ROMNEY — Two first degree murder indictments were among 19 handed down by the Hampshire Country Grand Jury last week.
April Marie Einig, 42, who listed a Baltimore, Md. address, was charged with first degree murder, first degree arson and grand larceny in connection with the January death of Roy Bell Jr. at his remote residence in Augusta. She admitted to stabbing Bell to death upon her apprehension by Hampshire County Sheriff’s Office deputies shortly after the killing. She was initially charged with 2nd degree murder. Some eight minutes prior to the traffic stop, a fire had been reported at Bell’s residence, where he was found stabbed to death.
She was apprehended in the early hours of Jan. 29 during a traffic stop at which time she was found to be covered in blood.
Jesse Glen Settle, 29, was charged with first degree murder in connection with Feb. 22 death of Joesi Martin. Additional charges against Settle include use of a firearm during commission of a felony, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substances (cocaine and marijuana) and driving while license revoked for DUI.
The full list of indictments follows:
Property
Five of the indictments centered on property crime.
Jerome David Moore, 54, was charged with a felony count of “Entry of a Building Other than Dwelling, and a felony count of Grand Larceny. The indictment charges that between Sept. 1, 2024 and May 11, that Moore broke into a building in Augusta with the intent to commit larceny and that he stole property valued at more than $1,000. Items taken included an Igloo Marine Ultra Cooler, Lincoln Electric Welder, welding roods, a blue dolley and a wheel bearing tool kit.
Ian Dominick Gilman, 18, was charged with 4 felonies and 2 misdemeanors. The felony charges include 2 counts of Entry of a Building Other Than Dwelling, Destruction of Property and Conspiracy to Commit Destruction of Property. The 2 misdemeanor counts were for Petit Larceny. The indictment charges that on or between July 16 and July 23, Gilman unlawfully entered a building in Romney with the intent to commit larceny. During that same period he was charged with breaking into a Romney residence. The indictment charges he caused $2,500 in damage to a 2000 Ford F350; a metal garage structure; and a Ford Excursion. At the second incident, he was charged with causing $2,500 or more in damage to a door and windows at a vacant residence. In addition, he is charged with conspiring with his 14-year-old brother for the purpose of committing felony Destruction of Property to cause the damages at the two locations. Gilman is also charged with thefts of property valued at less than $1,000 at each of the locations.
Lindsey Nicole Teresi, 31, was indicted for 2 felonies: Possession of Stolen Property and Conspiracy to Commit Possession of Stolen Property. The indictment charges that between Feb. 22 and March 9, Teresi bought or received stolen goods valued at $1,000 or more, a 2013 Keystone Camper stolen in Leechburg, Pa. The indictment states she conspired with Forrest Schaefer and Johnathan Hunter Church in furtherance of a conspiracy to Possess Stolen Property.
Johnathan Hunter Church, 43, was charged with 8 felonies and 2 misdemeanors, including Destruction of Property, 2 counts of Grand Larceny, Conspiracy to Commit Grand Larceny, 4 counts of Possession of Stolen Property, Conspiracy to Commit Possession of Stolen Property and Possession of a Controlled Substance — methamphetamine. The indictment charges Church between Feb. 28 and March 1 with willfully destroying property in the amount of $2,500 or more when he is alleged to have caused damage to a gate owned by Frontier Communications. On those same dates, he’s alleged to attempt to steal a 2013 Chevrolet 2500 truck owned by Frontier Communications. It further states that on or about March 7, Church did steal a 2015 GMC Sierra from a Romney resident and that he conspired to steal it with Jarel Forrest Schaefer. Another charge of Possession of Stolen Property and Conspiracy to Commit Stolen Property stemmed from the stolen Pennsylvania camper, with Schaefer and Teresi. In addition, he’s charged with Possession of Stolen Property in connection with the theft of a Polaris side by side from a residence in Millington, Md, valued at $1,000 or more. A final charge of Possession of Stolen Property involved the theft of a Maryland Registration Plate, and a Maine Registration Plate stolen from Delaware, both of which were valued at less than $1,000.
