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The Tri-County Fair board recently announced that country singer John Foster will be headlining the 2026 fair. Foster is a country singer and songwriter from Louisiana, known for his rich classic sound and honest songwriting. As the American Idol Season 23 runner-up, he’s quickly become one of country music’s most promising young voices - blending the heart of ‘80s and ‘90s country with a modern edge that stays true to tradition.

He has been mentored by some of music’s most respected artists and has performed on the Grand Ole Opry six times, earning praise for keeping traditional country alive and fresh. Grounded in his strong Christian faith and Louisiana roots, he’s paving his own path while honoring the legends who came before him. He’s also shared the bill with Opry greats like Carrie Underwood, Mark Willis, John Conlee and Bill Anderson. Off the Opry stage, Foster continues to tour the country, playing to growing crowds with many shows already selling out. Tickets go on sale in May.

Last week, Grant County offi cially become the fi fth county in West Virginia to offer a Safe Haven Baby Box, a system designed to offer a safe place for parents unable to care for their infants.

According to the Safe Haven manufacturers, the boxes are designed to be a secure option for mothers in crisis who are unable to care for their newborns. Designed with innovative safety features and installed on the exterior walls of fi re stations and hospitals, each box ensures the safe and anonymous surrender of infants.

The exterior door locks automatically when a newborn is placed inside, and an interior door allows medical personnel to promptly and securely retrieve the baby, ensuring immediate care and protection.

Grant County’s baby box is located at the Grant County Ambulance Building in Petersburg and will alert a health care provider if used. The box in Petersburg is the fi fth box in West Virginia and the 440th of its kind in the United States. The closest baby boxes prior to this were in Roanoke, Va., and Morgantown.

A Petersburg man is facing charges after he allegedly sexually assaulted a home care worker in the presence of his elder family member.

The incident took place in September 2025 when offi cers received a call from the alleged victim’s employer about an incident that occurred while she had been working in a client’s home.

According to a report fi led in the Grant County Magistrate Court, the female victim told offi cers that Bruce Vandevander, 68, of 217 Clifftop Dr., Petersburg (Woodland Terrace), had touched her without her permission.

The junior Vikings made one last trip to Franklin to finish off the season with the first ever Potomac Valley League Wrestling Tournament. With the addition of middle school programs at Keyser and Frankfort this year, it was possible to create the tournament along side Petersburg, Pendleton County, East Hardy, and Warm Springs.

It has been a long 3 months for the young group who were excited to compete one last time for the season.
At 70 lbs., Jaxon Wichael finished in 2nd Place. Jaxon finishes his first year of wrestling with 11 wins and a promising future in the sport.
Savannah Fritz competed at 94 lbs. and finished in 3rd Place with 2 wins on the day.  The rookie finishes her first year on a high note and 8 wins on the season.
Sheldon Delawder saved his best wrestling for the end.  Another rookie, he went 4-1 to place 2nd at 102 lbs. He finishes with 12 wins.
Connor Carlon competed at 110 lbs. and ends his strong season with 14 matches won.
Ayden Callixte proved to be the standard at 123 lbs. Ayden went 3-for-3 on the day to become the schools first PVL Champion.  The 8th grader completes the first undefeated season in program history with a 26-0 season and will be a great addition to the varsity program next year.

At 135 lbs., Noah Rumfelt finished his tournament in 2nd Place after picking up 3 wins on the day. In his second year of wrestling, Noah won 18 matches.
Charlie Roby finishes his second season at 145 lbs., having won 9 matches.
Bentley Judy brought home 2nd Place at 190 lbs. He finishes his season with a great 24-3 record and will be another exciting addition to the varsity squad next year.
Other members of the team not able to compete were Ava Ault and Victoria Appold.
With only 3 returning from last year and plenty of the team wrestling for the first time, it was a great season for the team.  The progress from the first match to the last has been incredible and it speaks volumes to the work these young men and women have put in over the last few months. If you see one of them, congratulate them on a great season. As their coach, I could not be prouder of them and am truly excited to see what the future holds for them both on and off the mat. We will do it again in November!

Braylon Ward delivered a performance to remember Saturday night, scoring 26 points to lead Union to a 55–47 road win over Tygarts Valley while becoming the program’s all-time leading scorer.

The junior guard connected on five three-pointers and went 13-of-14 from the free-throw line, breaking the school’s career scoring record and pushing his career total to 1,333 points.

Union and Tygarts Valley traded baskets early in a tightly contested first quarter, with both teams looking to establish tempo. Ward knocked down a pair of three-pointers in the opening period to spark the Tigers’ offense, while Corbin Streets and Eric Linkswiler controlled the paint on both ends of the floor.

The Tigers began to gain separation in the second quarter behind efficient shooting and steady ball movement. Ward continued to attack the basket and draw fouls, helping Union build a slim halftime advantage.

2/12/26
Petersburg High School girls’ basketball team made the short trip to Moorefield Thursday night and used a strong defensive effort to earn a 56 – 40 victory over their rivals.  The Lady Vikings forced 26 Lady Jacket turnovers in the win.
Petersburg set the tone early, outscoring Moorefield 15 – 4 in the opening quarter.  Sis Cole had six points in the period to lead the Vikings.
Moorefield opened the second quarter on a 6 – 0 run to cut the Petersburg lead to five and force coach Jon Webster to call a time out with 6:45 remaining in the half.  The Lady Vikings responded, ending the quarter on a 20 – 4 run to take a commanding 35 – 14 lead to the locker room.
The two teams traded baskets for most of the third quarter, with Petersburg edging Moorefield by one, to extend their lead to 22 heading into the final quarter.
The Lady Jackets opened the fourth period on a 14 – 3 run, cutting Petersburg’s lead to 11 with 3:01 remaining in the contest.  The Lady Vikings regrouped and outscored Moorefield 7 – 2 the rest of the way to secure the victory.
Karlie DiBenedetto led Petersburg with 13 points.  Cole added 12 points, while Shyane Tawney finished with eight points and eight assists.  Addison Day and Miley Tingler each scored six points.

2/14/26
The Petersburg Lady Vikings traveled to Martinsburg Saturday morning for a noon tip against the Class AAAA Cardinals of Spring Mills High School.  Springs Mills led 7 – 6 with 2:27 left in the opening quarter, but that would be the last time the Cardinals were in front as Petersburg cruised to decisive 62 – 21 victory.
The Lady Vikings closed the opening quarter on an 8 – 0 run to lead 14 – 7 after eight minutes of play.  Miley Tingler scored six points in the quarter to pace Petersburg.
Petersburg took control in second period, opening the quarter on a 19 – 3 run to take a commanding 33 – 10 advantage.  The Vikings led 33 – 14 at the break.
The Lady Vikings did not slow down in the third quarter, outscoring Spring Mills 20 – 2 to make the score 53 – 16 with eight minutes to play.
In the fourth quarter, Petersburg outscored the Cardinals 9 – 3 to cap the win.  Teila Thorne scored four points in the frame to lead the Lady Vikings.
Tingler finished with 14 points, eight rebounds, and five steals.  Shyane Tawney added 11 points, six assists, and four steals.  Ayden Mayfield contributed eight points, while Sis Cole added six.
The win is the fourth in a row for the Lady Vikings, improving their record to 11 – 6 on the season.
Petersburg played host to South Harrison Monday night.  They will travel to Tucker County Thursday evening before returning home on Saturday for a matchup with Pendleton County.