On Monday, Gov. Justice joined leaders with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the Claudia L. Workman Wildlife Education Center. The 9,500-square-foot educational facility, located at the Forks of Coal State Natural Area in Alum Creek, features wildlife displays and nature exhibits that showcase West Virginia’s unmatched natural beauty.
The center will be open to the public Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. starting June 7. Admission is free.
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On Monday, Gov. Justice reported that there are now 2,547 active cases of COVID-19 statewide, 430 more cases than there were during the Governor’s previous briefing on Thursday last week.
“We don’t want this thing to keep sliding and getting worse,” Gov. Justice said. “Please make sure that you’re up to date on your booster shots. Especially if you’re 50 or older, it is so, so important.”
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On Wednesday, Gov. Justice announced that the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit recently handed the Governor a major victory in a case that challenged his authority to shut down certain businesses and move schools to remote learning during the initial stages of the pandemic in 2020.
“We may be one of the only states in the country to win every single one of these cases,” Gov. Justice continued. “What does that tell us? It tells us that we made the right decisions time and time again.”
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On Monday, Gov. Justice asked all West Virginians to join him in praying for Nicholas County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Tom Baker, who was shot and killed when responding to an incident last Friday night.
“This is a tragedy beyond comprehension,” Gov. Justice said. “I ask everyone to please keep this incredible man and his family in your prayers.”
Gov. Justice issued a proclamation lowering the flags in honor of the Deputy on Wednesday and he attended Deputy Barker's funeral in Nicholas County on Wednesday evening.
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On Wednesday, Gov. Justice announced that West Virginia is one of just four states to receive approval for broadband expansion funding through the federal government’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) COVID-19 relief program.
According to the U.S. Treasury, more than $136 million was allocated to West Virginia, with the state being approved to spend the full amount. The funding will help expand high-speed broadband to 20,000 locations, or 10% of locations in the state that lack access to broadband.
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On Monday, Gov. Justice announced that he has officially submitted a request to the President and FEMA for a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Cabell and Wayne counties due to the flooding that took place in West Virginia on May 6, 2022. Gov. Justice’s request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration includes Individual Assistance with the possibility of receiving Hazard Mitigation Assistance and Small Business Administration Disaster Loans. The May 6 flooding event did not meet FEMA’s threshold to request Public Assistance.
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The bill Gov. Justice signed in April, cracking down on traffickers of fentanyl and other deadly drugs, went into effect Friday. Senate Bill 536, also known as the Fentanyl Bill, delivers on the Governor’s promise of being tough on drug dealers and traffickers by increasing penalties for distributing fentanyl in West Virginia and for transporting fentanyl into West Virginia from another state. This bill also makes it a crime to involve a person under the age of 18 in distributing any controlled substance.
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Gov. Justice is once again calling all West Virginians to get their fishing gear ready because West Virginia’s Free Fishing Weekend is back today and tomorrow, Sunday, June 12, 2022. During these two days, residents and nonresidents are able to fish in West Virginia for free. The annual event gives novice and returning anglers the opportunity to fish without a license.
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On Wednesday, Gov. Justice announced that the West Virginia Department of Tourism has launched the nation’s first statewide waterfall trail. The West Virginia Waterfall Trail targets travelers looking to get off the beaten bath, reconnect with nature, and unearth more than two dozen waterfalls for a chance to win exclusive prizes.
To get started, visit wvtourism.com/waterfalls and register to have the West Virginia Waterfall Trail Passport delivered straight to your smartphone.
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Gov. Justice announced Monday that he has awarded $5,417,061.00 in West Virginia Community Corrections Grant Program funds to 30 projects. These funds will be used to assist local communities in the establishment and continued operation of community corrections programs.
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Gov. Justice announced Monday that he has awarded $2,118,685.00 in Child Advocacy Center Grant program funds to 22 projects. These funds are awarded to local nonprofit Child Advocacy Centers throughout the state to address the growing problem of child abuse and neglect. Gov. Justice’s awards are focused on a multidisciplinary response to investigation, treatment, and prosecution of child abuse cases by providing such services as advocacy, education, forensic interviews, evaluations, and referrals.
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The Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs has announced the lineup of artists selected to perform at the 2022 Juneteenth Celebration, which – for the first time in three years – is being held in-person. The free event will return to the Kanawha Boulevard lawns of the West Virginia Capitol Complex on Saturday, June 18, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
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On Wednesday, Gov. Justice was joined by West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture, and History Curator Randall Reid-Smith, who made several exciting announcements surrounding the state’s upcoming West Virginia Day celebration on June 20, 2022.
As part of this year’s West Virginia Day festivities, the State Culture Center will host its inaugural West Virginia History Bowl Legends Tournament – where past participants can assemble all-star teams and compete for bragging rights.
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