Just last week we experienced a microburst along the Ohio River that took off my neighbors’ roofs. Our kids were here visiting at the time, and thankfully no one was hurt. What caught our attention as the storm was approaching was the outside vented fan above the stove in the kitchen. It began making a ticking sound we’d never heard before. One glance out the sliding glass doors onto the river confirmed a dangerous storm was here. Seconds after that a group decision was made to get downstairs for cover. As we were quickly going down the steps my daughter Megan saw our neighbors roof go flying between the houses. As scary as that was for everyone involved, it pales to what our neighbors to the South are experiencing in the aftermath of Helene.

We’ve all seen the horrific damage done from the hurricane that ripped through western North Carolina. I’m familiar with this part of the state because my family and I called Raleigh our home in the early 90s. My sales territory included the mountains of North Carolina. It was a beautiful part of the state but often remote like the mountainous parts of West Virginia. Twisty 2 lane roads, that were one way in and one way out, connected small towns. Helene left a three-day total of rainfall in Busick, NC, located in the western mountains of NC near the Blue Ridge Parkway, of 31.33 inches. That’s more than 2.5 feet of water. Try to imagine that much water coming down in our mountains. That rainfall caused rivers to explode into raging rapids and landslides that took out highways and homes. Television was slow to report damage because of the remote area and no services. I believe in the weeks to come it will be revealed just how horrible it must have been for the folks that lived through the nightmare. Please keep the victims of hurricane Helene in your prayers, and if you’re able, donate to one of the agencies that are providing hope and help.

Several ex-WVU football players are sprinkled throughout the National Football League landscape this season and are filling major roles at starting positions for their respective teams. The Steelers have two rookies starting with Zach Frazier, the starting center, and Beanie Bishop Jr., starting at defensive back while David Long, Jr. is the starting middle backer for the Maimi Dolphins. And we can’t forget the comeback kid, Geno Smith, who played for the late Coach Bill Stewart and has been in the NFL for 11 years. Geno is currently the starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks. I got the chance to watch him play when the Seahawks took on the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football. Gino Smith did everything he could to bring home a win for Seattle, throwing for 395 yards and rushing for 38 more, but he couldn’t bail out the defense in a 42-29 loss.

I bring these facts up because there has been a lot of talent at Mountaineer Field the past several years. As true Mountaineer fans we can hold our heads high and be proud of these Mountaineers and the success they have found in a very competitive market.

Speaking of the NFL, and I have written about this before, but it still amazes me! The NFL officials seem to want to be the center of attention. The Steelers did not play well against Indianapolis last week and lost 27-24. They had several chances to pull out the win, however, costly penalties (which the expert referee in the booth disagreed with the calls on every occasion) killed drives that would have put the Steelers ahead. It is no secret that I am a die hard Steelers fan and take their wins and losses seriously, but it kills me when the refs decide the game and not the players. Of course, human error by the refs will always be a reality, they are after all, human! But the number of mistakes they commit has got to improve for America’s most popular sport.

Changing the subject from the NFL and switching to college basketball where practice has started across the country makes me a little sad because it means winter is coming shortly. Both WVU Head Coach Darian DeVries and West Liberty Head Coach Ben Howlett are enthusiastic and excited for the 2024-25 season with their current rosters. Coach Howlett has no more loyal fans than his mom and dad, Paul and Margo Howlett, who keep me informed on what’s happening with the Hilltoppers.

Locally our area football teams are struggling with the exception of Tyler Consolidated at 2-2 and ranked number 10 in Class A, and Valley who is undefeated ranked number 6 also in Class A. Both of these teams face some challenges down the stretch as they set their sights on the playoffs while Magnolia, Paden City and Hundred look to get back on track in the coming weeks.

Flying under the radar and worth recognition is the Tyler Consolidated Lady Knights volleyball team. So far this season they have compiled a 16-4 record with impressive shutout victories in all but two of their matches. Their only losses came to strong teams in Gilmer, Oak Glen and Williamstown. The Williamstown loss went five sets before the Lady Knights fell to the Lady Yellowjackets. All starters for the Lady Knights have contributed in different ways in their 16 wins. Katie Grimm and Kayli West have led the team in many statistical categories while Raylynn Heintzman has averaged well over 20 assists per game. The Lady Knights are preparing for their final 6 games including the LKC Championship on October 19th. They then will set their sights on a trip to Charleston when they begin Sectional play on Oct 29 hosting Wheeling Central. Good Luck Lady Knights.