Jarel Forrest Schaefer, 43, was charged with 5 felonies including Grand Larceny, Conspiracy to Commit Grand Larceny, 2 counts of Possession of Stolen Property and a count of Conspiracy to Commit Possession of Stolen Property. The charges stem from some of the same charges faced by Church involving the 2015 GMC Sierra theft, the Pennsylvania camper and the Polaris side by side.
Financial
Two indictments dealt with financial crimes.
Nicholas Nathan Seaver, no date of birth provided, was charged with 9 felony counts of Fraudulent or Unauthorized Use Of a Purchasing Card. The charge states that in a 3-week span in 2023, Seaver is accused of running up over $1,500 in unauthorized charges at the Brass Rail Sports Bar in Romney.
Seth Edward Brittingham, 31, was charged with 9 felony counts of obtaining money by false pretenses. The charge states that between August 2024 and August this year, Brittingham deprived 12 individuals of money, goods, property or services valued at $1,000 or more by fraudulent means or promises by repeatedly requesting additional funds for projects that were not completed in excess of $326,375.35 from the individuals. The projects included finishing a basement, building a fire pit, installation of pathway, bury water drainage lines and build a detached garage, rebuilding an inside stairwell, and more
Sexual
Four of the indictments pertained to sexual/abuse crimes.
Sarah Eliabeth Dyche, 37, was charged with 2 felonies: Sending, Distributing, Exhibiting, Possessing, Displaying, or Transporting Material by a Parent Depicting a Child Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct and Use of Minors in Filming Explicit Conduct. The charge states that on or between March 16 and May 19, Dyche sent materials visually portraying a 4-year-old child under care naked with her pubic area being visible to a male subject.
Michael James Saldierna, 26, was charged with 3 felony counts of Sexual Abuse by a Custodian or Peron in a Position of Trust to a Child. The charge states that on or about June 1, 2024, Sladierna feloniously engaged in sexual intercourse with a 16-year-old minor child under his care or custody. The indictment charges he also engaged in sexual intercourse with the same minor between June 2, 2024 and Aug. 31, 2024, and again between Sept. 1, 2024 and Dec. 30, 2024.
Jerry Dewayne Carter, 57, was charged with a single felony county of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. He was previously convicted on the same charge in Hampshire County on Dec. 16, 2015, according to the indictment.
Elbert Lee Riley, 42, was charged with 2 felony counts of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender — 3rd Offense. He had previously been convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender in Hampshire County on Nov. 5, 2014 and Failure to Update Sex Offender Registry First Offense on March 1, 2023.
Drugs
Two of the indictments concerned drug charges.
Kylie Annette Jeffries, 34, was charged with 2 felony counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance in Jail. One of the charges is for possessing cocaine and the other is for possessing methamphetamine. The charge states she was in possession of the drugs on or about Jan. 1.
Zachary Charles Eiss, 36, was charged with a felony count of Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance — methamphetamine — and a misdemeanor count of Speeding. The charges stem from an incident on July 3.
Miscellaneous
James Wesley Willard, IV, 36, was charged with Driving While License Revoked for DUI Third Offense, a felony. The indictment charges that on or about May 14, Willard did unlawfully and feloniously drive a motor vehicle on a public highway of this state at a time when his privilege to do so had been lawfully revoked for driving under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances or other drugs, or any combination thereof. Willard’s license had previously been revoked for DUI — Second offense in Hampshire County on April 4, 2019 and again on July 18, 2022.
Keith Strycharski, 45, was charged with 3 felonies: Retaliation Against a Public Official or Employee, Domestic Assault and Obstructing an Officer. The charge states that on or about July 10, Srycharski told a Hampshire County Sheriff’s Office deputy that when he got out of jail and when he was off duty in town he would “take care of things,” insinuating physical harm, while he was being transported by the deputy to the Potomac Highlands Regional Jail. On the same day, the indictment states, Strycharski attemped to commit a violent injury against his family or household member by throwing objects; and that he refused to comply with the deputy’s vocal and physical commands to get in a police cruiser.
