Home

The Best of Grant County Awards, an online nomination and vote based competition aimed at drawing attention to and celebrating the many great businesses located in Grant County, has entered its fi nal round.

After weeks of nominations, the 32 categories have been narrowed down to a few fi nalists. These fi nalists received the highest number of valid nominations and advanced to the fi nal ballot. For instructions on how to submit a vote, visit

PETERSBURG VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY 2026 OFFICERS -Krista Thorn, secretary; Dakota Ketterman, vice president; Jeremiah Mayle, president; Bobby Funk, chief; Hunter Whetzel, deputy chief/chaplain; Marshall Collins, fi rst captain/treasurer; Jeremy Hottinger, trustee; Nick Moreland, sergeant; Bowdie Hinkle, trustee; Joe Dolan, assistant treasurer; Lee Drewel, second lieutenant; Jordan Brashear, second captain; Clifton Ours, fi rst lieutenant.

photo courtesy of captain marshall collins/pvfc

The Grant County Commission held a special meeting last week to approve their organizational structure for the upcoming year.

During the meeting, the three commissioners (Scotty Miley, Tyson Riggleman and Kevin Hagerty) elected Riggleman to serve as the 2026 commission president. Both Miley and Riggleman commended previous president Hagerty on his time in the position and thanked him for his time in the role.

The Eastern Regional Family Resource Network has announced that beginning this week they will be operating an emergency shelter service, aimed at combating homelessness as well as providing resources for those in crisis.

According to a press release issued from the organization, the Eastern Regional Emergency Shelter opened on Monday, Jan.19 in Moorefi eld and will provide overnight shelter and supportive services to individuals and families across the Potomac Highlands region. The shelter currently operates Sunday through Saturday from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Discussions around homelessness have been ongoing in the Petersburg area the past few years, especially during winter months when temperatures fall to dangerous levels. Prior to this emergency shelter, there were very few in the area, with some of the nearest locations being Romney or even Elkins. This new shelter serves individuals experiencing literal homelessness, as well as community members displaced due to damage to their homes that makes them uninhabitable.

A man from Franklin was sentenced to over 13 years in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to child pornography charges. The charges came from a nationwide law enforcement investigation, according to court records fi led in U.S. District Court. Jerry Lewis Ayres, 55, from Franklin, was sentenced on January 8 by Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh in the Northern District of West Virginia.

West Virginia University Medicine Grant Memorial Hospital administration and staff members, local elected officials, local community leaders, business owners and members of the Grant County Chamber of Commerce gathered to celebrate the official opening of the RapidCare Clinic and Children’s Clinic.

West Virginia University Medicine Grant Memorial Hospital recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of the RapidCare Clinic and the WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Outpatient Clinic. These two new services are designed to expand access to care and better meet the healthcare needs of the region.

The Grant County Clerk’s office issued an update last week for anyone interested in running for an elected position in the county. According to the update, the candidate filing period for the May 12 primary election began on Monday at 8:30 a.m. and will be open through Saturday, January 31.

Per West Virginia State Code, the Clerk’s office will be open on Saturday, January 31, from 8:30 a.m. until noon for official candidate filing times.

Those interested in running for office may file for the following offices in the Clerk’s Office: County Commission, for a filing fee of $439.09; Board of Education (expired position) for a fee of $25.00; Conservation District Supervisor for a fee of $10.00 and County Executive Committee for a fee of $10. Voters will notice one major change during this upcoming election concerning political party registration.

In the past, voters registered at Independent could choose to vote either the Democratic or Republican ticket. This is no longer the case. Due to a change by the WV Republican Party, only voters registered as Republicans may vote a Republican ballot in the primary elections.

Other offices that will be on the ballot, and should be fi led with the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Offi ce include:

• United States Senate • United States House of Representatives

• Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals (Unexpired Term)

• Judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals

• WV State Senate

• WV House of Delegates

Anyone wishing to vote in the May election must be a registered voter. Those interested can register to vote, update their current voter registration or change their political party affiliation by visiting the County Clerk or online at GoVoteWV.com. Those who fi le for candidacy will be posted to the Grant County Clerk’s Facebook page. Any questions may be directed to the County Clerk’s Office at 304-257-4550.