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Plans Being Made to Alleviate Flooding at Valley Fork Park

The first phase of the clean-up of Valley Fork Park is currently underway and today the Sam Shaw Walking Trail will be closed as employees of the the city of Moundsville Street Department, Parks and Recreation Department and Fire Department will be burning piles of debris.

Valley Fork Park has flooded twice in less than a three-month period, with the water bringing with it debris from Middle Grave Creek and the two tributaries.

The city street department has cleaned up some of the debris and put the brushes, tree branches, and other items which can be burned into a pile.

Mayor Eugene Saunders Sr. said Thursday that Sunday’s burning is just a small undertaking, as there is more debris to be put into piles, and the cleaning of the trail itself needs to be completed.

In several areas of the one-mile trail, there is caked mud, dirt, or sand which will have to removed, using heavy water pressure.

The mayor said, “To do a proper clean-up could take several weeks, with weather being one of the factors.”

Saunders said he is hopeful the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be able to begin soon on making some changes in the water flow of Middle Grave Creek. He said that while in one area of the creek the width from bank-to-bank is some 30 feet to 35 feet, while just a few feet further downstream it is only about six feet.

While the city has started its part of the clean-up, city officials are hopeful that the Corps of Engineers and the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources will follow in the near future.

On March 31, Saunders, Councilman Phil Remke and city recreation director Mark Baker, met with George Brkovich from the Corps of Engineer (Pittsburgh Division), along with Dave Wellman of the DNR and Ed Martin of the West Virginia Division of Soil Conservation at Valley Fork Park. It was a meeting set up by Remke, who had contacted these agencies earlier that week.

According to Saunders, they spent approximately 2 1/2 hours taking photographs and notes of what might have to be done to correct problems to keep flooding from occurring on Middle Grave Creek.

Saunders said one of his concerns is erosion which is taking place on both sides of the creek.

Saunders said he was told by Brkovich that the Corps of Engineers will be doing some design work on the areas of concern.

Saunders stated, “Once the debris is cleaned up, the city will be cleaning the trail, although it has yet to be decided on the how the best way to do this work.”

Saunders, who is also chairman of the parks and recreation committee, said, “We need to get Valley Fork Park cleaned up. It may take some time, but we will get it done.”

This year’s National Library Week kicks off today and will continue through April 15, with the Marshall County Public Libraries celebrating with several special activities.

The theme, established by the American Library Association, is “Libraries Transform.”

For starters, the entire week will be “Fine-Free Week,” according to library director Susan Reilly.

“There will be no overdue fines on any materials returned to the Marshall County libraries in usable condition during NLW.” She said, “This is a great opportunity find mislaid books and clear your library record, free-of-charge. Materials may be returned at the circulation desk or in the after-hours book return.” Local tradition extends this fine-free period for an extra week (two weeks of amnesty) and this year will be no different, thus the Fine-Free period will last through April 23.

Pre-school storytime for youngsters ages 3-to-5 will be held at 11 a.m on both Tuesday and Thursday, and at 1 p.m. on Wednesday at the Moundsville Library. These storytimes often include songs, games and simple art and crafts project. This schedule is followed most weeks throughout the school year. Registration is encouraged but walk-ins are welcome.

The following special events are scheduled around NLW at the Moundsville Library:

Monday at 10 a.m.–Wild Kratts Showing. PBS Kids explore nature and the outdoors episode and an Inquire Within special events for kids, with support from WQED/Chevron.

Monday at 6:30 p.m. — ventriloquist Mark Wade with “Fun for kids!”

Tuesday at 6 p.m. — “A Look at Israel.” An informative historical and religious overview by Carl Eller, using his personal travels and photos to share insights into this pivotal Middle Eastern country. Refreshments will be served.

Wednesday at 6:30 p.m — “The Scarlet Letter,” A one-woman performance by Carol Weakland as Hester Prynne from the literary classic by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Refreshments will be served.

