Everything is in readiness for 2022 at the former West Virginia Penitentiary in Moundsville.

Retired in 1995, the facility is a tourism anchor for the region. Although the WVP has been open during the past two years despite COVID-19, missing during this period has been school students from throughout the valley.

They will be back this year as to date 12 area schools are booked to learn about the attractions at the facility.

In addition to this there will be adults who look forward each year to the historical day tours, try to escape from a game room, have the opportunity to investigate the paranormal aspect, etc.

Guided day tours will be conducted beginning Friday and continue through November along with several options.

Of course there will be other attractions such as the Dungeon of Horrors.

This attraction takes place in late October. The event brings thousands of tourists to the Ohio Valley for the scariest places behind bars!

Three individuals connected with the Moundsville Economic Development Council spent four days at the TransWorld’s Halloween & Attractions Show in downtown St. Louis, Mo., the only industrial show of its kind, to learn of new exhibits, ideas and to purchase products for the Dungeon.

—

Members of the Elizabethtown Festival will be meeting Monday to discuss plans for this year’s event which will take place at the prison in May.

The event will undergo several changes aimed at having those in attendance the opportunity to be more involved.

—

Marshall County Animal Shelter personnel are looking for people who would like to donate raffle baskets or items for their Easter fundraiser.

Baskets or items may be dropped off at the shelter anytime during business hours. Questions can be directed to the office at 304-845-9720.

—

Those in charge of the recent “Marshall County Schools Presents … LOOK, Looking Out for Our Kids” held March 15 at John Marshall High School were very pleased with the 230 people who turned out.

The featured topics were: “Oh, So That’s What Poverty Looks Like,” “Grooming” and “Making Smart Choices: Online and Offline.”

—

If you would like to either walk, run or utilize some of the equipment at Monarch Stadium, you can do so from 4-7 p.m. on any Sunday during the months of April and May.

Last year was the first time that individuals were offered the opportunity to utilize the Stadium, with the turnouts being very good.

Those planning to use the stadium are reminded not to bring their dog.

—

The Marshall County Commissioners at its most recent meeting approved a letter from Steptoe & Johnson proposing the merger of the Marshall County Development Project District No. 2 Tax Increment Financing (Franklin TIF) and Marshall County Development Project No. 3 (Riverfront Industrial TIF), with the firm to do the legal work necessary to combine the two TIF’s, and that all the cost to be taken on by the Regional Economic Development (RED) Partnership.

In other matters, the commission approved Melissa Caldwell as a legal assistant in the office of Prosecutor Joe Canestraro who informed the Commissioners that Caldwell, who will begin her duties on May 1, would work as a legal assistant primarily dealing with Juvenile Court and Child Abuse and Neglect cases for the office. She will replace a position which was vacated in December.

The commissioners approved a request from the West Virginia Extension Service for $2,000 to help match an Energy Express Program utilized by WVU-Marshall County.

The commissioners approved requesting from the state the same amount as last year for the WV Stop Violence Against Women Grant Program, that amount being $22,221.

—

The first of a three lecture series will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex in Moundsville.

It will be presented by Archaeologist Amanda Valko who will share her experiences building a career as a professional archaeologist, having started as a volunteer.

She will also describe some interesting sites where she has worked.

The two other lectures will take place on April 28 and May 26.

The individuals for these being Dr. Jerrel C. Anderson, chairman, Blennerhassett Historical Foundation, Inc., and Dr. Kate Wietor, AmeriCorps member serving with Wheeling Heritage, respectively.

—

The second and third days of “The Wizard of Oz” production by the Monarch Company at John Marshall High School will take place at 2 p.m. on today/Saturday and Sunday in the auditorium.

The cast features 23 high school thespians, 18 elementary aged actors along with a tech crew of 10 JMHS students.

Tickets can be purchased at the door.

—

Exotic Animal Expos will take place today/Saturday and Sunday at the Moundsville Center within the walls of the former West Virginia Penitentiary.

They are known as “Wiccad Wonders Oddities Expo and Tri-State Exotic Animal Expo.”

Artisans and vendors will be selling a variety of exotic animals.

The hours of the event being 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., both days.

—

Anyone interested who would like to become a tour guide at the West Virginia Penitentiary in Moundsville should call 304-845-6200, the office of the Moundsville Economic Development Council Inc., the leasee of the facility.

In addition to employing tour guides, the MEDC has positions as gift shop attendants and escape room staff.