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Three individuals in Grants County have been indicted for meth distribution as a regional task force ramps up its fight against drug trafficking.

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#HardyCounty #WV #CitizenPortal #DrugEnforcement #HardyCountyDrugTaskForce #CommunityCrime #PublicSafety
Sheriff: Task force indicts three on meth distribution
Sheriff Steve Dawson said a regional task force indicted three people in Grant County for distribution of methamphetamines and that multiple undercover buys and ongoing drug cases are active in the area.
citizenportal.ai
September 20, 2026 at 12:11 AM
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Sheriff Steve Dawson hailed the heroic efforts of officers and agencies during a dangerous manhunt, highlighting their remarkable teamwork that kept all officers safe from harm.

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Sheriff praises officers and interagency cooperation after manhunt
Sheriff Steve Dawson commended the officers and multiple agencies that assisted in a manhunt following an attempted shooting of a deputy, saying no officers were hit and praising their response in a dangerous situation.
citizenportal.ai
September 20, 2026 at 12:03 AM
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A double-murder trial in Hardy County took an unexpected turn when the defendant entered a guilty plea just one day after jury selection began.

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Sheriff: Guilty plea resolves double-murder trial after jury selection
Sheriff Steve Dawson said a double-murder trial that entered jury selection on Aug. 17 ended when the defendant entered a guilty plea the next day; he praised Prosecutor Ryan's work on the case.
citizenportal.ai
September 20, 2026 at 12:09 AM
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Measles cases have emerged in nearby Hampshire County, but Hardy County remains safe—for now; are you up to date on your vaccinations?

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Measles reported in Hampshire County; health official says Hardy County not yet affected
Bill Ayers told the meeting there were measles cases in neighboring Hampshire County and urged community awareness, saying measles is preventable. He indicated Hardy County had not recorded cases at the time of his update.
citizenportal.ai
September 20, 2026 at 12:18 AM
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As flu season kicks off earlier than expected, County Health Administrator Bill Ayers warns that travel and football gatherings could spark a surge in illnesses—are you prepared?

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#HardyCounty #WV #CitizenPortal #SeasonalFlu #HardyCountyPublicHealth #CommunityHealth
County health administrator warns of early flu and some COVID activity ahead of football season
Bill Ayers said conference calls indicate flu activity is beginning in August and that some COVID activity exists in the state; he warned that travel and football season could accelerate spread and urged awareness.
citizenportal.ai
September 20, 2026 at 12:19 AM
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A tragic confrontation unfolded in Hardy County when a manhunt for a suspect escalated after he opened fire on deputies during a traffic stop, ending in a fatal shootout.

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Sheriff: Manhunt after traffic stop ended when officers fatally shot suspect
Sheriff Steve Dawson described an incident beginning Aug. 17 when deputies attempted a traffic stop on Hayden Hart in Wardensville for outstanding warrants. A manhunt involving multiple agencies located Hart Aug. 18; deputies say he opened fire when officers tried to take him into custody and officers returned fire, fatally wounding him. West Virginia State Police are processing the scene.
citizenportal.ai
September 19, 2026 at 11:54 PM
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Hardy County is stepping up to combat the opioid crisis with a conditional $2,500 pledge to support a vital public health initiative that could unlock millions in federal funding!

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Commission pledges $2,500 conditionally to 'last mile' pilot; staff to support grant coordination
Hardy County commissioners agreed to commit $2,500 in local opioid-settlement funds as a match for a Community Education Group application to the West Virginia 1st Foundation, conditioned on award of the larger grant; the group also requested county engagement or a letter of support for a separate rural health RFP with a September 8 deadline.
citizenportal.ai
September 19, 2026 at 11:55 PM
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Rural Head Start programs are facing a perfect storm of transportation woes and workforce shortages, making it harder for families to access vital services.

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#HardyCounty #WV #CitizenPortal #RuralAccessibility #WorkforceDevelopment #HardyCountyHeadStart #TransportationIssues
Rural Head Start provider: transportation and workforce shortfalls heighten rulemaking risks
Mead said rural programs face greater impacts from the NPRM because of transportation limitations and a smaller local workforce; she noted EACHES provides its own transport but many programs rely on public transit.
citizenportal.ai
September 17, 2026 at 4:29 AM
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A proposed 5% cap on administrative costs could cripple Head Start programs, with 73% already operating above that threshold—are we sacrificing essential services for budget cuts?

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#HardyCounty #WV #CitizenPortal #EducationAccess #HardyCountyHeadStart #FederalFunding
Local Head Start director warns proposed 5% administrative cap would strain programs
Mead said the NPRM would cap administrative costs at 5%, while roughly 73% of programs currently operate above that level and EACHES reported about 9–10.2% administration costs, potentially constraining services.
citizenportal.ai
September 17, 2026 at 4:28 AM
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Tensions rise as the RDA navigates legal protocols amidst neighborhood complaints and an ACLU letter regarding the Hamilton House lease.

