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WHEELING -- New Ohio County Magistrate Janine Varner this weekend needed validation "that good overpowers bad in the world," and she found it in a free cup of coffee on Sunday.
Varner, a veteran court employee, was sworn in as magistrate on Monday before family, past and present co-workers, and local judges. It was a happy time.
She said a period of "emotional ups and downs" began on a positive note Wednesday, when she received a call from Ohio County Circuit Judge Ronald E. Wilson. He told her he wanted to appoint her to the seat left vacant by former magistrate Harry Radcliffe, who was sentenced last week to four months in prison for federal tax conspiracy.
Varner said the call came as a total surprise.
"Would I have chosen something like this? Yes, but this is a total shock," she said.
Originally from Point Pleasant, New Jersey, Varner has lived in Wheeling since 1992. She has worked for the Ohio County Prosecutor's Office, the Ohio County Circuit Clerk's Office and most recently for Toriseva Law, resulting in over 15 years of experience in the local court system.
She soon will be heading to Charleston for a week of training required for new magistrates.
Though elated at the thought of her new job, Varner admitted to being emotionally shaken after awaking on Sunday and learning of the mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton. She was inspired to post on social media asking if "good really does outweigh bad in the world?"
After that, Varner went out to do her daily errands, and passed through the drive-through at McDonald's for a medium caramel frappe along the way. She came to the window only to be handed a large beverage, and she was told the woman in front of her had paid for it.
"I caught up to her on the interstate and did a double take because she looked like my mom too," Varner posted. "I blew her kisses to thank her … she giggled and waved and I toasted her.
"I promise I will pay forward!"
Varner said the first case she ever clerked was for Wilson, and it was in the very same second floor courtroom at the City-County Building where she was sworn in on Monday.
"One reason I decided to choose her was because of the way she treated people and all the friends she had. And on the side, she is pretty competent, too," Wilson said.
Varner said she was "overwhelmed with the amount of love and support" she has been shown.
"I am so honored, humbled and grateful to Judge Wilson, who is a high standard in the legal community," she said.
"The only promises I can make right now is what I've preached to my children. I will work hard. I will prove myself, and I will treat everyone with respect and dignity and honor the work."
Among those attending the swearing-in ceremony was Varner's son, Josh Varner, a new deputy with the Ohio County Sheriff's Department who was sworn in to his position later Monday.