MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — The Berkeley County Commission held its weekly meeting on Thursday, January 11th. 
Among the ongoing items, presentations from organizations that seek funds from the county as part of their operational budgets. Commissioners heard from three such entities.
Amy Orndoff is the Executive Director, for Berkeley Senior Services reported they provided 11,322 trips for senior citizens. over 18,000 hours for caregivers of seniors, and tens of thousands of meals for their constituents. They also provide other services, such as exercise programs and classes.
Orndoff says they are looking to expand in 2024.
The Commission also heard from Development Director for the Hospice of the Panhandle Maria Lorensen, who thanked the Commission and County Administrator, Gary Wine. She said Panhandle Palliative services has grown through Hospice, which helped over 500 patients who are still pursuing health choices that are more aggressive than traditional Hospice Care.
Rather than sharing normal numbers this year, Lorensen shared an actual heart-breaking, yet heartwarming story about one of their patients who had served in World War Two. The Commissioners also heard from the WVU Extension Office and 4-H’s Michael Withrow. He reported that the extension funding formula hasn’t changed for over 20 years, and he hopes the updates, while not helping this coming year, will provide a more equitable source of income for the service.
Withrow was grateful for the new space they occupy and said it has been far more user friendly. He said their asking for the same amount from the county, $108,595, as last year.
He was also proud of this year’s Halloween Trunk or Treat, serving 28 hundred kids coming through.
After hearing from various organizations who receive at least partial funding from the county, they entered Executive Session.
In other Berkeley County Commission news, the field of candidates to be appointed to fill out the year’s term for former Berkeley County Sheriff Nathan Harmon has been narrowed to three. The commission will vote on that position Tuesday.