On Thursday, Gov. Jim Justice traveled the state to surprise several prize winners in his "Do it for Babydog" Vaccination Sweepstakes.
Livvi Miller was presented with a full-ride college scholarship in front of her parents and classmates, teachers, and administrators at Hurricane High School, along with the county superintendent and other leaders from Putnam County Schools.
Waylon Gilkeson from Rupert, a custodian at Greenbrier West High School, was also presented with a full-ride college scholarship.
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Gov. Justice also surprised two men outside the Fayette County Courthouse in Fayetteville.
Aron Sattler of Mount Nebo was named as the winner of a new 2021 Roush Stage 3 Mustang.
Lewis Wood of Hico was named as the winner of free gas for 10 years.
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This marks the third of six weeks of prize giveaways as part of “Do it for Babydog: Round 2.” Vaccinated West Virginians have three more chances to win in Round 2 of the “Do it for Babydog: Save a life, Change your life” Vaccination Sweepstakes.
All West Virginians who have had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine can register at DoitforBabydog.wv.gov for an opportunity to join the list of winners.
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On Wednesday, Gov. Justice announced that approximately 84% of West Virginians who are hospitalized with COVID-19 are unvaccinated and over 90% of those in ICUs with COVID-19 are unvaccinated. Gov. Justice took time to illustrate just how overwhelming of a majority these numbers are, showing a pair of infographics visualizing what these percentages look like.
And on Friday, Gov. Justice announced that West Virginia had reached a new record high number of active COVID-19 cases for the entire pandemic. There were 29,744 active cases; up more than 2,100 cases from the Governor’s previous briefing on Wednesday. The statewide death toll from COVID-19 reached 3,370 on Friday, with 74 more deaths being reported since the Governor's previous briefing just two days ago, including 18 as a result of the DHHR’s data reconciliation with official death certificates.
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Gov. Justice was joined for Monday’s briefing by Linda Lanier, a West Virginia mom whose son, Joe Goodnite, is in a fight for his life against COVID-19. Lanier says her son, who is known by many locally as an MMA fighter and who has two young boys of his own, recently began his seventh week on a ventilator battling the disease.
“If this dreaded disease can take down this tremendous athlete, a man that is strong beyond belief, and very young in years, can it not take us all down? That’s what this testimony is all about,” Gov. Justice said. “By having the courage to share this story, this is a family that has absolutely stepped up to try to help all of us.”
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On Friday, Gov. Justice announced expanded monoclonal antibody distribution to numerous pharmacies, community health centers, and local health departments across West Virginia. Distribution has expanded to over 30 counties this week alone and will expand to all counties as quickly as possible.
The Governor was joined for the announcement by Kanawha-Charleston Health Department Executive Director and Health Officer Dr. Sheri Young and Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper. The KCHD announced Thursday that they will be operating a monoclonal antibody clinic at their health department’s Charleston offices.
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On Friday, Gov. Justice announced that, for the first time in state history, West Virginia’s Rainy Day Fund has officially crossed $1 billion dollars in total balance. The milestone was reached Friday after the $9.2 million remaining surplus from Fiscal Year 2021 was officially transferred into the fund. The previous Rainy Day Fund high was $955 million on June 30, 2014.
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Gov. Justice announced Monday that the Technologies and Materials (TeMa) North American manufacturing plant located in Jefferson County is set to add a $7 million expansion, which will double the size of the facility. Set in Burr Business Park in Kearneysville, WV, TeMa produces insulation and drainage systems for residential, commercial, and industrial uses such as erosion control, soil reinforcement, aqua control, and green roofs.
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Gov. Justice announced Wednesday that West Virginia’s small business owners and entrepreneurs can now find the right resources to support their success in one convenient online space: West Virginia BusinessLink. West Virginia BusinessLink is founded by the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, Small Business Development Center, and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem.
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On Wednesday, Gov. Justice announced that West Virginia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has decreased once again, dropping two-tenths of a percentage point to 4.8% in August 2021. West Virginia’s unemployment rate is now at its lowest mark since before the pandemic, reaching 4.8% for the first time since June 2019. The state’s unemployment rate has declined for 16 consecutive months and remains better than the national unemployment rate of 5.2%.
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Gov. Justice announced Thursday that CS Global Group, a Turkish Mining company that specializes in barite manufacturing and sales, has chosen Moundsville, West Virginia, as the location for its first manufacturing plant in the United States. The company will create 47 new full-time jobs and plans to invest $10 million in the facility, which will be operational by the first quarter of 2022.
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On Monday evening, contractors narrowed eastbound and westbound traffic lanes on Interstate 64 in the construction zone near the Nitro-St. Albans Bridge. Eastbound lanes on the interstate were narrowed to 11 feet for about one mile in the construction zone, while westbound lanes were narrowed to 11 feet for about three miles. Narrow lanes will be in place through the fall as contractors prepare to widen I-64 from four to six lanes.
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A connector road between Kanawha County’s Trace Fork Shopping Center and Jefferson Road is among 32 projects in a bid letting conducted by the West Virginia Division of Highways on Tuesday. The project will be paid for with funding from Gov. Justice’s Roads to Prosperity highway construction and maintenance program. WVDOH is reviewing the bids and hopes to award contracts for these projects soon.
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The West Virginia Department of Education’s Office of Technical and Adult Education held its 25th annual Adult Education Awards Ceremony Wednesday afternoon to recognize the efforts of those committed to the success of adult learners in the state. West Virginia native and America’s Got Talent winner Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. made a surprise appearance to present student awards and share a message of hope and perseverance.
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