Police Chief Tim Johnson reported that property has been stolen from a home on New Street.

On Jan. 21 a wreath was stolen off the front door of 211 New St. Johnson said the wreath has sentimental value to the owner as it was from her mother’s funeral. An reward, the amount undisclosed, is being offered, Johnson said.

Anyone with information about the wreath can call Chief Johnson at 304-876-6036. The wreath can also be returned to the Shepherdstown Police Department on Princess Street.

Agency to offer free tax assistance

West Virginia Aging and Disability Resource Centers offer free senior tax credit assistance.

If you are a senior citizen, age 65 or older, or a younger person with an established disability, and are approved for the West Virginia Homestead Exemption program, you may be eligible for this tax credit. If eligible for this tax credit, you should have recently received information from the State Tax Department. You must own your own home to qualify for this tax credit.

For more information regarding free assistance to receive this tax benefit, please call the West Virginia Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). When calling ADRC, individuals should have available: senior tax credit letter from the State Tax Department, Social Security Award letter and verification of other sources of income.

For information and assistance, call 304-263-3943 or 800-296-5341. If you are a community organization or church, ADRC counselors are available to come to your location to assist seniors and persons with disabilities with the completion of their Senior Tax Credit return.

Fire Officer 2 class to be held through agency

PETERSBURG – RESA 8 will offer a 30-hour Fire Officer 2 class at the Petersburg VFC Feb. 19 and Feb. 20.

Additional class times for the course will be set later. The instructor is Garnett Gregory, and Fire Officer I is a pre- requisite.

David Plume, public service training coordinator of the Regional Education Service Agency that serves Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral, Morgan and Pendleton counties, noted that participants are required to complete a significant amount of class work outside of scheduled classes.

The course fee is $30, and books are $90.

For more information contact Plume at 304-267-3595, ext. 112, or e-mail dplume@access.k12.wv.us.

To learn more about RESA 8’s educational programs in Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral, Morgan and Pendleton counties, call 304-267-3595 or visit www.resa8.org.

WVUH-E awarded an $18K grant for upgrades

RANSON – West Virginia University Hospitals-East’s Jefferson Memorial Hospital has been awarded a Homeland Security grant for $18,754 to update the hospital’s emergency management plan and fund National Incident Management System training.

More than $1.2 million in state Homeland Security grants have been awarded to West Virginia Homeland Security Region 3, comprised of seven Eastern Panhandle counties, to support training and equipment for emergency responders throughout the region.

The funding decisions for these Homeland Security grants are made locally by a multi-discipline, multi-jurisdictional group of volunteers. Prior to the inception of a regional approach to planning and training, funding decisions were made in Charleston by a few people for masses.

Goose Route seeks artists to perform

Are you a live arts performer looking for a venue to perform? Then join the Goose Route Arts Collaborative Artist Roster.

Goose Route, based out of Shepherdstown, has several programs to showcase local and regional talent.

Email us at gooseroute@gmail.com with your contact information, and you’ll get the inside scoop on performance opportunities.

Statewide Cleanup applications available

CHARLESTON – Applications are now available for the 2011 West Virginia Make It Shine Statewide Cleanup. This annual event is jointly sponsored by the Department of Environmental Protection and the Division of Highways.

During the first two weeks of April, the Make It Shine program will provide resources such as cleanup materials, waste hauling and landfill fees to community groups volunteering to conduct litter cleanups on state streams or public lands.

More than 3,000 West Virginia citizens participated in last year’s statewide cleanup.

The application deadline is Feb. 18. Applications are available through contacting Travis Cooper of the Make It Shine Program at 1-800-322-5530, or by email at Travis.L.Cooper@wv.gov. Applications may also be downloaded via the net at www.dep.wv.gov.