With cases of COVID-19 rising in the Tri-State, Marshall University announced Wednesday it is transitioning more courses to a virtual format.

HUNTINGTON — There were 93 new positive cases of COVID-19 reported in West Virginia on Saturday morning and hospitalizations remained high.

CHARLESTON — A proposed bill in Congress meant to provide $1 trillion worth of COVID-19 relief doesn’t do enough to keep West Virginians safe and give them access to the services they need during the pandemic, Sen. Joe Manchin said Wednesday.

HUNTINGTON — Fifty-one-year-old Nancy Cook will soon be faced with a choice — send her grandchildren back to school this fall, opening the door to catch the novel coronavirus, or keep them home and risk them falling behind academically.

CHARLESTON — An agreement was reached last week with West Virginia state officials and attorneys who had sought a judge’s ruling to have the state release the names of children born exposed to drugs so their families can be sent notice of pending litigation and seek compensation for their su…

Scott High Principal and Boone County Commission candidate Jacob Messer shared photos of school improvements that included fresh paint while announcing that the school was approved for a $7,486 grant from the Boone County Community Foundation. The grant will help to install water bottle-fill…

The state is providing support to two hospitals, including Logan General Hospital, after break-outs of COVID-19 were identified in staff and patients.

I would like to thank HD Media for the opportunity to communicate with the citizens of Boone County about decisions and issues facing the Boone County Commission. It is important to share this information with you because, at the end of the day, we are your representatives and must answer to you.

LOGAN, W.Va. — There has been an outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) among employees at Logan Regional Medical Center.

MADISON — The Boone County Prosecutor’s Office was closed on July 31 amid COVID-19-related concerns by county officials, and another announcement followed just hours later.

CHARLESTON — Dave Sanders said he hopes his journey through life, death and life once again may make people think twice before dismissing COVID-19 as a hoax.

ROCK CREEK — A state agency has confirmed it will contribute to the cost of moving demolition debris that the City of Madison placed on a private property in Rock Creek.

Boone County Commission candidate Josh Barker (right) is pictured with Van High School football coach Mark Agosti after Barker donated and delivered a total of 45 (collective) cases of bottled water to all three Boone County Football teams. Barker said that the teams are in need of water thi…

CHARLESTON — Students are scheduled to start soon at West Virginia’s public four-year colleges. Their safety, and that of the colleges’ employees, are at stake in these schools’ reopening plans.

CHARLESTON — The following events happened on these dates in West Virginia history. To read more, go to e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia at www.wvencyclopedia.org.

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia-managed state parks, forests and trails saw record-breaking visitation from in-state guests, Gov. Jim Justice announced last week.

From the side of the road, the image is arresting — a steep hill covered in a thick blanket of small, wooden crosses.

DANVILLE — The Boone County Health Department has been logging overtime since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March, and while the workload has increased dramatically, the agency’s daily responsibilities have not ceased — creating a dilemma for an already stretched-too-thin staff.

MADISON – According to a statement released by the Boone County Commission, the Boone County Courthouse will adopt an “appointment only" status as of the start of the business day on Aug 4 and will close at 4 p.m. on Aug 3.

To submit an item for the Community Calendar, send an email to pperry@HDMediaLLC.com.

UPDATE: As of noon July 31, Boone County Magistrate Court and Circuit Court will be closed through the end of the day August 7. Magistrate Courts will be open for emergencies only. Circuit Court will operate with a limited staff and hold all hearings virtually. Family Court will remain open …

CHARLESTON — With state casinos and Limited Video Lottery locations shut down for more than two months for the COVID-19 pandemic, a 17-year streak of state Lottery annual gross revenues topping $1 billion ended in June, according to figures from the state Lottery Commission.

Operators of the Autumn Colors Express excursion trains announced Monday that scheduled fall runs have been postponed to next year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last week, I shared some reader emails discussing what they learned from the pandemic “lockdown” period and how these experiences have shaped what they might do differently in the future. I’ve received many tips and emails from readers, and I’d like to share more of them with you this week:

CHARLESTON — A group of West Virginia attorneys have filed a complaint in Charleston asking a judge to force the state to release the names of children born exposed to drugs so their families can be sent notice of pending litigation and seek compensation for their suffering.

The state minority health advisory group is releasing a series of testimonials from COVID-19 survivors and prominent West Virginians, warning against the effects of the disease and the toll it takes on families.

KENOVA — The end of September typically gives Ric Griffith 3,000 reasons to get to work, but his schedule will be a little more flexible this fall.

HUNTINGTON — The Pallottine Foundation of Huntington and its Board of Trustees recently announced its 2020-21 Healthy Communities Initiative Awards.

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — An asteroid impact 66 million years ago may have killed off the dinosaurs, but the COVID-19 pandemic did not cause an extinction event at the T-Rex Science Center at 520 Southridge Blvd. in South Charleston.

CHARLESTON — Access to absentee ballots is “necessary but challenging,” West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner told a Congressional committee Wednesday.

CHARLESTON — The following events happened on these dates in West Virginia history. To read more, go to e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia at www.wvencyclopedia.org.

MADISON — A man who was held in a holding cell within the Boone County Sheriff’s Office allegedly broke a sprinkler head on July 17, activating the emergency sprinkler system within the annex and flooding the office, according to Chief Deputy Chad Barker and a criminal complaint prepared by …

WHITESVILLE — A Whitesville man was charged with attempt to commit arson/arson fourth degree on July 20 after his mother said he entered her residence with a can of gasoline and threatened to burn down her home.

MADISON — The Boone County Commission’s towing committee will meet with agencies around the county including fire, law enforcement and emergency care on July 30 regarding the creation of an updated towing policy.

MADISON — A forensic audit by the West Virginia State Auditor’s Office that includes the accounting practices of the City of Madison has increased in scope by three years.

MADISON — Music and more were part of the Boone County Farmers Market on Main Street in Madison last week. The next market will be on Aug. 1. For information on the market, contact Forest Dolin at: forestdolin@frontier.com.

MADISON — In an effort to continue to protect patients from potential exposure to the coronavirus, Boone Memorial Hospital is temporarily relocating its walk-in clinic, currently located on the hospital campus in the Family Medical Center, to 173 State St. (across from the Madison Animal Hospital).

Welcome back to Wrong Side of the Mountain, my column about what makes Boone County a good or bad place to live, depending on your perspective.