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On Friday, Gov. Justice delivered an address from the State Capitol to discuss America’s energy crisis, its role in the war in Ukraine, and how President Biden must act now by tapping into West Virginia’s rich natural resources to make America energy independent again. The Governor explained that, by the Biden Administration putting a chokehold on America’s energy supply, they bear responsibility for rapidly surging energy costs.
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On Friday, Gov. Justice reported that there were just 1,432 active cases of COVID-19 statewide. Over just the past seven weeks, total active cases have decreased by more than 93%.
Since nearing peak capacity in early February, COVID-related hospitalizations in West Virginia are down 71%, ICU patients are down 67%, and patients on ventilators are down 63%.
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Despite the vastly improved numbers, Gov. Justice on Monday once again urged all West Virginians to get vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19.
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Gov. Justice announced Thursday that PepsiCo businesses are investing a combined $32.5 million to build a pair of new, state-of-the-art warehouse and distribution facilities in West Virginia by the end of 2022. One will be a $16.5 million, 100,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution facility for PepsiCo Beverages North America (PBNA) in Ona, WV. The other will be a $16 million, 70,000-square-foot state-of-the-art distribution center for Frito-Lay North America in Scott Depot, WV.
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Gov. Justice took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday to celebrate the official opening of the new Big Blue Bridge near Clendenin. The old bridge, which was damaged in the flood of 2016, provided the only access to the homes of 14 families on Big Sandy Avenue besides a low-water crossing. The new bridge was built by the WV VOAD Bridge Construction team, with help from Ohio-based volunteer organization Mennonite Disaster Service. It was funded through the RISE West Virginia program.
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Gov. Justice has directed the West Virginia National Guard and the Department of Homeland Security to help Ukraine by enlisting West Virginia law enforcement to donate surplus body armor. The WVNG and DHS will immediately begin collecting unused or recently expired ballistic vests. They are coordinating with the West Virginia Law Enforcement Coalition, which consists of the state associations for chiefs of police, county sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, troopers, narcotics officers, and the Fraternal Order of Police.
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The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection's Rehabilitation Environmental Action Plan (REAP) is hosting three free tire collection events in March. Individuals may dispose of up to 10 tires per person. The tires must be off the rims and only car and light truck tires will be accepted. The WVDEP requests that individuals stay in their vehicles when dropping off tires.
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On Monday, WVDOH work crews were on Hash Ridge Road in Barboursville, preparing to bring in a drill and build a piling wall to repair a slip. Hash Ridge Road is one of several slip repair projects WVDOH District 2 is repairing in unison. Repairs are also being completed on County Route 1 in Cabell County, WV 49 in Mingo County, and WV 75 and 37 in Wayne County.
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Dr. Jonathan G. Newman has been named medical director of the Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) within the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources’ Bureau for Public Health West Virginia. Newman, of Fairmont, has served as the medical director of the Emergency Medical Services Program (EMS) at Fairmont State University and Pierpont Community College since 2001, and as the regional medical director of West Virginia’s EMS Regions six and seven since 2002.
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The West Virginia Department of Homeland Security celebrated several of its key contributors, present and past, to mark International Women's Day on Tuesday. Deputy Chief of Staff Ann Urling from Gov. Justice's office and DHS Deputy General Counsel Morgan Switzer helped lead the State Capitol ceremony, where the honorees were presented with certificates of commendation.
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