Local News

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — On the last day on the job for 39-year veteran Martinsburg Police Chief George Swartwood, his successor has been named. Erin P. Gibbons, who most recently served as Deputy Chief, will assume the role officially Sunday.  The Martinsburg Chief of Police oversees 50 sworn officers and approximately 11 civilian staff and provides […]

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — 79 years ago, 150 thousand Allied troops landed at Normandy on D-Day. Many of them were mere teenagers. Phil Fravel is from the American Military Heritage Museum in Stephens City, Virginia. Each year, he hosts a homecoming for area military veterans from all conflicts. Fravel says there will be reenactors from many […]

CHAMBERSBURG, PA — A man from Mississippi is facing multiple charges after reportedly shooting at other vehicles and terrorizing his girlfriend on I-81 in Pennsylvania last week. Edward Jackson Nickens, 31, of Lambert, Mississippi, was arrested June 2nd. The Chambersburg Public Opinion reports he’s been charged with attempted homicide, kidnapping, aggravated assault, making terroristic threats, […]

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. — The town of Shepherdstown wants the community to “take to the streets” Saturday June 24th. Shepherdstown StreetFest is billed as  “a day-long celebration of community featuring live music, arts and craft vendors, kids camp activities, and some of the region’s best live bands.” The event is designed for audiences of all ages. […]

HAGERSTOWN, MD —  the current CFO for Washington County  has been named Acting County Administrator. The Washington County Board of County Commissioners this week announced the appointment of of Michelle Gordon, who most recently has served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), as the Acting County Administrator. This decision comes following the retirement of the previous […]

MINGO COUNTY, W.Va. — Services will be held today for a West Virginia State Police Sergeant killed in the line of duty. 37-year-old Sergeant Cory Maynard was shot and killed while responding to a shooting in the Matewan area of Mingo County Friday afternoon. He later died at Logan Memorial Hospital. Maynard started his career […]

WINCHESTER, VA — Millions of people across the eastern United States are dealing with poor air quality, as smoke from wildfires in Canada has drifted over part of the country. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has issued a Code ORANGE Air Quality Alert Wednesday for Winchester and the eastern West Virginia Panhandle. A Code Orange […]

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld and a team of state and federal partners announced a new domestic violence reduction strategy on Monday, along with  the first round of indictments that resulted from it. Ihlenfeld said they have been The Berkeley County Domestic Violence Reduction Initiative for about six months.  “Domestic abusers are some […]

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld and a team of state and federal partners announced a new domestic violence reduction strategy on Monday, along with  the first round of indictments that resulted from it. Ihlenfeld unveiled the Berkeley County Domestic Violence Reduction Initiative alongside officials from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, […]

–VA Plane Crash In Forest Kills Mom, Toddler, Nanny, Pilot STAUNTON, VA —  A tragedy is unfolding in Virginia where a small plane crashed near the George Washington National Forest. State Police say first responders found the wreckage last night but there were no survivors. Military jets rushed to intercept when the plane entered restricted […]

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Justice John Hutchison says he won’t be on the ballot next year. Hutchison was appointed by Gov. Jim Justice in late 2018–took the seat in early 2019 and won an unexpired term election in 2020. He says he’ll serve out his term until the end of […]

HAGERSTOWN, MD — Police in Hagerstown are investigating a shooting Thursday that injured two on Locust Street. Hagerstown Police Lt. Chad Woodring tells The Panhandle News Network the call came in Thursday around 11:30 at night to the 100 block of N. Locust St., Hagerstown, MD, for a report of a shooting. “Upon arrival, officers […]

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — The Jefferson County Commission Thursday narrowly passed an ordinance that would prohibit anyone under 18 from attending live performances that depict, discuss, or simulate lewd behavior The action has already drawn reaction from the West Virginia chapter of the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) The ordinance posits that minors attending Adult […]

KEARNEYSVILLE, W.Va. — A public forum held late last month in Kearneysville was a chance for WVDOT/Division of Highways engineers to update the public about ongoing projects in District 5, which encompasses the larger Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia and the counties of Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral, and Morgan. Projects in the district […]

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — There’s a new round of paving projects being approved by the West Virginia Division of Highways — some of them in the Eastern Panhandle. The bid awards were from a bid letting conducted by the WVDOH on Tuesday, May 9th. Contracts awarded in May included: C. William Hetzer Inc. was low bidder […]

HAGERSTOWN, MD — There’s now more room to move at the senior center in Washington County. The County announced the completion of the Washington County Senior Activities Center Fitness Facility renovation, located at 535 East Franklin Street. The County renovated a 2,000 square foot outbuilding on the Senior Activities Center campus for the Washington County […]

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — The summer municipal election season is officially underway. The city of Charles Town held its elections May 25th. Bolivar’s election day is June 6th, and the municipalities of Harpers Ferry and the town of Bath will hold their city-wide elections June 13th.  

BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. — Early voting in the town of Bath is underway. Offices on the ballot will be Mayor, Town Recorder and all five council members. All officers serve a two (2) year term effective 7/1/23 – 6/30/25. The municipality will be governed by a Mayor, Recorder and five (5) Council Members. An announcement […]

HAGERSTOWN, MD — A Hagerstown man is facing firearms and drug charges after a search of a home in the city Tuesday. The Hagerstown Police Department reports that on May 30th, agents from the Washington County Narcotics Task Force served a search and seizure warrant at 60 E Franklin St Apt #3 in reference to […]

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — The Jefferson County Board of Education held a special meeting Tuesday, with only one item on its agenda, a vote that named William “Chuck” Bishop, Ed.D., the new Superintendent of Schools. In pre-recorded remarks to the board Tuesday evening, Dr. Bishop thanked them for the opportunity to wrap things up at […]

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — West Virginia State Treasurer Riley Moore was in Berkeley County Tuesday to distribute a check for more than $40,000 in unclaimed property to Berkeley Medical Center: Treasurer Moore stopped by Panhandle Live for a segment.. He talked about how some assets end up in “unclaimed property” He also talked about the surge in […]

West Virginia American Water Company will buy five smaller utilities in Jefferson County for 27 Million CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Public Service Commission of West Virginia has approved a plan to allow West Virginia American Water Company to acquire five smaller water and sewer utilities in Jefferson County for $27 million. The five are Jefferson […]

HAGERSTOWN, MD — Hagerstown Police have released the identity of the woman found dead in Hagerstown City Park Friday. Rachela Virginia Disandro of Hagerstown was 37 years old. This remains an active investigation and there is no further information to be released at this time. On 5/26/23 at about 5:50am, Officers of the Hagerstown Police […]

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — A bridge near Martinsburg’s baseball fields at Oatesdale Park was dedicated Friday to former Berkeley County Sheriff and Commissioner William N. “Shug” Kisner. It was a fitting tribute, according to several who spoke, including those who were part of Martinsburg’s Little League, which Kisner was credited with getting started and fundraising enthusiastically […]

 HAGERSTOWN, MD — Police in Hagerstown are investigating after a woman was found dead at Hagerstown City Park. Police are investigating it as a homicide. Hagerstown Police Department Baker Platoon Commander Lt. Rebecca Fetchu tells the Panhandle News Network the call came in Friday around 5:50 in the morning. ” Officers of the Hagerstown Police […]

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — The Berkeley County Board of Education and the Berkeley County Council held a special joint meeting Wednesday to discuss various topics of interest to both bodies. School Board President Pat Murphy: The two boards discussed student numbers related to subdivisions, folks avoiding taxes by not properly registering their vehicles, property, zoning, and […]

HAGERSTOWN, MD– A man is under arrest after a shooting at his home on Maryland Avenue Wednesday. Hagerstown police report the call came in just before 4 in the afternoon. HPD responded to the area of W. First St and Maryland Ave for a report of multiple shots fired. Officers recovered numerous shell casings in […]

HAGERSTOWN, MD —  The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal motorcycle collision. Deputies were dispatched  May 24th around 3:00 in the afternoon to the 900 block of Mt. Aetna Road in Hagerstown for a vehicle collision involving a motorcycle and a Chevrolet Tahoe. A third vehicle was struck by debris but was not […]

KEARNEYSVILLE, W.Va. — Leaders of West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) District 5 will host two informational open houses to discuss upcoming projects and core maintenance in the district’s seven counties of Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral, and Morgan. Projects in the district that are ongoing or scheduled to begin soon include Berkeley Springs […]

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — Today is Election Day in the City if Charles Town. Voters will be electing four council members each for a four-year term City hall will be open for voting only May 25, 2023 6:30am-7:30pm Charles Town City Hall – 101 E. Washington Street Those who are registered to vote in Jefferson County […]