CHARLESTON, W.Va. –It’s officially Christmas season in West Virginia, as Governor Jim Justice and First Lady Cathy Justice watched as the state Christmas Tree was lit during Wednesday evening’s “Joyful Night “celebration.
The event brought people from across the area out to the West Virginia Capitol Complex in Charleston to celebrate the season by listening to Christmas music performed by three different local choirs, ensembles, and bands before the tree was lit and fireworks were released.
Henry, who sang in the Barboursville Elementary School choir, says the festivities were fun, and the firework show took the cake.
“It was super fun, especially the fireworks. It was just amazing. The tree lighting was good,” he said. “It’s always fun to be here and I’m so happy that I get invited to do these things.”
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Henry also says that he knows just how special it is to be invited to sing on the Capitol steps during Christmas celebrations.
“It’s really cool because most people don’t get to do that stuff, and I’m just lucky that I get to do it,” Henry said. “It’s fun because me and my friends are here. We all get introduced as a school and it’s just fun to be here.”
Gov. Jim Justice
Justice says the last Christmas celebration as governor was touching, but he was not ready for the nearly five-minute firework show.
“I sure didn’t expect the fireworks. I don’t know where that one came from,” Justice said. “It was really touching to Cathy and I because we love the people, and we love the state.”
The official state tree that was lit Wednesday evening hails from Watoga State Park in Pocahontas County. The Norwood Spruce tree stands at 54 feet high and is now fully lit in front of the South Steps of the Capitol Complex, right next to Kanawha Boulevard.
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Along with the large choir from Barboursville Elementary School, the Nitro High School Showcats performed Christmas numbers, as well as the Woodrow Wilson High School marching band.
Jheyda Hopkins, a drum major in the Woodrow Wilson marching band, says
“It was really nice because, us as a band, we’ve never got to do this before, so this is like our first time ever doing something like this,” Hopkins said.
Kiley Casto, a member of the Nitro High School Showcats, says performing during Joyful Night was a unique and festive experience.
“Honestly, with show choir, we get a lot of amazing opportunities, but with this one, it felt a little bit more close to home,” Casto said. “It’s just something different about Christmas. I love how it was very festive, and I loved every moment of it. The tree, the fireworks, just being with all my friends here.”
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According to Casto, her group has been preparing Christmas pieces for months.
“We have been working on Christmas numbers since about June,” Casto said. “We have about a five-day-long show choir camp, and we just do nothing but work on Christmas.”
In addition to the young musical talents, Joyful Night featured a somber remembrance during the holiday season. The West Rotunda of the Capitol now features a multitude of Christmas trees honoring Gold Star Mothers, as well as members of the United States Air Force and local first responders.
Justice says that the Christmas holiday is important for two big reasons.
“It’s important first of all to realize the birthday that’s coming up in not very long of Jesus Christ,” Justice said. “It is so important for people to know that they’re not alone and that there’s people that love them.”
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Randall Reid-Smith
Cabinet Secretary for the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History Randall Reid-Smith, who had a large part in planning the event, says it’s a joyous occasion every year, and he views it as a statewide celebration of the holiday.
“This is a joy, and I don’t think about what’s the biggest. I always think that West Virginia itself is just one, large community,” Reid-Smith said. “The thing that is great about my job is I get to work all 55 counties, and I’ve met people from all over the state in the last 19 and a half years and this is a wonderful way to celebrate that. It’s all about joy, and tonight, everybody was happy.”
INSTITUTE, W.Va. — The Institute Fire Department has called a precautionary shelter-in-place for those living in close proximity to the Catalyst Refiners plant.
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According to Kanawha County Emergency Manager C.W. Sigman said there was an incident involving an acid-based material at around 9:30 .am. Wednesday.
According to Sigman, most of the material which was spilled was inside a building and it largely contained and the shelter-in-place is precautionary.
Emergency crews are on the scene treating multiple patents at the plant. The extent of injuries is not known.
A media briefing has been scheduled for 2 p.m.
CAMC/Vandalia confirmed they were preparing for patients as is WVU Medicine Thomas Hospital where they’ve activated their Incident Command Center.
