West Virginia
West Virginia celebrates 50th anniversary of WIC program with event in Huntington
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Health (DH) is proud to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Since its inception in 1974, WIC has been a cornerstone of public health efforts, providing essential nutrition assistance to vulnerable mothers and young children across the state.
To mark this milestone, DH’s Office of Nutrition Services (ONS) invites the community to attend a celebration at Ritter Park in Huntington on Monday, July 29, 2024. Festivities will include program enrollment, family-friendly games and activities, informational booths, and a pop-up farmers’ market to honor WIC’s impact on West Virginia families.
“We are so honored to celebrate 50 years of helping West Virginia families,” said Heidi Staats, Director of the Office of Nutrition Services. “We hope that you will join us as we continue to build upon this program and lay the foundation for healthier futures.”
A press conference held during the event will feature comments by Dr. Matthew Christiansen, State Health Officer, and other guests as they highlight the instrumental role of the program and its effect on families.
“The WIC program exemplifies our commitment to supporting the health of families,” said Dr. Christiansen. “Over the past five decades, WIC has made a profound difference in the lives of over 1.8 million West Virginians by providing vital support during critical developmental stages.”
The celebration in Ritter Park will begin at 3:00 p.m. and is open to the public. Families and community partners are encouraged to join in honoring the program’s legacy in the state.
To learn more about WIC services or how to apply for benefits, call your local WIC clinic or 304-558-0030. More information is available online at https://dhhr.wv.gov/WIC.
GRAFTON, W.Va. — The 159th annual West Virginia Memorial Day Parade is set to take place in Grafton on May 25th. The parade will begin at 10 a.m.
This tradition that Grafton residents hold near and dear to their hearts has been recognized nationwide as the longest continuous running Memorial Day parade in the country.
“We tightened up our boot straps, and hopefully we will put on a very nice program and remember what the day is about this year,” Scott Willis, Parade Committee Chairman, said.
In 2016, the West Virginia Legislature designated Grafton’s parade as the Official Memorial Day Parade of West Virginia, a distinction earned through unwavering devotion, remembrance, and community pride.
“Grafton does it right, we really do,” Willis stated. “We hold true to what the day is about and understand the importance of Grafton, as it has the only national cemeteries in the state.”
As the parade continues to grow, Grafton hopes that more volunteers will continue to offer aid and assistance.
“We’re always looking for volunteers,” Willis said. “We’re a complete volunteer organization that puts this on every year.”
In addition to seeking volunteers, to further prepare for this event, Grafton will be hosting organizational meetings every Monday up until Memorial Day weekend at the City Council Chambers. The meetings will begin at 7 p.m. The meetings will aid in discussing volunteer work, logistics of the entire event, and consider some of the success in previous years.
“We feel we have a responsibility not only to the participants and the patrons of this, but our biggest responsibility is to those who lay beneath the white markers at both of our national cemeteries in Grafton because that’s what the day is about,” Willis added.
Those interested in learning more about the event or seeking to volunteer, may email parade@wvmemorialday.com or visit wvmemorialday.com.
HURRICANE, W.Va. (WCHS) — A house in Hurricane was deemed a complete loss after a fire on Sunday, the city’s mayor said.
The fire was reported on Tiara Court near Hurricane City Park, according to Hurricane Mayor Scott Edwards.
Edwards said despite the house being deemed a complete loss, no injuries were reported in the blaze.
The scene had responding units from the Hurricane Fire Department, Teays Valley Fire Department, Culloden Fire Department and the Milton Fire Department, as well as Putnam County Emergency Management and Putnam County EMS, according to Edwards.
No other information was immediately available.
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This story will be updated with more information as it becomes available.
Former St. John’s guard Joson Sanon has committed to West Virginia basketball, he announced on social media Sunday morning.
Sanon (6’5″, 200 pounds) played in 32 games and made 11 starts for the Red Storm last season. He averaged 7.2 points while playing 20.5 minutes per game, shooting 31.5% from the floor and 32.8% from three.
WVU will be Sanon’s third school in three years after he began his time in college at Arizona State. As a Sun Devil, Sanon played in 27 games with nine starts, averaging 11.9 points in 28.2 minutes per game.
Sanon was a consensus top-25 prospect coming out of Vermont Academy in Fall River, Mass.
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