West Virginia Week in Review - September 20, 2019

9/20/2019

West Virginia sees best jobs rate in over a decade

 

 

 

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]

 

 

Gov. Justice celebrates West Virginia’s historic low unemployment in national interview

 

 

 

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]

 

 

Gov. Justice bans all outdoor burning in West Virginia until further notice

 

 

 

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]

 

 

Governor and First Lady receive national award for their work with Communities In Schools

 

 

 

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]

 

 

Gov. Justice wears maroon in honor of Alex Miller, issues message in support of community

 

 

 

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]

 

 

Gov. Justice makes keynote address to WVU students in Poundstone Lecture Series

 

 

 

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]

 

 

Gov. Justice appoints Barnhart to House of Delegates in District 7

 

 

 

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]

 

 

 

 

 

Gov. Justice issues proclamation for National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

 

 

 

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]

 

 

West Virginia enhances victim notification tools, expands to jails

 

 

 

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]

 

 

National Hunting and Fishing Days celebration to be held at Stonewall Resort State Park 

 

 

 

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]

 

 

WVDHSEM succeeds in addressing audit findings

 

 

 

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]

 

 

Gov. Justice honors retiring Yeager Airport Director as "Distinguished West Virginian"

 

 

 

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]

 

 

Gov. Justice issues statement on death of coal mine electrician in Kanawha County

 

 

 

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]

 

 

Governor's Highway Safety Program urges parents to ensure children are buckled properly

 

 

 

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]

 

 

Gov. Justice awards $805,000 in grant funding to improve peer recovery support services in WV

 

 

 

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]

 

 

Department of Environmental Protection hosts annual Water Festivals across West Virginia

 

 

 

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]

 

 

 

 

Blue Spoon Cafe in Bluefield named SBDC Small Business of the Month

 

 

 

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]

 

 

Department of Education highlights work of Girls Who Code Club

 

 

 

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]

 

 

Students from across the state partake in West Virginia Constitution Day festivities

 

 

 

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]

 

 

WonderFALL Walks planned at six West Virginia state parks and forests

 

 

 

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]

 

 

Schedule of six public meetings announced to discuss Trout Management Plan

 

 

 

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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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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