The Hurricane City Council held the first reading of an ordinance to annex three business properties into city limits at its October 2nd meeting.

The businesses are Fairways Restaurant and Marathon, 3706 Teays Valley Road; Thrush & Clark Allergists, 3977 Teays Valley Road; and Bubbarino’s Bites & Bubbles, 3501 Teays Valley Road. The owners of all three business approached the City and asked to be brought into Hurricane corporate limits.

The Hurricane Council must hold a second reading and the Putnam County Commission must grant the request before the annexations are finalized. The responsibility for providing law enforcement will shift from the Putnam County Sheriff to the Hurricane Police Department upon County Commission approval.

Prior to the regular business session, Council recognized Hurricane resident Bob Anderson, winner of the West Virginia State Fair Fruitcake Contest and Katrina Kappen of Scott Depot, Mrs. All-Star United States 2024.

Bob Anderson Honored

Bob Anderson, 95, entered the fruitcake contest for the first time this year at the urging of his son. He began making fruitcakes in 1963. Anderson told the council that his first fruitcake was the result of a mistake. “I gave my mother’s recipe to my wife. She followed the directions but the cake just poured out of the pan after baking. I told her that the butter (it requires a full pound of butter) must have been bad. I got some fresh butter but she was unwilling to give it a second try so I gave it a go and all turned out well.”

What started as a mistake became a tradition. One cake per year turned into to two, and then into three. Last year, Anderson’s son learned of the West Virginia State Fair Fruitcake Contest from an individual who had won it for twenty consecutive years. His son said that the winner’s cake did not come close to the ones that Bob makes and urged him to enter. Bob is now reigning champion. The old champion finished third.

Later this year, members of Bob’s Sunday School class will get to enjoy a sample of the fruitcake that has pleased so many for many, many years.

The Council recognized Katrina Kappen upon her winning the Mrs. All-Star United States 2024 title. Kappen resides in Scott Depot but has strong ties to Hurricane as her husband is a Hurricane High graduate. Kappen actually has ties to many West Virginia locales because of her community service endeavors. She informed Council that her selection as Mrs. All-Star U.S. was made possible by her record of community service. Kappen has earned more than 250 hours of community service and was recognized with the silver Presidential Volunteer Service Award at the national pageant. She was also recognized as a Distinguished Mountaineer by Governor Jim Justice.

Mayor Scott Edwards announced four upcoming events: Hurricane Harvest Festival, October 14; Pumpkin Carving Contest, October 22; Main Street Trick or Treat, October 28; and Citywide Trick or Treat, October 31.

City hall will be closed Monday, October 9, in observance of Columbus Day. The next city council meeting will be Monday, November 6.