Eastern Panhandle News

*Story from WVMetronews* CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Police have identified the body of a woman discovered in February on the other side of a guardrail on Greenbrier Street in Charleston. Charleston Police Chief of Detectives Lt. Tony Hazelett said DNA from the woman was submitted to an FBI database. He said information returned last week from […]

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Union autoworkers are on the picket lines outside the GM Parts Distribution Plant in Martinsburg. The United Auto Workers Union (UAW) expanded its strike locations back on Friday with the Martinsburg facility being one of 38 additional sites. UAW Local 1590 President Vanessa Banks said the Martinsburg-based workers are united. She said […]

  MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — A film that portrays the perils of human trafficking and one man’s attempt to rescue a child offers a chance for a community dialogue, according to one local theatre owner. Paul and Trey Johanson own the historic Star Theatre in Berkeley Springs. This Saturday, September 30th, the venue will play host […]

    CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — At Monday night’s Jefferson County Board of Education meeting, Deputy Superintendent of Operations, Joyce White gave an update on a recent request to the state School Building Authority for the new Shepherdstown Elementary School. Mrs. White also brought news of another grant, this time to preserve an important part […]

  MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — US Senator Shelley Moore Capito was in the Eastern Panhandle last week. One of her stops was in Morgan County to survey the progress on the long-awaited US Rt. 522 Bypass: (Senator Capito visited the 522 Bypass construction site last week to check in on the progress. Capito says she’s been […]

    (UNDATED) — As the work week gets underway, here are the average prices motorists are paying at the pump for a gallon of regular unleaded, according to AAA. In Virginia, $3.57 In Maryland and West Virginia, it’s averaging around $3.62 and in Pennsylvania, $3.91 a gallon. The national average sits right around $3.85.

  MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Berkeley County Solid Waste Authority Chair Clint Hogbin says some popular collection event are coming up on the BCSWA calendar, including the popular tire collection events, which are ongoing across the Panhandle, as well as two bulk-item collection events coming to Berkeley County. Waste-to-Fuel operations at the Entsorga plant in Martinsburg […]

Shepherd University President Dr. Mary JC Hendrix (Photo Credit: Shepherd University) SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. — While West Virginia University has been making headlines for its restructuring of academic offerings in the wake of a proposed shortfall of $45 to 75 million, Shepherd University has also been looking at streamlining its programming. Shepherd University President Dr. Mary […]

  MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — An Inwood man has been indicted for misappropriation by a fiduciary, wire fraud, theft of government property, false written statement, and false statement to federal agent. The US Attorney’s Office reports Joseph M. Beach, age 54, of Inwood, West Virginia had been appointed as the fiduciary for his father in late […]

  MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Hardy County Commissioner Steven Schetrom is running for State Treasurer. He talked about his qualifications during a Tuesday appearance on Panhandle Live. Schetrom criticized ESG scores for investments, which screen investments based on the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) corporate policies. He also raised concerns about a move to digital currency […]

  MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — A Martinsburg man has been sentenced for child pornography charge. The US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District announced this week Jerry Wayne Ricketts, age 43, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was sentenced Monday to 235 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography. According to court documents and statements made […]

  MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — A few months after long-time Martinsburg City Manager Mark Baldwin announced his October retirement, his replacement has been named. At Thursday’s meeting, The Martinsburg City Council appointed Andrew “Andy” Blake as the new city manager. Mayor Kevin Knowles presided over the vote: Blake has most recently served as assistant city manager […]

  BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. —  An organization that provides meals and help to folks in Morgan County is getting ready for a big fundraiser. The Empty Bowls fundraiser benefits Morgan County Starting Points takes place this Friday in Berkeley Springs. Here’s Starting Points Executive Director, Audrey Morris: The bowls are made by area artists: Morris […]

  MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — There’s a challenger for the seat held by West Virginia Senate President Craig Blair in the15th district.  Lt. Col. Tom Willis announced his candidacy at an event in downtown Martinsburg Thursday. He is running for the 15th District Senate seat currently occupied by Senate President Craig Blair. In an appearance on Panhandle […]

  MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Thursday was Save a Life Day across the Mountain State and 12 other Appalachian states. Drug prevention and recovery organizations distributed  Naloxone (commonly known as Narcan) and  taught folks how to use it.  The nasal spray is used to reverse the effects of opioids. Stephanie Stout is the Region 2 Drug […]

