What Was Making Herald Headlines in 2023?

JANUARY

Bitter cold temperatures prevailed over the Cove, and caused a pipe going to the Curryville water tower to freeze and burst. Crews replaced 42 feet of pipe to fix the leak.

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The Pines, a local band made up of four high school students, three from Central, was gathering popularity after receiving a Hometown Favorites award. The band plays a wide variety of music, but the focus is on classic rock.

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Rep. Jim Gregory (R-Blair) began his third term in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

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William “Bill” England, a prominent farmer in Williamsburg, passed away at the age of 86. He was active within the community industry, serving on a number of boards and participating in local agricultural organizations.

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Eli Lingenfelter of the Central high School Scarlet Dragons Basketball Team scored 1,000 career points during a game with Bishop McCourt.

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The Freedom Township Fire company received a new cutter, spreader, and ram tool for extracting victims of crashes. The battery operated tools were paid for by an Assistance to Firefighters Grant awarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

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The Roaring Spring Community Library was awarded grant money from WISE Women of Blair County for their “in a Pinch” program that provides feminine hygiene and other hygiene products to those in need.

FEBRUARY

Chief Deputy Coroner Ray Benton of Claysburg announced that he will be seeking the Blair County coroner’s position to replace Patty Ross who is stepping down after 25 years. Benton will have Ross’s endorsement.

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Ayla and Amy Hileman became the first mother-daughter combo to each score 1,000 points for the Williamsburg Lady Pirates Basketball team.

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Spring Cove Elementary School unveiled a new book vending machine purchased through a grant from the Dragon Pride Foundation.

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Morrisons Cove Herald Editor Anna Baughman was named one of Editor and Publisher Magazine’s Top 25 Under 35 and was featured in the magazine. Baughman was nominated by Herald Publisher Allan Bassler.

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Central Senior Jeff Hoenstine signed a letter of intent to attend Saint Francis University. Hoenstine broke the state record for career touchdown passes thrown while playing football at Central.

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Plans for a multi-use recreation area at the former Appvion Paper Mill site were unveiled at the Roaring Spring Borough Council meeting. The plans included several athletic fields, an amphitheater and trails. Demolition at the site was underway.

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Officials from Conemaugh Health System cut the ribbon on the new Nason Cardiac Rehabilitation Center in Roaring Spring.

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The Central Dragons were defeated by Bishop Guilfoyle 42-28 in the Laurel Highlands Championship game.

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MARCH

A barn fire at Pleasant View Farms in Martinsburg destroyed the farm’s offices and milking barn in the early morning of Feb. 23. Local dairy farmers were on hand after the fire to transport over 1,600 cows to other farms for milking and care.

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Pastor Jim Spivey said goodbye to the Grace Point Community Church of God to take on a new church in Danville, Va. Spivey said he will miss the people at the church most of all.

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Williamsburg Lady Pirate Basketball defeated Bishop Guilfoyle at Mt. Aloysius to take the District 6 Class 1A Championship.

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Jeanne Bolger of Martinsburg passed away at the age of 95. She was the widow of local undertaker John “C” Jack Bolger to whom she was married for 46 years. She was well known in the area for her singing and her work with the local Republican party.

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Central High School put on its first musical in 14 years. “Footloose” was directed by Rachel Wagner. The three performances spanned from March 30 to April 1. This production was made possible after a $25,000 donation from the Dragon Pride Foundation.

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Claysburg Fire Company celebrated 80 years of service. They held a banquet to commend the occasion.

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Dozens of artifacts stolen in 1970 were returned to the Blair County Historical Society. Fifty artifacts were returned to 17 museums after Michael Corbett of Newark, Del., was indicted for possession of firearms and other items stolen from museums.

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APRIL

The Claysburg Hall of Fame held its ninth induction. Inductees included John and Elaine Smith, Matthew Treon, Cpl. Clyde Elmer Walter Jr., Donald Witherspoon, and Claysburg Area Fire Company, who also received the Pioneer Award.

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Martinsburg Library held a community appreciation event in conjunction with National Library week and the library’s 75th anniversary. Martinsburg Borough Council Member and former educator Chuck Kensinger spoke on the importance of libraries throughout history and the world, and here in the Cove.

