January

Newly elected officials took office the first week of January. Circuit Court Judge David W. Hummel, Jr. swore in County Commissioner Eric Vincent and County Clerk Teresea Hamilton.

Made in USA Certified, Inc., proudly announces that Marble King, Incorporated has successfully completed the Made in USA Certified proprietary audit process

The Paden City American Legion Post 86 closes its canteen, or social quarters, Jan. 3, but leaders assure members and area residents the post was not ceasing any of its other activities.

February

With funding options in question Librarian Roseanne Eastham of the Tyler County Public Library in Middlebourne, appeals to local officials for help to keep the library alive.

Comedian Dave Reilly performs at the Gaslight Theater in Sistersville on Feb. 12 with special guests Joey Scarpelli and Sean Ryan.

Clara Glover’s love of music is recognized and rewarded as she receives the Jean Singer Award for Choral Music Excellence from the West Virginia Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association.

Tyler County grand jurors return 32 true bills against seven defendants, with four other felony cases indicted with records sealed.

A Middlebourne man is faces drug charges after a search warrant exposes evidence of a clandestine drug laboratory at his Main Street residence.

March

Larry O. Matthess is re-sentenced to life in prison in Tyler County Circuit Court Thursday for two counts: felony solicitation of the burning of an insured building and felony retaliation against a witness.

Rosanne Eastham, director of Tyler County Public Library, approaches the Middlebourne Town Council on Tuesday evening to ask for monetary support for the struggling facility.

The 61st Annual Tyler County Ham, Bacon and Egg Show/Sale is held on March 10 at Tyler Consolidated High School.

Amanda Joy Goodfellow is crowned “Miss Knight” at the 2011 Miss Knight pageant sponsored by the Student Council at Tyler Consolidated High School.

Seven sealed indictments are opened after a special Grand Jury session in Tyler County Circuit Court.

April

The Sistersville Ferry opens on Friday, April 1 for traffic across the river to Fly, Ohio.

Janet Wells breaks ground for the expansion of the office at Sistersville Tank Works, 51 years to the day that her career with the company began.

The Relay for Life fundraiser to put Sportswriter Judy Light in a prom dress is successful. She dons a purple gown for the day.

First Federal Savings Bank sponsors the 33rd Annual Academic Awards Ceremony and reception to honor students in grades 5-12 in all Tyler County Schools and Paden City Schools.

The Tyler County Sheriff’s Office receives a new rescue boat at no cost to the county.

Deputies from the Tyler County Sheriff’s Office seize a synthetic grade of marijuana which contains chemicals banned by the federal government and made illegal in West Virginia courtesy of House Bill 2505. Though fashionably late, synthetic cannabis, which is sold under the various brand names, surfaced locally bringing a widespread epidemic close to home for deputies battling a barrage of “designer” drugs.

May

The world learns of the death of Osama bin Laden on May 1, 2011, ending his tyrannical reign of terror.

The Tyler Consolidated Middle and High School bands participate in the Region I Band Festival on April 7-8 at John Marshall High School, receiving superior ratings in each category across the board.

A total of 82 lbs. of prescription and over the counter drugs are dropped off at collection sites in Tyler County over the two-day National Prescription Drug Take Back Days event, some with a street value of $45 – $70 per pill, according to Family Resource Network Director Katrina Byers.

Tyler County Future Farmers of America members recently travel to Oklahoma City with advisor/educator Leon Ammons and brought home the national championship title in two categories – Land Judging and Homesite Evaluation.

Christopher L. Brown and Rheanna I. Foley earn the distinction of leading the Tyler Consolidated Class of 2011 as Valedictorian and Salutatorian, respectively.

Unpredictable weather and high water negatively impact the Sistersville Ferry operation. But amid tough times and rumors of its closure, officials close to the operation say they are not shutting down.

June

Union Bank President Tim Aiken wears a dress to work after the bank’s Relay For Life raise a substantial amount of money for the charity.

A Tyler County Grand Jury returns 24 true bills against eight defendants.

The Sistersville Pool opens in spite of scheduling conflicts and a lack of certified lifeguards.

Graduating seniors, a decorated veteran of the United States Army and several students from other countries are honored and lauded during graduation ceremonies for the Paden City High School Class of 2011 on May 28 in Bob Burton Gymnasium at PCHS.

The Tyler County Sheriff’s Office mourns the death of K-9 Kat.

Paden City Mayor and councilmen break ground on a multi-million dollar sewer project.

Descendants of an American patriot who served during the Revolutionary War gather at Beech Run Cemetery to dedicate a new grave marker.

Tyler County’s first Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Volunteers are sworn in by Tyler County Circuit Court Judge Mark A. Karl.

