I remember once visiting college friends in the Washington, D.C., area not long after we entered the workforce. Of course we talked about our jobs. They inquired as to what makes big news in a small place like Wetzel County. I told them of the big trial at the time covering the Gump murder in the Hundred area.

They scoffed at the notion that a simple robbery/murder would get such coverage. “Murders are small notations inside the newspaper here,” they said. I was thankful I didn’t live in such a crime-ridden calloused area. While we do have a murder on this week’s front page, I’m glad it is the first one in New Martinsville in 17 years.