Woman dies in Friday crash

A Fayette County woman died in a single-vehicle accident in the county over the weekend.

According to the Nicholas County Sheriff’s Department, the accident occurred on Twenty Mile Creek Road in the western end of the county on Friday, Feb. 2, between 10 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. Police say Kyle Francisco, 38, of Gauley Bridge was driving a 2015 Jeep Wrangler when it veered right, left the roadway and landed on its side in Twenty Mile Creek.

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Richwood City Council focues on Hinkle Mountain

The Richwood City Council met Thursday, February 1, at 6 PM. Mayor Gary Johnson called the meeting to order. Present were Sherry Chapman, Diana Spencer, Chris McKenzie, Jourdan Deitz, Carla Williams, Chuck Toussieng, and Recorder, Jim Gladwell. Before the start of the meeting, the mayor asked for a special remembrance for Gerry Juergens, former Councilperson who recently passed. Everyone shared positive memories of Gerry and the work she did for the council and the community.

The mayor then proceeded with the start of the council meeting. He asked if there were any changes to the agenda and minutes. With no changes, he entertained a motion to approve both the agenda and the minutes. Both were approved.

The mayor continued with the meeting asking for the Finance Committee report. Mr. Gladwell, as Finance Chairman, gave an update on the finance committee meeting and reported on the invoices which needed Council’s approval to pay. With no questions or comments the mayor entertained a motion to approve the report and pay the invoices. The motion was seconded, and all invoices were approved by the City Council to be paid. The next Finance Committee meeting will be on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at 5 pm.

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Commission contributes to airport

The Nicholas County Commission on Wednesday, July 14, voted to provide financial support to the Summersville Airport and the Nicholas County Child Advocacy Center.

The commission also contributed funds to a non-profit substance abuse center in the county, awarded a bid for the demolition of a piece of county-owned property in Summersville, heard financial requests from the Richwood Heritage Center and the newly-formed Richwood Community Center and gave an update on the county’s regional jail costs.

Present for the meeting were Commission President Garrett Cole, Commissioner Dr. Lloyd Adkins and Commissioner Craig Chapman.

Funding for Summersville Airport

Nicholas County Airport Authority member Rodney LeRose came before the commission to discuss funding for the Summersville Airport. He noted that the City of Summersville has already given the airport $50,000 and is considering additional funding.

President Cole said part of the original agreement was that the commission would give $100,000.

Commissioner Adkins, who is also chairman of the Airport Authority, agreed that the airport is going to need more money and felt that the commission should hold off on making any contributions until after discussions at the Airport Authority meeting this week. The meeting was to include meeting with officials of Yeager Airport of Charleston who have agreed to help the Airport Authority turn their situation around financially.

The commission voted unanimously to give the Summersville Airport $100,000 with no more funding until at least the 2022-23 fiscal year.

The $100,000 will come from the county’s economic development funds. Commissioner Cole noted that the county normally only receives about $37,000 in economic development funds but there was a recent surge in which the county received $114,000 in economic development funds.

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Richwood council gains new member

Mayor Gary Johnson, left, swears in Jourdan Deitz.

After a brief executive session to discuss the vacant ward 3 seat, Richwood council voted to confirm Jourdan Deitz for the position.

Mayor Gary Johnson administered the oath of office and swore Deitz in at the regular council meeting on Thursday, July 15, 2021, at city hall.

Former ward 3 representative Britt Nicholas resigned to take a position with the city.

Additionally, council also voted to authorize Johnson to apply for a grant for water leak detection and to use $25,000 in rescue act funds to match the state grant.

Region 4 will do the application.

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