West Virginia Week in Review - October 18, 2019

10/18/2019

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Gov. Justice unveils historic Jobs & Hope WV program to combat drug crisis

 

 

 

On Tuesday, Gov. Jim Justice joined several state leaders at the Putnam County Career and Technical Center in Eleanor to officially announce the start of an all-new, comprehensive program aimed at combating the state’s drug crisis: Jobs & Hope West Virginia. The program is the result of the concept brought forth by Gov. Justice during his 2019 State of the State address, to remove barriers to job opportunities for those recovering from addiction. Jobs & Hope West Virginia offers support through a statewide collaboration of agencies that provide West Virginians in recovery the opportunity to obtain career training and to ultimately secure meaningful employment. [Watch Video] [More Photos]

 

 

Gov. Justice presents grants at trio of airports; among 11 to receive funding for improvements

 

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On Monday, Gov. Justice joined leaders with the West Virginia Aeronautics Commission, holding a series of events at a trio of airports across the state, to present hundreds-of-thousands-of-dollars-worth of grant funding to go toward major improvement projects. The grant award ceremonies were held at Huntington Tri-State Airport in Wayne County, Yeager Airport in Kanawha County, and Mercer County Airport near Bluefield – three of 11 airports statewide that have been awarded a combined total of $677,483 in grant funding. Each of the grants come from Special Revenue, provided by the Aviation Fuel Tax. These grants will also make it possible for airports to secure $12,194,700 in funding from the Federal Aviation Administration. [Read More]

 

 

HUNTINGTON TRI-STATE AIRPORT

 

 

 

Gov. Justice’s first stop of the day came at Huntington Tri-State Airport in Wayne County, where he announced the airport had been awarded a total of $325,072 of WVAC funds from the Fuel Tax. Additionally, the airport will receive $5,851,291 from the FAA. These funds will be used for projects to improve the airport drainage system, to make slide repairs to the taxiway, and to make additional improvements to the runway safety area. [Watch Video] [More Photos]

 

 

YEAGER AIRPORT

 

 

 

Gov. Justice’s second stop came at Yeager Airport, just outside of Charleston in Kanawha County, where he announced the airport had been awarded a total of $146,500 of WVAC funds from the Fuel Tax. Additionally, the airport will receive $2,637,000 from the FAA. These funds will be used for a project to make substantial improvements to the airport’s drainage system. [Watch Video] [More Photos]

 

 

MERCER COUNTY AIRPORT

 

 

 

Gov. Justice’s final stop came at Mercer County Airport, just outside of Bluefield, where he announced the airport had been awarded a total of $46,029 of WVAC funds from the Fuel Tax. Additionally, the airport will receive $828,528 from the FAA. These funds will be used for a project to build a new and secure perimeter fence around the airport. [Watch Video] [More Photos]

 

 

Four West Virginia educators selected by President as recipients of national award

 

 

 

On Tuesday, President Donald J. Trump included four West Virginia educators among 215 elite educators across the country as recipients of the 2017-18 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. The West Virginia awardees include Bradley Elementary School teacher Allison Shriver, West Virginia Department of Education Office of Middle and Secondary Learning assistant director and former Winfield Middle School teacher Erika Klose, New Martinsville Elementary School teacher Craig Mason, and Moundsville Middle School teacher Jaime Pettit. The President hosted the awardees this week at a White House ceremony. [Read More]

 

 

West Virginia tourism industry outpaces national growth by 58 percent

 

 

 

On Wednesday, Gov. Justice announced that West Virginia’s tourism industry grew for the second consecutive year in 2018. This two-year growth trend reverses years of decline and outpaces national growth by 58 percent. The finding comes from yearly economic impact research, released just on the heels of the industry’s annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism. The research shows traveler spending in West Virginia grew at a rate of 6.5 percent, totaling $4.55 billion in 2018. [Read More]

 

 

Schools across West Virginia awarded Save The Music Foundation grants

 

 

 

Throughout this week, several schools across West Virginia were presented with grant funding from the Department of Arts, Culture and History, through a partnership with the Save The Music Foundation and matching monetary donors, for new musical instruments to any traditional West Virginia public elementary or middle school that has a certified music teacher and wants to build its instrumental music program. The Save The Music Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to ensuring that music instruction is a core component to a complete education. [Watch Video] Among the grant recipients was Western Greenbrier Middle School. First Lady Cathy Justice stopped by during the award presentation to lend her support. [More Photos]

 

 

 

 

Gov. Justice issues order creating WV Complete Count Commission for 2020 U.S. Census

 

 

 

On Wednesday, Gov. Justice issued an Executive Order, officially establishing the West Virginia Complete Count Commission; which will serve to assist the United States Census Bureau in conducting the 2020 Census. The Commission will act in an advisory capacity to the Governor and have two main objectives: to educate and encourage full participation by the citizens of West Virginia in the 2020 Census and to develop plans and strategies to reach isolated groups or areas that typically do not respond to the Census. The Executive Order also established the members of the Commission. [Read More]

 

 

HHOMA accepting grant applications for BRIDGE pilot program for community development

 

 

 

On Tuesday, the Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs announced that it is accepting grant applications for a new pilot program that aims to improve community health and economic development in Kanawha, Berkeley, and Jefferson counties. The pilot program, called Building Resources In Diverse Geographic Environments (BRIDGE), is a comprehensive community revitalization effort with a mission of addressing poverty, improving community-wide health, stimulating labor force participation and supporting economic development. The program also aims to combat substance abuse, improve crime rates, and includes neighborhood revitalization. [Read More]

 

 

Governor and First Lady Justice greet residents of Spencer during Black Walnut Festival

 

 

 

On Saturday, Gov. Justice and First Lady Justice rode in the West Virginia Black Walnut Festival Parade in Spencer. In this, the 65th year in the history of the event, the Justices greeted attendees from across Roane County and beyond. [More Photos] [Read More]

 

 

WVDNR: Hot, dry weather will not delay West Virginia fall trout stockings

 

 

 

Last Friday, the Division of Natural Resources announced that this year’s West Virginia fall trout stockings will run as scheduled during the weeks of Oct. 21 and Oct. 28, despite the long stretches of summer heat and dry conditions across the state. [Watch Video]

 

 

Gov. Justice appoints Pitsenbarger to Senate in District 11

 

 

 

On Thursday, Gov. Justice appointed John "J.R." Pitsenbarger to the 11th Senatorial District seat, vacated by the resignation of Greg Boso. The district covers all of Nicholas, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Randolph, Upshur, and Webster counties; as well as part of Grant County. Pitsenbarger is a 5th-generation farmer and a lifelong resident in Nicholas County. [Read More]

 

 

Gov. Justice orders U.S. and State flags to half-staff in honor of Representative Elijah Cummings

 

 

 

This week, Gov. Justice issued a proclamation, in accordance with President Donald J. Trump’s proclamation, ordering all U.S. and West Virginia State flags on all state properties across West Virginia be lowered to half-staff as a mark of respect for the memory and longstanding public service of Representative Elijah E. Cummings of Maryland, who passed away Thursday. [Read More]

 

 

Department of Environmental Protection to offer free rain barrels to West Virginia schools

 

 

 

Last Friday, the Department of Environmental Protection announced that they are offering free rain barrel installation for West Virginia schools. The goal of the program is to teach students about stormwater pollution and how collecting rainwater helps to reduce the amount of pesticides, bacteria, and litter in our waterways. [More Photos] [Read More]

 

 

Department of Environmental Protection awards $133,000-worth of grant funding

 

 

 

On Tuesday, the Department of Environmental Protection approved 12 applicants for grants totaling $133,261 for their Covered Electronic Devices (CED) Recycling Grant Program. Established in 2008 under the WVDEP’s Rehabilitation Environmental Action Plan, the CED Program requires that manufacturers register their brands with the state. The fees collected from this program allow counties and municipalities to apply for CED grants to conduct electronic collection events and support ongoing collection programs. [Read More]

 

 

Martin Luther King, Jr. State Holiday Commission taking nominations for Living the Dream Awards

 

 

 

On Thursday, the Martin Luther King Jr. State Holiday Commission announced that it is seeking nominations of individuals and organizations for the 2020 “Living the Dream Awards.” Five awards are given to individuals who best exemplify – through action or personal traits – the principles and ideals characterizing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his pursuit of social change. Any person, regardless of race, color, or creed may be nominated. [Read More]

 

 

DMV encouraging customers to obtain the Federal REAL ID driver’s license

 

 

 

On Wednesday, the Division of Motor Vehicles announced it is encouraging DMV customers to obtain the REAL ID license or card as soon as possible. Starting in October 2020, citizens wishing to board aircraft or gain entry into federal buildings will need to present a Federal, REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or Identification card, or an approved alternative. [Read More]

 

 

Governor's Highway Safety Program conducts "Operation Crash Reduction"

 

 

 

Last weekend, over the Columbus Day holiday, the Governor's Highway Safety Program conducted a safety campaign called "Operation Crash Reduction," increasing police visibility during what has historically been one of the most dangerous holidays for motorists. [Read More]

 

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Contact Information

Jordan Damron, jordan.l.damron@wv.gov

Contact

Office of the Governor
State Capitol, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. E
Charleston, WV 25305

Office Phone:
304.558.2000 or 1.888.438.2731

Governor's Mansion:
304.558.3588

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