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Citizen Portal News West Virginia

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1 week ago

Residents press Berkeley County officials for transparency on proposed Falling Waters data center During public comment, residents urged county officials to press for transparency and local benefits from a proposed Falling Waters-area data center, citing concerns about higher electric bills, water use, noise and jobs; a county commissioner said permitting is controlled by state law and announced a town-hall.

Residents are demanding answers about a massive data center in Falling Waters, fearing it could drive up electric bills and strain local resources while offering little in return.

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#BerkeleyCounty #WV #CommunityEngagement #BerkeleyCountyTransparency #CitizenPortal

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3 weeks ago

Commission advances Applewood Farms Phase 1 to final plat despite traffic concerns The commission voted to advance Applewood Farms Phase 1 (file 2409-285) to the final plat stage. The 96.32-acre plan proposes a mix of single-family, duplex, townhouse and multifamily units; commissioners raised concerns about Route 45 frontage, traffic and coordination with state highway work.

The Berkeley County Planning Commission has just advanced the controversial Applewood Farms Phase 1 project, sparking questions about traffic and safety along Route 45.

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#BerkeleyCounty #WV #UrbanDevelopment #TrafficSafety #CitizenPortal #BerkeleyCountyPlanning #CommunityPlanning

Citizen Portal News West Virginia

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3 weeks ago

Museum commission unveils adaptive‑reuse plan for courthouse, asks county for planning and matching funds The county’s Museum Commission and the Mills Group presented designs to adaptively reuse the historic courthouse and annex, proposing phased work, a display 'jewel box' for the Norwalk car, and a multi‑line budget request to support design studies, exhibit work and fundraising; presenters cited potential grant avenues and a program cost range.

A visionary plan to breathe new life into Berkeley County's historic courthouse promises to blend preservation with modern accessibility and tourism potential.

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#BerkeleyCounty #WV #AdaptiveReuse #CitizenPortal #BerkeleyCountyMuseum #TourismDevelopment #CulturalHeritage

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3 weeks ago

Planning commission approves Boyd’s Crossing Loop Road major plan change for 51 townhomes Berkeley County planning staff recommended — and the commission approved — a major plan change for Boyd’s Crossing Loop Road to allow 51 townhomes and one single-family lot in the Mill Creek District; the project was found compliant with the subdivision ordinance. No public comments were offered.

Big changes are coming to Boyd’s Crossing Loop Road with the approval for 51 new townhomes and a single-family lot in Berkeley County!

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#BerkeleyCounty #WV #UrbanDevelopment #CitizenPortal #HousingInnovation #BerkeleyCountyPlanning #CommunityPlanning

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3 weeks ago

Berkeley County asked to fund Imagination Library after new enrollments paused Marshall University’s June Harless Center asked the county to help sustain Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Berkeley County after the program paused new enrollments because of postage and funding shortfalls; presenters outlined local enrollment, per‑child costs, and options including opioid settlement funds.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library faces a funding crisis that could halt the delivery of free books to thousands of local children—will Berkeley County step up to save this vital program?

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#BerkeleyCounty #WV #OpioidSettlementFunds #CitizenPortal #BerkeleyCountyChildren

Citizen Portal News West Virginia

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3 weeks ago

Region 9 and MPO brief commission on Herald Drive, federal grant push and economic tools Region 9 and the Hagerstown MPO updated the commission on a BUILD grant submission for Herald Drive, a WDA water/sewer application, and new economic‑modeling tools Region 9 will use to support funding requests.

Region 9 is racing against the clock to secure vital funding that could transform our infrastructure and economic landscape!

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#BerkeleyCounty #WV #CitizenPortal #GrantFunding #PublicSafety #EconomicDevelopment #BerkeleyCountyInfrastructure

Citizen Portal News West Virginia

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1 month ago

Berkeley County officials urge state to prioritize roads, not a new Exit 8 welcome center Following a West Virginia Department of Highways public hearing, Berkeley County commissioners and residents urged redirecting federal truck‑parking grant money to upgrade existing welcome centers and local road projects rather than building a new welcome center at Exit 8 on I‑81. The public comment period runs through March 10.

Local voices in Berkeley County are rallying against a new welcome center at Exit 8, insisting federal funds should be redirected to urgent road improvements instead.

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#BerkeleyCounty #WV #InfrastructureImprovement #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #BerkeleyCountyRoads #CommunityInput

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1 month ago

Berkeley County community corrections reports rising participation, lower recidivism than national average Community corrections director presented program metrics: roughly 400 active participants, about 2,400 monthly drug screens, 65 completions in fiscal year 2024 and 39 so far this year; the office reports a five‑year recidivism of about 29% for program graduates versus national 77%.

