In Around West Virginia: a year has passed since the Harpers Ferry fire, a celebration of life is scheduled to honor Jack Rollins, overdose calls have increased in Berkeley County, and more.
n A year after a fire destroyed eight shops and two apartments in historic Harpers Ferry, resulting in almost $2 million in damages, a reporter for West Virginia Public Broadcasting spoke to the woman who made the first 911 call, and her husband. Ron and Laura Clark live up the street from where the fire occurred. They had to bang on neighbors' doors to alert them to the fire.
n A celebration of life to honor Jack Rollins will be held at noon Sunday at the Bridgeport Conference Center, according to The Exponent Telegram. Rollins was only 5 years old when he died on Wednesday, after battling neuroblastoma for nearly three years. Attendees are asked to wear their favorite superhero T-shirts. Jack loved superheroes.
n Overdose calls have increased in Berkeley County, The Journal reports. In June, the county received 149 overdose calls, three times the amount the county received in March. Dispatch received 503 overdose calls from January through the end of June. County officials estimated the average cost of each call is $1,200, not counting treatment at the hospital.
n Lewisburg is the second city in the state to allow restaurants and bars to serve alcoholic beverages starting at 10 a.m. on Sundays, The Register-Herald reports. Shepherdstown was first. Lewisburg City Council adopted a brunch bill ordinance on Thursday, following the West Virginia Home Rule Board's decision to allow several cities to proceed with the ordinances. The ordinance immediately took effect. Meanwhile, in Charles Town, county officials estimate Sunday morning alcohol sales will be permitted by November.
n A Lesage woman testified that she was abused by her husband before he killed her lover, The Herald-Dispatch reports. Courtney Thompson, 30, said she considered her relationship with her husband, Bobby Thompson, to be over but she hadn't left because she worried he would kill himself. Bobby Thompson, 28, is accused of shooting and killing Raymond Chapman, 22, of Lesage, while he was in the passenger seat of his wife's vehicle.
Reach Erin Beck at erin.beck@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-5163, Facebook.com/erinbeckwv, or follow @erinbeckwv on Twitter.