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A look back at 2019’s biggest stories from Monongalia County

A deal to bring a $1.1 billion power plant expansion, the merging of EMS services, the opening of a new aquatic center and the reintroduction of subdivision regulations all made news in Monongalia County in 2019. New PILOT The Monongalia County Commission and Longview Power are working on a PILOT, or payment in lieu of taxes, agreement for the $1.1 billion solar and natural gas expansion planned for the coal-fired power plant on Fort Martin Road. This will be the second such agreement between the power producer and the county. As incentive to build the 710 megawatt, $2.2 billion coal ...

Rabid kitten bites 3 veterinary employees

A kitten found downtown last week off Willey Street that was taken to a veterinary clinic bit some employees and was later found to have rabies. The employees are undergoing post-exposure rabies prophylaxis treatment, according to a registered sanitarian from Monongalia County Health Department’s environmental health program. The kitten was sent to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Office of Laboratory Services last Thursday by MCHD Environmental Health; results came back Friday that the cat was positive for rabies. “Rabies is spread through saliva,” said ...

CMA Church of Morgantown hosts event to feed the homeless

The doors open downtown, but churches all over Monongalia County come to feed those who need a meal. Debby Borrelli of St. Paul Lutheran Church said the Circle of Friends, a group that offers those meals, make sure that there are different locations where a meal is available. The CMA ...

Dominion Energy assistance programs can help customers save energy, money this winter

CLARKSBURG — As the region sees signs of winter, Dominion Energy West Virginia reminds customers of flexible bill payment options and energy assistance programs as well as offers some energy-saving tips. While improving your home’s energy efficiency, these can also help ease financial stress for customers facing economic struggles and those on fixed incomes. “We encourage those who may be facing financial hardship to learn more about special payment arrangements and take advantage of our energy assistance programs and conservation tips,” DEWV director Jonell Carver said. To ...

Notable local crime stories in 2019

It was a busy year in Monongalia County’s courts — 2019 saw the suspects in two shootings sentenced to prison and several notable trials, including one that sent a rapist to jail. An attempted murderer Imani Zachary Cody, 21, pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder and wanton endangerment involving a firearm in Monongalia County Circuit Court on July 10. Judge Susan Tucker sentenced the Detroit man to 3-15 years for attempted murder and five years for wanton endangerment. The sentences are running consecutively. On Dec. 12, Cody shot Derrick Hamlet, 24, at a Brockway ...

Unsheltered homeless count in county to be announced Jan. 22-23

Having declared its frenetic initial push a success, the Home for the Holidays initiative — new name coming — is looking to transition forward. Representatives of the effort recently explained that it will have placed 27 people — 16 households — into stable housing with case management and wraparound services by the end of the year. Rachael Coen, chief programs officer with the West Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness, said a big part of this next phase will be the annual point in time homeless count to be held Jan. 22-23. The count indicates the number of ...