West Virginia

West Virginia soliciting bids for review of health agency

Published

2 years ago

April 22, 2022

West Virginia soliciting bids for review of health agency

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice mentioned Friday that the state is searching for bids on a consulting contract to undertake an intensive overview of the huge Division of Well being and Human Assets.

Justice mentioned the deadline to submit bids is Could 6.

In late March, Justice vetoed a invoice that may have cut up the DHHR into separate businesses, saying he first wished to look into its “points, bottlenecks, and inefficiencies.”

Some supporters of the invoice had mentioned the transfer was lengthy overdue for such a big company and will have helped higher tackle the state’s substance abuse disaster. West Virginia has the nation’s highest drug overdose demise fee.

There additionally have been failed makes an attempt within the latest legislative session to deal with the state’s foster care system, which falls beneath the DHHR. Greater than 6,500 youngsters are within the care of the state. Pay raises for social employees have been gutted after a invoice aimed toward bettering foster care companies unraveled on the Legislature’s ultimate day in March.

The DHHR at the moment has one cupboard secretary, Invoice Crouch, overseeing a $7.6 billion price range, or 39% of the state’s total spending. Eleven secretaries from different departments oversee the remaining 60% of state spending.

The DHHR cut up query goes again to a 2013 consulting agency report that recommended such a transfer would enable for a extra environment friendly use of company sources.

West Virginia has a $740 million price range surplus by the primary 9 months of the fiscal 12 months, one thing the two-term Republican governor has in thoughts as he goes ahead with much more consulting work on the DHHR for what he referred to as a top-to-bottom overview.

“Each respiration, dwelling individual is aware of that DHHR didn’t simply get this fashion on my watch or in the previous few years,” Justice mentioned at a information convention. “Actually and actually, DHHR has had issues for a protracted, lengthy, very long time. The good factor is we’re addressing them now.

“We lastly acquired the {dollars} coming in from a surplus standpoint to have the ability to do one thing. All we’ve been capable of do previously was lower, lower and lower extra and also you couldn’t do something. Now there could also be an actual risk to actually even assist extra.”

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West Virginia

West Virginia organizations receive generous donation to support community programs

Published

4 hours ago

June 28, 2024

Press Room

West Virginia organizations receive generous donation to support community programs

OHIO VALLEY (WTRF) — It was a generous donation that will benefit two local organizations in a big way.

On Friday, the Ohio Valley Jaycees Charitable Fund presented two checks totaling $10,000.

That money was split between the Appalachian Christmas Project and Ohio Valley Young Life.

The Young Life Organization serves teen parents and underprivileged and disabled children throughout the area.

The Appalachian Christmas Project offers hope and encouragement to area seniors, veterans, and the homeless. They distribute personal hygiene items to individuals, service agencies, and drug rehab centers.

We are so thankful for all of the generosity of the Jaycee’s fund. Young Life has been serving the Ohio Valley for over 50 years. We are using this for general programing, mentoring for teen parents and their children and disabled middle and high school students.”
Sean McCartney, Area Director, Young Life

We serve other areas as well. Anywhere from locally into Kentucky. But this is designated money for Ohio and Marshall County and I’m just thankful we have it because we serve so many in these two counties as well.”
Diane Reineke Stout, CEO Appalachian Christmas Project

Last year the Appalachian Christmas Project serves over 1,000 people in Ohio County and over 800 in Marshall County.

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West Virginia

Oglebay Welcomes Newest Almost Heaven Swing

Published

11 hours ago

June 28, 2024

Press Room

Oglebay Welcomes Newest Almost Heaven Swing

Visitors encouraged to complete summer bucket list for a chance to win a free fall getaway

WHEELING, W.Va. (WTRF) — The West Virginia Department of Tourism, in partnership with Oglebay and Wheeling Park Commission, has announced a new Almost Heaven swing located in the state’s northern panhandle.

This swing is perched upon the scenic mountains of Oglebay, just off the Susan Wheeler Walking Trail on the western side of the arboretum.

“We are proud to participate in this West Virginia Tourism-led initiative, generously supported by a gift from Cindy and Chris Freeman,” said Oglebay Marketing Director Wendy Hodorowski. “The swing is located to showcase one of the park’s most amazing views, which will undoubtedly become a social media moment that generates both statewide and national attention for Oglebay Park.”

There are now more than 20 Almost Heaven photo-op swings available throughout the state, making it easy for travelers to check off this adventure on the West Virginia Summer Bucket List.

Visitors are encouraged to share their photos on social media using #AlmostHeaven.

“Visiting the newest Almost Heaven swing location in Wheeling is the perfect way to start checking off your West Virginia Summer Bucket List,”said West Virginia Department of Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby. “Our summer bucket list will make your travel planning easier and offers an opportunity to win a free autumn getaway.”

Oglebay encompasses more than 2,000 acres of year-round activities including a golf course, pool, zoo, walking trails, Bissonnette Gardens, horseback riding, on-site restaurants and more.

To view the 2024 West Virginia Summer Bucket List and begin checking off your adventures, visit wvtourism.com/summer-bucket-list. For a complete list of swing locations, click here.

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West Virginia

14-year-old West Virginia boy bitten by shark in North Carolina

Published

19 hours ago

June 28, 2024

Press Room

14-year-old West Virginia boy bitten by shark in North Carolina

Why and how often do shark attacks happen?

Why do shark attacks happen and how common are they?

06:41

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A 14-year-old boy from West Virginia was bitten by a shark as he was swimming at a beach in North Carolina.

Blayne Brown of Cabell County, West Virginia, was bit on the leg and ankle by a shark at Topsail Beach Access No. 4 in Pender County, North Carolina, on Sunday, The Herald-Dispatch reported. The boy was reportedly swimming in waist-deep water at around noon with a friend when he was bitten. Brown was about 30 or 40 feet away from the shore, the newspaper reported.

The newspaper reported that beachgoers helped provide medical attention to the teen before first responders arrived and took him to Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune.

“I didn’t know what it was,” he told The Herald-Dispatch. “I just felt something that hurt a lot.”

He underwent surgery and a specialist was brought in because the injury was more extensive than doctors originally thought, the newspaper reported.

Brown returned home to West Virginia on Tuesday, though his mother said he may need another surgery.

The Associated Press reported that there were 69 unprovoked shark bites worldwide last year, and 10 of those were fatal, according to the International Shark Attack File. That was higher than the recent average of six deaths per year.

Michael Guise

Michael Guise is a web producer for CBS Pittsburgh who has worked for KDKA-TV since 2019.

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