West Virginia
Ex-West Virginia health manager scheduled for plea hearing in COVID-19 payment probe
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A former West Virginia state health office manager who was indicted on charges related to coronavirus pandemic relief payments is due to enter a plea later this month.
Timothy Priddy is set to appear in federal court on Jan. 22, a day before his trial had been scheduled to start. Federal prosecutors said he is expected to plead guilty. U.S. District Judge Thomas Johnston scheduled the hearing on Tuesday.
An indictment filed in October charged Priddy with making false statements about the payments to federal agents in August 2022 and in grand jury testimony the following month. On both occasions, Priddy knew his statements were false because he made no efforts to verify the invoices before approving them, according to the indictment.
Priddy held various manager positions with the state Bureau for Public Health’s Center for Threat Preparedness. He was promoted to deputy director in March 2021 and to director in January 2022, according to the indictment.
Prosecutors said the federal investigation was trying to determine whether one or more vendors providing COVID-19 tests and mitigation services to the state overbilled or otherwise received payment from federal funds disbursed through the state’s main health agency, the Department of Health and Human Resources. That agency was reorganized into three separate departments effective Jan. 1.
Prosecutors said the vendor reported the results of about 49,000 COVID-19 tests between October 2020 and March 2022 but submitted invoices reflecting the cost of about 518,000 test kits. Despite the discrepancy, Priddy certified at least 13 of the invoices totaling about $34 million, they said.
The indictment did not name the vendor but said the company was from out of state and provided test kits, laboratory analysis and community testing events throughout West Virginia.
The health agency had said previously that a contract with the company for diagnostic testing services ended in October 2022 and that the agency cooperated fully with federal investigators.
According to its contract, the vendor was required to provide nasal swab diagnostic testing for COVID-19 and upload test results immediately. The tests were for specific DHHR programs and initiatives, including residential youth facilities and hospice agencies, locations such as pharmacies where people go to get tested for COVID-19, and kits for emergency medical services workers who were required to be tested frequently.
Vendors contracted by the state were required to report the test results so that officials would have accurate information on the number of active COVID-19 infections and geographical areas experiencing outbreaks, the indictment said.
Nearly 8,900 people have died from COVID-19 in West Virginia since March 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
West Virginia
West Virginia Lottery results: See winning numbers for Powerball, Lotto America on Dec. 22, 2025
Are you looking to win big? The West Virginia Lottery offers a variety of games if you think it’s your lucky day.
Lottery players in West Virginia can choose from popular national games like the Powerball and Mega Millions, which are available in the vast majority of states. Other games include Lotto America, Daily 3, Daily 4 and Cash 25.
Big lottery wins around the U.S. include a lucky lottery ticketholder in California who won a $1.27 billion Mega Millions jackpot in December 2024. See more big winners here. And if you do end up cashing a jackpot, here’s what experts say to do first.
Here’s a look at Monday, Dec. 22, 2025 results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 22 drawing
03-18-36-41-54, Powerball: 07, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from Dec. 22 drawing
01-09-18-19-44, Star Ball: 02, ASB: 05
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Daily 3 numbers from Dec. 22 drawing
0-1-4
Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Daily 4 numbers from Dec. 22 drawing
2-9-0-4
Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 25 numbers from Dec. 22 drawing
05-06-13-16-18-20
Check Cash 25 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the West Virginia Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 11 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10:59 p.m. ET Tuesday and Friday.
- Lotto America: 10:15 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Daily 3, 4: 6:59 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday.
- Cash 25: 6:59 p.m. ET Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.
West Virginia
West Virginia State Parks expands original bourbon sales
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WBOY) — West Virginia State Parks is expanding its partnership with a popular distillery to sell its bourbon across the Mountain State.
The Lewisburg-based distillery Smooth Ambler has partnered with the state parks since 2023 to offer unique blends of its Old Scout Bourbon exclusively at restaurants and lounges located at Cacapon Resort, Canaan Valley Resort, Pipestem Resort, Blackwater Falls, Chief Logan, Hawks Nest, Stonewall Resort and Twin Falls Resort state parks.
On Monday, the state parks and Smooth Ambler have announced an expanded collection to be served at Audra, Blennerhassett Island, Cass Scenic Railroad, Coopers Rock, Babcock and Lost River state parks. The new line will also be available for purchase at select stores around West Virginia.
Andrew Robinson, Smooth Ambler’s blending and processing manager, is happy to see the partnership continue.
“We are pleased to honor our state parks with special labeling that showcases the natural beauty and spirit of West Virginia,” Robinson said. “We hope folks will enjoy our hand selected bourbon as much as they enjoy exploring the trails and nature in our state parks.”
The original line of drinks will still be available at their respective lodge restaurants.
West Virginia
WV Safe Schools Helpline proving impactful in 2025 – WV MetroNews
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A 24-hour, toll-free number is helping schools and counties all over the state.
The West Virginia Safe Schools Helpline is a number anyone can call any hour of the day to report violence, threats, harassment, or anything that negatively impacts students. Residents that call the number speak with an actual person every time, and do not have to provide confidential information.
Department of Education Safety Investigator James Agee presented data 2025 data about the helpline during the state board of education’s December meeting.
He says plenty of calls have been put in.
“They received 278 helpline reports that have went out so far this school year. That’s down from 439 this time last year,” Agee said.
“Among those reports are some things like student behavior issues that could include bullying or some other student concerns that could be on a bus or a school building. Occasionally, there are some alarming things about some suicidal ideations on the part of students, and also some more serious threats like maybe a gun threat,” he continued.
The helpline goes out to the affected county superintendents, a number of state department officials, and if serious enough, local authorities.
According to Agee, over two dozen calls have garnered serious attention.
“There’s about 30 immediate threats that have been there so far this school year. Before they put the report out, they get in direct contact with the county 911 center.”
Agee says the helpline also include issues with private schools.
“One notable threat last month was fellow students reported a middle school student that had talked about bringing a gun to his private school the next day. That went out, the county superintendent knew the director of that school, had contacted that director within five to 10 minutes,” Agee said. “They had developed a plan with the regional school safety officer, and within an hour, there was a law enforcement officer at the door talking with the students’ parents to address that threat.”
Agee says all the effort that goes into the helpline is worth it to provide an extra line of defense.
“In my view, this has been a great success and the money and expense and time that went into it proves that it’s working every day,” he said.
The West Virginia Safe Schools Helpline is 1-866-723-39-82.
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