West Virginia
State transportation chief says new initiatives will focus on driving behavior – WV MetroNews
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — State Transportation Secretary Jimmy Wriston is hinting at new initiatives to be introduced in the months to come that will focus on driving behaviors and training state residents years before they get behind a wheel.
“These are going to be dealing with–we call them–the behavioral issues, the way we operate our vehicles on the highway. That’s the critical part of this,” Wriston said during a recent edition of the WVDOT’s “On the DOT” podcast.
Wriston said there have been good initiatives over the years backed by the Governor’s Highway Safety Fund and various police agencies who have spent extra time trying to slow drivers down but it’s time for a culture change when it comes to driving.
“We have to start young. We have to build the education up on how to drive, that’s all there is to it. How you do this and not get killed,” he said.
MORE 2023 Governor’s Highway Safety Program Annual Report
According the 2023 Governor’s Highway Safety Program Annual Report, there were 207 traffic fatalities in West Virginia after nine months of last year. The state ended the 2022 colander year at 266 fatalities. Motorcycle fatalities were also up according to the latest annual report.
The report also said, “Pedestrian fatalities are a growing concern in West Virginia. These fatalities decreased from 36 to 21 between 2021 and 2022, but the five-year rolling average exceeded the target.”
The report listed a significant increase in deadly crashes of those not wearing seatbelts from 77 deaths in 2021 to 147 deaths in 2022.
Wriston said it’s time for an all-out effort to address the issue of driving behavior.
“This is serious. A mistake out there on that highway takes a minute and bad things happen quickly but the results of them can last a lifetime,” Wriston said. “We’ve got to really attack this and we’ve got to stay committed to it.”
Wriston predicts results.
“We’ve really focused on safety, particularly in our work zones, now we are committed,” he said. “We’re going to get results. We are going to take fatalities on our roads to zero. We’re going to make sure when accidents happen, when crashes happen, people have a better chance to survive.”
Class of 2026 defensive lineman Kamdon “KJ” Gillespie has informed West Virginia On SI that he has requested release from his National Letter of Intent to WVU and will begin his collegiate career elsewhere. WVU is expected to sign off on the move quickly, allowing him to reopen his recruitment.
Gillespie was previously committed to Virginia Tech, but decommitted shortly after the Hokies’ firing of Brent Pry and ultimately made a pledge about a week and a half later.
The Mooresville, North Carolina native also reeled in offers from the likes of Appalachian State, Boston College, Charlotte, Delaware, East Carolina, Elon, Gardner-Webb, Georgia Southern, Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Jacksonville State, James Madison, Kentucky, Liberty, Old Dominion, South Florida, Troy, Vanderbilt.
With Gillespie no longer in WVU’s plans, that leaves the Mountaineers’ defensive line group with the following players: Darius Wiley, Wilnerson Telemaque, Brandon Caesar, Jaylen Thomas, Nate Gabriel, K.J. Henson, Will LeBlanc, Cam Mallory, Yendor Mack, Corey McIntyre Jr., and Taylor Brown.
The transfer portal closes tomorrow for all teams except for Indiana and Miami, who will have a window of their own following the national title game. Schools can, however, host transfers on visits and sign them beyond January 16th. Even before this move took place, WVU’s coaching staff had its eye on some defensive line targets in the transfer portal. The expectation is that they will continue to add to that group, especially with Gillespie now out of the mix.
West Virginia’s updated 2026 early signing period class
QB: Jyron Hughley, Wyatt Brown, John Johnson III
RB: Amari Latimer, Lawrence Autry, Martavious Boswell, Chris Talley, SirPaul Cheeks
WR: Charlie Hanafin, Malachi Thompson, Robert Oliver, Keon Hutchins, Kedrick Triplett, Landon Drumm, Greg Wilfred
TE: Sam Hamilton, Kade Bush, Xavier Anderson
OL: Aidan Woods, Camden Goforth, Lamarcus Dillard, Rhett Morris, Kevin Brown, Deshawn Woods, Jonas Muya
DL: Carter Kessler, Cam Mallory, Yendor Mack, Jaylen Thomas
EDGE: Noah Tishendorf, Jeremiah Johnson
LB: Cameron Dwyer, Antoine Sharp Jr., Trey McGlothlin
CB: Makhi Boone, Simaj Hill, Vincent Smith, Rayshawn Reynolds, Da’Mun Allen
S: Jayden Ballard, Emory Snyder, Miles Khatri, S Da’Mare Williams, Rickey Giles, Matt Sieg
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. — It’s been 366 days since Patrick Morrisey was inaugurated as West Virginia governor and on Wednesday night he delivered his second State of the State address.
This comes ahead of the second regular session of the 87th West Virginia Legislature.
“Tonight, I can report that we are making real progress. The Mountain State comeback is underway,” Morrisey told the gathering in Charleston.
Morrisey pledged support to several initiatives he focused on during his first year, while laying out his new budget.
Morrisey had two significant asks for the legislature, including a 3% pay increase for all state employees.
“These state employees look they’re working hard,” he said. “They’re teaching our kids, they’re fixing our roads and bridges, they’re guarding our prisons and they’re policing our streets. They show up every day to serve others.
“They’ve all earned a pay raise, but we can’t stop there. To kick start economic growth and return more money back to the people I am asking the legislature to pass a 10% income tax cut.”
Morrisey also asked for an investment in two new programs, including $6 million in the Bring Them Home fund to return foster children back to the Mountain State and provide them care.
And in light of the June floods in Ohio and Marion counties, Morrisey wants to invest $10 million in a new pilot initiative – Sentry – to improve flood forecasting and preparedness.
Morrisey also told the joint legislature that economic development continues to be fueled by basic infrastructure investments.
“Thanks to you, we put $74 million into water and sewer, and we need to continue to that and keep getting that number higher,” the governor said.
“My administration placed a new emphasis on infrastructure maintenance, improving roads, bridges and yes fixing potholes. Apart from the current road fund, I’m going to ask the legislature to invest $100 million to supplement our road and bridge repair work. It’s sorely needed.”
Morrisey also pledged to improve education in the state through a Science of Reading program similar to the one that Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has implemented.
WHEELING, W.Va. — The West Virginia Medical Examiner’s Office in Charleston has confirmed the identity of the individual discovered in the Ohio River on Jan. 5 near the I-470 Bridge as 37-year-old George Zachary Lekanudos, of Wheeling.
Body found in Ohio River near I-470 bridge, cause of death unknown
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The Wheeling Police Department is continuing its investigation, and the cause and manner of death have not yet been determined.
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