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They Knew: Clarksburg’s Lead Pipe Scandal Is No Accident

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They’re patting each other on the back this year—2025—like heroes.

Water board members, and contractors lining up for photo ops, celebrating a lead pipe replacement project as if they’ve just delivered us from evil.

But let’s be honest: this is not a victory. It’s a cover-up cleanup, decades too late. They put out some PR yesterday that fired me up and inspired me to write.

The job they’re celebrating today? It should have been done in the 1950s or 60s, when lead pipe dangers were already well-known. Instead, Clarksburg officials let this problem rot underground for over half a century, quietly poisoning the people they swore to protect.

And now they want credit?
Hell No.
They deserve scrutiny. They deserve outrage. And some of them may deserve criminal prosecution.

Let’s be blunt: they knew. And if they didn’t, then someone needs to explain how our entire city infrastructure was run by incompetents who couldn’t tell lead from copper or steel with a wrench in their hand. None of those workers ever reported it?

This Isn’t Just a Crisis—It’s a Betrayal

Clarksburg isn’t some thriving metro with national watchdogs breathing down its neck. We’re a small Appalachian city with aging infrastructure, proud people, and not nearly enough attention from state or federal regulators.

Maybe that’s why it was so easy to ignore us.

But that’s no excuse. Our kids are just as important. Our families matter just as much. And while the rest of the country watched lead horror stories unfold in other places, ours was quietly happening right here, beneath our streets, inside our homes, with no headlines, no outrage, and no help.

And we have to ask:
Why did Flint, Michigan make national news, while Clarksburg, West Virginia got nothing?
Why does it take a media frenzy for politicians and regulators to care?
Why does America always ignore Appalachia until it’s too late?

This isn’t just a story about poisoned pipes. It’s a story about how rural towns, working-class communities, and forgotten corners of this country get treated like collateral damage.

It wasn’t until local parents started seeing the symptoms of lead poisoning in their children—learning issues, behavior changes, health problems—that the alarm finally sounded.

And who rang that alarm?
Not the Water Board. Not the city. Not the EPA.
It was everyday people, doing what officials failed to do: paying attention and demanding answers.

The Health Effects Are Permanent—and Haunting

Lead is a neurotoxin. That means it attacks the brain and nervous system directly—and in children, even small exposures can lead to lifelong damage.

Lower IQ
Speech delays
Hyperactivity, aggression, impulsive behavior
Stunted growth, hearing loss, learning problems

And these effects? They don’t go away. There’s no cure. No treatment. No do-over.

In adults, lead exposure leads to:
High blood pressure and heart disease
Kidney failure
Memory loss, fatigue, joint pain
Fertility problems and miscarriage
Depression and mental deterioration

Even minor long-term exposure can eat away at a person’s health slowly, silently, and often without diagnosis. The result? Entire generations of people in this city may have suffered needlessly—with no answers.

How Many Clarksburg Residents Have Suffered Silently?

How many funerals were held that didn’t need to happen?
How many kids were written off as troubled when they were just poisoned?
How many mothers buried children—or miscarried them—without ever being told that their tap water was part of the reason?

Is it possible—no, likely—that this has been going on far longer than anyone wants to admit?

The more you think about it, the sicker it gets. And someone needs to be held accountable.

They Knew—And They Hid It

Let’s stop pretending this was some mystery buried in the past. When a line breaks, and a city crew digs it up, they know what they’re looking at.

Lead is soft, gray, and heavy. It bends. It scratches easily. It connects differently. Any worker with experience knows the feel of it, the look of it. They’ve known for decades.

But beyond that—when a repair is made, you can’t just slap modern piping onto a lead service line and call it a day. Special steps have to be taken.

You need specific adapters and couplings—called compression fittings or lead-to-copper transitions. These are purpose-built for the job and clearly labeled for lead applications. You don’t just happen to have them in the truck by accident.

If a pipe crew installs a new line segment and connects it to lead, they have to know it’s lead—because if they don’t, the wrong materials could cause galvanic corrosion, making the problem worse and violating every basic water quality standard.

