News

Woodsfield Chapter #268 Order of the Eastern Star will meet at 7:30 p.m.

More often than not, it probably seems like a small gesture.It’s just a little time with some friends.It’s not seen as anything particularly special.But to the residents of Westwood Place and the other elder-care facilities in Monroe County, it’s something more.It’s not just singing or a snack.It’s more than the words in a story or sermon.Those actions are something to look forward to, something to get excited about.To show how much the gestures and time meant to the residents and staff of Westwood Place in Woodsfield, the facility held its annual Volunteer Appreciation Day Thursday, April 18.The event was held to “honor the volunteers who bring joy and happiness” to the residents, said Activity Director Meggie Voll.Whether it was bringing a song, which local musician Ben Tharp does regularly, or maybe offering a story, which noted local storyteller and author Bob Welsh does, the act means the world to the residents.Many of the volunteers were able to attend the event, including Tharp and Welsh.Other volunteers who attended included Don Thompson, who visits every Tuesday and Thursday to hold Bible study with the residents, something he’s done for close to 10 years, and Clifford and Martha Warner, who help the residents and staff on their holiday adventures, ensuring Westwood has a great float for local Christmas parades.Several others were unable to attend, but what they do does not go unnoticed.Among those volunteers was Father Tim Davison, who holds mass at the facility every Friday.And then there are Karen Calvert and Laurie Collert, leaders of the local Girl Scout Troop 1410.In addition to bringing the scouts out for projects, Calvert and Collert also play music for the residents with their Bell Choir and help with trunk or treat and Christmas activities.Terry Cook is another busy volunteer, helping with crafts.Carla Babe and Betsy Groves also help around the holidays, making sure Westwood Place is properly decorated and every resident receives a gift.Voll credited each of the volunteers - and not just for what they have done, but also for what they will do in the years to come.“I look forward to more beautiful moments,” she said.

Social media was abuzz with shock and astonishment last week due to the huge cracks and poor condition of County Road 38, Headley Ridge Road, in Sunsbury Township.The videos showed a school bus going down the county road past cracks wide enough to fit a construction barrel.Those who shared the videos clamored for something to be done.That, ironically, is what Monroe County Engineer Amy Zwick has been doing for close to five years.She hopes her recent efforts can at least solve the Headley Ridge headaches for the next few years.Zwick said the problems on Headley Ridge started in 2019, when heavy rains caused problems on the road, mainly the section close to State Route 556, where there is currently a 300-foot-long slip.In the immediate aftermath of the 2019 incident, Zwick applied for FEMA funding to repair the slip, however, to her disappointment, those requests were denied.

There’s a lot to look forward to for Beallsville residents this summer.The village is already gearing up for its Bicentennial in late July.And now there is even more to get excited about as the Monroe County Commissioners selected Beallsville as its target area for the 2024 Neighborhood Revitalization Grant.The commissioners made their decision during their regular meeting Monday, April 22.The grant will be for $750,000 and can be used for various projects in Beallsville.In order to be eligible for the grant, the target area had to hit a certain low-to-moderate income threshold, which limited options in Monroe County.Without current numbers to go off of, the commissioners used prior numbers, which, for the most part, limited the options to Woodsfield and Beallsville, as Sardis was the 2022 target area, which prevents it from being selected in this round.Representatives from Woodsfield and Beallsville attended the April 22 meeting to vouch for their communities.While both areas would benefit from the grant funding, the commissioners opted for Beallsville, as the village had not been selected for Neighborhood Revitalization Grant funding in the past.

Crafting is more than just a spare time hobby for many local residents.

Area kids enjoyed a day of educational fun at Tractor Supply in Woodsfield Saturday, April 20 for its Plant-A-Seed event.

The Monroe County Beekeepers Association will hold its monthly meeting at 6 p.m.

COUNTY COURTAubrey Ritchie, Middleborne, West Virginia, registration violation, guilty, $125.

Sydney Gust was supposed to be recognized by the Switzerland of Ohio Local School District Board of Education during its regular meeting last week.But Sydney couldn’t make it.Nope, she was too busy being a Sour Kangaroo…and a Who too.

The Beacon Action News Team no sooner took the saddles off the “horses” before it was time to saddle back up again!Except some of them weren’t so eager.Having recently rode day and night on what ended up being a fool’s errand didn’t leave Alex and Taylor with much inclination to head back out on the trail.“C’mon, you guys,” Kreg said with gusto.