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Seth and Shane Lanhardt, the sons of Rebecca Alt Lanhardt and founders of the Rebecca Alt Lanhardt Foundation, spoke during the ribbon cutting celebration of the new community pavilion in Petersburg. The Lanhardt’s donated $125,000 towards the project in their late mother’s honor.

Community members gathered in Petersburg last week to officially cut the ribbon on the new Petersburg Community Pavilion dedicated through the Rebecca Alt Lanhardt Foundation. Dozens of local officials, business owners, residents and artists attended the ceremony. “The pavilion represents a shared vision the community has had, coming together and creating a vibrant downtown that brings people together,” said Carla Kaposy, the head of the Grant County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “So this space is not just a structure, it is about connection. It is about connecting locals and visitors in a shared gathering space.”

A Tucker County mining accident took the life of one worker and left another injured last week. The accident occurred at the Mountain View Mine near Davis. The mine is owned by Mettiki Coal. The incident occurred in the early morning hours at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Nov. 6. The type of accident that occurred has not been confirmed.

Later that night, it was confirmed by Gov. Patrick Morrisey that Joey Mitchell Jr. was the miner killed in the accident. “Our coal miners are among the hardest-working and most courageous people in our state,” Morrisey said in a social media post. “They represent the strength, humility, and resolve that defi ne West Virginia. We owe these men and women an enduring debt of gratitude for the sacrifices they make every day to power our communities and our nation.”

Officials confirmed that the injured miner was transported by helicopter from the scene to receive medical care.

As the effects of the federal government shutdown continue to ripple through the region, Faith Assembly of God in Petersburg has stepped up to help. The church began offering free hot meals last week to individuals affected by EBT and to furloughed government employees. “We started last Tuesday,” explained one of the organizers. “We’re doing this three days a week — we post updates on Facebook and announce it on the radio so people know when to come.” The meals are open only to those directly affected by the shutdown, but no paperwork is currently required to receive one. “We just want to make it as easy as possible for people to come and eat,” one volunteer said. Several local churches are pitching in. Volunteers from both the Faith Assembly of God and the Church of God are preparing and serving the meals.

The conversation concerning who was responsible for the upkeep of a portion of Potomac Avenue near the City of Petersburg continued last week when local business owner Randy Thorne appeared before the commission for a second time. Thorne had spoken with the council last month during their regularly scheduled meeting about the poor shape of Potomac Avenue, located in south Petersburg near Golden Lanes Bowling Alley. The Thorne family owns the bowling alley and requested the city crews do some repairs on the street. However, the council pushed back, saying that the street was not in the city limits and was beyond the scope of the city’s responsibility.

by Ann Harrison

The Petersburg Vikings, with a 6-3 record, and the East Hardy Cougars, with a 5-4 record, met at Viking Memorial Field for the final 2025 regular-season game. The Vikings had not beaten East Hardy for the past six years (2018). Friday night would change that record. It was important for the playoff ranking. It was Viking Senior Night, and the evening began with recognition of senior Viking football team members, cheerleaders, and band students. Senior football players recognized: Logan Bachman, Colson Bobo, Alex Halterman, Kaleb Kuhn, and Lukas Wolford. They will leave a large hole in the 2026 Viking roster.

The Cougars won the coin toss and opted to receive, and at 9:18 on the board, Nehemiah Graham scored a 35-yard touchdown, and quickly it is 7-0. The Cougars kickoff and Kaleb Kuhn received and delivered a 56-yard. return. Lukas Wolford gives a fi rst down, and Evan Tawney commits a 16-yard run touchdown. Payton Metheny boots a good PAT, and it is tied 7-7. In the next Viking series, Payton Metheny has a quarterback keeper touchdown and an extra kick to bring the score to 14-7 Vikings. Cougar Nehemiah Graham scores his 2nd TD with a 55 yd. run and the score is now 14-14.

