At its monthly meeting on Monday, January 3, the Hurricane City Council honored the Hurricane Middle School Football Team. The team won all eight games in which it played, plus a forfeiture win due to Covid, on its way to winning the 2021 Mid-Valley Conference Championship. The victories were: 1-0 over Milton (forfeit win), 42-6 over Barboursville, 34-12 over Pt. Pleasant, 38-0 over Ripley, 31-0 over Winfield, 54-6 over Poca, 28-22 over Huntington, 44-6 over Logan, and 14-6 over Winfield in the Mid-Valley Conference Championship game. HMS also finished undefeated last year but was denied the Mid Valley Conference trophy because the game was cancelled by Covid.
Mayor Scott Edwards and council rectified the absence of a 2020 Mid Valley trophy for HMS by officially proclaiming Hurricane Middle to be the 2020 champions of the conference.
In other business, council approved the appointment of Michael E. Hoffman as Hurricane Fire & Rescue Chief. Hoffman has more than 25 years of public safety experience in fire fighting and emergency medical services. He is retired from the Dunbar Fire Department where he served as Assistant Chief for seven years.
In his report to council, City Manager Andy Skidmore reported that construction of the new fire station was slated for December 9, 2022. Skidmore also informed council that RFPs (Requests for Proposals) have been submitted to area banks for financing construction of improvements at Bridge Park. The council is expected to act on the RFPs at a special meeting on January 24.
Police Chief Mike Mullins reported that during the month, the HPD made 9 arrests which were charged to the state and 11 which were charged to the city. The city’s arrests included 7 for first offense shoplifting, two for possession of Meth, and two for simple possession. The state arrests included one DUI related, one prohibited possession of firearm, and one for possession with intent to deliver.
Mullins also reported that the HPD department issued 62 citations and 304 warnings while responding to complaints involving larceny, destruction of property, breaking and entering, stolen vehicle, and child neglect.
The department also responded to 26 EMR calls, 15 911 hang up calls, 15 alarm calls, 2 suspicious vehicle calls, 2 domestic violence calls, 19 suspicious persons complaints and one overdose call. The department made 7 well-being checks while taking 13 accident reports during the month.
Mayor Edwards announced that city offices will be closed on Monday, January 17, in observance of Martin Luther King Day.
The next regular council meeting will be Monday, February 7, at 6:30 p.m.
