The 2025 West Virginia State Champion Class AAAA High School Hurricane Redskins Baseball Team was honored at city council meeting.
Hurricane City Council opened its monthly meeting on August 4 by recognizing the 2025 State Champion High School baseball team. The Hurricane Redskins won the Class AAAA title in June, their fifth state title.
Following recognition and a photo session, council heard updates from department heads. City manager Andy Skidmore had good news concerning three bridges which the city is charged with maintaining. Skidmore reported that State funding will allow the city to address issues at the entrance bridge to City Park, the bridge at Lexington Estates, and the bridge over the CSX on Conner Street.
Skidmore also announced that State Senator Tarr has obtained funds to construct a bridge which will connect lower Bridge Park (Midland Trail) to upper Bridge Park (Putnam County Bank Sports Complex). The bridge will provide direct emergency access to the Sports Complex from the Hurricane Fire Station. Skidmore stated that the bridge could also serve as a pedestrian route between the two sections of the park. Skidmore said that the Sports Complex is completely booked for 2026 and that he is receiving inquiries about 2027 availability.
Skidmore informed council that water and electricity will be coming to the shelter above the bowl area at Meeks Mountain Trail. The city will install a conduit beneath the CSX tracks at City Park.
In new business, the council held second readings on ordinances which will bring three parcels of city owned property into corporate limits. Council held the first reading of an ordinance which will allow the annexation of 3.42 acres of privately owned land adjacent to the former Teays Valley Tire property.
In related business, council authorized Mayor Edwards to sign deeds affiliated with the 3.42 acres. The city will purchase a right-of-way which will serve as a shared access to Teays Valley Road for both the Teays Valley Tire and 3.42-acre properties.
Council approved the expenditure of opioid settlement money for a service which will unlock phones and devices of suspects arrested in drug trafficking. The cost is $10,000 the first year and $7,000 in subsequent years.
Council also approved a cable franchise agreement with Comcast. The agreement makes a way for Comcast to install fiberoptic cable to potential customers throughout the city. No government funds would be required.
Council responded to a request to waive second and third quarter Business and Occupation Taxes for Midway Ford/Generations Ford. Generations Ford had been weighing a move to consolidate Midway Ford with its Generations Ford location in Kentucky.
The next council meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 2, following the Monday holiday.
