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As
Hurricane Dorian began it's approach on the southern United States
earlier this week, Gov. Jim Justice approved a request to send
a pair of West Virginia National Guard medevac helicopters and
crews to South Carolina in preparation for the storm’s impacts
along the Atlantic coastline, specifically to support search and
rescue operations and/or swift water operations as needed across
the affected region. The two crews – each consisting of four
soldiers – left for South Carolina on Wednesday. [Watch Video] [Read More]
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Later in
the week, on Thursday, seven members of the 130th Airlift Wing's
167th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron mobilized and departed to
Florida, to perform additional support for Hurricane Dorian
relief efforts over the next two weeks. The aeromedical
evacuation team and ground crew support personnel will be staged
out of MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, alongside a crew from the
Wyoming Air National Guard, to deploy wherever assets are needed in
the storm-affected areas, including both the eastern seaboard of
the United States and the Bahamas. [More
Photos]
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Also on
Tuesday, Gov. Justice announced that West Virginia State Parks
would be offering a 50 percent discount on all lodge rooms, cabins,
and campsites to those seeking shelter from Hurricane
Dorian. State Parks are also waiving all pet fees for those
traveling with pets. [Read More]
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Official White House photo by Shealah Craighead
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On
Thursday, Gov. Justice was in attendance at the White House, as
President Donald J. Trump awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
to Jerry West, a native son of West Virginia and widely regarded as
one of the National Basketball Association’s greatest players and
executives of all-time. The Medal of Freedom is the nation’s
highest civilian honor that can be bestowed upon an individual by
the President for “an especially meritorious contribution to the
security or national interests of the United States, world peace,
cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.” [Read More]
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After
several years of steady increases, the Department of Health and
Human Resources released preliminary data Thursday on 2018 fatal
drug overdoses in West Virginia, that suggest a leveling off or
slight decrease in the total number of overdose deaths. The
projected decrease of overdose deaths occurring for 2018 is
expected to be a 6 percent decline compared to 2017 data. [Read More]
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Last
Friday, ahead of Bluefield High School's season opening football
game, Gov. Justice visited the Beavers' stadium to unveil a
memorial bell, honoring former BHS football player, "Lil"
Tony Webster, who passed away in January. The bell will ring each
time the Beavers score, in Webster's memory. [Watch Video] [More Photos]
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On
Wednesday, Gov. Justice released a statement on Alteco Healthcare's
decision to abruptly close Ohio Valley Medical Center in Wheeling. [Read More]
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On
Thursday, a set of West Virginians who have dedicated themselves to
helping others were recognized as recipients of the 2019 Governor's
Service Awards during a ceremony at the Culture Center in
Charleston. As the most prestigious volunteer award in the state,
the Governor's Service Awards honor individuals and groups who
roll up their sleeves to solve community problems in innovative
ways. [Watch
Video]
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Last
Friday, the Division of Highways announced that it had begun using
a new type of technology to replace a bridge in Lincoln County. The
Fourteen Mile Bridge, along County Route 37 near Ranger, is the
first bridge in West Virginia to utilize this innovative
technology, called a press-brake-formed steel tub girder bridge.
This method saves time and costs because it can be installed in a
shorter time frame, lasts longer and requires minimal maintenance
over the life of the span. [Watch
Video]
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Also last
Friday, transportation officials highlighted the work done over the
past several months to complete the Westmoreland Bridges Deck
Project in Charleston ahead of schedule. The project, which
was originally scheduled to take 100 days, ended up being completed
in just 91 days, thanks to new methods and technology, which
experts estimate saved the traveling public months of extra time
they would have been stuck in work zones versus old methods. [Watch
Video]
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On
Thursday, the Department of Environmental Protection highlighted a
new vehicle they have begun utilizing this year – called a
Hydratrek. This amphibious tool can maneuver on both land and
water, allowing crews to get into places they otherwise couldn't,
while also providing some extra mechanical muscle. The vehicle has
vastly increased the efficiency of DEP and volunteer efforts to
remove tires from streams, creeks, and rivers. [Watch
Video]
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On
Wednesday, the Department of Education welcomed 2019 National
Teacher of the Year, Rodney Robinson of Virginia, to the WVDE
Juvenile Education Conference at the Glade Springs Conference
Center in Daniels. Robinson served as the keynote speaker for the
event, and told attendees about his experience working as an
educator inside a juvenile detention center in Richmond. [More
Photos]
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On
Thursday, the Department of Education hosted Kenova native,
Marshall graduate, and former Intuit CEO Brad Smith for a
first-of-its-kind "Ed Talk" event. Smith spoke to
students participating in Simulated Workplace programs from around
the region about the importance of entrepreneurship skills and
developing the workforce for the 21st century. The WVDE plans
to have more of these "Ed Talks" in the future. [Watch
Video]
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At the
start of the month this week, Gov. Justice issued a proclamation,
officially declaring September as "National Preparedness Month
in West Virginia." Launched in 2004, NPM is the Federal
Emergency Management Agency’s annual preparedness campaign which
aims to educate and empower Americans to prepare for, respond to,
and recover from all types of emergencies, incidents, or events;
including natural, man-made, and technological disasters. The West
Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has
provided helpful tips and information on preparedness throughout
the week. [Read More]
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On
Tuesday, Commerce Secretary Ed Gaunch visited companies and
attended a business roundtable in Kanawha County. The visits are
the latest in the series of listening tours that the secretary
launched in June. Gaunch made stops at Shafer Equipment in
Clendenin, NGK Spark Plugs USA Inc. in Sissonville,
and Peerless Block and Brick in St. Albans. [Watch
Video]
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N tiva
connects with WVU Parkersburg to create a tech talent pipeline
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This week,
the Development Office highlighted a new initiative underway
with WVU Parkersburg students in the Computer and
Information Technology (CIT) Learn and Earn program, which is
allowing them to the opportunity to gain real-world work experience
while earning their degree, all in one location on campus.
The Ntiva Service Desk Academy opened in the Caperton Center
for Applied Technology ahead of the fall 2019 semester, enabling
students in the college’s CIT Learn and Earn program to work
remotely for the D.C.-based tech company while completing their
associate degree. [Watch
Video]
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Over Labor
Day weekend, Governor and First Lady Justice wished West Virginians
a happy holiday and encouraged them to spend time enjoying the
outdoor wonders across the state. [Social
Post]
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On
Saturday, the 2019 early bear gun season opened in several southern
West Virginia counties. The early bear gun season, with or without
hunting dogs, runs through Sept. 15, 2019 and applies only in
Logan, McDowell, Mingo, and Wyoming counties. [Read More]
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On
Tuesday, the Department of Arts, Culture and History announced
applications are now being accepted for FY 2020 historic
preservation survey and planning grants through the State Historic
Preservation Office. Approximately $90,000 will be awarded from
funding, appropriated by the United States Congress for
preservation efforts through the National Park Service Historic
Preservation Fund. State or local government agencies,
not-for-profit organizations, for-profit organizations or firms,
educational institutions, and Certified Local Governments are
eligible to apply. The deadline for receipt of applications is
postmarked Oct. 31, 2019. [Read More]
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On
Tuesday, the Department of Environmental Protection announced that
its Watershed Improvement Branch (WIB) would be hosting two
water festivals in Kanawha County this month. The first occurred
Thursday at Little Creek Park in South Charleston. The second will
be held at St. Albans City Park next Tuesday. The festivals
are for elementary school students and are designed to promote
awareness, knowledge, and stewardship of water resources. [Read More]
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