Changes and Recommendations Pocahontas County Courthouse
Melissa Bennett
Pocahontas County Clerk
In response to the declaration of a State of Emergency by the Governor and by Order of the Pocahontas County Commission, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the following procedures are in place for the Pocahontas County Clerk’s Office/Pocahontas County Courthouse as of March 23, 2020.
Courthouse Operations
By order of the Pocahontas County Commission the Pocahontas County Courthouse will be closed to public access until April 6, 2020.
The offices of the courthouse will continue to operate by phone, email and mail. Also, a drop box will be placed at the front door of the courthouse. Court filings, document recordings, payments, correspondence, etc. for county offices can be placed in the secure locked box. Please make sure that the documents are sealed in an envelope and addressed to the appropriate office.
Primary Election May 12, 2020
This office and the West Virginia Secretary of State encourage voters to take advantage of absentee by mail and early voting options for the May 12 Primary Election.
Voters who do not wish to vote in person due to the Coronavirus pandemic are eligible to request an absentee ballot by mail. At this time, voters may still vote in-person during Early Voting from April 29 to May 9, and on Election Day May 12. By implementing preventive measures for early voting and election day due to the Coronavirus pandemic restrictions; it may take longer to vote.
1. Obtain the West Virginia Absentee Ballot Application:
• Download and print the application from our website or the West Virginia Secretary of State’s website: pocaclk@clerk.state.wv.us or sos.wv.gov
• Call the County Clerk’s Office at 304-799-4549 to request the application to be mailed; faxed or emailed to you.
2. Fill out the application in your own handwriting
• Check the first box for “Illness, injury or other medical reason which keeps me confined” in Section 4 of the application
3. Return the application to this office by
• Mail, email, Fax or put in drop box.
• Deadline for Absentee by Mail applications is May 6, 2020.
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From the Sheriff of Pocahontas County
In an effort to protect the citizens of Pocahontas County by mitigating the threat of exposure to COVID-19 and to heed the advice of the medical experts and the CDC, beginning Monday, March 23, the Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Office will suspend entry of all non-essential persons.
We will temporarily suspend concealed weapon applications, as well as non-essential process of civil papers. Accident Reports may be obtained by calling 304-799-4445 and speaking with office personnel. Officers will be on duty and responding to emergency calls.
The Sheriff’s Tax Office will remain in operation at this time. I would ask you to call in, rather than come in, if you have any symptoms of illness; including cold symptoms: 304-799-4710 or visit one of the following websites.
Personal Property Taxes go.wv.gov/pcwvtax
Vehicle Registration dmv.wv.gov
Hotel-Motel Taxes go.wv.gov/pocahontashotel tax
Your safety and wellbeing, as well as that of our employees, is my top priority. We need to work together to overcome this tragic event.
Respectfully,
Jeff Barlow, Sheriff
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Town of Marlinton
B.J. Gudmundsson, Recorder
In response to the ongoing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Town of Marlinton has put in place the following procedures to protect the public, our town employees and officials.
Town Offices and the Municipal Building will be closed to the public.
Town services will continue as usual and garbage will be picked up on regular schedule.
The water plant will be closed to outside visitors. Self-serve bulk water is available.
The town police officer will perform his duties following CDC and State guidelines.
The Marlinton town office is available by phone, 304-799-4315, or by email at townofmarlinton@frontiernet.net
If calling, please leave a message and staff will return your call.
The Town of Marlinton WILL NOT be turning off water service for non-payment of bills. Also, the Town will be waiving the late fees. This applies to both residential and business customers and is effective as of March 19, 2020.
Water bills may be paid by using the drop box at the main entrance of the Municipal Building or by mailing payment to: Town of Marlinton, 709 Second Avenue, Marlinton, WV 24954
These procedures are in effect until further notice.
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Tax deadline delayed to July 15
U. S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced that the deadline for filing federal tax returns has been extended from April 15 to July 15. Tax payment may be made by that time without interest or penalties being charged. File early if you are due a refund.
The State Tax Department will release its own guidelines.
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Temporary closures and cancelations
Pocahontas County Libraries and Visitor Information Centers buildings are closed. See the Libraries Column on page 4 of this edition for complete information on services available.
All PMH Health Fairs have been canceled.
The Pocahontas County Convention and Visitors Bureau office is temporarily closed to visitor and public traffic until further notice. Direct questions or concerns to the PCCVB at 304-799-4636.
Watoga State Park cabins, campgrounds, restrooms, gift shop and office will be closed until May 1.
Trails and other public areas will remain open unless further restrictions dictate otherwise.