Connect with us

West Virginia

WV House of Delegates passes vaccine requirement bill

Published

on

WV House of Delegates passes vaccine requirement bill


MORGANTOWN, W.Va (WDTV) – Earlier this week the West Virginia House of Delegates passed another bill. This time, it was House Bill 5105, which proposes to eliminate vaccine requirements in schools. Although the bill passed, the vote had a tight 57 to 41 margin. Delegate Joey Garcia (D) voted in opposition, saying the bill simply does not suit West Virginia.

“It’s going to hurt public health,” Garcia said. “It’s going to potentially hurt vulnerable populations in West Virginia, where we have an overall unhealthy population. It’s just not right for our people.”

Garcia further expressed why he thinks vaccine requirements in schools are important.

“We have some of the best school immunization laws in the country we’re number 1 or close to the top,” said Garcia. “It’s very important for the kids that are going there, so there’s not outbreaks and other people that may be vulnerable in their home. This protects whole communities along with the teachers and staff that work there.”

Advertisement

The decision in Charleston has also created discussion locally. Monongalia County Commissioner, Tom Bloom, says it should be a medical decision, not a political one.

“When you go to a doctor, you listen to their advice,” Bloom said. “You don’t go to a politician and ask for that advice. Please, let’s let the doctors do what they do best. They’re telling the school system it ensures the health of everyone.”

House Bill 5105 has been communicated to the Senate, and there has been no further consideration as of Thursday. WDTV attempted to reach out to the sponsoring delegates of HB 5105 but requests were unsuccessful.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

West Virginia

Critically wounded West Virginia National Guard member being moved to in-patient rehabilitation

Published

on

Critically wounded West Virginia National Guard member being moved to in-patient rehabilitation






Source link

Continue Reading

West Virginia

E-News | Downtown Dash planned Dec. 13

Published

on

E-News | Downtown Dash planned Dec. 13


Join the Main Street Morgantown family-friendly holiday shopping event from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 13) in Downtown Morgantown. 

The event will feature a district-wide scavenger hunt for a chance to win prizes and the opportunity to explore holiday pop-up markets by Hoot and Howl, The Co-Op and Apothecary Ale House.

While exploring downtown shops, participants who spot DASH the Dog can collect stamps. Each stamp brings participants closer to the chance of winning prizes from downtown merchants such as gift cards and goods. To qualify for prizes, completed Downtown Dash Guides with five or more stamps must be turned into Hoot and Howl, The Co-Op, Apothecary Ale House or at Breezeline’s play-to-win tent on Courthouse Square.

Advertisement

As a break from shopping, parents and their little ones can visit Kids Craft, Cookies & Cocoa Central at the WARD Building to enjoy a complimentary hot cocoa and cookie bar and children’s crafts provided by Hotel Morgan sponsored by Main Street Morgantown and Breezeline.

Visitors can also visit the beautiful 25-foot-tall holiday tree on display at Courthouse Square, a collaboration between the City of Morgantown, Monongalia County and Main Street Morgantown.   

Sponsored by Breezeline, the Downtown Dash celebrates the holiday season, promotes walking and shopping throughout the downtown district, and supports local businesses by driving foot traffic directly to storefronts.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

West Virginia

West Virginia First Foundation lauds Wheeling police for crisis intervention success

Published

on

West Virginia First Foundation lauds Wheeling police for crisis intervention success


The West Virginia First Foundation visited the Wheeling Police Department to commend its efforts in addressing the area’s mental health and opioid crisis.

Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger presented to the WVFF board, highlighting the department’s progress.

Schwertfeger attributed a 14% decrease in Group A crimes from 2024 to 2025 to the department’s crisis intervention program.

“Just another great partnership,” he said. “More collaboration in this area that we are very proud of and we want to keep the momentum going,.”

Advertisement

WVFF Executive Director Jonathan Board praised the program’s success.

“This in particular, the CIT program, that isn’t just in the ether, but is showing success – actual scientific success about de-escalation, about bringing together services providers and to boots on the ground and first responders, this is vitally important to not only this region but the entire state,” Board said.

The visit was part of WVFF’s ‘Hold the Line’ tour across the state.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending