News Staff Gov. Jim Justice issued an executive order directing that unemployment benefits to those affected by the novel coronavirus be the maximum extent permitted under law. Justice directed the West Virginia Department of Commerce and WorkForce West Virginia to take the action on unemployment benefits. Under the governor’s order, individuals who are separated from employment, have … Read more
West Virginia state education officials said all children will continue to receive meals with schools closed statewide until at least March 27. The state Department of Education is providing updates on its website about how the state school system is responding to the coronavirus. School employees across the state will continue to receive salaries. State … Read more
West Virginia now has five confirmed cases of the coronavirus, according to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. One of the new cases is in Monongalia County, and the other two are in Tucker County. The previous two cases were reported in Mercer and Jefferson counties. The patients are isolated in their … Read more
The 79th annual Strawberry Festival in Buckhannon will have to wait until 2021. The festival will not happen this May. Organizers say the only time the festival has been canceled was during World War II.
West Virginia’s primary election is still on for May 12th. The state Attorney General and the Secretary of State’s office issued a legal opinion that fear of the coronavirus at a polling place is a legitimate medical reason to request an absentee ballot. Early voting takes place from April 29th through May 9th.
West Virginia University is moving to online classes for the rest of the spring semester. Online classes will begin on March 30th. Students are advised not to travel back to campus. Residence halls will be secured, and all campus buildings are closed to the public.
Unemployment is spiking. There were 12-hundred unemployment claims just on Tuesday, and 53-hundred claims in February.
Toyota is suspending production for two days at all its North American automobile plants. Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Putnam County will be closed March 23rd and 24th.
The West Virginia DMV is closing its regional offices. Driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations with expiration date in March or April will be extended for three months. The DMV headquarters in Charleston will remain open for online and mail-in transactions.
The closure list is getting longer. Governor Justice is closing gyms, health clubs, and rec centers for two weeks in an effort to reduce the spread of coronavirus. Earlier this week, restaurants, bars and casinos were shut down. Restaurants can still deliver takeout and delivery.