Justin Thomas Hott, 30, was charged with a felony count of strangulation and misdemeanor count Obstructing an Officer — Intent to Deprive Another of Emergency Services. The indictment charges that on our about June 21, he attempted to intentionally strangle, suffocate or asphyxiate a woman without her consent, causing bodily injury. He is also alleged to have attempted to prevent the victim from making an emergency communication.
Erin Louise Ours, 37, was charged with 3 felony counts of Concealment of a Minor Child. The indictment states that on or between June 30 and July 2, that Ours unlawfully and feloniously conceal, take or remove children ages 6, 4 and 1 in violation of an Order Ratifying Emergency Custody by the Magistrate Court in Hampshire County. ❏
Ideal growing conditions portend thriving harvest
Hampshire County, is celebrating a bountiful apple season as local orchards report thriving crops.
The success of this year’s harvest is bringing excitement to farmers and businesses across the county, promising an abundant season for apple-based products.
Spring Valley Orchard is thriving with apples this fall, with Golden Delicious, Macintosh, Honey Crisp, and many other varieties.
Apples are one of the most popular fruits worldwide, and their versatility and health benefits make them a staple in many households.
Eli Cook, owner of Spring Valley Market, is optimistic about the upcoming season.
“We’ve had a great growing season with just the right amount of rain and sunshine,” Cook said. “The quality of apples we’re seeing this year is great, and we’re excited to share them with our community.”
This season, Shanholtz’s Orchards are particularly excited to offer bunches of apples for ciders, juice, and apple butter.
“We’ve been working hard to ensure our apples are perfect for pressing and crafting into delicious ciders and butter,” Garry Shanholtz explained.
Varieties
Some popular varieties include:
Red Delicious: Known for their bright red skin and sweet flavor, Red Delicious apples are perfect for snacking. Their crisp texture makes them a favorite in fruit salads.
Granny Smith: With their tart flavor and vibrant green color, Granny Smith apples are ideal for baking. They hold their shape well, making them a popular choice for pies and crisps.
Golden Delicious: These apples are slightly milder and sweeter, making them versatile for both eating fresh and cooking. Their thin skin and juicy flesh make them a delightful addition to any recipe.
Fuji: Originating from Japan, Fuji apples are known for their sweetness and firm texture. They’re great for snacking and hold up well in salads and desserts.
Honey Crisp: As the name suggests, Honey Crisp apples are incredibly juicy and sweet, with a hint of tartness. Their crisp texture makes them a popular choice for fresh eating. ❏
Annexation, new build tax rebates are being pursued
ROMNEY — The Romney Town Council is looking to the future and looking to grow.
At their regular meeting Monday, council members discussed and acted on several items geared to grow the town, from annexation to incentivizing new construction to streamlining administrative processes to address dilapidated and unsafe structures.
Council also received water and sewer project updates and adopted several resolutions
Freshly back from deployment, Town Attorney Logan Mantz led a discussion on annexation that was on the agenda. Citing “stagnation,” Councilman Duncan Hott had been agitating for town to annex property east of the town limits on U.S. 50 up to the Subway restaurant. The area is almost entirely commercial properties.
Mantz said there are 3 options for annexation: Annexation by election; annexation by petition; and minor boundary adjustment. He said of the 3 options, he would recommend annexation by petition due to the administrative expense of conducting an election and the requirement of unanimous consent on a minor boundary adjustment. The election and petition both require just a 51% approval.
All three options require the area targeted for annexation to be contiguous with current boundaries.
Mantz recommended that if council wanted to proceed on annexation, they would need to get a team together to begin talking to property owners in the area about the benefits of annexation.
