It was three years ago when Moundsville city officials became serious about a new municipal building. Previous city officials had discussed the same but money or other reasons prevented changes from moving forward.

What did happen was that council members adopted a 1-percent tax, and according to city manager Rick Healy, that tax will pay for the entire project which will be $10,575,500.

The contractor will be A&Build of Cleveland.

The groundbreaking will take place this Thursday at 4 p.m., with current council members in attendance. It is projected to take 13 months to complete the work.

Since removal work will start on the east side of the current building, the Fire Department personnel will be the first to move. The temporary Fire Department will be located at the same site as the Street Department on North Jefferson Avenue.

It will also mean that there will be no parking at the rear of the municipal building where employees and customers at the city building park. Also, during construction, 15-minute free parking will be available on Sixth Street in front of the building. Those individuals doing business at the city building will have to use the Sixth Street entrance. Starting Sept. 12, Morton Avenue between Fifth and Sixth will be closed to traffic.

Once completed, the new building will house all of the current occupants, along with the Police Department.

The current city building has not had any major work since 1960, Healy said.

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There will be several events taking place involving the Strand Theatre during the next two months.

A Yard Sale will take place on Sept. 17., with item drop-off from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., on Sept. 10-15. No clothing accepted.

As to the sale itself, it will be 8 a.m. until noon, and 12:30 p.m. until 2 p.m.

The Strand Theatre will be offering classes for area students beginning on Oct. 1 and will conclude with a showcase open to the public on Dec. 3.

There will be two sessions, Session 1 (Kindergarten-Grade 4) will meet from 8:45 a.m. until 10:15, while Session 2 (Grade5-8) will meet from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

Renee Zelinski Storm will be the instructor for both sessions.

For more information visit www.strandtheatrewv.com/events or email Progdirector@strandtheatrewv.com

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The Strand Theatre will offer a concert titled, “In the Round.” It will involve both the audience and performer as they share the stage and will take place on Oct. 8, the performer being Eli Lambie. The concert will begin at 7 p.m.

Tickets went on sale this past week at Frame and Fortune, 239 Jefferson Ave., Moundsville, or online at www.strandtheatarewv.com/events.

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Sixteen individuals will be inducted into the John Marshall High School Athletic Hall of Fame today (Saturday), this being the second class.

The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to highlight and honor those Monarch athletes, coaches, administrators and supporters who excelled in their respective sports or coaching/support roles and who helped to bring honor, recognition, distinction and excellence to the school by their contact both on and off the field, or court of competition.

This year’s honorees fall into four different categories: Athletes, (eight), Contributors/Boosters, (six), Athletic Director/Administration, (one), and Multi-Sports, (one).

– Amy (Blankenship) Bailey — She graduated from JMHS in 1994, where she competed in Cross County and Track. She was Ms. Monarch in 1994. She was a John Marshall Wall of Fame honoree in 2012.

– Kirk Montelone — He was a first team all-state quarterback his junior and senior years. He played college football at Virginia Military Institute.

– Greg Morris — A 1979 JMHS graduate who participated as a student-athlete in football, track and wrestling. He has the highest winning percentage in wrestling, 73-5 overall. A Mr. Monarch winner, and was inducted into the JM Wall of Fame.

– Michael Myers — A 1986 JMHS graduate, excelling in athletics and academics. He played football and basketball. He received JM’s Carl Williams Memorial Ward as the athlete with the highest grade point average, and was Mr. Monarch in 1986.

– Dustin Richey — He began wrestling at the age of 6 and continued all the way through his senior year. His biggest wrestling accomplishment at John Marshall being the only three-time state champion in school history.

– Alex Shook — A 1987 graduate of JMHS, and a three time letterman in football and wrestling. He went on to become an academic all-American.

– Chris Ward — A 1997 JM graduate who lettered in football and wrestling. He was a two time OVAC wrestling champion and one time in state. He was co-founder of the Ohio Valley Youth Wrestling League, and owner of Bruiser Training Center.

– Ted Zervos — He was John Marshall’s first back-to-back state wrestling championship, 1981 and 1982. He had a 12-1 record in three state wrestling meets. He was a West Virginia Chapter-National Hall of Fame inductee (2019). He had a 34 year coaching career.

– Chuck Duckworth (Athletic Director/Administration) — He graduated from Grafton High School in 1970 and started teaching and coaching at John Marshall in 1979. He was a head volleyball and track coach at JMHS. He was JMHS Athletic Director from 2005-14.

– Ed Dugas (Multi-Sport Coach) — He was employed in Marshall County Schools in 1968. He was a Physical Education teacher, an assistant football coach, and a wrestling coach, both assistant and head coach, for 32 years.

– Six Brothers from the Gilbert Family

Tom Gilbert, a 1973 graduate of John Marshall, played baseball for two years. He was a founding member of the JM Field renovation committee and served as president for 19 years. He served on the Marshall County School Board for 12 years.

– Denny Gilbert, 1977 JM graduate who was a linebacker and running back for the Monarchs, who in his senior year was Captain of the OVAC All-Star Football team. He also played three other sports.

– John Gilbert, a 1979 JM graduate who lettered three years in football. He also was a track participant (shot put and discus).

– Donnie Gilbert Sr. who was recognized with the West Virginia Athletic Director Association Volunteer Award in 2014, and received a West Virginia legislative volunteer citation.

– Frank Gilbert graduated in 1982 playing football at JM for three years. He volunteered his time for 17 years doing John Marshall football games play-by-play.

– William (Bill) Gilbert graduated from John Marshall in 1983 and had achievements at JM including as football captain.