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Gov. Jim
Justice and First Lady Cathy Justice joined hundreds of their
fellow West Virginians at the State Capitol Complex on Tuesday
night for the annual Joyful Night holiday celebration – a
festive evening, featuring many beloved holiday traditions and
several captivating performances by West Virginians from near and
far to ring in the Christmas and holiday season. [Watch
Full Video] [More
Photos]
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The
program began on the south side of the Capitol, with musical
performances by the Cabell Midland High School Marching Knights,
the Greenbrier East High School Spartan Marching Band, and the
Capital High School V.I.P.s. Then, the Governor and First Lady lit
the state Christmas tree, donated this year by David and Rebecca
Absher of Absher Christmas Tree Farm in Mt. Hope, WV.
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From
there, the Governor and First Lady made their way into
the West Rotunda and the Governor's Reception Room, to view a
series of recognition trees honoring members of the military, Gold
Star families, first responders – as well as trees featuring ornaments
made by West Virginia students in the Communities In Schools
program – which will be displayed throughout the entire holiday
season. The Governor and First Lady also participated in the
Toys for Tots donation program and recognized work being done across
the state through the Communities In Schools program.
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Afterward,
the program moved to the Great Hall of the State Culture Center,
where First Lady Justice announced the winners of the statewide
student ornament contest. This portion of the evening also included
the lighting of the Menorah, additional musical performances by The
Greenbrier Performers and McDowell County student T.J. Goins, as
well as a visit from Santa himself.
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The final
stop of the evening came at the Governor's Mansion, where the
Tri-State Trombone 4 performed, before Governor and First Lady
Justice participated in the traditional reading of “Twas the Night
Before Christmas.”
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Among all
the traditions and festivities that made up this year’s Joyful
Night holiday celebration at the State Capitol complex Tuesday
evening, one unique celebration stood out from the rest. Gov. Jim
Justice held a ceremony to award the West Virginia State Police’s
Purple Heart Medal to Corporal Josh Ware and Trooper First Class
Josh Tallman, for acts of immense courage over the past year. [Watch Video] [More Photos]
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Curator of
the Arts Randall Reid-Smith explained the history of the annual
Joyful Night Celebration in West Virginia. The first event, which
was called Joyful Lights, was hosted on December 3, 1987, by
Governor Arch Moore and the First Lady. Guests were invited to a
tree lighting ceremony in the North Parking Circle and then to the
Governor's Mansion to view the Christmas decorations. In 1989,
Governor Gaston Caperton changed the name to Joyful Night and
invited the public to the tree lighting in the Capitol Fountain
Circle and then to tour the Capitol Building and the Governor's
Mansion. [Watch
Video]
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The West
Virginia Department of Arts, Culture, and History is inviting
visitors to check out the Artistree at the Culture Center in
Charleston. This is the ninth year for the trees on display. The
tradition was started in 2011 by First Lady Joanne Jaeger Tomblin
and the trees were on display in the Governor's Reception Room.
First Lady Cathy Justice has since moved the Artistree display to
the front windows of the Culture Center. The ornaments are
submitted by students and adults across the state and are kept by
the WVDACH. [Watch
Video]
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In a
ceremony on Tuesday, 26 West Virginia companies were presented with
the Governor's Commendation for International Market Entry Award,
recognizing businesses that exported to a new country in the
previous year. West Virginia businesses exported to a diverse range
of products in 2018 – everything from all-natural beard care
products to virtual reality software. [Watch Video] [More Photos]
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For the
first time, West Virginia hunting and fishing license applications
now include the option to register as an organ donor. West Virginia
is one of the first states to offer the option on the hunting and
fishing applications licenses. Senate Bill 613, which was passed
during the 2019 legislative session and signed into law by Gov. Jim
Justice, permits the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
(DNR) to include the election of organ donation on hunting and
fishing licenses. [Watch
Video] [More
Photos]
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Last
Friday, Gov. Justice spoke to members of the 2019 Board of
Governors Summit. The event was hosted by the Higher Education
Policy Commission at the School of Osteopathic Medicine in
Lewisburg. [Watch
Video]
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Last
Friday, Gov. Justice delivered the opening address at The Energy
Council's 2019 Global Energy and Environmental Issues Conference.
The Energy Council is a non-partisan legislative organization
founded in 1975. The council now includes 14 energy-producing
states in the United State and two Canadian provinces. [Watch
Video]
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Gov.