You also don’t dig up lead without notifying safety personnel, using protective gear, and disposing of the scrap according to hazardous material guidelines. None of that happens by chance. It takes documentation, awareness, and a conscious decision to keep quiet.

And if you need more proof they knew? Look at their awards.

Over the years, Clarksburg’s water system proudly received recognition for water quality. Press releases. Certificates. Pomp and ceremony. But how does a system serving lead-contaminated homes win awards for purity?

It’s simple: you only pull your water samples from the clean lines.

They knew exactly which neighborhoods were safe. They knew which houses had copper or PVC. And that’s where they took the samples. Not from the oldest homes in North View or Stealey. Not from the places they suspected—or knew—had lead.

They knew where to test to get the right results.
They knew what not to touch.
And they absolutely knew what would happen if the truth came out.

So what happened? Did no one ever report it? Were they told not to? Did the Water Board quietly code these repairs in the logs without drawing attention?

Whatever the excuse, it’s not good enough. And the idea that now, in 2025, we should be celebrating the people responsible for delaying this project in the first place is an insult to every family who drank that water.

We Tried to Sound the Alarm—They Didn’t Want to Hear It

I was on City Council when the early planning for this project began.

And I’ll be honest: I didn’t want to give them a single dollar.

Not because I didn’t want the pipes replaced—but because I believed they should be forced to crawl to every state and federal agency with their hand out, hoping someone would ask them the hard questions they were dodging here at home.

In fact, I pushed to disband the Water Board altogether and put it under full city control—where it should have been all along. End the backroom protection, end the institutional silence. Shine a light on the whole mess.

They ignored it.
They protected themselves.
And now they want praise?

Fixing It Isn’t Good Enough

Yes, the pipes are finally being replaced. But let’s be clear: this isn’t progress. It’s a forced confession, dragged out by circumstance, not character.

This project only happened because the people found out. Not because the system did its job.

Replacing the lines is the bare minimum. What Clarksburg really needs is:
A public apology
A full investigation
And consequences for anyone who lied, delayed, or knowingly allowed families to drink from poisoned lines

Bring Them Back—Every One of Them

I want to see every living former member of the Clarksburg Water Board—every mayor, every utility director, every bureaucrat who signed off on a report—brought back and made to face the public.

Not a memo.
Not a closed-door “review.”
A congressional-style hearing, right here in Clarksburg, on camera, under oath.

They should have to explain themselves—not to me, but to the parents of kids who’ll never reach their full potential, to the adults whose health may never recover, and to the families who deserve to know the truth about what was in their water.

And if you think that sounds extreme, just look at what happened in Flint.

In the Flint water crisis, over a dozen officials were criminally charged—state employees, emergency managers, even the governor himself. Charges included misconduct in office, willful neglect of duty, and involuntary manslaughter.

And yet—no one went to prison.

Most walked away with plea deals, fines, or charges dismissed in legal technicalities. Some served probation. The public outrage was real—but the punishment was symbolic.

Here in Clarksburg, we can’t let that happen again.

Because if nobody is held accountable here—if no one is forced to answer for decades of silence—then this won’t just be a tragedy. It will be a green light for it to happen all over again, somewhere else.

Can We Even Trust Them to Finish the Job?

Let’s ask the uncomfortable question:
Can we trust the same people who lied or stayed silent for 75 years to suddenly start telling the truth now?

They claim they know how many lead lines exist—thousands of them. But are we really sure that’s all? Are we confident they’ve told us the whole truth this time, after hiding the danger for generations?

The public only knows what the Water Board decides to share. So how do we verify that every lead service line is actually being removed—not just the ones easy to find or politically convenient?

How will we know if they miss one, or skip one, or quietly decide not to dig too deep where records are thin?

We won’t—unless we watch them like hawks. Unless the public stays involved, stays skeptical, and demands transparency at every phase of this project.

They want us to believe the worst is behind us. But if we let our guard down now, it won’t just be a failure—it will be an invitation to repeat the same betrayal all over again.