East Hardy brings the score to 17-14 with a 44-yard field goal with 1:17 remaining until halftime. The Vikings, with 3 seconds left until halftime, respond with a Payton Metheny 32 yd. fi eld goal. The teams go into the locker room at half with a 17-17 score. Halftime statistics see Vikings with 160 yards Metheny passing and Kaleb Kuhn with 103 yards receiving. Third quarter and Evan Tawney with a pass from Metheny has his second touchdown, and Payton puts in the extra point, and it is now 24-17 Vikings. Fourth Quarter and Lukas Wolford had a 24-yard. run followed by Metheny with a keeper to the threeyard line at 8:48. Wolford completes that 3 yds. for a touchdown, and once again Metheney fi nishes the task, and it is 31-17 Vikings. East Hardy follows with a TD at 4:54 to get a new total of 31-24 Vikings. Kick off to Vikings and Lukas Wolford gives the team a fi rst down with a 31-yard pass. carry. This is followed by a handoff to L. Wolford, and Lukas makes a 50-yard pass. touchdown. Of course, Payton M. puts in his point and it is a Viking 38-24.

Shortly thereafter, Cougar quarterback Trevor Roof completes a TD and 38-31 appears on the board. That will be the fi nal Win score, 38-31. Lukas Wolford had a career high rushing for 144 yds. on 14 carries combined with 42 receiving yds. Kaleb Kuhn completed 151 receiving yards. Vikings completed the regular season with a 7-3 record. It is on to the playoffs with the Vikings at #10 in AA.

Cheers to Coach Shane Shockey and his coaching staff. Thanks to team manager, Josh Sullivan. PHS cheerleaders cannot be beat and that’s on record with their recent PVC championship title. Coach Angie Propst deserves the credit for their outstanding performances. We could not have the fan spirit without the PHS Viking Band under the direction of Faith Smith. The “Mini Vikings” are to be commended for their leadership in preparing the fans for the games, led by principal, Jodie Long and Ruth Ann Nuzum. The voice of the Vikings, Greg Foley year after year always does a great job. PHS senior, Madelyn Johnson has done an excellent job as team photographer.

I personally want to extend my thanks to David Rogers for reporting the away games and one home game. David served as Director of Basketball and Football Operations at Fairmont State University 2002-2009. A close friend of mine, Rev. Donal “Jack” Squires was Chaplain at Fairmont State and spoke to me of David and said, “David is one of the fi nest young men I have known and very important to the Fairmont State University sports program.”

I would never have thought of reporting football games if it had not been for my grandson, Peyton Day being a member of the Viking team fi ve years ago when I began this avocation. When fi ne young men and sometimes a woman play a game as tough as football, someone needs to give them a few accolades in the newspaper. I have loved every moment.

The Lady Vikings volleyball team opened regional tournament play with a dominant win over the the Frankfort Falcons on Tuesday, October 28

. Petersburg swept the Falcons in straight sets by scores of 25-15, 25-20, and 25-22 to claim a 3-0 victory. Leading the offense at the net was Addie Day with 20 kills, followed by Miley Tingler with 13 and Teila Thorne with 7. Setters Taylan VanMeter and Ayden Mayfield ran a balanced offense with 19 and 18 assists, respectively.

For Petersburg High School golf coach Todd Heare, success isn’t defined by trophies — though there have been plenty. Under his leadership, the Vikings have become one of the state’s most respected programs, built on consistency, discipline, and heart. Heare has been named the Potomac Valley Conference Coach of the Year four years in a row and the WVSACA State Golf Coach of the Year. But he’s quick to say those awards reflect more than his own work. “I’ve never viewed it as an individual award,” Heare said. “It’s a reflection of everyone who makes this program what it is — our players, parents, community, and assistant coaches. We do this together.”

This season, Petersburg capped off another historic run, finishing Class AA state runner-up at Oglebay’s Jones Course while breaking multiple school records and producing standout performances from both veterans and newcomers. “It all started back in 2009 when Seth Thompson came to me and asked if I would apply for the job and coach his team,” Heare recalled. “I had always loved playing the game, and when he asked me to coach, I wanted to experience that side of golf — helping grow the program and watching young people fall in love with the game.” After taking the job, Heare led the Vikings to the state tournament in both 2010 and 2011. “I was hooked,” he said.