Berkeley County's day report center is making waves with a staggering 29% recidivism rate for graduates, far surpassing the national average of 77%—is this the future of community corrections?

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#BerkeleyCounty #WV #BerkeleyCountyCorrections #RecidivismReduction #CitizenPortal

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1 month ago

Berkeley County sheriff asks commissioners for pay bumps, new deputies and civilian positions to ease patrol workload Sheriff Robert "Rob" Blair presented a multi‑line budget request seeking two additional deputy positions, a $5,000 across‑the‑board pay increase for deputies (roughly $375,000), and three civilian hires (evidence technician, quartermaster/training coordinator, additional police social worker) intended to free sworn officers for patrol duties.

Sheriff Rob Blair is urging the Berkeley County Commission to approve new deputy positions and pay increases to combat rising public safety demands and retain experienced officers.

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#BerkeleyCounty #WV #BerkeleyCountyPublicSafety #CitizenPortal #MentalHealthResources

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1 month ago

CVB reports marketing wins, accreditation and grant support for local events The Convention & Visitors Bureau summarized a successful accreditation, grant distributions to local events and marketing campaigns that produced millions of impressions, and discussed plans for a tourism marker in Berkeley County; the CVB said it is funded primarily through the hotel/motel tax and holds reserve funds.

The Convention & Visitors Bureau just achieved impressive accreditation scores and distributed $142,000 in grants to boost local tourism, while gearing up for an exciting new landmark in Berkeley County!

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#BerkeleyCounty #WV #VisitorExperience #CitizenPortal

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1 month ago

Operations committee reviews courthouse schematic design, parking garage options and approves several contracts including $1.17M Mega Boat Landing renovation Deputy County Supervisor Powell updated the Operations Committee on the Administration & Judicial Center schematic design; council debated precast vs. cast‑in‑place parking garage options (estimates $14.3M–$17M) and asked for detailed cost breakdowns. The committee awarded design and construction contracts including RK&K for the Limehouse trail, five firms for on‑call traffic engineering, B3 Construction for a $1,168,686.79 Mega Boat Landing pavilion renovation (ratified by special council), and approved up to $200,000 for county parks signage.

Big decisions are underway for Berkeley County's new Administration and Judicial Center, with parking garage options and project costs sparking heated debates among council members.

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#BerkeleyCounty #SC #BerkeleyCountyParks #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #InfrastructureDevelopment

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1 month ago

Berkeley County Parks & Recreation seeks $1.2M allocation, urgent capital funds and turf-field planning dollars Parks & Recreation Director Joe Burton outlined urgent maintenance needs across county parks, requested $1.2 million in increased allocation (or continuation of 50% hotel/motel split) for operations and capital needs, and asked for $30,000 to begin surveying and geotechnical work for an initial turf field at the DuPont Soccer Complex.

Berkeley County Parks & Recreation is facing urgent maintenance needs and is asking for a $1.2 million allocation to enhance community facilities and kickstart a new turf field project.

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#BerkeleyCounty #WV #BerkeleyCountyParks #CitizenPortal #InfrastructureNeed #PublicSafety

Citizen Portal News West Virginia

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1 month ago

Martinsburg Initiative asks county to sustain school-based social workers and expand shelter services The Martinsburg Initiative presented program successes — 16 school-based social workers, police-embedded social workers, a community resource closet and a cold-weather shelter operating nightly — and requested county support to sustain and expand prevention, treatment and shelter services.

The Martinsburg Initiative is transforming lives with school-based social workers, a cold-weather shelter, and a decline in overdose fatalities—now, they need our support to expand these vital services.

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#BerkeleyCounty #WV #CitizenPortal #BerkeleyCountySocialServices

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1 month ago

Berkeley County Health Department requests $140,000 as grants shrink and staffing pressures rise Health Department leaders told the county commission about lost grants (radon, an $80,000 immunization grant, and a $221,000 retention/infrastructure grant), new compliance requirements tied to state funding, and requested $140,000 in annual allotment to the Board of Health to help bridge gaps.

The Berkeley County Health Department faces a staffing crisis as grant losses threaten vital services and employee pay, putting the community's health at risk.

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#BerkeleyCounty #WV #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #GrantFunding #BerkeleyCountyHealth #StaffRetention

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1 month ago

Martinsburg resident urges Berkeley County planning commission to probe developer after alleged ICE enforcement on private property A resident told the Berkeley County Planning Commission that an ICE enforcement action sent workers fleeing through his development and called for audits and developer bond reviews; commissioners said federal enforcement is outside their authority but can review developer compliance with land-use rules. No formal investigation was ordered.

