The Southern District of West Virginia has scheduled a hearing on Nov. 3, 2025 in the Bluefield division in case number 1:25‑cv‑136, styled Pritchard et al. v. The County Commission of McDowell County et al. The matter is set before Senior Judge David A. Faber. The federal court’s public calendar notes the proceeding but does not include the underlying filings or arguments; interested parties must consult the case docket on PACER to review pleadings and docket entries.

The case caption identifies residents or other claimants as plaintiffs and names the McDowell County Commission among the defendants. The “et al.” in the caption indicates additional parties on one or both sides. Because the matter is filed in federal court, it was brought under federal jurisdiction; the docket on PACER will provide the specific legal basis and procedural posture. The public calendar entry does not specify whether the Nov. 3 event is a motion hearing, status conference, preliminary injunction argument, or another type of proceeding.

For McDowell County residents, the scheduled hearing is a focal point for accountability and transparency in local government. Lawsuits involving county commissions can touch on a wide range of local governance issues — from budgetary and contract decisions to election administration, land use, or civil rights concerns — and federal judicial involvement can affect how local policies are implemented or reviewed. The court’s handling of procedural deadlines, evidentiary submissions and any orders issued after the hearing could influence the county’s operations or the legal obligations of elected officials.

Access to the full record is available through PACER, the federal court’s electronic filing system. The public calendar’s omission of filings underscores the importance of consulting the docket directly to understand claims, motions, responses and scheduled relief. Residents who want to follow developments should register for PACER or contact the Bluefield division clerk’s office for guidance on obtaining public records or attending the hearing. Federal hearings are generally open to the public unless a judge orders otherwise.

This scheduled proceeding also highlights the institutional checks between local government and the federal judiciary. A lawsuit that reaches this stage can prompt public scrutiny, encourage civic participation at commission meetings, and catalyze local conversations about policy and governance. McDowell County citizens and stakeholders will likely watch the docket and the Nov. 3 hearing closely for outcomes that may affect county decision‑making and public services.