“Ideally, you develop a team within the town to kind of work on this project, scope out the area that you are trying to or contemplating annexing, and then from there, it’s kind of mapping and figuring out who the registered voters are, and who would be identified as the representative that could be a freeholder to sign a petition for it,” Mantz advised.
“After you have that list, then you can begin a petition process, and then the town’s obligation after that is kind of just to certify that, because you do have to get to a 51% on both I think it would behoove the town to come up with all of the incentives for joining the municipality, of which there’s no shortage, especially with the work that the town’s been able to do over the last few years.”
Among the amenities cited were increased police protection and beautification and improvements the town could extend to the area. Mantz said the lists of benefits was long.
Hott made a motion to pursue annexation planning. It passed 5-1, with Counciwoman Paula O’Brien voting against it.
Mantz also led the discussion on a basket of items he thought the council should pursue via a Home Rule Supplemental Request, the first of which involved implementing a tax incentive to attract new construction in the town. Options included a 100% property tax rebate on new construction for 1 or 2 years, and a more conservative approach of a graduated rebate. Under the 100% proposal, the town would totally forego the property tax revenue on new construction projects for a period, and making it up down the road when the rebates expired. Under the graduated proposal, for example, a property owner might receive a 100% rebate on any value added to the property the first year; a 75% rebate the second year; 50% for the third year; and 25% for the fourth year, which would guarantee the town’s revenue collection would not dip below what it currently is with the full gains being realized 3 or 4 years down the road on whatever schedule is implemented.
In West Virginia, municipal home rule gives participating cities and towns the ability to create and pass local ordinances, regulations, and resolutions that can differ from state law, allowing for greater local self-determination in addressing specific community needs.
Mantz noted the town is in an exciting growth mode.
“We started our first period of growth that we’ve had in Romney in about 4 decades,” Mantz said. “So we’ve got new construction that’s actually happening here in Romney. The contractors that are interested in coming in have made overtures to the mayor’s desk to ask about, ‘Hey, what incentive programs can we look at within the town to encourage new builds in town?’
On a motion council members approved implementing a graduated tax rebate for new construction for inclusion in its Home Rule revisions, which the Home Rule Board will approve or deny in February.
They also voted to include in the Home Rule revisions an update to the town’s business licenses to include a standard license fee; a measure to streamline the administrative process for remediation of dilapidated and nuisance properties, making enforcement easier; liens for work done to remediate nuisance abatement; and a request for Home Rule fire insurance liens, so if someone’s house burns down, they are not simply able to collect the insurance and flee, leaving the town to hold the bag on cleaning up the property.
In other business, Eric Sherrard with Thrasher Group provided an update on the sewer and water projects. He said the sewer project is completed, but remains open to take care of some paving issues.
The water project work being done at SavillaVale should be completed in a couple weeks, and he expects work on Goldsborough to be completed this week. Then the project attention turns to Depot St. from W.Va. 28 to the state police barracks.
It was noted the work would not disrupt water service to South Branch Elementary School.
Council members:
• Approved draw number 4 on the water project in the amount of $407,906.11;
• Approved adding the wastewater treatment plant’s trash pump to the town’s list of equipment available for rental at a rate of $50 per hour;
• Approved George Park’s promotion to wastewater treatment plant chief operator;
• Approved the town’s maintenance crew doing grounds work and building new doors for the state barn, not to exceed $6,000;
• Appointed O’Brien, Mayor Beverly Keadle and Harry Shreve to the Auditing Board;
• And approved the following list of prioritized street paving projects: Two areas of Cornwell, one for $6,400 and the other for $4,150; Miller Lane at $16,850; Rosemary from Marsham to Bolton, $18,250; and South Marsham to Gravel, $11,500.
The council’s next regular meeting date fall on Columbus Day so the October meeting was moved to Monday, Oct. 20. ❏
ROMNEY — In about a year and a half in operation, Wild Roots Café had gained a loyal following. Nearly every morning the restaurant buzzed with people enjoying coffees and smoothies, delicious pastries and savory, mouth-watering fresh, local food.
