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Lawmakers get behind $10 million request to fund programs for EMTs – WV MetroNews

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Lawmakers get behind  million request to fund programs for EMTs – WV MetroNews


CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia EMS Coalition are going to request $10 million in the anticipated May special legislative session for what they describe as needed programs.

The legislature’s Joint Committee on Volunteer Fire Departments and Emergency Medical Services talked about the funding last week at the state capitol.

Jody Ratliff

The funding would offer mental health and training resources, leadership and management classes, and opportunities to apply for a state grant for an EMT to earn an emergency medical service certification, supporters said.

State Office of Emergency Services Executive Director Jody Ratliff said he believes the request is right in line with what is needed in the state.

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“From an office standpoint, I have a job to do, but from a paramedic standpoint, in this state, I stand by their legislation,” Ratliff said. “I think what they’re presenting is perfect for what EMS needs across the state.”

Gov. Jim Justice recently approved $10 million to fund training for EMTs  and Ratliff said for the first time in a decade, they’ve had back-to-back years of increases in numbers. Ratliff didn’t reveal the numbers and acknowledged the gains are modest but it’s a move in the right direction.

“For the second year in a row since, I think, 2011, we’ve had another net positive gain in the state, and that’s just EMTs,” Ratliff said. “It’s a small number, I’m going to lie but I’ll tell you where I stand; that’s a small win for us.”

Gov. Jim Justice

The leadership and management classes are vital for agencies to continue operations. First responders have the critical skills to save lives, put out fires, and pull victims from car accidents but sometimes they lack the essential skills needed to properly maintain the books and pay bills, Ratliff said.

“If we teach the small agencies how to run their agencies and how to be profitable, at least break even; they are 501(c)(3) organizations—be profitable to that point,” Ratliff said. “If they float, the whole state floats. If they don’t load, we’ve seen it right now; nobody floats.”

Meanwhile, with a grant of $83,179, Ratliff told lawmakers they will hold the first ever Emergency Medical Services Symposium for Children. The event will be held at the Summit Bechtel Reserve from Sept. 29 through Oct. 2.

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“It’s the first multi-day pediatric symposium we’ve had in the state,” Ratliff said. “What I’m really excited about is that we have instructors from Shriner’s Children’s National Hospital, WVU Medicine, CAMC, Florida-based Pediatrics, and the University of Kentucky—they’ve all committed so far.”

Some of the training sessions planned involve head trauma, snake bites, respiratory, pediatric abuse, and special needs for children. All hands-on activities will be held on day two, and Ratliff said they will have access to all of the Boy Scout training facilities on the property. For the children, there will be training sessions about gun safety, CPR and stopping the bleeding.

“The trucks with the high-fidelity mannequins and the simulation trucks will be involved in that also,” Ratliff said. “Command will come down and set up a temporary medical command, so providers can call into the company just like they normally would and go through the scenarios.”



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West Virginia

'Remarkable theaters': West Virginia Historic Theatre Trail adds four new stops

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'Remarkable theaters': West Virginia Historic Theatre Trail adds four new stops


The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia have added four theaters to the West Virginia Historic Theatre Trail project. They are; Shepherdstown Opera House – Opened in 1910, the Opera House is located at 131 West German Street, Shepherdstown. It is a contributing structure to the Shepherdstown Historic District and, while originally designed as a vaudeville center, is currently used for cinema, live performances and lectures/talks.
Granada Theater – Opened in 1927, the Theater is located at 537 Commerce Street, Bluefield. It is contributing to the Bluefield Downtown Commercial District and while originally used as a vaudeville and movie theater, is currently used for cinema and live performances.
Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center – Opened in 1913, the Robinson Grand is located at 444 W. Pike Street, Clarksburg. It is contributing to the Clarksburg Downtown Historic District, and was designed and is still used for cinema, live performances and as an events venue.
Elk Theater – The Elk Theater was opened in 1940 and is located at 192 Main Street, Sutton. It is contributing to the Sutton Downtown Historic District. It was designed and is still used for Cinema and Live Performances.