We Remember. And We’re Not Done.

If you’re angry—you should be.
If you feel betrayed—you were.
And if you’re still waiting for someone to be held accountable, know this: you’re not alone.

We’re not going to let this get swept away in a PR campaign. We’re not going to pretend it’s over. And we’re not going to stop asking hard questions just because someone cut a ribbon or signed a check.

Clarksburg deserves better.
And now that we know the truth, we’re going to demand it.

And if I don’t see real transparency—if I don’t see real accountability—don’t be surprised if I run for a seat on the Water Board myself.

Not to join them.
To tear it down from the inside.
To drag every buried truth into the light.
To make sure no one ever forgets what they did—how long they hid it—and how many people paid the price.

Because the days of polite silence are over.
And I’m just getting started. This is the kind of anger I thrive on.

By Gary Keith, for the Clarksburg News and Observer

Clarksburg Proposes Transformative Partnership to Revitalize Downtown and Enhance Education

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CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — A new proposal from the City of Clarksburg could turn three soon-to-be-vacant school properties into a beacon of renewal for the city’s struggling neighborhoods. On Tuesday evening, the Harrison County Board of Education listened to a presentation outlining potential redevelopment plans for Washington Irving Middle School, North View Elementary, and the adjacent Hite Field.

The presentation was delivered by Dr. Shana Nicholson, Clarksburg’s Director of Community Development. Nicholson framed the initiative not just as a redevelopment project—but as an open invitation for collaboration between city government and the school board.

“One of the challenges that Clarksburg has faced for many years is old, dilapidated buildings,” Nicholson said. “Unfortunately, we’ve had several school buildings that have sat vacant.”

Nicholson warned that without proactive planning, these schools could fall into the same pattern seen with other former school buildings in Harrison County—auctioned off, left to rot, and in multiple cases, catching fire. She specifically expressed concern about out-of-state buyers or even local speculators acquiring the properties with no real intent to rehabilitate them, leading to eyesores, fire hazards, and attractants for criminal activity.

A Vision Rooted in Prevention and Progress

Nicholson cited the Broken Window Theory—a criminological concept suggesting that urban decay tends to spread when left unaddressed. Vacant, decaying school buildings, she argued, would not only drag down nearby property values but could signal neglect to potential investors and residents.

Instead, she asked the Board of Education to consider a public-private partnership with the city to redevelop the sites with purpose and community benefit in mind.

While the presentation didn’t lock in specific reuse plans, ideas floated include:

  • Educational or vocational training centers
  • Community recreation facilities
  • Mixed-use developments that could bring life and foot traffic back to underused corridors
  • Partnerships with nonprofits or local startups to breathe new energy into the spaces

Why This Matters for Clarksburg

This initiative represents more than a land-use plan—it’s a turning point for how the city chooses to handle large, high-visibility properties. Clarksburg’s downtown has seen recent successes, including the revitalized Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center. Nicholson’s plan signals an ambition to continue building momentum instead of backsliding into vacancy and blight.

By actively engaging the school board before the properties are sold, the city is hoping to get ahead of the cycle of decline. Nicholson’s approach blends preservation, economic strategy, and public safety into one comprehensive vision.

The School Board’s Role

The school board has not yet made any decisions regarding the future of the buildings. Tuesday’s presentation was a first step—intended to start a conversation and establish lines of communication.

Members of the board listened attentively but did not immediately respond with a formal position. Future meetings and community input are expected to shape the next steps.

A Community Call to Action

Clarksburg residents should pay close attention to this proposal—it’s not often that multiple large properties become available in key parts of the city at once. What happens next could affect neighborhoods for decades to come.

Whether these buildings become revitalized anchors or boarded-up liabilities depends on who steps up now—and how bold they’re willing to be.

For continuing coverage of this developing story and its impact on Clarksburg, follow The Clarksburg News and Observer.

