Good morning, Gallia County. In the depths of winter, our community faces sobering reminders of how quickly life can change. Our hearts are heavy as we report on a devastating house fire in Letart that claimed a life and hospitalized an elderly father, while our highway workers continue to brave dangerous conditions to keep our roads safe - as evidenced by a serious accident during routine pothole repairs.
But even in challenging times, our community pushes forward with hope and opportunity. The University of Rio Grande is opening doors for aspiring sports officials through their new free certification program. Thanks to the Mitchell Family Scholarship, local sports enthusiasts can transform their passion into a meaningful career path, all while giving back to the games they love.
🌤 Sky Skoop | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
0%☕️ What's Brewing Locally
🔥 Tragic house fire claims son's life, father hospitalized in Mason County. The blaze broke out early Monday morning at a home on Gill Ridge Road in Letart, with emergency crews battling the flames for over five hours. The son, in his 50s, died in the fire while his elderly father, in his 80s, was rushed to Cabell Huntington Hospital with burns. Firefighters faced significant challenges due to the absence of fire hydrants in the area and icy road conditions, requiring water to be hauled in from distant locations. The West Virginia State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause of the fire.
🚧 Highway worker's routine pothole repair turns into devastating accident. A West Virginia DOH employee suffered multiple serious injuries when a speeding truck struck him on WV-62 while he was patching a pothole. The worker endured a broken arm, separated shoulder, and fractured femur, requiring immediate surgery with more procedures planned. Despite the severity of the incident, the truck driver faced no charges and was released. His coworker managed to escape unharmed as they both attempted to flee the oncoming vehicle.
🏃♂️ Ohio university launches free sports officiating courses for aspiring referees. The University of Rio Grande's McArthur Center will begin offering OHSAA certification classes starting with baseball and softball in February. Thanks to the Mitchell Family Scholarship, interested participants can take the courses at no cost to kickstart their officiating careers. The program promises immediate work opportunities while helping officials stay active and connected to their favorite sports. The McArthur Center, which also offers programs in healthcare and social work, will announce certification courses for additional sports soon.
🏡 Real Estate Reveals
Charming home in desirable neighborhood
4077 Addison Pike is a delightful home listed at $165,900, featuring 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, along with a cozy living room and a separate TV room perfect for entertaining. The property also boasts a welcoming covered front porch, a concrete back patio for outdoor gatherings, and a convenient 2-car garage, all situated in a desirable neighborhood, making it a wonderful opportunity for your next chapter.
🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla
🍞 Daily Bread Crumb
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
-2 Timothy 1:7