Looking at the top stories for 2022. We can find great memories and much sadness, however as we head into 2023 we do so with high expectations for a happy and successful New Year. We also look back on the achievements and dedication of the many people that worked so diligently in 2022 to keep our country and communities a great place to live and raise families.

Riggenbachs Tile and Carpet Lost to Fire

The top Story of 2022 is the loss of two longtime businesses due to a raging out of control fire which broke out at Riggenbach Tile and Carpet and spread to ther warehouse and apartment. It also destroyed the business and equipment of Dr. Benjamin Kocher whose office was located in the bulding. The businesses and structures were a total loss.

Paden City Holds Grant Signing Agreement: On January 6, Paden City Officials held a sanitary sewer system improvement project agreement signing at the City Building. Mayor Steve Kastigar along with Adam Czekanski from the Army Corp of Engineers and several others were on hand for the ceremony that will allow upgrades to the approximately 3,000 residents.

Special Tribute to Coach Dave Cisar held: The event was held at the Lincoln Theater on January 16. Coach Cisar dedicated 48 years of his life to the New Martinsville Community through both coaching and teaching. Several ex-players and coaches were on hand as speakers and the ceremony included naming the the street near the baseball field âDave Cisar Wayã. Immediately following the tribute, Coach Cisar was inducted into the Wetzel County Hall of Fame.

New Martinsville Council Approves Funds for Johnson Memorial Park: On February 7, the New Martinsville Council approved $19,990.00 from ARPA funds to Wallace Pancher for engineering landscape of the Johnson Memorial Park (Gold Star Memorial). The property location for the park is the old airport property that was donated to the city.

Wetzel County Hospital Goes Live With Virtual ICU: On Monday January 24, WVU Medicine Wetzel County Hospital, inn New Martinsville, went live with the WVU Critical Care and Trauma Institute at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown.

Wetzel/Tyler Health Department Receives Donations: Marble King and Paul Wissmach Glass donated funds to the Wetzel/Tyler Health Department for their staff to become certified CPR, AED, and First Aid Instructors with the American Safety and Health Institute. Tyler County schools will be the first to utilize the new service.

Paden City added to EPAás Superfund Cleanup List: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is adding the Paden City Groundwater site in Paden City to the Superfund National Priorities List. âNo community deserves to have contaminated sites near where they live, work, play, or go to school. Nearly 2 out of 3 the sites being proposed or added to the priorities list are in overburdened or underserved communities,ã said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan.

Wetzel County 4-H and FFA Ham, Bacon and Egg Sale nets $105,394.12: The 2022 sale was held on Friday, March 11, at the Mollahan Center on the 4-H grounds.

Wetzel County Board of Education Approves Renovations to Paden City Elementary: Approval was given by the Board for the construction and renovation of Paden City Elementary Gymnatorium, including HVAC replacement, elevator installation, and a sprinkler system for a cost of $5,382,800.00. Also approved was roof repacement at New Martinsville School at a cost of $429,800.00.

Craig Schneid Selected to Athletics Coaches HOF: Former Magnolia High School Track Coach Craig Schneid was selected to the West Virginia Schools Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame for the Class of 2022. Schneid is tied for the state record of boys state track championships with 10. Nine at Magnolia and one at Wheeling Central. The Ceremony was held on June 10, in Charleston, with recognition the next day at the North/South football game.

Keith Craycraft, Local Bowling Icon Passes Away: The former owner operator of Bruce Bowling Lanes died suddenly on Friday, May 14, at his home in New Martinsville. Keith bowled on the professional bowling tour from 1972-1982 and appeared on five PBA-style television tours.

New Martinsville City Council Distributes ARPA Checks: On Monday night, April 25, New Martinsville City County met and Mayor Sandy Hunt presented checks to eligible city residents. All the recipients had losses to their businesses during the two-year pandemic.

Wetzel County Backhome Festival goers Greeted with Great Music, Beautiful Weather: As always for the past 5 years organizers of the event welcomed an estimated 15,000 people to the downtown area on Saturday, June 24 and 25, to what many call the premier music event in the Tri-State area. It turned out to be a great success after a couple years of battling COVID. Plans are already underway for the 2023 venue.

Wetzel County Sheriffás Summer Picnic a Success: On Saturday June 11, 2022 after a two year break due to the pandemic, the Wetzel County Sheriffás Department and the Wetzel County Coalition Against Drug Abuse held a summer picnic for Wetzel County students pre-k through 8th grade and their families. Food, games, rides and gifts were enjoyed by all at the Wetzel County 4-H grounds.

Flash Flooding claims life of Wetzel County women: Following a severe storm and hard torrential rains two people were rescued from high water. However a Wileyville women was swept away an her body was later recovered by rescurers approximately 8 hrs later.

First Annual Magnolia Alumni Memorial Golf Scramble to be held: The first annual Magnolia Alumni, Family, Tacher and Friends golf outing sponsored by the class of 1970 was announced with the date set at July 30th, at Riverside Golf Course.

Magnolia Boys Win Gold in 4X800 Relay at State Track Meet in Charleston: The Magnolia 4×800 relay team made up of Lucas Zombotti, Landen Davis, Jordan Davis, and Brady Renner took first place in the event with a time of 8:44.73, beating out second place St. Marys by five seconds.