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Northern Bedford FBLA made quite a showing at the state leadership conference in Hershey. Over 5,000 students compete in these events. Twenty-four students from NB qualified for FBLA nationals. Sophomore Avery Aungst was also voted as Pennsylvania FBLA Vice President at Large number 1.

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Herald columnist Joseph Walk concluded his “Newcomers to the Cove” column. He ended the column with this: “We no longer feel like newcomers. To all the kind Herald readers in the Cove, Godspeed.”

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The Herald sadly said goodbye to “The Herald Dog,” Buster Brown. Buster was the beloved dog of the Basslers, who own the Herald. We miss you, Buster!

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Former U.S. rep Bud Shuster died at 91 years old. Shuster served 14 full terms before retiring in 2001. Shuster was known as the “King of Asphalt” for the highways he helped build as chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

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The annual National Prescription Drug Take Back event yielded a total of 283.8 pounds of prescription drugs to be disposed of safely. Martinsburg Police collected 66.1 pounds.

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MAY

With the Primary election swiftly approaching, the Herald received questionnaire responses from more than 30 candidates. Candidates described themselves and their families, their backgrounds, what they would do if elected and what issues are facing the area.

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Conemaugh Health System updated its masking policy, allowing masks to be optional.

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Williamsburg Borough received multiple complaints about excess stray cats in the area.

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The Lady Bulldogs softball christened Claysburg-Kimmel’s new field with a triple-header hat trick, defeating Tussey Mountain 3-2, Forbes Road 11-0 and Southern Fulton 13-3.

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On May 22, a driver crashed into the CenClear Counseling building in Roaring Spring. Ten minutes later, a driver in Freedom Township crashed into the Tame You Mane salon building.

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Central Cove FFA honored Tom Ritchey, who was retiring as ag instructor and FFA advisor after 37 years of service to the program.

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Siblings Daniel and Laura Longwell of Martinsburg both received first-place awards at the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science state meeting.

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JUNE

Avery Kahun of Central High School was named the winner of the 2023 Congressional Art Competition for Pennsylvania’s 13th Congressional District. Her charcoal drawing was entitled “Number 11” and featured the Everatt Railroad steam locomotive.

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Rachel Bowman was crowned the Bedford County Dairy Princess.

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Graduations began as 46 Williamsburg seniors received their diplomas.

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After a year of service as “Officer in Charge” at North Woodbury Township Police Department, Lance Morris was named Chief of Police. Morris’ badge was pinned on by his wife Lindsay on June 1.

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Central’s Jeff Hoenstine was awarded with a scholarship at the Blair County Sports Hall of Fame Luncheon.

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Northern Bedford started a Classic Tractor Enthusiasts Club.

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Michelle McIntyre of Roaring Spring Library was named one of Pennsylvania Business Central Women in Business’ Top 2023 Nonprofit Female Leaders for the second time.

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Do you get deja vu? Less than a month after two vehicles ran into buildings within minutes of each other, two chain-reaction accidents occured on Woodbury Pike within minutes of each other. Friendship Fire Company named distracted driving as the cause in both accidents.

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In the Herald’s Summer Home Edition, Roseanne Conrad told readers about the benefits of homesteading while showing off her chickens and garden areas.

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Huntsman Bowling Alley, located in the Morrisons Cove Memorial Park building, replaced its lanes to meet United States Bowling Congress guidelines.

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JULY

The Morrisons Cove Herald was chosen as the Grand Marshal of Martinsburg’s annual Ag Parade. Editor Anna Baughman, Publisher and Co-Owner Allan Bassler, former Publisher and Owner David Snyder, and Richard Bice were in the float. The Herald van was also driven in the parade.

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Central’s Marah Goff won an Isaac Award for her performace in “Footloose.” Goff was named best supporting actor for her role as Rusty.

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Williamsburg’s Historical Society became a 501.c.3 nonprofit organization after more than a year of planning to do so.

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Claysburg-Kimmel FBLA did not stop for summer: 19 members attended the FBLA National Conference from June 26-July 1.

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Little Miss pageants kicked off in the Cove. Some included Little Miss Morrisons Cove, Little Miss Roaring Spring, Little Miss Claysburg, and Williamsburg’s Little Miss contest during the Farm show.

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Sheetz announced that the Sarah Furnace property in Sproul would be renovated to preserve its historical value.

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Note: The Herald’s Year in Review will continue in next week’s edition (Jan. 4, 2024) with the remaining six months.