee of $25.00; Conservation District Supervisor for a fee of $10.00 and County Executive Committee for a fee of $10. Voters will notice one major change during this upcoming election concerning political party registration.

In the past, voters registered at Independent could choose to vote either the Democratic or Republican ticket. This is no longer the case. Due to a change by the WV Republican Party, only voters registered as Republicans may vote a Republican ballot in the primary elections.

Other offices that will be on the ballot, and should be fi led with the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Offi ce include:

• United States Senate • United States House of Representatives

• Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals (Unexpired Term)

• Judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals

• WV State Senate

• WV House of Delegates

Anyone wishing to vote in the May election must be a registered voter. Those interested can register to vote, update their current voter registration or change their political party affiliation by visiting the County Clerk or online at GoVoteWV.com. Those who fi le for candidacy will be posted to the Grant County Clerk’s Facebook page. Any questions may be directed to the County Clerk’s Office at 304-257-4550.

A Pennsylvania man has been arrested following an armed robbery and attempted murder in Moorefield. The incident occurred on the morning of Jan. 4, when, at around 8:24 a.m., a Hardy County deputy responded to a armed robbery and shots fired complaint at Overlook Street in Moorefield. According to a police report released on the incident, Shawn Davidson of Pennsylvania confronted the victim outside of the victim’s residence and demanded his wallet and the keys to his vehicle.

Last week, Pendleton County Circuit Court handled several cases. These included issuing a warrant for a person who failed to appear, accepting a felony guilty plea in a 2023 case, and providing updates on three ongoing murder cases.

Richard Allen Ruble was scheduled to appear before Judge John H. Treadway Jr. on January 7, but did not show up. This was his second missed appearance after being served with a summons. Following Ruble’s failure to appear, the State requested the court issue a capias for his arrest.

Each of the eight Mon Forest Towns will be adding a unique piece of functional art to their area with the creation of canoe kiosks, designed to refl ect their specifi c town as well as hold informational brochures for visitors.

These canoe-shaped kiosks were created by students at the South Branch Career and Technical Center and are part of an overall collaborative effort with not only SBCTC but also West Virginia University Preservice student chapter of the National Art Education Association (NAEA).

Kelson Thorne, a nationally acclaimed artist based out of Petersburg, will paint each kiosk with a design created to symbolize each canoe’s specifi c town. Petersburg’s kiosk, which will serve as a prototype for the project, features the town’s iconic golden trout. The kiosks will also feature the matching vinyl logo of the Mon Forest Towns Program at the top of the canoe as well as the town’s name.

On Dec. 30-31, 2025, deputies with the Grant County Sheriff’s Department responded to two separate fatal vehicle accidents on U.S. 48 (Corridor H).

According to a press release put out by the department,