Turnpike tolls rise in November and December
West Virginia Turnpike toll collections rose in November by 3 percent and in December by 5 percent from the prior year, with officials hoping the gains signal an emerging economic uptick. In Nitro, the Tri-State Racetrack and Gaming Center plans a 57,000 square foot addition potentially adding 600 more slot machines if approved, aiming for a late summer opening.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Charleston
West Virginia Turnpike
Turnpike
Gregg Barr
Nitro (Ap
Tri-State
Promise scholarship deadline urged for WV students
West Virginia higher education officials urged students to submit PROMISE scholarship applications by January 31. Guidance counselors provide forms, GPA, and test scores verification, with decisions announced in early April. About a quarter of WV high schoolers are expected to receive the award, funded by state video poker revenues, with rules awaiting legislative approval.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Charleston
West Virginia
J. Michael Mullen
Robert Morgenstern
Morgenstern
Promise Scholarship
West
Virginia
Promise
West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
West Virginia tightens teacher background checks
Prospective educators in West Virginia must now undergo fingerprint and FBI checks for teaching, coaching, substitute work, and bus driving. State and federal screenings replace prior state checks, with about 3,000 annual applicants. The measure, overseen by the Education Department, adds abuse registry cross checks and drew initial union opposition before passage.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Charleston
West Virginia
FBI
Bill McGinley
West Virginia Education Association
Judy Hale
West Virginia Federation of Teachers
Arson sentences tied to Anawalt fire chief case
Anawalt resident Christian pleaded guilty to two charges and faced prison terms plus restitution to the Anawalt Fire Department of over 38000 dollars. Keith Christian, 33, former Anawalt fire chief, received two years for fourth degree arson under a plea deal that dropped additional arson and conspiracy charges. The probe, led by the state fire marshal and various agencies, cited a rise in arson fires in unoccupied structures. Four others have plea agreements and await sentencing.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Christian
Anawalt
Kenneth
Keith Christian
Volunteer Fire Department
Tony Domingo
Domingo
West Virginia
West Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation
West Virginia State Police
Welch Detachment
McDowell County
West Virginia lawmakers push for teacher pay raise amid budget limits
Del. Richard Flanigan and Del. Eustace Frederick backed raises for teachers noting no recent increases and urging higher pay for advanced degrees. They warned West Virginia risks losing teachers to border states with higher salaries as the session looms. Del. Mark Wills discussed medical malpractice, the Family Law Court, stricter DUI laws, and economic development. Caldwell described a formed Economic Development Commission aiming for a diversified strategy. Breakfast chair Smokey Short said key senators apologized for missing the event.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Del
Richard Flanigan
Eustace Frederick
Flanigan
West Virginia
Frederick
Mark Wills
Wills
Family Law Court
Caldwell
Economic Development Commission
James “Smokey” Short
Truman Chafin
D-Mingo
Winter storm threat prompts local stocking and prep
Stores report brisk snow related sales with gloves salt and shovels in demand since Christmas. Schools monitor potential Monday closures as the East Coast storm nears. Meteorologists caution on uncertain path and possible ice with snow expected Sunday into Monday.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Kmart
Bluefield
Vicky Farmer
Tazewell County
Don
Hodock
National Weather Service
Blacksburg
Nogueira
Warner meets with leaders about budget crisis
Governor elect Mark Warner and Virginia legislative leaders warned after a rare pre inauguration budget meeting that the state faces a deeper fiscal shortfall than expected. Revenue shortfalls of about 3.2 billion over 2 1/2 years threaten layoffs and possible tax cut reversals, with an immediate 1.2 billion shortfall for the current two year cycle and a 2 billion gap projected for the next.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Richmond
Mark Warner
Warner
Tech receives $4.5 million bioinformatics grant
Virginia Tech's Bioinformatics Institute secured a 4.5 million federal grant to acquire equipment for analyzing biological threats. U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher and Senators John Warner and George Allen led the request, noting current federal agency work on pathogens like anthrax lacks cross department coordination.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Blacksburg
Virginia Tech
Bioinformatics Institute
U.S
Rick Boucher
John Warner
George Allen
Domingo Praises Active Town Volunteer Fire Department
Domingo stated the town's volunteer fire department remains active and in operation, underscoring its ongoing readiness and service to residents.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Domingo
Also Mentioned on This Page
Kim Hough
State Department of Education
Hough
A-1
Michael Brooks
W.va
Mercer County
Princeton
Glenwood
Athens
Oakvale
Kanawha County
James Dyer
Cherry Street
Va. Tech
Bioinformatics
Lynn Thompson
Culloden
Wvlottery.com
Cellular Agf
Two-Way Radio Inc
Harper Park
Beckley
Jefferson St. Bluefield
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