West Virginia

Virginia Pearl Allen

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

Virginia Pearl Allen, age 73, of Sutton, WV, died Friday, January 30, 2026, at Monongalia General Hospital in Morgantown, WV.

She was born March 25, 1952, in Braxton County, WV, a daughter of the late Russell and Eva Wimer McCartney. On August 17, 1968, she married Claude Allen who preceded her in death. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by six children, Larry, Charlie, Lisa, Rodney, Johnny and Kevin Allen and one brother, Howard McCartney.

She is survived by one son, Claude Allen, Jr. of Sutton; three grandchildren, Kevin and Crissy Allen both of Cleveland, OH and Charles Allen of Clarksburg, WV; one great-grandchild; one brother, Lawrence McCartney and wife Sue of Braxton County; three sisters, Lois Pickens and husband Billy and Juanita Goodwin both of GA and Dorie Gregory and husband Dave of Rock Cave, WV and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Allen was a homemaker. She enjoyed listening to Bluegrass Music and when able she liked to crochet and whittle. She loved her grandkids.

Friends will be received Friday, February 6, 2026, from 12 Noon until 1 PM at the Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 1 PM at the funeral home. Burial will follow in the Little Kanawha Memorial Gardens in Heaters, WV.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the funeral home to help with funeral expenses. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Source link

West Virginia

Conceal Carry laws could be changing for young adults in West Virginia

Published

2 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Press Room

Conceal Carry laws could be changing for young adults in West Virginia

WEST VIRGINIA (WVNS) – Changes could be coming to who can carry a concealed weapon in West Virginia. The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced a bill allowing 18 year olds to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. This extends the age from the now 21-year-old age limit. Under Senate Bill 30, young adults would no […]

Source link

West Virginia

WV spends $62M sending foster kids out of state; Morrisey wants $6M to bring them home

Published

14 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Press Room

WV spends M sending foster kids out of state; Morrisey wants M to bring them home

West Virginia is spending more than $62 million putting hundreds of foster children in out-of-state facilities across the country. Gov. Patrick Morrisey has asked lawmakers for $6 million with the goal of bringing 380 children back to West Virginia. Now lawmakers are asking how much of a difference only $6 million will make in bringing the foster children back to West Virginia.

Source link

West Virginia

West Virginia bill proposes $1 cigarette tax to fund EMS

Published

1 day ago

February 3, 2026

Press Room

West Virginia bill proposes cigarette tax to fund EMS

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) – As West Virginia faces an unprecedented collapse of ambulance services, Senator Tom Takubo has introduced Senate Bill 639, which would create a $1 user fee on cigarettes dedicated entirely to supporting emergency medical services throughout the state.

The bill would impose a $1 user fee on each 20 cigarettes (or in like ratio on any partial package). All revenue generated from the fee would be directed to a special state fund created specifically to support emergency medical services operations.

The bill would amend the state’s Tobacco Products Excise Tax Act and add new sections to the West Virginia Code defining how the fee operates and where the revenue flows.

The fee is conditional on counties meeting certain requirements: they must have continuously provided emergency medical services on a county-wide basis in the past 12 months and maintain an operational emergency medical services levy.

The need for funding is urgent. At least 26 ambulance services have shut down in West Virginia in just the last two years.

The most recent closure was Hillsboro EMS in Pocahontas County, which shut down in May 2025. Hillsboro EMS cited funding problems and a lack of volunteers as reasons for the closure. The service could no longer afford volunteer training, equipment, and supplies — or meet state regulations.

All revenue collected from the $1 cigarette user fee would be deposited into a special Emergency Medical Service Agency Fund within the State Treasury. The funds can only be expended to support emergency medical services in counties that meet the eligibility requirements.

Any balance in the fund, including accrued interest, remains in the fund for continued EMS support.

Source link