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#HardyCounty #WV #CitizenPortal #LegalProcedure #HardyCountyNeighborhoods #CommunityGovernance #CivicAccountability
ACLU letter cited; RDA says it will follow legal process before acting on Hamilton House lease
RDA executive Mark Holmes said the authority had not officially received the ACLU letter but was aware of it; he emphasized the RDA will follow law and proper protocol rather than decide in executive session.
citizenportal.ai
September 17, 2026 at 5:26 AM
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Hamilton House tenants may face eviction as the RDA moves to consult legal counsel over lease violations amid serious operational issues.

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RDA executive says Hamilton House tenants breached lease; RDA to consult attorney on termination
Hartfield RDA executive Mark Holmes told Hardy County commissioners the Hamilton House shelter27s tenants have violated their lease and the RDA will consult counsel about terminating the lease; commissioners set a 60-day review for the arrangement.
citizenportal.ai
September 17, 2026 at 4:27 AM
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A local provider warns that proposed changes to Head Start standards could jeopardize essential services for families, leaving children's care and education to the whims of state licensing.

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Local provider warns DHHS proposal would shift Head Start standards to states, risking consistency of services
Mead said the NPRM would eliminate many federal performance standards and rely more on state child-care licensing, potentially creating variation across states and changing services families receive.
citizenportal.ai
September 17, 2026 at 4:18 AM
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Tiara Mead from EACHES Head Start is calling on Hardy County residents to make their voices heard before the October 6 deadline to influence critical changes in Head Start programs!

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Head Start leader urges Hardy County officials, residents to comment on DHHS rule proposal
Tiara Mead of EACHES Head Start briefed the commission on a DHHS notice of proposed rulemaking and urged local leaders and residents to submit public comments by 2026-10-06 to protect program quality.
citizenportal.ai
September 17, 2026 at 4:21 AM
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Residents of Ashton Woods are fighting back against the Valley Link North project, arguing it prioritizes profit over people and threatens their homes.

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#HardyCounty #WV #CommunityEngagement #CitizenPortal #HardyCountyAshtonWoods #PublicParticipation #EnergyInfrastructure
Resident urges Hardy County to oppose Valley Link North transmission project
Thomas Hildebrand, a resident of Ashton Woods and military retiree, told the Hardy County Commission the Valley Link North power-line plan would harm landowners, called it driven by 'greed,' and urged commissioners to join other counties in opposition. Commissioners encouraged ongoing community engagement.
citizenportal.ai
August 27, 2026 at 4:24 AM
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Three men from New York were arrested after a traffic stop unveiled a web of identity theft, counterfeit passports, and potential ties to a larger criminal operation.

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#HardyCounty #WV #FraudPrevention #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #CriminalInvestigation #HardyCountyIdentityTheft
Hardy County sheriff says three New York men arrested in identity-theft probe
Hardy County Sheriff Steve Dawson said three men from New York were arrested after a July 22 traffic stop led investigators to counterfeit passports, financial records and other evidence linking the suspects to an identity-fraud scheme; additional charges are expected as the case continues.
citizenportal.ai
August 27, 2026 at 4:19 AM
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Hardy County has officially adopted its property tax levy for 2026 while also supporting local students with a $5,000 allocation to Moorefield High School DECA!

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Hardy County Commission adopts 2026 property tax levy, awards $5,000 to Moorefield DECA and accepts service contracts
At its April 7 meeting the Hardy County Commission approved the property tax levy under West Virginia Code 11-8-10a, allocated $5,000 from an opioid settlement fund to Moorefield High School DECA, and accepted annual Envirocode service contracts that include an adjusted fuel surcharge.
citizenportal.ai
May 7, 2026 at 2:54 AM
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Concerns are rising as sediment and vegetation threaten the stability of the Petersburg Gap Bridge, potentially increasing flood risks for the community.

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#HardyCounty #WV #HardyCountyConservation #FloodRisk #CitizenPortal #InfrastructureStability #EnvironmentalCooperation
Conservation district warns sediment and vegetation at Petersburg Gap Bridge could increase flood risk; commission agrees to seek coordination
The Potomac Valley Conservation District told the Hardy County Commission that sediment and trees accumulating upstream of the Petersburg Gap Bridge have reduced channel capacity and could threaten bridge stability during a large flood; conservation board members urged interagency cooperation and requested county and governor‑level engagement.
citizenportal.ai
April 13, 2026 at 9:30 AM
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Sheriff Steve Dawson reveals a staggering fentanyl seizure linked to recent felony sentences, highlighting the ongoing battle against drug-related crime in Hardy County.