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The plant is located between Institute and Nitro. The roadway is shut down on 1st Ave S in Institute from New Goff Mountain Rd to Kilowatt Rd.
The shelter-in-place is for a one-mile radius of the plant and includes the West Virginia State University campus.
The shelter-in-place put into effect for St. Albans was lifted at 10:30 a.m.
CHARLESTON, W.Va (WCHS) — The West Virginia PSC held a public comment hearing on Tuesday regarding West Virginia American Water taking over Lincoln Lincoln Public Service District.
Only one person spoke out sharing what they’d like to see done if West Virginia American Water acquires the Lincoln PSD.
“If the company wants to get to folks who really need water, they should be looking at areas where drilling well is nearly impossible, like mine, which is actually closer to the lines than some of the places they mention in their filing. My neighbors and I live closer to the main water lines than the proposed Sugar Tree Road extension or the one and a half miles out to the campground that they plan on serving,” a Lincoln PSD customer shared during the meeting.
Lincoln PSD issued a boil water advisory on January 26th, and it wasn’t lifted until March 31st, leaving some customers not able to use what was coming out of their faucets.
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Just last year, the Lincoln County Commission voted to move forward with the dissolution of the Lincoln PSD, but, in September, the district filed a petition to stop the sale to West Virginia American Water. Soon after in November, PSC staff submitted a request asking the applicants to give specific financial information.
West Virginia American Water issued the following statement at Tuesday’s meeting:
“West Virginia American Water has been working collaboratively with the Lincoln County Commission and the Lincoln County Public Service District Board regarding the possible acquisition of the Lincoln County Public Service District. The proposal would involve the purchase of the 2,532-customer system. We appreciate the opportunity for public input and look forward to continuing to work through the Public Service Commission’s review process.”
Lincoln PSD customers received a letter in the mail this week stating that the system violated drinking water monitoring requirements. The utility noted what was done to correct the situation and added that customers are not at risk.
Customers were also alerted Tuesday night of a boil water notice tonight due to a recent inspection concluding that the utility is not currently meeting the minimum disinfection requirements for surface water facilities.
One of the best quarterbacks in recent memory to come through West Virginia, Will Grier, is approaching his eighth year in the NFL, which is quite the accomplishment for a backup. According to multiple reports early Tuesday morning, Grier is headed home, signing a free agent deal with the Carolina Panthers.
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Grier was selected in the third round (100th overall) by the Panthers in 2019 and, at the time, was viewed as someone who could potentially be the future face of the franchise. That plan got messed up pretty early as Ron Rivera was fired during his rookie season, ultimately replaced by Matt Rhule. That offseason, the Panthers decided to cut ties with Cam Newton and bring in Teddy Bridgewater, giving Carolina a completely different direction at quarterback.
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Following his second season with the Panthers, Grier was let go and began bouncing around the league. He spent time with the Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, and then back to the Cowboys in 2024 and 2025.
Although he has only played in two regular season games in his career, Grier is widely viewed as a tremendous veteran quarterback who can bring depth to a room and serve as an extra voice for the starter to lean on. In this case, he and former Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett will fill that role for Bryce Young.
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Where Grier ranks among WVU QBs in the NFL
Nov 23, 2018; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Will Grier (7) celebrates during the second quarter against the Oklahoma Sooners at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images | Ben Queen-Imagn Images
Statistically, he’s not going to catch anyone unless he somehow gets thrown into a starting role at some point, but as far as longevity goes, he’s been able to stick around in the NFL longer than most former Mountaineer quarterbacks.
Geno Smith (still active) is entering his 14th year in the league, and Jeff Hostetler made it 13 years. Those are the only two WVU quarterbacks who played longer. Marc Bulger played eight years, so as long as he makes it through this season and plays in 2027, he’ll surpass him. The others? Charles Seabright (six years), Oliver Luck (four years), Pat White (one year), and Fred Wyant (one year).
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Grier will forever be remembered as one of the best to ever suit up for the Old Gold and Blue, tossing for 7,354 yards and 71 touchdowns in just two seasons in Dana Holgorsen’s offense. Following the 2018 season, he finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting, marking the highest finish for a Mountaineer since Steve Slaton in 2006.
