Demolition of two of the smokestacks at the Sammis Plant in Stratton, just south of Wellsville, is expected to take place between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. on Saturday morning. The blasts to bring down Stacks 1 and 2 will be within seconds of each other. The portion of state Route 7 that runs under the former power plant will be closed for approximately 30 minutes during the event. Residents in Stratton are advised to keep windows, doors and garages closed. Anyone wishing to watch the demolition is asked to do so from the West Virginia side of the Ohio River. The coal-fired power plant closed in May 2023, resulting in the loss of 140 jobs and a shift away from coal-powered energy, as its owner, Energy Harbor, transitioned to carbon-free nuclear power. (Photo by Stephanie Elverd)