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Sheriff reports major fentanyl seizure and recent felony sentences; commission hears drug‑task‑force update
Sheriff Steve Dawson told the commission his office and a regional task force recently seized more than 3 ounces of fentanyl (described as enough for about 40,000 lethal doses), and he highlighted recent long sentences in local prosecutions; commissioners also approved closing a dormant drug‑task‑force account at the prosecutor's request.
citizenportal.ai
April 13, 2026 at 9:29 AM
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The Hardy County Commission just approved vital funding for local students and music programs, paving the way for a brighter future!

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Hardy County Commission approves proclamations, grants and school funding at monthly meeting
At its regular meeting the Hardy County Commission approved multiple proclamations and grant actions, allocated $5,000 to MHS DECA and $3,000 to local school music programs, closed a dormant drug task‑force account and reappointed a commissioner to the Region 8 Solid Waste Authority.
citizenportal.ai
April 13, 2026 at 9:28 AM
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Landowners in Hardy County are rallying behind the Oldfield Solar project, viewing it as a vital opportunity to boost income while preserving their agricultural heritage.

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Landowners tell Hardy County Commission they support Oldfield Solar; commissioners say planning commission will advise next steps
Eight landowning families told the Hardy County Commission they support the Oldfield Solar project as a way to preserve landowner rights and supplement farm income; commissioners said the planning commission is expected to provide a framework, but no formal county decision was taken.
citizenportal.ai
April 13, 2026 at 9:11 AM
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Hardy County is taking action to resolve a historic boundary mismatch from 1888 that could impact property taxes and voting for dozens of residents.

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#HardyCounty #WV #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #LandUseManagement
Hardy and Hampshire counties prepare field survey to correct 1888 boundary mismatch affecting taxes, voting and permits
The Hardy County assessor described a project to locate 1888 survey monuments, record state‑plane coordinates, and update GIS to resolve mismatched parcels and voter lists (estimated 30–70 affected) before coordinating any transfers; commissioners asked staff to research regulatory approval processes.
citizenportal.ai
February 27, 2026 at 8:04 AM
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Hampshire County officials are paving the way for Hardy County to adopt West Virginia's state building code, promising safer homes and better funding opportunities!

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#HardyCounty #WV #HousingQuality #CitizenPortal #LocalGovernance #BuildingSafety
Hampshire officials outline steps for Hardy County to adopt state building code and offer interim inspection support
Hampshire County officials presented a legal and operational roadmap for Hardy County to adopt West Virginia's state building code, including options for provisional licensure, interlocal inspection agreements, and expected fees; commissioners asked about bank/insurance impacts and liability protections.
citizenportal.ai
February 26, 2026 at 12:28 PM
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Hardy County just opened a brand new health department, but local leaders are fighting for more funding and faster payments to meet rising healthcare demands!

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#HardyCounty #WV #CitizenPortal #AdministrativeEfficiency #FundingReform #PublicHealth
Hardy County celebrates new health department; officials press state for more funds and faster payments
Hardy County officials marked the January opening of a new county health department and used a regional leadership meeting to press for increased funding, full-time physicians at local health departments and fixes to state payment systems that county officials say have delayed provider reimbursements.
citizenportal.ai
October 29, 2025 at 8:45 AM
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West Virginia State Treasurer Larry Pack is advocating for local control by supporting a 1% sales tax referendum that could empower counties to fund essential services like emergency medical aid.

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#HardyCounty #WV #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #LocalRevenue #EconomicDevelopment
State Treasurer urges local control, backs county referendum for 1% sales tax
West Virginia State Treasurer Larry Pack told leaders at a Potomac Highlands meeting in Hardy County he supports letting counties place a 1% sales tax before voters to raise local revenue for services such as EMS, and urged reducing state regulatory burdens that he said hinder local economic growth.
citizenportal.ai
October 29, 2025 at 6:12 AM
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A groundbreaking pilot program in Hardy County could revolutionize local farming with automation, but the county commission is treading carefully before moving forward.

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#HardyCounty #WV #CitizenPortal #GrantFunding #RuralDevelopment #AgriculturalInnovation #HardyCountyFarms
Local firm seeks ARC Power grant for farm automation pilot; commission asks for regional grant counsel and tables vote
Questar Automation asked the commission to sign a letter of intent to apply for an Appalachian Regional Commission Power Initiative grant to fund an 18‑month automation pilot for three farms. Commissioners asked staff to consult Region 8 and the county prosecutor about ownership and grant rules and tabled action until a follow‑up meeting with the R
citizenportal.ai
October 26, 2025 at 10:30 AM