Morgan County Sheriff's Department

Happy Flag Day, June 14, 2026

Historical Facts About the U.S. Flag
January 1, 1776: The first United States flag, the “Grand Union,” was displayed by George Washington. It became the unofficial national flag, preceding the 13-star, 13-stripe version.
June 14, 1777: The Stars and Stripes were adopted by the Continental Congress as the Flag of the United States.
June 14, 1877: Flag Day was observed nationally for the first time on the 100th anniversary of the Stars and Stripes—and continues today.
June 14, 1937: Pennsylvania became the first state in the United States to celebrate Flag Day officially as a state holiday.
July 4, 1960: The new 50-star flag was flown for the first time—the flag that still flies today.

Thank you to Warm Springs Intermediate School for the invite to participate in career day!

We’ve had reports of paving crews going door-to-door in the area. Just a reminder to please be cautious when dealing with anyone offering services like this.
Before agreeing to any work, make sure the company is properly licensed and insured. Don’t feel pressured to make a quick decision, take your time and verify who you’re dealing with.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office.

We just want to send a big thank you to Morgan County Animal Control and Morgan County Dispatch for the thoughtful treats in honor of National Police Week. Your support and kindness truly mean a lot to all of us.
We appreciate everything you do for our community and for keeping us going—thank you again!

📰This week's Morgan Messenger is all around town, at your favorite store or gas station, grocery outlet and butcher shop! Pick up a copy because you're going to need it to plan which local event to attend this weekend -- there's a lot going on! You can also stay up to date on high school sports, top news headlines and find out about local home & garden service providers. There's a special article about birding 🦅along the Cacapon River to read as a treat over your morning coffee, and much more! Check out our online edition at www.morganmessenger.com if you're on the road, out of town or just curious about the paper 🧐

Reminder to Drivers and Riders: Share the Road, Save Lives

CHARLESTON, WV — The West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP), in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), is calling on drivers and riders to commit to sharing the road through safe driving and riding practices and by recognizing that Motorcyclists’ Safety Is Everyone’s Safety.
“Road safety for motorcyclists should be a concern and priority for every road user. Every year, a disproportionate number of motorcyclists are involved in traffic fatalities,” said Jack McNeely, Director of the GHSP. “These fatalities can be prevented through consistent safe behavior from both drivers and riders,” McNeely added.
According to the latest NHTSA data, from 2024, 6,228 motorcyclists were killed in traffic crashes, representing 15% of all the traffic fatalities. Motorcyclists are nearly 27 times more likely to die in a motor vehicle crash and 5 times more likely to be injured compared to passenger car occupants. Speed and alcohol impairment are the leading contributors in fatalities among motorcycle riders. Of the motorcyclists who were involved in fatal crashes, 37% were speeding, and 35% of operators involved in fatal crashes were riding without a valid motorcycle license or endorsement. Of the motorcycle riders who died in single-vehicle crashes, 40% were alcohol-impaired.
In West Virginia, there were 38 motorcyclists killed in crashes in 2024, 10 (26%) of which involved riders not wearing a helmet.
For drivers, following all of the usual safe driving tips to keep yourself safe on the road, can also help to keep motorcyclists safe:
• Avoid driving while impaired, distracted, or drowsy.
• Obey posted speed limits and adjust for varying road, weather, and lighting conditions.
• Be aware of your surroundings, including any motorcycles or other vehicles around you.
• Check your mirrors before changing lanes. Look twice.
• Use your turn signal to indicate that you are changing lanes.
• Never run a red light or stop sign.
Motorcyclists practicing these easy safety steps can potentially save lives:
• Wear protective clothing and DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets.
• Ride sober.
• Observe all traffic laws.
• Obey the speed limit.
• Ride defensively.
• Avoid distractions while driving.
Additionally, hands-on motorcycle rider education provides dynamic riding skills and builds rider confidence. Completing such training is essential and may provide insurance discounts while easing the path to obtaining a motorcycle license. Visit https://wv-msp.org/ for more information.
NHTSA leads efforts to increase helmet use nationwide and estimates that the use of DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets among motorcyclists increased to 73.8% in 2023 from 66.5% in 2022.
Motorcyclists can learn how to identify a safe, DOT-compliant helmet at NHTSA.gov/Motorcycles.
For more information about the West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program, please visit highwaysafety.wv.gov.

West Virginia Motorcycle Safety Program - MSF West Virginia Earn Your West Virginia Motorcycle LicenseProgram OverviewBecome a Motorcycle Safety Foundation Certified RiderCoachProgram Overview Previous slide Next slide Earn Your West Virginia Motorcycle License New to riding? Taking the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Basic RiderCourse will introduce you t...

📣Shout out to the Morgan County Sheriff's Department for their donation of the Nintendo Switch to the after prom party prizes.

🚓 Our Sheriffs Department is a lead sponsor in helping keep kids safe the night of prom. 🚨

This event is more than just a celebration—it’s a safe space for our students to enjoy one of the most memorable nights of the year while making responsible choices. Prom night can also come with serious risks, especially when it comes to impaired and distracted driving. Too often, lives are changed in an instant due to preventable decisions.

By supporting the After Prom Party, we’re helping create an environment that keeps our youth safe, reduces the dangers of drunk driving, and encourages smart, responsible behavior.

We’re incredibly grateful for community partners like the Sheriff’s Department who invest in the well-being of our students. 🤗

💙If you or your organization are looking for a meaningful way to give back, we invite you to join us in supporting this important effort. Together, we can make a difference and help ensure a safe and memorable prom night for all.💛