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On
Wednesday, Gov. Justice announced that the seasonally adjusted
unemployment rate in West Virginia dropped to 4.6 percent in the
month of August. This figure surpassed the previous state
record for this decade and stands as the best seasonally adjusted
unemployment rate seen in West Virginia since October 2008. In
addition, the unemployment rate has been on a steady decline every
month this calendar year. [Read More]
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Then, on
Friday, Gov. Justice made a national television news
appearance on the Fox News show, Fox & Friends, to celebrate
West Virginia's improving unemployment rate in front of a national
audience. [Watch
Video]
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To reduce
the risk of catastrophic wildfires due to drought, Gov. Justice
issued a proclamation Friday, that bans all outdoor burning throughout
West Virginia. The ban will be in effect until conditions improve
and the Governor rescinds the order by further proclamation. [Read More]
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On
Thursday, Gov. Jim Justice and First Lady Cathy Justice were
recognized with a national award during a ceremony at the
Communities In Schools Leadership Town Hall Conference in Chicago.
The national award was presented in honor of their efforts to
empower at-risk students to stay in school and on a path to a
brighter future through their support of the Communities In Schools
program in West Virginia. [Watch
Video]
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Gov.
Justice took part in Roane Raider Tuesday in West Virginia, joining
thousands of students and others across the state by wearing maroon
in honor of Alex Miller, the Roane County High School senior who
tragically passed away last Friday during a football game. The
Governor also released a video message in honor of Alex, his
family, and the entire Roane County community, echoing his support
and offering his prayers during this time of mourning. [Watch
Video]
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On
Thursday, Gov. Justice addressed students with the West Virginia
University Department of Mining Engineering as the keynote speaker
for this year's Poundstone Lecture Series. The Governor touched on
his years of experience in the mining industry during his speech
and met with students after the event concluded. [More
Photos]
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On
Tuesday, Gov. Justice appointed Trenton C. Barnhart to the
House of Delegates seat in District 7. Barnhart, a lifelong
resident of Pleasants County, fills the vacancy created by the
resignation of Delegate Jason Harshbarger. [Read More]
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Gov.
Justice issued a proclamation Wednesday that officially designated
September 2019 as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in West
Virginia in recognition of the courage displayed by the children
and families across West Virginia, as well as the entire nation,
who have battled or are currently battling childhood cancer.
A proclamation reading was followed by a butterfly and balloon
release ceremony in honor of childhood cancer victims. [Watch
Video]
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On
Wednesday, leaders with the Department of Military Affairs and
Public Safety announced that West Virginia has strengthened an
important tool that supports, protects, and empowers crime victims
and survivors by providing timely and reliable offender
information. The state’s Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation
has expanded the Victim Information and Notification Everyday
(VINE) network to all 10 regional jails. It has also adopted VINE’s
new and enhanced features for all correctional facilities including
prisons. [Watch
Video]
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This week,
the Division of Natural Resources announced that West Virginia’s
celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Days will be returning
to Stonewall Jackson Resort State Park this coming weekend, Sept.
21-22. In addition to big buck displays, trophy fish displays,
hunting and fishing vendors, and the many family activities –
such as the outdoor youth challenge – this year’s event will
feature live bluegrass music. [Read More]
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On
Thursday, the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency
Management announced it has successfully addressed over 90 percent
of audit findings from 2018 and 2019, positioning the Division to
better respond to emergent and non-emergent events. [Read More]
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On
Wednesday, Gov. Justice's Chief of Staff Mike Hall
presented a "Distinguished West Virginian" award – on the
Governor's behalf – to retiring Yeager Airport Director Terry
Sayre for his many dedicated years of service to West Virginia and
its people. [Watch
Video]
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Governor
and First Lady Justice issued a statement Tuesday after learning of
the death of coal mine electrician Steven Vernon Keeney, 40, of
Sylvester, after an incident that took place just after
midnight at the Panther Creek Mining, LLC, American Eagle Mine in
Cabin Creek. [Read More]
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This week,
the Governor's Highway Safety Program celebrated Child Passenger
Safety Week, an annual initiative by the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration dedicated to helping parents and
caregivers make sure their children ride as safely as possible. [Read More]
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On
Thursday, Gov. Justice announced that he has awarded $805,000 in
West Virginia Statewide Planning, Coordination, and Implementation
Program grant funds to 13 projects. These funds will be used to
expand and improve peer recovery support services throughout the
state and are administered by the West Virginia Division of
Administrative Services; Justice and Community Services. [Read More]
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This week,
officials with the Department of Environmental Protection were at
several various locations across the state, teaching children about
the wonders of water through the Department's annual series of
Water Festivals. The festivals are geared towards elementary
school students and are designed to promote awareness, knowledge,
and stewardship of water resources. [Watch Video] [More Photos]
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This week,
the West Virginia Small Business Development Center named the Blue
Spoon Cafe – a culinary staple of the Bluefield area – as
their Small Business of the Month. The Blue Spoon Cafe features
primarily breakfast and lunch items, with a focus on using organic
ingredients in their dishes. [Watch
Video]
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This week,
the Department of Education put a spotlight on the Girls Who Code
Club at Mylan Park Elementary School in Morgantown. The group provides
an opportunity for young ladies to gain valuable computer coding
experience at a young age. [Watch
Video]
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On
Tuesday, West Virginia students were hosted by the Department of
Education and the Department of Arts, Culture and History at
Independence Hall in Wheeling to celebrate Constitution Day with an
educational tour of the facility. [More
Photos]
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This week,
leaders with West Virginia State Parks and the Division of Forestry
announced the full schedule of WonderFALL Walks; guided walks and
hikes at six West Virginia state parks and forests scheduled in
October. State parks offering WonderFALL Walks are Cass Scenic
Railroad, North Bend, Tygart Lake, Blackwater Falls and Cacapon
Resort, along with Kanawha State Forest. Walks are free to attend
and open to the public. [Read More]
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Last
Friday, the Division of Natural Resources announced that it
will be holding six public meetings in the next three weeks with
anglers and the general public to discuss its draft Trout
Management Plan. The plan also will provide broad guidance on
policies for addressing complex management challenges and issues
related to producing desirable trout fishing experiences for
anglers. [Read More]
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