By The Clarksburg News and Observer Staff

The Future of The Waldo in Downtown Clarksburg

Clarksburg’s New Dog Ordinance All Bark

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I get it. Clarksburg City Council wanted to show they were doing something about noisy dogs. Nobody wants to listen to barking for hours on end. It’s annoying, especially late at night. But instead of fixing the issue, they passed an ordinance so oddly structured it might actually make things worse.

Under the new rule, if your dog barks for more than 15 consecutive minutes during the day, you could face a citation and a fine. Sounds tough — until you really look at it.

Let’s start with the time window: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. That completely skips over the late-night hours — when barking is actually most disruptive. A dog howling from midnight to 6 a.m.? Apparently fine. But if Fido barks for 16 minutes at 9:15 a.m. while you’re at work, that’s a violation. That’s not public safety — that’s poorly timed logic. Is this because the old ordinance already covered the late hours? That is unclear because it does not seem to designate a time when I checked.

And then there’s enforcement. Who’s clocking this? Are police officers now required to carry stopwatches and sit outside your house counting woofs? What happens if the dog stops at minute 14 and starts again two minutes later? What if your pup has dramatic pauses like Christopher Walken? Does the clock reset? Does anyone honestly believe this is enforceable in a fair, consistent way?

We already know how this will go. This isn’t a law that will be equally applied — it’s a law that will come out of the drawer only when a neighbor is furious and demands action. Which is no doubt how the ordinance became a reality, someone went to council person to complain, it was the right person, so we got a shiney new ordinance. The rest of the time, it’ll be ignored. That’s not justice. That’s selective enforcement.

And here’s the most frustrating part: Clarksburg already had a barking ordinance. It was just repealed to make room for this. That law wasn’t perfect, but it had teeth — and more importantly, it had flexibility to allow our officers and code to use common sense. Take a look:

507.17 KEEPING NOISY DOG PROHIBITED (REPEALED)
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or harbor any dog within the City which, by frequent and habitual barking, howling, yelping, crying, or squalling creates unreasonably loud and disturbing noises of such character, intensity, and duration as to disturb the peace, quiet, and good order of the City.
(d) If found guilty, the owner could be fined:
– $50 for the first offense
– $100–$500 for a second
– $200–$500 for third and beyond

The new law reportedly TAKES AWAY the first $50 fine and replaces it with a warning but increases the fine for repeat offenses — up to $750 on a third — but good luck ever getting there. What use is a higher fine if the bar for proving a violation is so specific it borders on the ridiculous?

Clarksburg Police Chief Mark Kiddy Spoke during the meeting regarding the ordinance, saying, “Last year, I researched, we had less than 50 barking dog complaints for the entire year. Which isn’t a huge number, you’re talking two or three a month. I’ve been answering barking dog complaints for 40 years, I mean, we go, we ask them, ‘hey, keep your dog quiet,” 80% of the time we leave and it’s over with.” It really sounds like he supported this change with all that excitement. I can see the look on his face in my head when i read that quote. He sounds annoyed. 

I don’t believe this was passed with bad intent. Most likely, it was a well-meaning response to one loud complaint. But that’s exactly the problem: policymaking by anecdote rarely leads to good law. Instead of improving what we had, the city replaced a functional ordinance with one that’s narrower, harder to enforce, and — let’s be honest — kind of silly.

To be fair, I haven’t seen the full ordinance in writing yet. If there’s more to it than what’s been reported, I’ll gladly reconsider. But from everything I’ve seen so far, Clarksburg didn’t solve a problem — it just created a new one.

Let’s hope this isn’t as misguided as it sounds — because if it is, we’ve just made bad law out of good intentions.

by Gary Keith II

Miley Legal Announces 2025 Motorcycle Giveaway Contest

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Miley Legal Announces 2025 Motorcycle Giveaway Contest
One Lucky Winner Will Ride Away This Summer

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Miley Legal has launched its annual motorcycle giveaway for 2025, offering one lucky winner a brand-new ride just in time for summer.