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Oklahoma State basketball vs. West Virginia: Prediction, picks for Cowgirls-Mountaineers

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Oklahoma State basketball vs. West Virginia: Prediction, picks for Cowgirls-Mountaineers


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STILLWATER — One quick look at the top part of the Big 12 women’s basketball standings tells you how big this West Virginia at Oklahoma State game is.

The Cowgirls (13-2, 3-1 Big 12) are tied for third place in the league with WVU (13-2, 3-1), and while there’s a lot of basketball left to be played, this game could be important as the standings shake out in late February. 

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Here’s what you need to know about the matchup:

A duel of conflicting strengths

Though OSU’s offense has been struggling lately, it still remains the best in the Big 12, putting up 84.4 points per game. West Virginia, on the other hand, is the second-best defense in the league, giving up just 51.1 points per game.

The Cowgirls’ recent shooting struggles are the bigger concern. They’ve scored just 66 and 64 points in the last two games, most recently defeating Cincinnati 64-48.

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Can Anna Gret Asi heat up?

A key piece of Oklahoma State’s offensive attack is combo guard Anna Gret Asi, but the senior hasn’t been seeing shots fall lately.

Over the last two games, Asi is 1 for 16 from the floor and 0 for 12 from 3-point range. That has dropped her 3-point percentage from 42.9% to 37.1%.

Cowgirls must avoid turnovers

OSU’s guard-heavy lineup has been reliable in taking care of the ball this season, averaging just 14.2 turnovers per game.

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That will be critical in holding off WVU on Saturday. The Mountaineers rank fourth nationally and well ahead of everyone else in the Big 12 in turnovers forced, causing 25.9 per game.

How to watch OSU-West Virginia women

The Cowgirls and Mountaineers will be broadcast on ESPN+ at 2 p.m. Saturday. Streaming for the game can be found here. The OSU radio broadcast will be on KGFY 105.5 FM.

Score prediction for OSU-West Virginia women

West Virginia 64, OSU 63: A few key Cowgirls, like Asi, have been cold from the floor in recent games, and that trend is sure to turn in their favor soon. But West Virginia’s defense might be catching OSU at the ideal time to steal a road win.

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage. 

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Which NFL Franchise’s History Most Compares to West Virginia Football?

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Which NFL Franchise’s History Most Compares to West Virginia Football?


West Virginia is one of the most successful programs in college football history. As a matter of fact, they are the winningest team in college football without a national championship.

Is that a good thing? Well, yes and no.

It shows that the program has consistently won and is at a high enough level to be among the best programs in the country. However, it’s certainly not a label that Mountaineers fans are exactly proud of. The 1988 and 2007 seasons are still burned into the memory bank of WVU fans and getting back to the big dance in this day and age is a tall task.

The Mountaineers entered the 1988 Fiesta Bowl against Notre Dame with an unblemished record and clobbered many of their opponents on their path to the big game. Unfortunately, star dual-threat quarterback Major Harris injured his shoulder on the third play of the game and wasn’t the same player the rest of the game. The Mountaineers would fall to the Fighting Irish 34-21.

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In 2007, well you all Mountaineer fans know the story. But for those who don’t, West Virginia entered the final week of the season ranked second in the country and all they needed to do was beat a 3-8 Pitt team in the Backyard Brawl, at home, to secure a spot in the national championship.

The high-powered WVU offense went stagnant as star quarterback Pat White injured his non-throwing hand early in the game. White didn’t return until late in the fourth quarter and the Panthers were able to hang on to pull off the stunning upset, defeating the Mountaineers 13-9.

That was the last time WVU has been on the doorstep of a national title.

So, which team in the NFL has shared that same level of misery yet has been a consistently winning organization? That would be the Minnesota Vikings.

They have the best winning percentage of any team in the NFL who have yet to win a Super Bowl. Only the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, and Kansas City Chiefs have a better winning percentage, but they all have Lombardi Trophies.

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Now, technically, the Detroit Lions have the most wins of any NFL team without a Super Bowl win, but they have a winning percentage of .455, so it’s not exactly an accurate representation of the success West Virginia has had at the collegiate level.

MORE STORIES FROM WEST VIRGINIA ON SI

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Former Four-Star, Texas A&M TE Transfer Donovan Green is Visiting West Virginia

LSU DL Transfer Kimo Makane’ole Visits West Virginia

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