Fire department gets a hand

On July 9, the Shepherdstown Fire Department received a check for $4,600 from the West Virginia State Auditor’s Office. The money was provided through the Volunteer Fire Department’s Workers Compensation Premium Increase Relief Fund to offset the workers’ compensation premium increase from 2011 to 2012. Over 80 percent of West Virginia residents receive fire department service from volunteer fire companies. Pictured from left: John Doyle, Glen B. Gainer III (West Virginia State Auditor), Craig “Twiggy” Simpson (president of company), Sheriff Bobby Shirley, Denny Barron (treasurer of company), Tom Maiden (insurance agent) and Gary W. Cogle Jr. (West Virginia State Auditor’s Office).