This year’s contest prize is a 2023 Harley-Davidson Street Bob 114, and entering is simple. Participants can sign up at mileylegal.com or stop by their office on West Pike Street in downtown Clarksburg.

No purchase is necessary to enter, and the contest is open to West Virginia residents age 18 and older. The winner will be announced this summer and must be able to pick up the bike locally.

Attorney Tim Miley, the firm’s founder, says the giveaway is a way to give back to the community and bring some excitement to the summer season. “We’ve done this for several years now, and it’s always a blast,” Miley said. “It’s our way of saying thank you to the people of north central West Virginia.”

The entry period is open now and runs through early July. More information, including full contest rules and eligibility details, can be found on the Miley Legal website.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER —–> Miley Legal Giveaway

Recent Crime Recap

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🏚️ Easter at the Gym, Stolen Tow Trucks, and a Flaming Buick: Just Another Week in Harrison County

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — It was Easter Sunday, but not everyone was hunting eggs. One local man was allegedly hunting a quiet spot to camp out—and chose a gym.

Brian Lee Singleton, 45, who is currently homeless, was reportedly caught breaking into Rival Fitness on North Sixth Street. Clarksburg Police say he was found lounging inside the closed facility with a Modelo on a bench and his personal items spread across the bathroom. Among those belongings? Items swiped from the gym—including branded merch and medical supplies.

Officer N.A. Murphy, who made the arrest, says Singleton had already been trespassed the day before after loitering. Harrison County Magistrate Kevin Renzelli set bond at $10,000. Singleton pleaded not guilty.

But that’s not all making headlines in the justice system this week:

🚔 Kaleb Kohle Rhoades, 33, of Mannington, is stacking charges like trading cards. Already held on a parole detainer, he now faces a grand larceny charge in Harrison County—accused of stealing a 2020 Ford F-150 out of Shinnston. He’s also wanted in Doddridge and faces cases from 2021 to 2025 in both Marion and Harrison Counties. Bond is set at $25,000.

🔥 Phillip Edward Dye, 55, of North Carolina, was given 1 to 5 years in prison after violating probation. Dye skipped out on alcohol rehab one day after checking in. Judge Christopher McCarthy handed down the sentence, citing Dye’s pattern of fleeing “with reckless indifference.”

🚨 Timothy Scott Gain missed his probable cause hearing on Tuesday. In return, Magistrate “Gizzy” Davis issued a $50,000 bench warrant. Gain faces drug conspiracy and intent to deliver charges. Showing up might’ve been the easier option.

🚗 Sarah Dawn Dehaven, 43, admitted to third-degree arson after torching a 1999 Buick Century last June. As part of the plea deal, Dehaven will avoid repeat offender enhancement if she pays restitution—$810 to the car owners and nearly $3,500 to Geico.

🔧 Chasity Gale McVay, 44, is accused of attempting to steal a $75,000 tow truck from the Walmart parking lot on Emily Drive. The driver foiled the plan by yanking her out of the cab before she could drive off. Her bond is set at $10,000.

💊 Queshawn Keand “TJ” Williams, 20, of Pittsburgh, has admitted in federal court to dealing fentanyl and p-fluorofentanyl in Harrison County. He was busted thanks to an investigation by the Greater Harrison Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force.

📣 Got a tip? See something that needs a spotlight? Contact The Clarksburg News and Observer—we don’t just cover crime, we cover what they’d rather you didn’t notice.

Property Crime Goes Up With The Temperature

Harrison County Crime Central; A Problem That Needs Solving

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Let’s get something straight right out of the gate: I’m not Mike Hogan.
And I’m not the person making the anonymous posts now, either—which should be obvious, considering I’ve been one of their targets. They’ve taken swings at me, mocked my public work, and dragged my name into the same nonsense they’re throwing at everyone else. You really think I’m running a fake account just to humiliate myself in public? You might want to turn up your common sense and ask yourself why I’d trash my own reputation, burn the credibility I’ve spent years building, and go out of my way to make enemies when I have made up with every enemy I have ever had pretty much.

