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A Pennsylvania man who attempted to rob a Hardy County resident at gunpoint will spend the rest of his life in prison after it was discovered he had already committed two similar crimes, one of which also included threatening someone’s life with a gun. Hardy County prosecutor and Grant County resident, Robert Ryan, secured the conviction and the sentence was handed down by circuit court Judge John H. Treadway Jr. earlier this month. Shawn Michael Davison was arrested in Hardy County in January after he pulled a gun on a Hardy County man in front of the victim’s home.

The Grant County Health Department issued a public notice last week warning residents that feeding stray dogs or cats without ensuring they receive a rabies vaccination could result in fi nes or, in serious cases, a jail sentence. The warning came after a rabid raccoon was discovered in the Patterson Creek Road area near Arthur. “It is important to make sure all pets are up to date on the rabies vaccine,” the department said in the release.

“ All animals that have been in contact with this raccoon are at risk and could present a risk to people or other animals including pets or livestock in the area.” The department issued a warning that anyone who “owns, keeps, or harbors a dog or cat and fails to have such dog or cat vaccinated or revaccinated against rabies can be fi ned or sentenced to jail.” These regulations can play an even more important role in more populated areas, such as the City of Petersburg, which already struggles with a high number of stray cats.

According to state code, any one convicted could be fi ned not less than $10 nor more than $50, or be confi ned in the county jail not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days, or both. The department reminded the community of the severity of rabies, stressing that it is a serious illness that can be deadly. “The virus infects the brain and nerves which causes the animal to act differently but animals in the early stage of rabies may not have any signs of the disease,” the health department noted. “But you can still be infected if you are bitten or scratched. Wild animals may move slowly or act tame. Other warning signs include daytime activity in animals normally active at night; staggering or weakness; inability to eat or drink; drooling and frothing at the mouth. Pets that are usually friendly may snap or bite at you or become shy and hide.”

According to the department, if an animal that is suspected to have rabies may have been in contact with a pet or human and is killed, it is vital that it not be handled with bare hands and that the head is not damaged as the brain is needed for examination. If the animal cannot be examined immediately, the animal must be refrigerated, not frozen. Place the animal in a cardboard box or cooler with ice and contact the Grant County Health Department immediately at 304-257-4922 or, if after hours, call 911 and they will contact the health department. If a suspected animal is killed but has not had contact with a human or pet, the health department advises to cover it with lime and bury it.

Two sexual offense cases from Hardy County were recently sent to circuit court. Gary Allen Shumaker faces two charges: fi rst-degree sexual assault and fi rst-degree sexual abuse. Both charges involve a victim under 12, according to court records. In Shumaker’s case, a felony complaint was fi led in Hardy County Magistrate Court on March 10. A warrant was issued on March 11. The bond was initially set at $100,000 on March 15 and later lowered to $25,000. Based on the latest fi lings, the bond had not been posted.

April 29 until May 9 - Early voting in person at the Grant County Courthouse. Voting will take place during regular business hours. In addition, early voting must be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the last two Saturdays before the Primary Election.

May 6 - Deadline for absentee ballot applications. County clerks must receive absentee ballot applications from voters no later than the 6th day before the election. The County Clerk must mail ballots within one business day of receiving an absentee application from an eligible voter

May 11 - Deadline to Hand-Deliver Absentee Ballot to the Clerk’s Offi ce

May 12 - Primary Election Day