West Virginia
Morgantown on course to ban homeless encampments – WV MetroNews
Morgantown is about to become the next West Virginia city to adopt a broad camping ban in an attempt to clean up homeless encampments. The city council advanced the ordinance through first reading last week on a narrow 4-3 vote.
The vote came after a contentious debate over several hours. Supporters believe the prohibition is necessary to protect public spaces, as well as the interests of businesses and citizens. Opponents argue the ban is cruel and ignores the deeper issues impacting homelessness.
Erin Shelton, board chair of Project Rainbow which provides housing services for the LGBTQ+ community, was among those who spoke at the council meeting against the ordinance. “I’m asking you now not to be the people who add more barriers and make access to housing even harder,” Shelton said. “And when you do it anyway, know it’s an act of cruelty and not an act of compassion.”
The community is not short on compassion. The city and county provide a range of services for the unhoused, for individuals with substance abuse issues and for anyone looking for a meal or health care. Advocates for the homeless argue there must be more services, but how much is enough?
City council hears continually from citizens and downtown business owners frustrated with issues associated with homelessness—open drug use, petty crime, litter and unsanitary conditions. The four council members who voted for the ordinance are not ignoring the problems of the homeless, but they are responding to the legitimate complaints of their constituents.
Earlier this summer, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 overturning a Ninth Circuit decision and affirmed an ordinance in Grants Pass, Oregon that prevents sleeping in public spaces. The majority found that such ordinances do not violate the 8th Amendment prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.
Since then, communities across the country and even some states have passed public camping bans. Even California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order following the court’s decision authorizing state agencies to clear homeless encampments on state property. Newsom himself even pitched in to help clear an encampment in Los Angeles County.
Neither Morgantown nor any of these communities prohibiting camping on public property are criminalizing homelessness as advocates often like to argue. Most of these communities are still searching for remedies to the homeless issue, but they do not feel compelled to allow the homeless to take over public spaces or private property with encampments.
Allowing these encampments does nothing to address the issues associated with homelessness. It only generates resentment in those communities.
West Virginia
Iconic country music band Alabama takes stage for West Virginia’s America 250 celebration
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — Thousands descended upon the West Virginia Capitol on Friday night to hear one of the most iconic country music bands of all time.
Alabama took to the Boulevard Stage shortly before 8 p.m. and gave fans a show lasting approximately 90 minutes, despite the grueling heat that has been factor throughout America250 celebrations and the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta.
Performing songs such as “Song of the South,” “Can’t Keep a Good Man Down” and the classic “Dixieland Delight,” the two-time Grammy Award-winning band even gave West Virginians a treat by playing John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” which the band said was at the request of Gov. Patrick Morrisey.
The band opened up a weekend full of performances at the Capitol. The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra will take the stage on Saturday, while the Marshall Tucker Band will perform on Sunday.
The performances are just a piece of what is going on at the Capitol, as vendors and family-friendly activities are offered all weekend. In the evenings, fireworks, light shows and drone shows will light up the night in celebration of America’s 250th.
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Additionally, a 230-foot Ferris wheel is free for visitors to ride throughout the weekend.
BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) – Independence Day weekend is here, and communities across North Central West Virginia are celebrating with parades, festivals, and fireworks.
The events we’ve been made aware of are listed below for Friday and Saturday. If you know of an event that’s not listed, feel free to email us at news@wdtv.com.
Friday — July 3
- Elkins’ Red, White & Summer Nights First Friday — Elkins — 4-9 p.m.
- Fireworks on the Hill (sponsored by WDTV and the Bridgeport CVB) — Bridgeport — 9:45 p.m.
- Terra Alta Volunteer Fire Department — Terra Alta — 100th annual fireworks celebration at 10 p.m.
- Burnsville Freedom Festival —Burnsville — parade starts at 6 p.m.
Saturday — July 4
- Mountaineer Days — Thomas — Noon to dark (fireworks included)
- 100th Old Fashion Day in the Park — Terra Alta — 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Morgantown Municipal Band performance — Morgantown — 11 a.m., Parade 4 p.m. and fireworks at Hazel Ruby McQuain Park after dark
- Elkins Fourth of July Parade — Elkins — 5 p.m. with fireworks at 9 p.m.
- Stonewall Resort — Roanoke — Fireworks at dark
- Barbour County Fairgrounds — Philippi — fireworks at dark
- Downtown Weston Street Fair — Weston — fair begins at 5 p.m. and fireworks at 10:15 p.m.
- Downtown Thomas — Thomas — festival begins at 8 a.m. and fireworks at dark
- Jawbone Park — Buckhannon — celebration at 5 p.m. and fireworks at dark
- Palatine Park — Fairmont — fireworks at 10 p.m.
- Monongah Town Hall — Monongah — fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
- Sagebrush Round-Up — Fairmont — country music and fireworks from 4-10 p.m.
- Fairview Volunteer Fire Department — Fairview — parade starts at 10 a.m., and fireworks start at 10 p.m.
- Burnsville Freedom Festival — Burnsville — event runs from 3-9 p.m. with fireworks at 10 p.m.
Editor’s note: The video for this story will be added once it airs. Please check back for the updated video.
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