Martinsburg resident Corey Rodriguez is demanding accountability from the Berkeley County Planning Commission after a shocking ICE enforcement action sent workers fleeing onto his property.

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#BerkeleyCounty #WV #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #TransparencyInGovernance

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1 month ago

Shelter operator EPIC says Martinsburg facility is full, asks county for maintenance funding An EPIC representative told the Berkeley County Commission the Martinsburg shelter (16-bed capacity) has been full nightly since 2017, has 47 people on a wait list and urgently needs repairs after burst pipes; EPIC sought county support for ongoing maintenance and operational needs.

The Martinsburg shelter for domestic violence victims has been at full capacity every night since 2017, with 47 people waiting for help—urgent action is needed!

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#BerkeleyCounty #WV #CitizenPortal #ShelterNeed #CommunitySupport #BerkeleyCountyDomesticViolence #VictimServices

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1 month ago

#SouthCarolina #SC #BerkeleyCounty #ICE #LOCALPOLICE

Citizen Portal News West Virginia

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1 month ago

Berkeley County adopts $1.16 million state budget revision and approves Inwood Park grant draw The Berkeley County Commission approved State Budget Revision No. 4 — a $1,163,686 reallocation across county accounts — and authorized a $166,996.72 draw for the Inwood Park project; commissioners said most changes are pass-throughs or reimbursements tied to grants and insurance.

Berkeley County has approved a significant $1.16 million budget revision, ensuring funds are strategically reallocated for critical projects like the Inwood Park initiative!

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#BerkeleyCounty #WV #BudgetTransparency #CommunityDevelopment #GrantFunding #BerkeleyCountyInwoodPark

Citizen Portal News South Carolina

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2 months ago

Committee approves transfer of water service to Goose Creek while county retains sewer rights The Public Utilities Committee approved Bill 26‑03 to transfer certain parcels to the City of Goose Creek water service territory; staff said the parcels were annexed by Goose Creek and the county will retain sewer service rights. The committee approved the measure.

Berkeley County's Public Utilities Committee just greenlit a water service transfer to Goose Creek, ensuring homeowners get efficient access while the county keeps sewer rights!

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#BerkeleyCounty #SC #PublicUtilities #BerkeleyCountyUtilities #LocalGovernance #CitizenPortal

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2 months ago

County staff reports progress on 1¢ sales tax projects, schedules US‑176 public meeting Amanda Deaton told the Operations Committee the county completed 47 of 99 resurfacing roads under the 1¢ sales tax program by the end of 2025, outlined major capacity projects and said a public information meeting on US‑176 Phase 2 is set for Jan. 29.

Berkeley County is making strides in its 1¢ sales tax transportation program, with 47 roads resurfaced and exciting projects on the horizon!

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#BerkeleyCounty #SC #CommunityEngagement #BerkeleyCountyTransportation #PublicSafety #CitizenPortal #InfrastructureDevelopment

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2 months ago

Commission sets Feb. 5 public hearing for Economic Opportunity Development District near Exit 8 County staff asked the commission to advertise and hold a public hearing on creating an Economic Opportunity Development District (EODD) — a sales-tax-increment tool under West Virginia Code 7, article 22 — for about 275 acres off Exit 8 (Tabler Station); the commission set the hearing for Feb. 5, 2026, at 11 a.m.

Big changes are coming to Berkeley County as a public hearing is set for Feb. 5, 2026, to discuss a new Economic Opportunity Development District that could transform local infrastructure without raising taxes!

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#BerkeleyCounty #WV #EconomicGrowth #PublicHearing

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2 months ago

Residents and recovery providers say kratom is complicating treatment and driving demand for services People in recovery and sober‑living operators described relapses, new withdrawals and demand for kratom‑specific detox; treatment providers said they are adding kratom to testing panels and urged expanded prevention funding and peer outreach.

Kratom is not just a trend; it's creating urgent new challenges in recovery as users face relapses and withdrawal, pushing treatment providers to take action.

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#BerkeleyCounty #SC #CommunitySupport #PublicHealth #SubstanceAbuse #CitizenPortal #BerkeleyCountyRecovery

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2 months ago

Berkeley County officials and residents urge faster, clearer kratom regulation after local overdoses Local officials, health providers and people in recovery told a Berkeley County town hall that kratom and potent lab-made derivatives are widely sold in convenience and vape shops, have appeared in local overdose deaths and ER cases, and require stronger enforcement and clearer state law to close loopholes.