July

For the first time since the award’s inception, there were three recipients of the Paden City School Alumni Association’s “Distinguished Alumni Award.” To matters more historical, all three winners graduated together in the PCHS Class of 1961.

Tyler County native Ben Placer settles into his new job as Sistersville Police Chief and reconnects with old friends.

A strong thunderstorm knocks out electricity and causes related damage throughout the county.

The Sistersville Ferry remains closed while the City and mechanics evaluate the transmission problems.

Brody Ostrander, the alleged “Moundsville Flasher,” stands accused of exposing himself to people in Tyler County while a case against him in Marshall County is pending.

Uncle Bunk’s Condiments with a Kick, the locally produced line of condiments created from treasured family recipes, garners more accolades for their products.

Ptlm. Alex Herrick of New Martinsville joins the Sistersville Police Department.

August

The Secrets, former local rockers, perform Aug. 6 at the Tyler County Senior Center to raise funds for the Tyler County Library.

Keri Suter, the reigning fair queen, crowns Linda Buck as the 2011 Tyler County Fair Queen. The 2010 Jr. Miss Ariel Fish crown the 2011 Jr. Miss, Seminole Weekley. Beau Thomas and Madison Lovejoy are crowned Tyler County Fair Prince and Princess.

The Tyler Star News is among the newspapers to receive awards for editorial and advertising submissions for 2010.

A 5.9 earthquake in Virginia is felt locally in Tyler County. The epicenter was located roughly 3.7 miles below the earth’s surface, 83 miles southwest of Washington, D.C. and 41 miles northwest of Richmond, Va.

September

Local heroes are honored with a parade and a special ceremony in Sistersville. Residents show support in spite of heavy rain.

Marlee Sexton is reigns over the 2011 Oil and Gas Festival.

Helen Haught celebrates her 101st birthday on Sept. 27 with family, friends and neighbors.

The Sistersville Ferry’s financial woes are resolved after city officials are notified the state would provide $25,000 to continue its operations.

October

Democrat Earl Ray Tomblin is elected Governor of West Virginia after the state’s first ever Special Gubernatorial Election.

Tara Weese of Sistersville, who currently attends Tyler Consolidated High School, is among the semifinalists in the 57th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

A Tyler County Grand Jury returns 35 true bills against 12 defendants.

Dominion Resources Community Relations Manager Chuck Penn presents the $10,000 grant award to students and faculty at Tyler Consolidated High School.

Tyler County Victim Services Coordinator Toni Vancamp and Prosecuting Attorney D. Luke Furbee host a candlelight vigil to honor victims of domestic violence and raise community awareness.

November

Tyler County Family Resource Network, whose mission is to provide community-based, family centered, prevention-oriented services for children, teens and families, names Patsy Kersteter as director.

Sistersville VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 6327 purchases 160 American Flags to fly on the telephone poles in Sistersville. Monies for the flags were collected through donations.

Two Wetzel County men are charged with various violations of West Virginia’s wildlife laws in connection with the illegal taking of two trophy buck deer near the Tyler County line.

The second class of Tyler County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Volunteers are sworn in by Tyler County Circuit Court Judge Mark A. Karl on Monday, Oct. 24.

Students at A.I. Boreman Elementary participate in a canned food drive for the Adams House in Middlebourne.

December

Emily Wade, a junior member of the Tyler Consolidated High School Choir, earns one of 15 alto spots in the 2012 West Virginia All State Chamber Choir.

The Paden City Development Authority welcomes the Wetzel-Tyler Child Advocacy Center, Inc. to their new location at 102 West Main Street, Paden City, in the office space adjoining the WesBanco Bank.

Commissioners approved board members for the Tyler Co. Planning Commission and Tyler Co. Development Authority for the Jan. 1, 2012 – Dec. 31, 2014 (three year) term. Those approved are Mayor Dave Fox, John Hopkins, Robert Lowther, and William Roberts.

The Sistersville City Council approves the promotion of Bryan Owens to the rank of Corporal.

Ralph Duane Harter, 63, of Rt. 1 Box 166A, Middlebourne, appears in Wetzel County Magistrate Court before Magistrate Judith Goontz Monday to face charges stemming from an incident on Nov. 27 when Harter allegedly used glue and white toilet paper to cover surveillance equipment on the exterior of the Paden City Detachment of the West Virginia State Police located at the intersection of state Routes 2 and 180. Upon investigation, WVSP Cprl. C.J. Lantz observed bullet holes within the housing of the exterior heat pump and retaining railing located at the rear of the facility.

Phillip James Hamilton, Jr., age 35, of Middlebourne, and Steven L. Kloh, age 34, are indicted on charges stemming from a three-count indictment returned by a Federal Grand Jury after deputies from the Tyler County Sheriff’s Office bust a “bath salts” lab locally.