February 2025 Town Meeting: Possible Speed Trap, Funding, and New Businesses 

By Matthew Riddle

February 10, 2025

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The Bethany Town Council met again on Wednesday night at the town’s community center. Mostly from taxes, the town earned over $36 thousand dollars in the month of January. Over $14 thousand was spent last month, with over half paying the salaries of our fire and police departments. 

 

The Highway Safety Grant 

 

Sara Dent, Chief of Police and director of the college’s security, announced her intention to put a local speed trap in place. 

Currently, the town’s police department is seeking a grant from the Highway Safety Coordinator of West Virginia’s Northern Panhandle. This would help the department outfit a second police cruiser. The town plans to buy one soon with money from last year’s Opioid Settlement Fund. 

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If the grant were given to the town, then, as a consequence, there would be no more warnings for speeding. “For every stop that we make,” Chief Dent said, “we have to make a citation.” 

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A second squad car is not just needed for speeders. According to Chief Dent, she was the only police officer active in Brooke County for 45 minutes on Tuesday. While other officers were involved in a high-speed chase through Wellsburg, she was the last line of defense. A second squad car could put other officers on the field in case of a similar emergency. 

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Additionally, Chief Dent expressed her plans to gain further access to the Brooke County Jail. If that access is given, then she plans to arrest and book many more speeders. 

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Bethany mayor Shirley Kemp reacted negatively to the proposition of a speed trap, thinking that there should be warnings. 

 

Stolen Money from Police Account 

 

In the past two months, almost $200 has been stolen from the police department’s bank account. According to the council, an unknown party hacked into the account in December. They used the account to set up a monthly payment of $99, which is currently ongoing. Despite their previous bank account being closed, the monthly payment has continued to the department’s new account. Because of this, it is believed that the hacker may have more information than previously thought. 

 

Local Business News 

 

The College Inn, located beside Chamber’s General Store, has obtained a new liquor license ahead of reopening. Coolers for the convenience store will be installed this week. Although Bethany is legally a dry town, sealed beer is planned to be sold at the establishment. The College Plan is projected by the council to open this spring. 

The Masonic Lodge, located next to the Bison Inn, will contain new businesses in the near future. According to mayor Kemp, a meat market is planned to be opened. Two apartments in the building will also be available for rent. 

 

Gardening Grant 

 

According to the council, the town has been approached to receive a gardening development grant by the Northern Panhandle Resource Conversation & Development (RC&D). The grant would include garden training sessions for residents.  According to their website, the Northern Panhandle RC&D help develop “outdoor learning classrooms, community garden projects, and similar projects.” 

 

Other 

 

In the month of January, the Bethany Fire Department responded to 13 fire alarms, seven medical emergencies, and one real fire. 

Elections for positions in the town’s infrastructure are approaching. The deadline to declare one’s candidacy is March 15.  

The Bethany Town Council will convene again on March 5 at 7 p.m. The meeting will be located at the town’s community center, near the town’s park. All residents are welcome to attend.