The planning committee for the Herald-Star Jefferson-Harrison County All Schools Regional Spelling Bee has started work on this school year’s event, which will be held March 14 at Buckeye North Elementary School. Members of the group gathered Tuesday inside the R. Larry George Training Annex at the Jefferson County Educational Service Center. Present for the meeting were, from left, front, Amanda Sliva, junior high coordinator, Harrison Hills City School District; Amber Fomenko, director of special education, JCESC; Linda Lenzi, gifted services coordinator, JCESC; and Mary Ann Zeroski, pronouncer; and back, Ron Sismondo, regional bee coordinator, JCESC; Scott Abercrombie, coordinator, Indian Creek Local School District; Justin Wiley, coordinator, Toronto City School District; Madison Taylor, elementary coordinator, Harrison Hills City School District; Mary Ann Hoobler, coordinator, Edison Local School District; Patty Ferrell, intervention specialist, JCESC; and Ross Gallabrese, executive editor of the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times. The winner of the regional bee will travel to Washington, D.C., the week of May 25 to compete in the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee. — Julie Stenger