Community Corner

🌱 How a new river trash system could change Morgantown’s waterfront

Coming up on the Morgantown Patch calendar: SPACE BASH 3 !! NEW YEARS PRE PARTY !!! at 123 Pleasant Street Morgantown WV

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Hello Morgantown! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a new river trash system could change Morgantown’s waterfront
  • Could Charleston’s next moves blow a hole in Morgantown’s budget?
  • How WVU’s new president marked his first Morgantown commencement

Today's riddle: What did one magnet say to the other magnet? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Find out what's happening in Morgantownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Cloudy with areas of drizzle, with a high of 52 and low of 34 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Intervals of clouds and sun, temps: high: 45, low: 40.
  • Thursday: Cloudy with areas of drizzle, with a high of 53 and low of 42 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Morgantown looks for lock and dam debris solutions (wajr.com) — Morgantown is seeking engineering firms to design a new trash collection system behind the Morgantown Lock and Dam, aiming to clean up debris along the riverfront near the Marriott, Ruby Amphitheater, and Caperton Rail Trail. Backed by federal funding, the project could significantly improve views and water quality perception for residents and visitors, though design, permitting, and construction timelines are still uncertain.
   

Find out what's happening in Morgantownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

2. City fears legislative restrictions on funding sources, local control (dominionpost.com) — Morgantown officials are warning that potential state legislation could strip the city of key revenue tools like business and occupation taxes and its weekly user fee, threatening services residents rely on. Local delegates and senators from both parties say they’ll push back against efforts in Charleston that limit municipal control over finances, elections, and ordinances, but caution they’ll largely be playing defense in the 2026 session.
   

3. WVU President Michael Benson takes part in first commencement ceremony (wdtv.com) — WVU marked a milestone commencement in Morgantown as new President Michael Benson presided over his first graduation ceremony. The event ended with graduates and Benson singing “Country Roads,” underscoring the strong connection between the university, its traditions, and West Virginia. Many graduates are already planning to return for medical or professional programs in town.
   

4. FirstEnergy notifies PSC of plan to apply for approval of gas-fired power plant project (dominionpost.com) — Morgantown residents could see a major new power source as FirstEnergy’s Mon Power and Potomac Edison move toward PSC approval for a 1,200-megawatt gas-fired plant targeted for 2031. The project, still without a chosen site, is projected to create thousands of construction and operations jobs and generate significant state and local tax revenue while coal plants continue operating into the 2030s.
   

5. Clerical error puts Mon County at a $235,000 loss, commissioner says (wboy.com) — Monongalia County’s budget just took a hit, with Commissioner Tom Bloom saying a state-level clerical error cost the county more than $235,000 in 2024 property tax revenue. County leaders, based in Morgantown, now have to plug the unexpected gap in an already-approved budget, and Bloom warns similar problems could keep recurring without better recourse for counties.
   

📸 Around Morgantown

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Looking for a working washer.
    I have a dryer and 2 kids, so going to the laundromat is tough without a vehicle. (Nextdoor Stadium East)
  • Gabe's posted a job opening for Material Handler - Warehouse, 1st and 2nd Shifts in Morgantown. Apply here.
  • Burger King posted a job opening for Team Member in Morgantown. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Morgantown here.

Ok Morgantown! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I find you very attractive!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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