West Virginia
West Virginia Department of Health Facilities announces significant progress on staffing
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Health Facilities (DHF) is pleased to announce the hiring of more than 80 new employees at its state-run facilities, following the implementation of new recruitment and retention initiatives launched in January. These efforts have resulted in new state employee hires, converted 40 contracted staff to state employees, and decreased the vacancy rate by eight percent.
“This is a tremendous accomplishment,” said Michael J. Caruso, DHF Cabinet Secretary. “We are committed to providing excellent care for our patients, while also ensuring our staff are fairly compensated.”
The new system, a classification and compensation system created by the Office of Shared Administration’s Office of Human Resources Management, is designed to boost recruitment and retention initiatives and is based on recommendations from a market study conducted by Korn Ferry.
The initiative includes:
- New pay rates: This accounts for employee tenure.
- Flexible work schedules: This caters to employee preferences.
- Increased incentives for difficult shifts: This recognizes the additional challenges associated with certain shifts.
- Targeted funding for hard-to-fill positions: This addresses specific recruitment needs.
- Appointment incentives: This allows for the recruitment of critical need positions, such as those in the nursing field.
Since implementation, DHF has also reported success in converting 40 contract nurses to state employees, resulting in cost savings for taxpayers.
The new system ensures employees retain their existing benefits package, including health insurance, dental, vision, and life insurance. To learn more about employment opportunities within DHF, visit Career Opportunities (wv.gov)
West Virginia
CDC says 4 states likely linked in cyclosporiasis outbreak. See which ones
Here’s the latest on cycloporiasis in NYC: cases, symptoms
Both the state and city health department are investigating an increase of cyclosporiasis cases in the region. Here’s the latest.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and states are investigating a surge of cyclosporiasis cases across the country.
Cyclosporiasis, or the disease caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, has been confirmed in 1,645 cases as of July 13 and is under investigation in more than 5,100 additional cases, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
CDC officials said a cluster of cases in four states − Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky − are likely linked.
Data from state health departments suggests the total number of cases could be higher that what’s been publicly reported. In Michigan, officials are tracking more than 2,600 infections as of July 13, according to the state’s Health and Human Services department.
The parasitic infection can cause explosive diarrhea, cramping, nausea and other gastrointestinal symptoms. Officials are probing whether a food or produce item is the source of a surge in cases of cyclosporiasis.
CDC officials said symptoms can appear two days to two weeks after someone is infected with the parasite. The organization also issued a health alert to doctors, other medical providers and public health officials about the outbreak.
This story is developing and will be updated.
West Virginia
West Virginia Wildlife Center’s popular ‘Rendezvous’ celebration returns this month
Help Wanted
Upshur County Schools is hiring a part-time MedEd nursing instructor — a licensed RN or certified medical assistant — to lead high school students through hands-on training in clinical and hospital settings, in partnership with WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital. Read more →
This story brought to you paywall-free, courtesy of the My Buckhannon team and our community partners
FRENCH CREEK, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources announced the West Virginia Wildlife Center will host its 10th annual Rendezvous Celebration Friday, July 31, and Saturday, Aug. 1, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
The event will be held rain or shine and will feature an immersive living-history experience spanning precolonial times through the Civil War era.
“The Rendezvous is one of the Wildlife Center’s most anticipated annual events, and reaching our 10th year makes it even more special,” said Mark Biller, wildlife biologist at the West Virginia Wildlife Center. “This gathering brings West Virginia’s frontier history to life in a way that is both educational and engaging for visitors of all ages.”
Historical reenactors, dressed in authentic period clothing and demonstrating daily life from early American history, will establish a living-history encampment on the grounds of the Wildlife Center. Visitors will have the opportunity to observe traditional skills including blacksmithing, woodworking, beadwork, sewing, cooking and knife making. Additional demonstrations will highlight the role of a frontier scout, showcasing bush survival techniques, weapons history and gunsmith artifacts that reflect the challenges and ingenuity of early settlers.
Regular admission rates apply, and Wildlife Center passes are accepted. Admission is $4 for adults ages 16 and older, $2 for children ages 6 to 15 and free for children five and under. Both cash and credit cards will be accepted at the gate.
The West Virginia Wildlife Center is located 12 miles south of Buckhannon on Route 20 and approximately 29 miles north of Flatwoods. For more information about the event, visit WVdnr.gov or call the Wildlife Center at 304-924-6211.
West Virginia
Bridgeport named ‘Best Place to Live in West Virginia’ by popular website, Morgantown rounds out top 10
BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) – A new HomeSnacks ranking lists Bridgeport as the best place to live in West Virginia for 2026, with Morgantown also landing in the top 10.
HomeSnacks is a website that publishes list-style rankings and “best of” guides about cities and towns.
Bridgeport was ranked No. 1. The site lists Bridgeport’s median household income at $100,022, median home value at $297,307, and unemployment at 2.3%.
In its write-up, HomeSnacks also highlights Bridgeport’s history, saying the city was chartered in 1816 and has continued to grow, noting that it’s home to several aerospace companies, along with oil and gas companies.
The list also points to Bridgeport-area schools, saying Bridgeport High School, Bridgeport Middle School and Johnson Elementary have been recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools.
Morgantown ranked No. 10 on the HomeSnacks list.
HomeSnacks lists Morgantown’s population at 30,236, and describes it as one of the fastest-growing places in West Virginia. It also says Morgantown has the youngest population in the state, with a median age of 24, and calls it one of the best places in West Virginia for singles.
The Morgantown description also says the cost of living is 0.9 times lower than the national average, that the unemployment rate is the 16th lowest in the state, and that the median income is $44,727 per year.
HomeSnacks says it used data from sources including the U.S. Census, FBI and Zillow, and compared factors like safety, home prices and income.
Editor’s note: The video for this story will be added once it airs. Please check back for the updated video.
Copyright 2026 WDTV. All rights reserved.
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