Thursday at 4:30 — “Foundation Center Webinar: Before You Seek a Grant: a Checklist for New Non-profits.” Prepare for funding with expert pointers.

April 18 at 6 p.m. — a film showing titled “Hidden Figures,” a true story of NASA’s female African American mathematicians like West Virginia’s Katherine Johnson (Taraji Henson). The highly acclaimed PG film is 127 minutes in length.

April 24 — “Advocating for Individuals With Autism & Learning Disabilities,” with author and speaker David George.

April 26 at 6 p.m. — “Grant & Lee: The Wilderness to Cold Harbor,” a captivating Civil War history program with Roger Micker.

The Cameron Library will have a pre-school storytime at 1 p.m., on Monday, and will also offer a crochet class at 1 p.m. on Tuesday.

All of the above events are free and open to the public.

The Marshall County libraries are accepting donations for their next book sale, which will take place the first weekend in May at the Moundsville Library. The sale will include a large assortment of used fiction and non-fiction books for adults and children, as well as assorted videotapes, CDs and puzzles and other media will be for sale at low prices. The sale will be sponsored by the Moundsville Woman’s Club, with all proceeds benefiting the library.

The dates are 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., on May 5, and May 8, and from 10 a.m. until noon on May 6 and May 9.

The second annual “Hunger Doesn’t Take a Summer Vacation” community food drive is underway.

Marshall County food pantries, soup kitchens, backpack programs, and organizations providing food related assistance will be the recipients of items to be collected through June 5.

According to Marshall County Family Network executive director Stacey Dei, these organizations witness an increase in individuals and families accessing the above services during the summer months.

She said, “We are asking for your help in assisting the organizations in Marshall County working on the front lines to address issues of hunger and lack of access to affordable and nutritious food. This can be done by forming a ‘donor team’ within your business, group or organization.”

Typical high need items include canned vegtables, canned fruits, canned meats, baby cereal, baby formula, peanut butter, pasta and sauce, condiments and spices, rice, kid friendly foods, jams/jelly and canned soups.

Team donation drop off will be at the Training Center within the walls of the former West Virginia Penitentiary from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on June 5.

Individuals or teams with questions are to contact Sara Wood at the MCFRN at 304-845-3300 or frnoutreach@concast.net

Speaking of food, from 5-7 p.m. Monday at Buffalo Wild Wings in Moundsville, a portion of the cost of meals during that time period will be given to the Moundsville Salvation Army.

Also on Monday, professional ventriloquist Mark Wade will be performing a “Reading is FUNdamentall” program at 6:30 p.m. at the Moundsville-Marshall County Public Library.

Named “America’s No. 1 Children’s Ventriloquist,” Wade has done shows throughout the world having appeared on such shows as “Good Morning America,” “Entertainment Tonight” and the CBS Evening News.

The family fun show is being sponsored by the Robert Baker Family.

For additional information contact the Library at 700 Fifth St., Moundsville, or call 304-845-6911.

Attendance at the book signing by George Sidiropolis this past Monday evening in the community room of the Benwood-McMechen Housing Authority’s reached the 100 mark.

While the majority of those attending stayed to hear Sidiropolis speak, others came early just to have their book signed.

When I arrived it was standing room only until additional chairs were brought from the adjacent Benwood-McMechen Public Library which was the sponsor of the event.

Members of the Marshall County Commission were presented with a plaque by John Moses of Youth Services System, Inc., for providing to that agency the Helinski Shelter during the past 34 years.

Moses said that 4,800 youths were housed at Helinski Shelter during that period of time.

He also expressed thanks to the staff at Grand Vue Park. The Helinski Shelter having been on GVP property.

The Helinski Shelter was named in honor of Charlie Helinski who was a county commissioner when the Helinski Shelter first began use of the county property.

A second proclamation was signed by the county commission at this past Tuesday’s meeting, it being in recognition of National Volunteer Service Day.

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