Berkeley County leaders and health experts are sounding the alarm on kratom's deadly rise, demanding urgent action to close dangerous regulatory loopholes.

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#BerkeleyCounty #SC #LegislativeReform #BerkeleyCountyHealth #SubstanceAbuse #PublicSafety #CitizenPortal

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2 months ago

Medical experts at Berkeley County town hall warn of kratom risks, especially powerful synthetic derivatives Emergency physicians and prevention specialists described kratom’s pharmacology and clinical harms, saying lab‑made derivatives like 7‑hydroxy mitragynine can be far more potent and unpredictable than the plant’s native alkaloids and can require clinical treatment similar to opioid withdrawal.

Kratom may seem harmless, but experts warn its potent synthetic derivatives could pose serious health risks and complicate treatment for overdose victims.

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#BerkeleyCounty #SC #ClinicalGuidelines #CommunityEducation #SubstanceAbuse #CitizenPortal #BerkeleyCountyPublicHealth

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2 months ago

Berkeley County commission reviews 70 applications, debates faster eligible-list process and background costs Commissioners reviewed dozens of hiring applications (70 submitted, 47 eligible for the next test), advanced several applicants to the sheriff's office, rejected others, and debated a proposed process to give the sheriff top eligible names earlier to speed background checks; the policy draft was tabled for January.

Berkeley County commissioners are shaking up the hiring process for the sheriff's office, aiming to fast-track qualified candidates and streamline background checks!

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#BerkeleyCounty #WV #PublicSafety #BerkeleyCountySheriff #CitizenPortal #RecruitmentReform

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2 months ago

Commission authorizes law firm to narrow Express Scripts claims to public-nuisance counts Commission authorized the county’s counsel to allow Skinner Law Firm to dismiss other claims in the Express Scripts litigation while retaining the public-nuisance claim to facilitate negotiations, following recent appellate guidance that sustained a nuisance theory.

Berkeley County is taking a bold step in its opioid litigation by narrowing claims to focus solely on the public-nuisance theory, a move that could reshape negotiations.

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#BerkeleyCounty #WV #BerkeleyCountyLitigation #PublicNuisance #LegalStrategy #OpioidCrisis #CitizenPortal

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2 months ago

Berkeley County council discusses Nexton amendment as residents and members warn of density and civic-site losses Nash Nexton Holdings described an eleventh amendment that would release property for potential annexation, reduce certain entitlements and prepay impact fees; council heard strong objections from members and residents who said shifting capacity from 447 homes to roughly 1,200 would change community character. No council vote was taken.

A proposed amendment in Berkeley County could skyrocket housing density from 447 to 1,200 units, prompting fierce debates about the future of the community.

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#BerkeleyCounty #SC #CommunityPlanning #BerkeleyCountyDevelopment #CitizenPortal #CivicEngagement #DensityIssues

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2 months ago

Council authorizes settlement with Cedar Hill Acquisition; Hughey residents urge denial or delay over proposed mine Berkeley County Council voted to authorize its supervisor to settle Cedar Hill Acquisition LLC v. Berkeley County; numerous Hughey residents urged denial or a delay for more community engagement, raising concerns about a proposed large sand mine, traffic, water and long-term quality-of-life impacts.

Berkeley County residents are raising alarms over a proposed massive sand mine, urging the council to reconsider a settlement that could reshape their community forever.

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#BerkeleyCounty #SC #CommunityEngagement #EnvironmentalImpact #BerkeleyCountyHughey #CitizenPortal

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2 months ago

Berkeley County renews Access Strategies contract after officials cite multimillion-dollar returns The Berkeley County Commission voted to renew a one-year contract with Access Strategies at the same price; county staff said the firm’s lobbying and negotiation work has produced recurring revenue and cost savings the county described in the millions.

Berkeley County has renewed its contract with Access Strategies, citing impressive returns that have generated millions in savings and revenue!

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#BerkeleyCounty #WV #BerkeleyCountyGovernment #FiscalTransparency #RevenueGeneration #PublicPolicy #CitizenPortal

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3 months ago

County moves to seek Land and Water Conservation funds to complete Inwood Park; TIF match discussed Berkeley County authorized applying for a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant to complete key Inwood Park amenities; the county would commit an estimated $1.488 million local match if the grant is awarded, and commissioners discussed using TIF funds and private donations to meet the match.

Berkeley County is taking a big step towards enhancing Inwood Park with plans for an amphitheater, playground, and restroom facility, all thanks to a competitive grant application!

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#BerkeleyCounty #WV #CitizenPortal #LocalFunding #CommunityAmenities #BerkeleyCountyParks