Gov. Jim Justice welcomed West Virginians to the Capitol Complex on Sunday, June 20, 2021, to celebrate the State’s 158th birthday and to witness the first prize giveaway of the “Do it for Babydog: Save a life, Change your life” vaccination sweepstakes.
The Governor was joined by Babydog, his pet English Bulldog and the official mascot of the sweepstakes, to announce the winners of dozens of prizes, including the lottery’s first ever million-dollar winner.
Karen Foley of Mineral Wells was named as the winner of the $1 million cash prize Sunday, taking home the biggest prize from the first of seven vaccine lottery prize drawings.
Click here for a complete list of winners.
|
|
|
In addition to the prize giveaways, this year’s West Virginia Day doubled as a celebration of the State’s success in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, Gov. Justice announced during his address Sunday that he has signed an executive order, officially lifting West Virginia’s Statewide Indoor Face Covering Requirement.
|
|
After the prize ceremony, Gov. Justice joined West Virginia native and hero Hershel “Woody” Williams, the last surviving World War II Medal of Honor recipient, for a dedication ceremony at the new Gold Star Families Memorial Monument on the Capitol Complex.
And then, Gov. Justice and First Lady Cathy Justice continued the celebration of West Virginia’s 158th birthday at the State Culture Center, with the annual tradition of cutting the ceremonial State birthday cake.
|
|
This week, Gov. Justice once again called on all West Virginians who have not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19 to step up and get their shot. Vaccinated West Virginians have six more chances to win in the “Do it for Babydog: Save a life, Change your life” vaccination sweepstakes.
The registration deadline to be eligible to win in the next prize drawing is Sunday, June 27, at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Winners will be announced next Wednesday, June 30.
West Virginians ages 12 and older who have had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine are eligible to register by visiting Doitforbabydog.wv.gov.
|
|
|
Gov. Justice attended a groundbreaking ceremony at North Central West Virginia Airport (CKB) Friday to celebrate the beginning of work on a historic infrastructure project to enhance the airport itself, while also developing sections of nearby land. Work will begin with crews excavating 3 million cubic yards of earth to make way for 140 acres of flat property east of the existing runway. The newly-flattened land will be home to a new passenger terminal, auxiliary airport facilities, and a 100-acre AeroTech Business Park.
|
|
|
On Friday, Gov. Justice attended a grand opening ceremony in Bridgeport for The Bridge Sports Complex; the city’s largest sports and recreation facility. Design work on the $60 million project began in 2017.
|
|
|
On Tuesday – one day ahead of the five-year anniversary of the deadly June 23, 2016, West Virginia floods – Gov. Justice took time out of his remarks on COVID-19 to pay tribute to the 23 West Virginians who lost their lives and the thousands of people who lost everything they had in the tragedy.
|
|
|
The West Virginia Division of Highways reflected on the five-year anniversary of the flood and the contributions of several employees who were called into action to help in the recovery process.
|
|
|
On Wednesday, Gov. Justice declared a State of Emergency for Marshall County due to excessive rainfall, beginning on Monday, June 21, 2021, that caused flooding to businesses, homes, government buildings, educational facilities, and recreation facilities in and around the City of Cameron. The State of Emergency will remain in effect for 30 days, unless terminated by subsequent proclamation.
|
|
|
Gov. Justice’s new Blue Ribbon Task Force on Aligning the Roles and Missions of the State Community and Technical College System and Workforce Development System held its first meeting Friday. At its inaugural meeting, the group identified and discussed a number of issues regarding the difficulty many West Virginians face trying to find training and job opportunities, as well as issues that the state’s businesses face trying to find and retain qualified employees, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
|
|
|
On Thursday, Scott Adkins, acting Commissioner of WorkForce West Virginia, reported that WorkForce has concluded an investigation of a potential security incident involving the Mid Atlantic Career Consortium Employment Services database, or “MACC” website. Adkins added that, to help prevent something like this from happening again, WorkForce has implemented additional technical safeguards.
|
|
|
Investor response was so good to the most recent bond sale by the West Virginia Parkways Authority that Parkways officials were able to raise an extra $90 million for Gov. Justice’s Roads to Prosperity highway construction and maintenance program.
|
|
|
The only paving machine in the state of West Virginia wide enough to pave two lanes at the same time is currently in use on US 35 in Putnam County. West Virginia Division of Highways' paving contractor, West Virginia Paving, Inc., is using the Roadtec paving machine on 15-mile section of US 35, the last section of the highway between Interstate 64 and the West Virginia/Ohio state line to be upgraded from two lanes to four lanes.
|
|
|
Recognized for their achievement in knowledge of West Virginia history, 223 eighth graders from middle schools across the state were honored as 2021 Knights and Ladies of the Golden Horseshoe on Friday at the West Virginia Culture Center in Charleston.
|
|
|
Families planning a trip to the West Virginia State Wildlife Center will be greeted by a few new faces this summer. Biologists at the Upshur County facility, which is managed by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, welcomed three new grey wolf pups in June. Grey wolves have been extirpated in West Virginia since 1900.
|
|
|
|