BUCKHANNON, WV — Are you looking for a rewarding way to give back to your community? Consider becoming a volunteer with Literacy Volunteers of Upshur County, a dedicated organization with a mission to spread literacy throughout Upshur County by offering free and confidential one-on-one tutoring in reading, basic math, computer skills and other life skills.

According to Jennifer Higham, Director of LVUC, their focus is on teaching students to read. The organization also has an ESL tutor. Higham emphasized the importance of addressing literacy and math skills deficits in the area, noting that Upshur County has a 19% illiteracy rate.

Higham also highlighted the organization’s goal-oriented approach, which includes meeting various goals such as preparing students for the West Virginia driver’s test, helping them balance a checkbook and meeting any other needs they may have.

LVUC hosts various fundraising events throughout the year, including raffles, yard sales and book sales, to support its mission.

LVUC welcomes anyone interested in donating books throughout the year to do so Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at their location at 88 W. Main St., Buckhannon, WV 26201.

Higham expressed gratitude for the community’s continued support, noting that all proceeds from their book sales and other fundraisers benefit LVUC and their students. LVUC also participates in community events, such as Festival Fridays, where they host free children’s book giveaways throughout the summer.

Since 1985, LVUC has taught 500 people to learn how to read and helped them with other aspects of their lives.

“The pandemic has been torturous for most nonprofits, and we’re no exception,” Higham said. “We would love to see some new faces come out to our fundraisers or apply to be a tutor.”

If you’re interested in making a difference in Upshur County and helping others improve their literacy skills, consider becoming a Literacy Volunteer with LVUC. For more information about volunteering or donating, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LiteracyVolunteersOfUpshurCounty or contact them directly at (304) 472-2343.

Cincinnati got off to another hot start, and West Virginia committed three errors as Cincinnati took game three to win the series against the Mountaineers on Sunday at UC Baseball Stadium in Cincinnati.

Cincinnati (27-21, 13-11 Big 12) started out hot in the first inning, getting a score from Kerrington Cross off of an error, an RBI groundout from Luke Sefcik, an RBI single from Josh Hegemann then a score of his own to make the score 4-0 after one inning.

West Virginia (28-18, 15-9 Big 12) got on the board in the second inning when they loaded the bases then got an RBI fielder’s choice from Skylar King to make the score 4-1 after two innings. They would then cut into the deficit more when Reed Chumley hit a sac fly to score JJ Wetherholt to make the score 4-2 midway through the third inning.

In the bottom of the third, Cincinnati got a single and a walk then Alec Jones hit a three-run homer to extend the Cincinnati lead to 7-2 after three innings.

The next three innings were scoreless, and West Virginia at one point had 12 consecutive batters retired by Cincinnati’s pitching.

West Virginia got two runners on base in the top of the seventh inning but came away empty handed. Cincinnati extended the lead in the bottom of the seventh when Max Palmieri scored off of a passed ball to make it 8-2.

The Mountaineers only got JJ Wetherholt and Ben Lumsden on base over the final two innings as Cincinnati sealed the deal to take two of three from West Virginia in this series.

Nathan Taylor got the win for the Bearcats and moves to 7-1 on the season, while Aidan Major took the loss for the Mountaineers to fall to 4-4 on the season.

Josh Hegemann was the lone Cincinnati Bearcat to record more than one hit on the afternoon as Cincinnati as a team recorded seven hits. JJ Wetherholt was the lone Mountaineer to record more than one hit as West Virginia as a team recorded five hits.

Up next for the Mountaineers is a midweek game against Penn State on Wednesday at Kendrick Family Ballpark in Morgantown, West Virginia, with first pitch set for 7 p.m. on ESPN2.

DODDRIDGE COUNTY, W.Va. — Competitive Power Ventures, an electric power generating company, has been approved for a site certification on a multi-billion dollar project planned for Doddridge County.

The project has been in development for several years. CPV chose Doddridge County as the location of $3 billion Carbon Capture Project back in December 2022. Featured will be the CPV Shay Energy Center that will consist of an 1,800 MW combined-cycle natural gas power station with the capability to utilize carbon capture technology. The CPV Shay Energy Center will help supply power to nearly 2 million homes and businesses in West Virginia.

Matthew Litchfield, vice president of External and Regulatory Affairs at Competitive Power Ventures, said being granted the siting certificate from the West Virginia Public Service Commission is a significant milestone in their progress on the project.

“We do still have quite a bit of work to do but this is something we’re celebrating,” Litchfield said. “We’re very thankful to West Virginia and the Public Service Commission for the process and for the approval.”

Litchfield said the project will be designed to include carbon capture technology. He says up to 90% of carbon emissions could be captured at their plant.

“It has been historically challenging to do, however, over the last several years, we’ve seen a lot of momentum building to make this even more economically viable,” said Litchfield.

He noted federal tax credits put in place by the Inflation Reduction Act and support from the state for the project.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently rolled out new rules for power plants to include carbon capture and reduce carbon emissions drastically over the next couple of years. Litchfield said they welcome the carbon capture element and believe that aspect will work for them in their plans.

“This is something we’re excited about pursuing in Doddridge County,” he said.

Construction on the project isn’t expected for a few more years. The project is expected to create up to 2,000 jobs during peak construction and is projected to go into operation later this decade.