Justice orders flags to be flown at half-staff for two
commemorations this week
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On
Saturday, Gov. Justice had all United States and West Virginia
State flags on all State-owned facilities displayed at half-staff
in support of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and in honor of
the 2,334 servicemen and servicewomen who died as a result of the
attack 78 years ago. [Read More]
Then, on Thursday, Gov. Justice once again had flags lowered to
half-staff in commemoration of the distinguished life and
service of former West Virginia Delegate Dr. Robert Pulliam. A
native and long-time resident of Beckley, Dr. Pulliam was elected
to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1992 and served through
1998. Prior to his time as a state delegate, Dr. Pulliam served as
a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy from 1966 to
1968. [Read More]
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On
Wednesday, Gov. Justice issued a proclamation declaring
Christmas Eve – Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2019 – as a full-day state
holiday for public employees. Previously, Christmas Eve was
officially listed as a half-day holiday. [Read More]
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Last
Friday, the West Virginia Department of Transportation highlighted
their work to get crews ready for Snow Removal and Ice Control
(SRIC) in the Mountain State. Crews have been ready since
mid-October and have already had to use some of the equipment this
Fall. [Watch
Video]
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Department
of Veterans Assistance takes part in wreath-laying ceremony
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On Monday,
officials with the Department of Veterans Assistance took part in
the nationwide Wreaths Across America initiative, holding a
wreath-laying ceremony, by the West Virginia Veterans Memorial, to
remember, honor, and teach about the men and women who sacrificed
in service to our country and of West Virginia.
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The West
Virginia Division of Natural Resources is offering multiple gift
ideas for all the outdoor enthusiasts on holiday shopping
lists. Gifts include lifetime hunting and fishing licenses,
the West Virginia wildlife calendar, West Virginia State Park gift
cards, and 2020 hunting and fishing licenses. West Virginians
who purchase a 2020 Class X or XJ Sportsman Hunting, Fishing,
and Trapping license before January 1, 2020 also
will be automatically entered into a drawing for a chance to win
prizes as announced by Gov. Justice on November 30. [Read More]
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Gov.
Justice proclaims Computer Science Education Week
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This week,
Gov. Justice proclaimed December 9-13 as Computer Science Education
Week in West Virginia. Last February, the Governor signed
legislation which made West Virginia the first state in the
nation to require students to have access to computer science
education before graduating high school.
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The spirit
of giving can be felt all across West Virginia, including at the
state Department of Education, where employees spent the week
collecting food pantry goods as well as coats, hats, scarves and
other items. To help make the season a little brighter for those in
need, they’ve gathered more than 60 coats for the YWCA Sojourner's
Shelter for Homeless Women & Families. [Read More]
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West
Virginia law enforcement officers are also making the holidays
brighter. The State Police and Division of Natural Resources Police
have joined with county and local agencies for “Shop with a Cop”
events. At the New Martinsville Wal-Mart last Friday, DNR Police
Sgt. Joshua Parsons helped out one of the 17 children who
participated. [More
Photos]
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On Monday,
the Division of Natural Resources added five new police officers to
keep the wild parts of West Virginia wonderful and safe. The DNR
Law Enforcement Section swore in Rocky Hebb, Michael Ellis, Tyler
Fischer, Tyler Lucas, and Gabrielle Scrofano. Hebb is already a
certified officer, and is assigned to District Three. The rest will
be assigned to district offices pending training at the State
Police Academy. [More
Photos]
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The 2020
Roadsides in Bloom calendar is now available to order. The free
calendar, sponsored by the West Virginia Department of
Environmental Protection, includes 12 pictures of West Virginia
wildflowers growing naturally along state roadways or in Operation
Wildflower beds. The pictures were chosen from dozens of entries
submitted by photographers from West Virginia and surrounding
states. [Watch Video] [Read More]
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On
Thursday, the 130th hosted 46 of Nitro High School's JROTC members
for a Wing introduction briefing and a C-130 orientation flight
throughout eastern West Virginia. The students received a history
brief on McLaughlin Air National Guard Base by Lt. Col. Todd Perry,
who also was their Aircraft Commander for their flight. They also
received an extensive brief on the processes, benefits and general
knowledge information of joining and serving in the 130th Airlift
Wing by Master Sgt. Kevin Cordle, the 130th's Recruiting Manager. [More Photos]
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Seven
West Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers said goodbye to family
and friends Saturday, Dec. 7, at Yeager Airport in Charleston,
before joining the 1st Squadron, 150th Cavalry Regiment, 30th
Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT), on deployment in the
Middle East. The 30th ABCT consists of 4,200 National Guard
Soldiers from four states: North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio,
and West Virginia. [More
Photos]
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