West Virginia
West Virginia seeks Purple Hearts for two National Guard members
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WTAP) – Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced Friday that the state has requested that the Purple Heart be awarded to the two National Guard members shot in Washington, D.C.
The Governor requested the Purple Heart to be awarded posthumously to U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, who was killed in the incident, and be awarded to Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, who was critically injured.
“Their actions on that tragic day meet the highest and clearest standards for the Purple Heart, a decoration that recognizes those wounded or killed in action against an enemy or during a hostile or terrorist act,” Morrisey said. “I could not think of two servicemembers more deserving of this award.”
Gov. Morrisey also reviewed broader work by the West Virginia National Guard and the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance during 2025.
The National Guard carried out overseas missions, including deployments to the Middle East and Europe, and operations along the U.S. Southwest border. The Guard also responded to two major flooding events in the state. In February 2025, more than 350 service members were mobilized across 14 counties, conducting swift-water rescues, distributing nearly 340,000 bottles of water and clearing more than 17,000 tons of debris.
A separate response to flash flooding in Ohio and Marion counties in June 2025 involved nearly 200 Guard members who cleared an additional 12,000 tons of debris.
When the federal government shut down in October, the National Guard helped ensure families had access to meals. One hundred sixty-four service members distributed more than 1 million pounds of food to over 400 food pantries.
The governor highlighted work by the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance. Services officers secured $5.4 billion in federal benefits for West Virginia veterans in 2025, an increase of $500 million from 2024.
The department also advanced facility modernization projects. The Veterans Home in Barboursville received upgrades to the kitchen, infirmary and HVAC systems.
Major renovations are underway at the Veterans Nursing Facility in Clarksburg, including construction of a new kitchen and installation of a modern nurse call system.
“Taking care of the common, everyday issues can make a huge difference in our everyday lives, and that’s just what Veterans Assistance is doing with these upgrades. Our veterans are fantastic people who don’t ask for much, and it’s great to see this great work being done on their behalf,” Gov. Morrisey said.
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Copyright 2025 WTAP. All rights reserved.
West Virginia
West Virginia Racing Heritage Festival showcases state’s dirt track racing history at Pennsboro Speedway
PENNSBORO, W.Va (WDTV) – Racing enthusiasts around the state had the chance to see vintage race cars and motorcycles at the annual West Virginia Racing Heritage Festival Saturday.
The festival teaches attendants about West Virginia’s history in dirt track racing with both cars and motorcycles.
The festival was held at Pennsboro Speedway, which opened in 1887 and hosted some of the nation’s top racing talent on its tracks.
“We’ve got so many national champions here,” WV Racing Heritage Festival President Ashley Ness said. “This racetrack has seen all these national champions. We’ve had the best in the United States, including Australia and New Zealand, come here and race at Pennsboro Speedway. It’s time to get them all back again.”
Racing legends who come from the Mountain State attended the festival to speak about their experience on the tracks.
One panel included six women who competed in flat-track motorcycle racing at a time when it was mostly dominated by men.
“We have six of the lady flat-track racers that were pioneers in the 60s and 70s,” Ness said. “It’s so important to get this documented, and that’s what the Heritage Festival is all about, documenting the history of dirt track racing, whether it be motorcycles or race cars.”
Vintage cars and motorcycles also got back in action with a parade lap on the tracks of Pennsboro Speedway.
The festival began in 2015 and will continue next year on June 5.
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.
West Virginia
YSS offers West Virginia’s first transitional living recovery programs for young adults
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WHEELING, W.Va. — Wheeling is home to West Virginia’s first recovery program designed specifically for young adults, offering a new track aimed at people ages 18 to 24 who are working to overcome substance use disorders.
Youth Services System announced it will offer the recovery track at the McCrary Center in Wheeling for young adults dealing with opioid or stimulant use disorders. The program is designed to provide recovery-focused housing and support services, giving participants a safe, structured environment as they work toward long-term recovery and stability.
“Our transitional living program has been licensed by the Department of Human Services, as well as the Office of Health Facility Licensure. We also achieved the West Virginia Alliance of Recovery Residence certification so there will be a lot of oversight in this program. And we look forward to our continued work with them,” YSS CEO Jill Eddy said.
Youth Services System received a one-time grant through the West Virginia Bureau of Behavioral Health to help expand services and launch the new track in Wheeling.
“Research shows that the longer a person is provided a safe space while in recovery, the chances of their success in recovery and remaining sober is definitely increased,” Eddy said.
Services will include substance-free and MAT-friendly housing, peer recovery support, therapy, recovery planning, and overdose prevention education. The program also supports individuals with co-occurring mental health conditions and prioritizes high-risk and underserved populations.
More information about Youth Services System is available here.
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