Wetzel County Teacher Resigns Following Allegations of Improper Conduct:A professional employee within the Wetzel County school system tendered his resignation after being confronted with various allegations of inappropriate conduct The West Virginia State Police is investigating the allegations.

New Martinsville Police Chief Tim Cecil retains his position easily defeating his opponent 724-143. Cecil has held the positionfor 19 years after fiorst winning election in 2003.

Newly Elected BOE Members Take Oath of Office: On Tuesday July 5, at the Wetzel County Board of Education Office three newly elected members to the board were sworn into office. They included Dr. Rob Christen, Christine Nice, and Jimmy Glasscock.

Hundred Celebrates July 4th in Grand Fashion: The town may be small, but itás big on celebrations. The communityás fourth of July parade and celebration held on July 3rd this year could rival the best of any other in the state.

Wetzel County Assessor Scott Lemley awarded Certified Assessment Evaluator Status: Lemley who recently received his designation as a certified assessment evaluator is believed to be the first assessor in West Virginia to receive this designation through the International Association Office.

Marshall County Co-Op Opens Satelitte Propane Plant to Serve Wetzel/yler Counties: The is Managed by David S. Voithofer who grew up in Smithfield, Pa. near Uniontown. Voithofer has been with the Co-op for 37 years. He says one of the reasons he wanted to put a Satellite Plant south of New Martinsville, is because itás their growth opportunity, and it allows them to better serve Wetzel and Tyler, while cutting transportations costs.

Wellspring Family Services Ribbon Cutting Held August 3rd. in New Martinsville: Wellspring Family Services, a fixture in the New Martinsville community recently relocated to a new site at 761 Third Street. In celebration an open house ceremony was held. Wellspring offers trauma-informed counseling to children, adults and families in Tyler and Wetzel Counties at the New Martinsville location.

New Martinsville Council Unable to Provide School Resource Officer: According to Police Chief Tim Cecil his department was understaffed and would not be able to provide an officer for the upcoming year 2022. Councilman Joe Smith said council decided not to offer an officer and they needed to notify the Board of Education immediately of the lack of manpower. All council members were in agreement.

New Sleep Lab, Upgraded Cardiopulmonary Rehab Clinic Open in Wetzel County: WVU Medicine Wetzel County Hospital announced the grand opening of their new state of the art Sleep Center location on the campus of Wetzel County Hospital; the first of itás kind in the area.

Antero Employees Renovate Valley High Schoolás Sports Complex: Employees with Antero Resources volunteered to renovate the schools sports complex. With help from RDR Energy Resources, Instant Growth Hydroseeding, LLC and Laurel Aggregates, volunteers donated a combined 400 hours to complete the job, along with equipment and materials.

Paden City Development Authority Gives Update on Development Grants: On August 24, 2022, the Development Authority hosted Federal EPA Officials and provided a lunch, and presentation, before providing a walk through of their facilities. They provided the officials and interested individuals with an update of their plans and progress for developing their sites in Paden City.

Former Teacher and Coach John Smith charged in Magistrate Court with felony count of sexual abuse by custodian in a position of trust to a child.

Paden City Labor Day Parade held for 75th year despite rain: The annual labor day event went on despite rainy weather. People lined the streets for the parade and made their way to the city park for music and entertainment.

New Family Court Judge Named inNorthern Panhandle: Attorney David L. Jackson was sworn in as Family Court Judge in the Second Judicial Circuit which is comprised of Marshall, Tyler, and Wetzel Counties. The ceremony was held on September 9. Judge Jackson replaces Judge Robert C. Hicks who recently retired. Jackson was appointed by Governor Jim Justice to fill the vacancy. He was sworn in by Second Judicial Circuit Judge Jeffery D. Cramer in the Marshall County Courthouse.

2022 New Martinsville Regattafest A Success: The 86th year of Power boats returned to downtown New Martinsville September 24-25. Despite having to cancel the races on Sunday due to rough water the event was a hit as Saturdayás weather of bright blue skies and a gentle breeze made for some great raceig and lots of good times and food for all in attendance.

United States Environmental Protection Agency Holds Worksop in Paden City: The USEPA held a public workshop regarding the contamination of the soil and the groundwater beneath Paden City. The soil and groundwater are contaminated by the solvent Tetrachloroethylene, also called PCE.

New Martinsville Downtown Chili Festival Held: Several Hundred people attended the event to sample the soup creations and enjoy the day. Winning first place was The New Martinsville Fire Department.

West Virginia Court of Appeals Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for New Martinsville Satellite Courtroom: The new Satellite Courtroom will be used by the Intermediate Court of Appeals of West Virginia and is housed in the New Judicial Building on the third Floor. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Hutchison , the three ICA Judges and Second Judicial Chief Judge Jeffery D Cramer, plus Family Court Judge David L. Jackson were in attendance. Wetzel County Magistrates Judith Goontz and Doanald Harris and Wetzel County Commissioners were also present for the ceremony.

Wetzel County Board of Education Termnates Paden City Principal Jay Salva: In a closed door session with Principal Salva and his legal counsel met with the Board for approximately 4 hrs. Following the meeting it was announced by Superintendent Tammy Wells that she recommended to the board for termination and for Mr. Slavaás paid, unpaid suspension be ratified.

Magnolia High School Football Season Ends on decision by BOE: Following the decision by 20 players to quit the team due to various reasons, including the safety of the players. The decison was made to forfiet the remainder of the season. Later Head Footbal Coach Dave âDocã Chapman resigned.