  HAGERSTOWN, MD — Roadwork begins this week at the Exit 9 interchange of I-81 near Hagerstown. The Maryland Department of Transportation reports the $4 million ramp widening and signalization project this week at the I-81 (Maryland Veterans Memorial Highway) Exit 9 ramps at Maugans Avenue in Hagerstown are aimed at improving safety in the […]

  CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office – WV is advising motorists they will have deputies in place to help with the new traffic patterns. Points of note: No left turns from Chestnut Hill Road onto Route 9. Encouraged to use Hostler Road for travel to Route 115 and on to Route […]

BURLINGTON, WV – As part of the US 340 detour, changes to the traffic pattern are planned at the intersection of WV 9 and Chestnut Hill Road/Charles Town Road in Jefferson County beginning on Tuesday, September 12, 2023. Traffic entering WV 9 from Chestnut Hill Road or Charles Town Road will be limited to right […]

HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. —The National Park Service has announced some closures as rock stabilization work begins this week along Rt. 340 near the park. The work is expected to last three months. Scheduled work along US 340 will impact park trails, shorelines and climbing routes in areas along US 340   “ Due to potentially hazardous […]

  BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. — A ribbon cutting for the Eastern Panhandle’s newest Women’s Shelter is set to take place Saturday. The Hope House, 47 Union Street in Berkeley Springs, marks the fruition of a years-long effort by the Morgan County Homeless Coalition to provide temporary housing for more women. Saturday also marks the day […]

      MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — House Majority Leader Eric Householder (R-Berkeley) is running for state auditor. Householder launched his campaign Friday at an event at the Holiday Inn with support from House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, the NRA’s Art Thomm, and Congressman Alex Mooney. Householder, who has served in the House for more than a decade, […]

  MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — The Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority will hold its monthly Board of Directors meeting  in person (and via Zoom upon request) on Monday, September 18, 2023, at 4pm. The meeting will be held at 446 Novak Drive, Martinsburg WV. This meeting is open to the public. Please call EPTA at 304-263-0876 if […]

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A day after the pollster in charge of the MetroNews West Virginia Poll corrected Republican gubernatorial candidate Patrick Morrisey’s polling numbers, the candidate said he appreciated the correction. Morrisey began questioning the validity of the poll on Friday, the day the poll results were published.  He said the numbers did […]

  BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. — Motorists who have outstanding parking tickets in the Town of Bath/Berkeley Springs need to pay them soon. The Berkeley Springs Police Department says motorists may pay Parking Tickets fees in person at the Town of Bath Main Office between the hours of 9am -5pm, over the phone at 304-258-1198 option […]

By Jordan Nicewarner, Panhandle News Network Sports   One of the biggest questions in Division 2 football from last week was if Shepherd could win without Bagent.    Well, they can.    It might not have been the prettiest win but a 27-26 win over Southern Connecticut State University at home to open up the […]

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Excessive heat and dry conditions in the Eastern Panhandle have prompted one water utility to ask its customers to conserve. “We ask that all customers use water wisely and avoid outdoor water use entirely,” according to the August 31st message from the Berkeley County Public Service Water District. “The extended period of […]

HAGERSTOWN, MD — Due to popular demand, the Hagerstown Regional Airport will now host the Global Entry Enrollment Event over the span of two days this month. Travelers are being encouraged to register now to attend the sessions on either Tuesday, September 26 or Wednesday, September 27, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM. There is a […]

HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. — The work to stabilize a portion of US Rt. 340 near Harpers Ferry begins in one week.  It will mean a detour that will tag an extra half hour onto most commuters’ time one way.  Here is the very latest release from the West Virginia Division of Highways regarding the work, […]

BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. — A 911 call at a Morgan County School Friday was due to a domestic incident, according to the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department. The Sheriff’s Department says Sheriff Bohrer, SGT. Lemon, CPL. Hedrick and Trp. Meyers responded and a male subject was arrested. Sheriff Bohrer says there was no danger to any […]

HAGERSTOWN, MD — Maryland State Police say a Hagerstown man has been arrested on impaired driving charges after a crash Saturday morning that injured a trooper in Washington County. “The suspect, Chauncey Dale Baylor II, 30, of Hagerstown, Maryland is charged with impaired driving,” according to a press release from the MSP. At about 2:45 […]