A hand-written sign taped inside the door of Wild Roots Café Wednesday announces the restaurant’s closing.
All that ended last Wednesday when the establishment abruptly shut its doors with no explanation. A handwritten sign on the front door said, “Wild Roots Café is closed. We are grateful for the support the community And just like that, it was gone.
Last April, here’s how the Review reported on its opening:
“The Romney café on East Main Street has undergone a stunning transformation under the leadership of owners DeAnna Blackwell and Erin and Josh Meyer.
“The story of Wild Roots stems from shared interests around 6 and a half years ago when the couple, then recent West Virginia move-ins, crossed paths with DeAnna in the homeschooling community.
Their friendship evolved into a business collaboration fueled by a “beautiful blending of strengths,” Erin said, adding that DeAnna is the “brains and talent” behind all kitchen creations. In contrast, the Meyers’ strength lies in building and renovating.
Efforts to reach the Meyers, who are active on social media as “Wild and Wonderful Off-Grid,” were unsuccessful. Nobody seems to know the reason for the closing.
Rebecca Morgan, who along with her husband Ed, operate Quicken Farm near Capon Bridge, had been supplying the restaurant with 3 different types of sausage for about a year. She said for the past 4 or 5 months, they had steadily been supplying it with about 80 pounds of sausage per month.
Morgan said she received a call early Wednesday from Ritchie Lupton, who supplied the restaurant with local eggs. He was making his delivery that morning when he found the restaurant had shut down.
“I literally found out about half an hour ago and I texted Deanna Blackwell,” Morgan said. “We just found out today the other owners decided to pull out and they dissolved it.”
Morgan said the restaurant was their largest local account.
“This was nice because it was right here at home” she continued. “People parking in other parking lots and walking to get to it. I was surprised it took off the way it did. It wasn’t a dollar store or a parts store and that was nice. We lost a good customer and it was a good account and it was nice it was actually local. It was nice to see something like that in town.”
The building underwent extensive renovation before the restaurant opened.
When David Heavener decided to retire in 2021 after a nearly four-decade career running Romney Florist and Iron Works, the business partners swiftly seized the opportunity to claim the building located right on U.S. 50, diagonal from the 7-Eleven.
The building on Main Street underwent several transformations over the years before finding its current identity as Wild Roots.
Initially serving as King’s Dairy Products in 1942, the building was later bought in 1951 to become Romney Dairy Products Inc. Blackwell told the Review last year that she learned that it then transitioned into a bar known as the “Romper Room,” where the misfits of town hung out and felt welcomed.
2025 has been a rough year for businesses in that area, with Walgreens, across North Bolton from the restaurant closing its doors in February, leaving a couple vacant buildings on the south side of U.S. 50.
Community responses to the closing on Facebook expressed surprise and disappointment in the closing. ❏
CAPON BRIDGE — The Hospice of the Panhandle held a fundraiser at the Capon Bridge post of the American Legion last Saturday, with the Legion donating the space and the popular local band Rain Crow volunteering its services.
Hospice of the Panhandle board member Leroy James, CEO Nikki Bigiarelli, and development director Maria Lorensen were welcomed by Capon Bridge American Legion Commander Todd Kuzia. In the rear stand Rain Crow band members Bill Harris, Steve Bailes, George Constantz, and Russ Johnston.
The intent was “not necessarily to raise money, but more to raise awareness,” said hospice board member Leroy James.
James is a member of the American Legion in Capon Bridge and knows members of the band. When he suggested the benefit, he found both parties receptive to the idea.
Bandmember Steve Bailes acknowledged that the idea was as much just to spread the word about the availability of hospice services as to raise money. Bailes was one of several attendees who had seen his own family benefit.
