The Moorefield Town Council approved two events — a big ball softball tournament for Maggie Eye and a concert for Joshua Shirk — and waived all fees for both at their regular meeting Sept. 1.
Eye, 41, of Fisher, was recently diagnosed with advanced cancer. She has four children, and is an aide at Moorefield Elementary School; she is unable to work due to her health and treatments. Her treatments are in Morgantown, requiring frequent travel and stays away from home.
Shirk, 8, from Maysville, was kayaking with his family in May when his kayak overturned. He was caught on a tree limb under water for 10 minutes. He was resuscitated, but has been in Morgantown since, hospitalized or in rehabilitation. His parents are Monica and Gary Shirk, Jr.; his dad is a pastor at Walnut Grove Church of the Brethren.
The softball tournament is Sept. 19 at the Town Park on the Brady and Sager ballfields. Five teams are currently scheduled to start play at 8 a.m.; there is room for more teams. Register by Sept. 14 with Tyrone Haines at 304-851-2774. There will be t-shirts and concessions. All proceeds go to Eye for her care and travel expenses.
The concert is 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Oct. 17 at the Town Park stage. There will be activities for children, including sack races and balloons, and raffles, food, and entertainment for all. Performers so far include Kevin Hartman, Travis Minick, Jimmy Lee and Joe Crites. Bob Mayhew will emcee the afternoon. All proceeds go to the Shirks for expenses related to Joshua’s care.
Gary Krushansky, representing DHHR’s Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program, spoke to the Council by telephone about the program and working with the community.
Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) is a pre-booking program that allows police to give low-level offenders an opportunity for rehabilitation in place of incarceration. LEAD’s goal is to help individuals with substance use disorder by diverting them from jails and prisons to treatment and recovery programs. The LEAD program reduces recidivism and police workload while improving overall community safety.
The program works to reduce crime related to drug use; lower county incarceration costs; improve community-police relations; and reduce opioid overdose deaths.
Moorefield Police Chief Stephen Riggleman will contact Krushansky for additional information and future coordination.
Public Utilities
The Town created a Safety Committee with seven members, including Council member Terry Hardy and Park manager Juwana Bridger.
Water crews repaired a service line leak on South Elm Street, and are working with Fortiline to install new water meters in Town. About 200 of 1336 are installed. Public Utilities director Lucas Gagnon said they install 20 to 25 each day.
Sewer personnel installed a new sewer line and clean out at Pilgrims Live Haul, and installed risers on two manhole covers under blacktop on Rohrbaugh Lane.
Park employees leveled, filled and rolled the lots for the new basketball courts, repaired storm damage on the walking trail, and installed new drain pipes between the Park and the Miller/Hinzman lots.
Street crews are working with the Department of Highways on a drain project from Kuykendall Lane to Spring Avenue, to find the best location to install the drain with the least disruption to existing water and sewer lines. They also repaired equipment, ordered and picked up paint for streetlight painting, and hauled shale.
Other
The MPD had 264 calls for service in August, with four felony arrests, 179 misdemeanor arrests, 120 traffic citations, and 114 traffic warnings.
They recovered a stolen vehicle, a stolen UTV, and a stolen firearm in three separate incidents. They conducted traffic control for an American Legion Poker Run motorcycle ride, and a Wounded Warriors motorcycle ride.
The Council tabled a discussion regarding the Higgins House renovation Hardy County Visitors Center construction until a future meeting, to collect more information.
The next meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall. Social distancing and masks are required. The public is welcome to attend.