I’ve got multiple people mad at me right now because they’re convinced, I’m the one behind all of it. My advice to those people? Be smarter. Honestly. If you know me at all, you’d know I’d have to be a complete sociopath to be behind that garbage. And while I’ve been accused of a lot of things over the years, being that kind of idiot isn’t one of them. I actually think I am a pretty good writer, these people are at middle school level.

For those blissfully unaware, “Harrison County Crime Central” is a Facebook group that popped up like a rash and has been scratching away at local reputations ever since. It was started by a fake account using the name Mike Hogan, a supposedly retired West Virginia State Trooper with a backstory as real as a three-dollar bill. The page’s main hobby seemed to be screenshotting people’s mugshots and court filings, slapping them online, and letting the public do the rest—humiliate, harass, and hurl judgment at folks who haven’t even seen the inside of a courtroom yet.

But now, just to add a fresh layer of chaos to the circus, the Mike Hogan profile appears to have been booted off Facebook—sorry, Meta—and has lost control of the group entirely. The result? An unmoderated hellscape. The group has become the Wild West of character assassination: no sheriff, no rules, just a parade of gutless posts taking aim at anyone with a name someone recognizes.

And let me be clear: I don’t think the person posting now is the same person who originally created the Mike Hogan profile. In fact, I pray to God that whoever was running that original account gets back on Facebook soon and sees what this thing has turned into—because if he still had access to the group, I guarantee he’d know exactly who’s posting this trash now. Say what you want about Hogan, but if he had admin privileges, he could shut this down in five minutes flat. The silence from that corner has been loud.

And to the person—or people—behind it now: I see exactly what you’re doing. You’re not trying to fix anything. You’re not fighting corruption. You’re just poking the bear, trying to get a reaction, desperate for attention. The tone of your posts is vile. They ooze with the worst impulses humanity has to offer—racism, sexism, homophobia, and just pure ignorant cruelty. On top of that, your spelling and grammar are so bad they should be a crime of their own.

I hope you get exactly what you deserve. I hope karma circles back around and hands you a plate piled high with the same kind of misery you’ve been dishing out to people who didn’t earn it. And I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I’m not kidding. What you’re doing is disturbed, cowardly, and toxic, and it speaks volumes about who you are. If your life is so empty that this is how you get your kicks—hurting strangers online—you’re already more punished than you even realize.

Here’s the kicker: the people being dragged now? Many of them aren’t even in the public eye anymore. They’ve stepped away, left office, closed their businesses, walked away from the spotlight—and yet someone out there is still obsessed enough to dig them up and tear them down. There’s no agenda. No moral crusade. No investigative journalism. Just pure, aimless malice.

It’s sick. It’s useless. It’s pathetic.

And I’ll say this with zero hesitation: I hope whoever’s behind it is exposed, sued into oblivion, publicly humiliated, and—and I mean this literally—I hope they get their ass kicked. Thoroughly. Deservedly. I don’t care if that offends anyone. There are consequences for this kind of harassment, and if this person ever gets unmasked, I doubt they’ll have many defenders.

In fact, I’ve been seriously considering launching a fund—a bounty, really. A community reward paid out only if someone comes forward with information that leads to the confirmed identity of the troll (or trolls) behind this mess. Everyone who’s been attacked could throw a few bucks into the pot. If we crack the case? The reward gets paid. If not? No one owes a dime. It’s fair, it’s clean, and I’d bet we’d have a name before the weekend.

So to anyone who’s been targeted: reach out to me directly. Let me know how much you’d be willing to contribute toward that reward. You won’t owe anything unless we actually unmask the coward responsible. Let’s work together and turn the tables.

And in the meantime, let’s do what Facebook clearly won’t: start cleaning up this trash. Report every post. Not just the ones about you—report all of them that are vile, hateful, or harassing. Report the entire group. Get your friends to do it. Make it a habit. With enough pressure, I believe even Facebook will eventually get tired of the liability and shut it down.

