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Timothy John Watson, of Ranson in Jefferson County, is facing charges of conspiracy against the U.S. Government and selling machine gun conversion devices to extremists.

The West Virginia Attorney General office has affirmed concealed carry recognition with two states, adding to a list of states announced earlier this year.
This update means Georgia and New Hampshire will continue to recognize concealed handgun licenses and provisional licenses issued to West Virginians who are age 18 and older.

Jonathan Jerome Judy, 46, of 230 Pierce Rd., Maysville, was indicted on one countof burglary. According to his indictment, Judy broke into a home while the resident was sleeping.
The resident awoke when her dog began barking. She then grabbed a pistol (loaded with “blanks”) and went into her living room.
At first, she explained to the officers she did not see anything; however, she was then startled by the sound of breaking glass. She fired the firearm multiple times, causing the suspect to flee.

As the Grant County Health Department continues to warn the community about rising Covid-19 numbers, local schools are forced to shutter their facilities to students.
On Sunday, Sandria Glasscock, the county’s public information officer with the health department, issued an update explaining that the county had fallen into the orange matrix (as designated by the West Virginia Board of Education) with 5.12% positivity rate and in the red matrix for infection rate (at 45.08).

Joseph W. Sampson Jr., 60, formerly of Grant County, has been charged with two counts of rape of a child, aggravated sexual battery and incest. The charges filed in the Carter County Court of Tennessee.

Hometown Christmas
The City of Petersburg and the Grant County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) confirmed last week that the annual Hometown Christmas event in Petersburg is still on this season.

The event, which has expanded this year, is going to take place on Dec. 5 at the Petersburg City Park.  
According to an update by the CVB, festivities begin in the park at 4 p.m. and will feature horse-drawn sleigh rides.
These events will be followed by the annual decoration and lighting of the city tree, all overseen by Santa Claus. Santa Claus will also be giving away a small gift to each child who stops by to see him. 

Visitors will also be able to enjoy free hot chocolate, cookies and popcorn as well as an opportunity to make s’mores around the bonfire. Other festivities will include Christmas caroling, games and vendors.
This year will also feature a drive-in movie provided by Digital Illusion Rentals, weather permitting.
“Everyone in attendance is asked to wear a mask,” explained Sarah Moomau, of the Petersburg City Council. “We are taking all of the recommended safety precautions to make sure everyone is safe.”

Lights at Welton Park
The Christmas light display at Welton Park will be lit this year on Nov. 25, the day before Thanksgiving. The display is set up each year by the Grant County Parks and Recreation Department.

Denver on the Roof
The annual Denver on the Roof event that collects toys each year for Toys for Happiness is also scheduled for Dec. 5 at Petersburg Electronics.
The event is in its 23rd year and will begin at 9 a.m. Community members are invited to stop by and help get Denver the Elf off the roof by donating a toy to the Toys for Happiness program. The program gives Christmas gifts to struggling families in the community.
As is tradition, Denver will not be coming off the roof until the program has its goal, which is 650 toys this year. The program also accepts monetary donations for the purchase of gifts by volunteers.
The event is directed by Grant County Little League and sponsored by the Grant County Press, WELD and the Potomac Valley Transit Authority.

Tree of Life
The Petersburg Tree of Life program has put up Christmas trees at Shop N’ Save and Judy’s Drug Store in Petersburg to collect gifts for local children.
Visitors can pick up an ornament of a local child’s Christmas wishlist to be dropped off by Dec. 14.
The program is aimed at helping local families by providing clothes and gifts for each child. The wishlist in anonymous and those interested in donating a monetary donation instead of a gift can do so at Judy’s Drug Store.

Includes former PHS teacher as well as multiple child neglect charges

The Grant County Grand Jury convened  earlier this month and returned with 21 indictments for crimes committed throughout the county.

These indictments included:

Jonathan Michael McNemar, 28, of 5 South Main St., Petersburg, was indicted on 20 counts of sexual abuse by a person in a position of trust, 9 counts of employment of a minor to produce sexually explicit conduct, two counts of soliciting a minor via computer to engage in sex, 10 counts of use of obscene matter with intent to seduce a minor, 10 counts of distributing and displaying obscene matter to a minor and five counts of sexual abuse in the first degree.

Justice threatens legal action for those not wearing masks in public

Governor Jim Justice tightened statewide Covid restrictions last Friday when he announced a more strict mask regulation aimed at forcing anyone in public to wear a face covering. This announcement claimed that citizens would be required to wear a mask when public buildings other than their homes at all times, not just when  in social distancing is not possible. 

The new policy went into effect on Saturday night and places a heightened burden on businesses to ensure customers in their buildings wear masks.