The Inter-Mountain

ELKINS -- The Elkins Pilgrim Commandery 21, Knights Templar Organization has once again made a $500 donation to Warriors in the Field.

Donald Trump's tariff policies reflect outmoded 19th-century economic thought. Yet he has persistently pushed the notion that free trade represents "a rip-off" of American producers and workers. Despite the reality that neither consumers nor workers benefit from restrictive trade, and it is estimated that 86 to 96 percent of levies on imported goods are passed on to Americans in the form of higher prices.

It’s rare to find an issue these days that doesn’t divide public opinion, as political differences in our country have become so strongly entrenched. One current issue in West Virginia, however, is uniting both Democrats and Republicans - in opposition. The Valley Link transmission line project, which would run through 18 West Virginia counties, including Randolph, Upshur, Tucker and Barbour, is bringing together political leaders from both sides of the aisle to work to defeat the proposal.

Nora Katheryn (Worden) Faunce, 75, of Davis, West Virginia, passed away on June 30, 2026, at Garrett Regional Medical Center, after a period of declining health. Born on Nov., 11, 1951, she was the daughter of the late Dorothy M. (Dawson) and Gene D. Worden. Nora graduated from Mountaineer High School in 1969, and married the love of her life on April 20, 1975. Together they shared 51 years of marriage. They were blessed with one son, David Faunce âLD,ã who preceded her in death.

Last week my column was focused on education, and the week before that, the topic was city water challenges. This week these two topics flowed together when I heard Elizabeth Byers explaining the significance of the Kump Education Center Wetland. I n her introduction to the Kump Center Wetland for Master Gardners last Monday, Elizabeth acknowledged that we live in a time when Global Warming threatens the natural ecology that supports human life on Earth.

Robert ‘Bob’ Grant Erickson, of Erie, Colorado, passed away peacefully on July 22, 2026, at the age of 87. Bob was born on Feb 25, 1939, in Elkins, West Virginia, to Joseph and Ida Erickson. He graduated from Elkins High School in 1958 before answering the call to serve his country by enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served honorably from 1958 to 1962, attaining the rank of Corporal (E-4). On Oct. 23, 1965, Bob married Janice (nee Weakley).

PHILIPPI -- The Philip Barbour Colts opened their season with a 30-29 victory over the Grafton Bearcats in the last play of the game on the leg of sophomore kicker Ayden Thorne. Thorne made the 20-yard field goal with four seconds left on the clock. The Colts were led by running back Landyn Carpenter and quarterback Robbie Jones. Grafton won the toss and elected to defer until the second half.

A zinger can be described as a quick, clever, and sharp remark that often carries a humorous insult. Yet "humorous" can be in the eye of the beholder. While the person delivering the zinger may get laughs, what about the person being zinged? The same is true of sarcasm. Years ago, I delivered what I thought was a funny line. Afterwards, a kind person asked me if I knew what "sarcasm" meant.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- A Barbour County native and record-breaking caver has received the 2026 Lew Bicking Award, one of the highest honors in American speleology. In July, the National Speleological Society named Adam Weaver the recipient of the 2026 Lew Bicking Award. Presented annually, the award recognizes an individual or team for outstanding achievement in cave exploration, survey and expedition leadership.

There are many concerning provisions to the recently passed state law (HB 2014) dealing with Data Center and Microgrid projects, but a recent article in The Inter-Mountain detailing how tax revenue from these projects would be used to benefit the citizens of West Virginia was particularly concerning. The law allocates 50% of such revenues to reduce or eliminate the state income tax.