Now, to those still trying to rope me into this clown show—those who think I must be involved because I’ve written hard-hitting stuff in the past or used an anonymous source to expose some shady nonsense—grow up. Yes, I’ve gone anonymous before. I’ve used burner accounts a handful of times, always for a reason: to tip the scales when someone with power was abusing it, to get something out that needed to be known. Not to gossip. Not to insult people’s families. Not to take cheap shots at people who just got out of jail or left public life years ago. There’s a difference between acting as a watchdog and acting like a troll. One is journalism. The other is just cowardice with Wi-Fi.

I’ve gone legit. I’ve built The Clarksburg News and Observer into a real news source—something this county desperately needs. I put my name on the byline. I take the heat. I stand by my reporting. And I’m not going to stand by quietly while some anonymous dipshit tries to burn down everyone’s reputation just to feel powerful behind a keyboard.

So no, I’m not Mike Hogan.
And if you still think I am after reading this?

Maybe you’re not ready for grown-up conversations.

How we fix Clarksburg, I am playing my part, are you?

Teeing Off for Tomorrow: Charity Golf Tournament Supports Future First Responders

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CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — The green will mean a whole lot more than just birdies and bogeys this year. A special charity golf tournament is in the works to benefit the Rick Barnhart Memorial Law Enforcement Scholarship — a local initiative that helps Harrison County high school seniors pursue careers in public service.

Named in honor of the late Rick Barnhart, a respected figure in the law enforcement community, the scholarship supports students with dreams of becoming police officers, firefighters, EMTs, or working in criminal justice. Each year, the program awards $500 scholarships to deserving seniors who plan to attend college or a professional academy in pursuit of public safety careers.

The scholarship board hopes this year’s golf tournament will help raise both awareness and funds.

“We’re not just handing out money — we’re investing in the future of our communities,” said one event organizer. “These young people will go on to serve as the backbone of emergency response in West Virginia, and this scholarship helps make that happen.”

To qualify, applicants must be seniors enrolled in a Harrison County high school, hold a GPA of at least 2.5, and demonstrate clear intent to enter a public service field. The scholarship application includes an essay, a letter of recommendation, and an official transcript. Ten bonus points are even awarded if the student or a family member is in good standing with FOP Lodge #78 — a nod to the program’s law enforcement roots.

Applications are due by April 14, 2025, and can be mailed to:

Rick Barnhart Memorial Law Enforcement Scholarship
123 Greathouse Dr.
Clarksburg, WV 26301
Email: jbarnhartinsure@aol.com

Those interested in donating, sponsoring a hole, or registering a team for the golf tournament are encouraged to contact the scholarship office at 304-365-2362.

Whether you’re a scratch golfer or just in it for the sunshine and community spirit, this tournament offers a chance to give back while enjoying a great day on the course — all in the name of helping Harrison County’s future heroes take their first step.

Elks Lodge Brings Joy to Clarksburg Kids at Annual Egg Hunt

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CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Winter coats and knitted hats couldn’t slow down the excitement at Veterans Memorial Park on Saturday morning, as more than 50 local children and their families turned out for the third annual Easter Egg Hunt hosted by Elks Lodge No. 2875.

Despite the chilly spring air, the kids wasted no time darting across the open grass, eagerly scooping up colorful eggs packed with candy and prizes. Volunteers from the Elks scattered a whopping 1,000 eggs across three age-specific zones to make sure every child, from toddlers to tweens, had a fair shot at filling their baskets.

“This is for the kids of Harrison County — just like last year, and the year before that,” said Bill Parsons, one of the event’s co-chairs. “It’s a little cold, but the energy out here is great. The kids are excited. And honestly, so are the grown-ups.”

This is the second year the Elks have hosted the event at the VA Park, a location Parsons praised as a perfect spot for the community to gather. He said one of the most memorable moments in preparing for the event was when volunteers turned egg-filling into a friendly competition.

“Everyone started racing to see who could fill the most eggs the fastest,” Parsons said with a grin. “It was a good time.”

