ALSO —
U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins will offer local mobile office hours this week. At the mobile office locations, members of Jenkins’ staff will be available to help Third District residents who are having problems with federal agencies and programs. Constituents are encouraged to bring along documents they have received from federal agencies related to their issues.
Area office hours are:
• Tues., Jan. 12, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Pocahontas County Library, 500 Eighth Street, Marlinton
• Weds., Jan. 13, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Lewisburg City Hall, 942 W. Washington St., Lewisburg
• Weds., Jan 13, 2-3 p.m. at the Monroe Service Center, 400 S. Main Street, Union
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Rainelle residents are being assured that, despite discoloration in their drinking water, there is nothing to fear.
Some residents have been purchasing drinking water due to the copper-colored liquid that has been coming out of their taps at home.
Mayor Andrea Pendleton and Stacy Fowler, project manager in charge of an ongoing water filter project in the area, both assert that the discoloration is not harmful or toxic. Pendleton reported on the towns Facebook page: “Our staff is working out the glitches of the new water filter system installed and turned on just before Christmas. It is my understanding they are planning to clean all the lines to free the lines from the brown water. They also are changing the additives that will keep the water clear and clean.”
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The community has rallied around Renick volunteer fire fighter Shane Blankenship after his home burned the week before Christmas.
Blankenship said he and his parents were decorating for the holiday when they heard a fire alarm go off in the back of their house. Firefighters from Renick rushed to the scene, but thanks to slick, snow-covered roads, by the time they reached the home, located nine miles off of Rt. 219, the home was a total loss.
Community members have held a spaghetti dinner, and several firefighters have helped clean the area and will help rebuild the home when the weather improves.
If you would like to donate to the Blankenship family, drop off items at the Renick Volunteer Fire Dept. on Monday evenings between 7 and 9 p.m.