State health officials say it is only a matter of time before a more contagious strain of COVID-19 called “VOC” reaches West Virginia. Symptoms are not more severe, but it spreads from person-to-person more quickly. The COVID-19 vaccine is effective against the new variant of the virus.
Governor Justice wants to expand the orange zone on the state’s COVID-19 alert map. He says it would give schools more flexibility in returning to the classroom. Justice says in-person will resume in the orange. He’s also signing an executive order for 8th graders and below to return to in-person learning January 19th.
Today is opening day of the 85th West Virginia Legislature. The House and Senate will meet today to organize, elect leaders, and publish returns from the November General Election. Then the legislature will recess for a month for Governor Justice’s inauguration and to give the admiration time to set its agenda.
The West Virginia NAACP is calling for Attorney General Patrick Morrisey to be removed and disbarred. They say Morrissey intended to disenfranchise the black vote by joining a lawsuit aimed at overturning the presidential election.
State Police and Capitol Police are beefing up security around the West Virginia Capitol after an FBI advisory of potential armed protests at all fifty state capitol buildings. Governor Justice says he’s hoping West Virginians will use good judgement in response to calls for protests.
A firefighter and another person were hurt in a house fire on Faulkner Street in Jefferson. They are expected to be okay. Two other people made it out of the house safely. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Kanawha County Commissioners are opposing Appalachian Power’s request to create a surcharge. The power company wants to raise rates 3-and-a-half-percent-a-month to cover infrastructure investments. The Commission says its wrong for the company to ask for an increase when so many people are struggling to pay their utility bills.
Another store has joined the growing list of businesses with announced closings at Charleston Town Center. Victoria’s Secret/Pink will close Sunday, Jan. 17th. Cosmetics retailer Sephora is also closing, along with Talbots, Chico’s and White House/Black Market.
Marshall University is set to open the first commercial composting facility in West Virginia. The last piece of equipment was delivered to the university on Tuesday, and now the facility will be operated by Marshall’s Sustainability Department. Marshall said it will have the daily capacity to compost 8 tons of organic waste such as food … Read more
Across the county, some states are apparently wasting their COVID-19 vaccines. WCHS TV reported they are sitting unused in freezers, or being thrown out because they aren’t being used quickly enough. In West Virginia, Governor Jim Justice says that’s not the case and said every last vaccine is being used. West Virginia could very well … Read more