But for Parsons, the highlight is always the same: watching kids light up with joy. “When the kids are laughing and the parents are smiling, you just know it’s worth it,” he said. “It brings out the best in everybody.”

Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler Michael Jacobs, a 20-year member of the organization, echoed the sentiment. “We’re here to serve — kids, veterans, the whole community. That’s what the Elks are about,” Jacobs said. “Events like this feel like a family reunion. You see familiar faces, you meet new ones. Everyone comes together.”

Katrina Doyle brought her children — Elizabeth, Austin, and baby Elijah — to enjoy the festivities. “We live in Clarksburg, and this is our second weekend in a row doing something fun here,” Doyle said. “It was hard choosing between all the egg hunts going on, but I’m glad we came. The kids loved it.”

She especially appreciated the separate age-group areas and the sheer number of eggs hidden across the lawn. “There was plenty to go around, and it was fair for everyone,” she said.

Doyle also shared that the previous weekend, she had taken her children to a church event in town that used Easter eggs to teach the message of new life through the story of Jesus. “It was beautiful. The kids are learning, they’re having fun — and it feels like Clarksburg is full of things for families to do on the weekends.”

With another successful Easter event in the books, the Elks say they plan to continue the tradition next year — weather, eggs, and laughter all included.

The Clarksburg Elks Lodge No. 2875 is more than just a club — it’s a community of neighbors committed to service. From hosting family-friendly events like the annual Easter Egg Hunt to supporting veterans and youth programs, the Elks make a real impact right here at home. If you believe in giving back, building friendships, and making your town a better place, consider joining the Elks. Your time and heart could help change a life — and you’ll have fun doing it.

City Council Meeting Preview

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Clarksburg City Council to Address Federal Grant Opportunities, Public Safety Concerns at Thursday Meeting

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Clarksburg City Council will meet Thursday evening to consider key funding opportunities and discuss a range of city issues, including public safety, infrastructure, and employee wellness.

The meeting, which begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Clarksburg Municipal Building (222 W. Main St.), will kick off with a special session focused on Congressional Directed Spending (CDS) grants. These federal funds—also known as Community Project Funding—recently reopened for applications after an unexpected cancellation earlier this year.

According to City Manager Tiffany Fell, the city is moving swiftly to prepare and submit applications due to a limited window of opportunity.

“These grants often require local matching funds,” Fell noted. “Council approval will be necessary in cases where the city must contribute financially. This is an important chance to secure funding for infrastructure, community development, and public safety projects that align with our city’s goals.”

Following the special session, council members will hold a work session to discuss additional matters. No formal votes will be taken during the work session, but several important topics are on the agenda.

Among them is the city’s recent joint grant application with ResCare (RESCO) to the West Virginia First Foundation. While that particular request was not funded in this round, Fell confirmed that Clarksburg’s social work program did receive partial support through a separate First Foundation grant.

“This award will allow the city to embed trained social workers with law enforcement teams, providing crisis response support for individuals experiencing mental health or substance use emergencies,” Fell said. “We’re still reviewing the award details and will provide a full report to council soon.”

Also up for discussion: a concerning string of thefts and vandalism tied to the U.S. 50 Lighting Project. The contractor overseeing the project has submitted damage reports, and city leaders are expected to weigh possible responses.

“We want to ensure council is fully informed about the extent of the problem so we can move toward solutions,” Fell stated.

The upcoming street paving season will also be a topic of conversation. With multiple infrastructure projects from outside agencies—including water and utility work—scheduled for this year, the city is strategizing how best to coordinate street repairs.

“It’s critical that we time our paving projects to avoid unnecessary rework,” Fell said. “We’re working with other providers to maximize the impact of every dollar we spend.”

Finally, council members will consider enrolling the city in the Bearing Advisors “Prevent + Protect” Program, a wellness initiative that promotes the physical, mental, and financial health of municipal employees. The program is designed to generate tax savings that can fund employee benefits at no added cost to the city.

Both the special meeting and the work session are open to the public.

How we fix Clarksburg, I am playing my part, are you?
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