CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Over the course of last year, West Virginia American Water managed to provide more than $845,000 supporting a host of organizations that dedicate their time in helping others.
American Water’s Charitable Foundation recently announced its end of year total in charity donations for 2023.
The company provided over $459,000 through grants, contributions and programming support to nearly 127 organizations across the Mountain State. In addition, the foundation gave $386,200 in grants and employee matching gifts that further helps communities West Virginia American Water serves.
In a statement, West Virginia American Water President Rob Burton said that supporting the community in more ways than providing them with clean water is an extension of what the company is about.
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“At West Virginia American Water, our work extends beyond providing safe, clean, and reliable water and wastewater services to our customers,” Burton stated. “We are also committed to supporting organizations that make our communities a better place to live and work for our customers and employees. That’s why we’re proud to collectively provide over $845,000 in funding to benefit the well-being and safety of our customers and communities.”
Some of the 2023 American Water Charitable Foundation grantees in West Virginia included:
Huntington Children’s Museum
. $164,520 to support The Huntington Children’s Museum and its new ADA accessible Sensory City exhibit
. $30,000 to The American Red Cross Central Appalachian Region in their efforts to help victims of flash flooding across Kanawha, Fayette and Clay counties
. $25,000 to fund Mission West Virginia’s Bridge Program, a mentorship initiative that focuses on at-risk youth, including those in foster care and homeless teens
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. $25,000 to First Lady Cathy Justice’s Communities in Schools Program supporting its Steps to Student Success Program
. And $19,820 to the West Virginia Manufacturers Association Educational Fund to enhance its Explore the New Manufacturing Program with an aim to bolster careers in the manufacturing industry
American Water employees also engaged in a philanthropy initiative of its very own after it raised over $37,000 for 73 state non-profit organizations through the American Water Charitable Foundation’s volunteer and matching gift program.
The West Virginia Mountaineers (10-3) welcome the Maryland Terrapins (10-5) to Kendrick Family Ballpark Tuesday afternoon the first encounter between the two programs since 2023 and the first meeting in Morgantown since 2018. The first pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. EST and the action will stream on ESPN+.
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The Mountaineers captured their fourth consecutive series of the season after taking two of the three games from Columbia over the weekend. West Virginia sophomore Matt Ineich and senior Brodie Kresser both blasted grand slams during the series. Ineich lifted WVU in game two with a walk-off grand slam in the 10th in game two, and Kresser ignited a 16-1 rout, capping a six-run second inning in the series finale.
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Gavin Kelly leads West Virginia at the plate with a .436 batting average with a Big 12 leading nine doubles. Ineich and senior Paul Schoenfeld has raked in a team-leading 16 RBI apiece, while senior Matthew Graveline has clubbed a team-high three home runs.
On the mound, West Virginia is expected to start sophomore David Hagen. The right-hander has made four appearances on the season, including one start. He last started in the home-opener against Ohio where he pitched two scoreless innings and recorded a strikeout to collect his first win of the season. He holds a 1.00 ERA with five strikeouts on the season.
After starting 3-4, Maryland is 7-1 in its last eight games. The Terrapins won two of three at UNC Wilmington in the season opening series, followed by a midweek win against Georgetown before getting swept at Louisiana. The Terps bounced back with a pair of midweek wins versus Delaware and swept a one-win Wagner team.
Junior Brayden Martin is batting a team-best .443 to go with four doubles and 12 RBI. Redshirt freshman Ryan Costello leads the Terps in home runs (9) and RBI (21) and is third in batting average at .328, while freshman Ty Kaunus has a team-high seven doubles and has .269 batting average.
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Maryland is scheduled to start freshman Nic Morlang. The right-hander has four appearances on the season, including four starts. He allowed five earned runs in his appearances, coinciding with his two starts, in six innings of work. In his last two appearances in relief, He’s allowed one earned run on five hits.
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West Virginia leads the all-time series 8-5, including a five-game winning streak over Maryland.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to a series of parties in Morgantown over the weekend.
Morgantown police officers, West Virginia University Police and state police responded to reports of overcrowded parties, underage drinking, physical altercations and multiple injuries.
Morgantown Communications Director Brad Riffie said several citations were issued for open containers and underage consumption.
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Two large parties were dispersed and six arrests were made without incident.
None of the reported injuries are believed to be serious or life-threatening.
The Morgantown Fire Department assisted in the operations.
Hancock County, WV — A Weir High School senior has been recognized as the 2026 West Virginia Student Journalist of the Year.
Hailey Hans was selected for the statewide honor after building a journalism portfolio since her freshman year. She also serves as the staff manager of Weir Student Media, where she oversees articles and is in charge of deadlines.
“When I was a freshman I was placed in the journalism one class, and I actually tried to get pulled from the class. But, then after I sat in the class and I learned a little bit, that’s where my love grew and then from there I continued to take classes, I helped pass a law, and I got to these national conventions. Where it just lit a fire inside me,” Hans said.
Hans is planning to attend West Liberty University in the fall to study education with a minor in journalism, with the goal of becoming a journalism teacher. She will now submit her portfolio for the national-level contest.