A hospice volunteer here in Hampshire County, James says he habitually looks through local obituaries, finding that there are a lot of families using hospice services, but many more who could have benefited from them.
The need for more awareness and education has been obvious to him.
The Hospice of the Panhandle serves four counties - Hampshire, Morgan, Berkeley and Jefferson. James reports it is active in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties, with lots of publicity and fundraisers.
Hampshire County seems to be “on the fringe” of its outreach efforts, with not a lot of events that he is aware of, though he says they do show up at health fairs and there are churches who do fundraisers for them.
The Hospice of the Panhandle currently serves over 550 patients a day, offering end-of-life care and palliative services that help keep patients at home, instead of sending them to hospitals.
Hospice CEO Nikki Bigiaelli announced they have recently added added transportation services, getting patients to their appointments. They have provided over 200 rides, currently averaging 4 to 5 patients a day, since beginning the program in March.
Bigiarelli thanked those who had used the hospice’s services for allowing them to be part of their care, saying, “It’s a beautiful thing to do the work, to walk alongside on the most difficult day of your life.”
People die every day, she pointed out, and hospice workers are the experts on what the patient and the family are going through.
Hospice volunteers are there to offer support and help with information — “to bring relief physically, emotionally and spiritually,” their website promises, and helping the patient maintain a good quality of life - focused on whatever quality of life means to the patient.
Bailes pointed out that family members are faced with tough decisions they have trouble making, and hospice volunteers can offer them guidance with compassion.
James, who himself is a hospice volunteer in Hampshire County, said they seek to be there to offer support in the time of need, when the family is deeply troubled.
The concert was in a new format for Rain Crow, though the band is no stranger to volunteering their services for benefits, and for a long time organized benefits of its own, under the leadership of George Constantz, first to provide support for survivors of the December 2012 school shooting in Sandy Hook, and then to benefit Capon Bridge’s food pantry.
Inspired by lead guitarist Russ Johnston— “the new kid,” according to rhythm guitarist Bailes — the band opened with “Rock Around the Clock,” which was recorded in 1954 and became the first rock’n’roll record to be heard by large audiences worldwide.
The band then played song after song, in chronological order, tracing the development of rock music over the following 50 years.
The audience was unexpectedly small, but enthusiastic, and it slowly grew as the band went on playing. Admission was a donation to the Hospice of the Panhandle, which also received the full benefit of a 50-50 won by Ashley Watts, who donated her winnings back to the hospice.
James later reported the Hospice of the Panhandle received a total of $1,210 from the event.
More important to all concerned, the event also helped spread the word that hospice services are available here in Hampshire County to provide palliative and end-of-life care - whatever is needed to help patients face their final months on their own terms, in their own homes. ❏
Terry Craver holds a poster depicting Ed Cook’s 9-11 Tribute Bike that will be on display at Saturday’s Veterans Festival in Capon Bridge.
Andy Prutsok Review Staff
CAPON BRIDGE — Participants and attendees at Saturday’s 12th Annual Freedom Ride and Veterans Festival at Capon Bridge are in for a special treat this year.
Ed Cook, of Petersburg, will have his 911 Tribute Bike on display.
The chopper-style motorcycle is painted red, white and blue and features images of the Twin Towers and Pentagon. It also has four white stars on the front fender each representing one of the four planes that went down that day, 24 years ago.
Terry Craver, vice president of the Hampshire County Veterans Foundation, which sponsors Saturday’s event, said Cook saw a poster for the event Saturday while in town for the Heritage Car Show and reached out to Craver about displaying the bike at the event. Craver said Cook will participate in the ride and then have the bike on display at the festival at 3 p.m.
The festival takes place at the Capon Bridge Volunteer Fire Department grounds.
The ride will kick off at 10 a.m. Saturday from Romney Cycle. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
Riders will initially travel to Tri-County Honda-Yamaha in Petersburg, then to Capon Valley Volunteer Fire Department grounds in Wardensville before finishing up at Capon Bridge. ❏
