Kanawha County deputies made two arrests over the weekend in investigations related to child trafficking and soliciting minors. Mark Alan Armstead of Dunbar and Jonathan Vazquez-Gonzales of Nitro were arrested. Both face felony charges that carry sentences of five to 30 years incarceration and up to $25,000 in fines.
Two more people have died from COVID-19. The latest deaths were an 83-year-old Kanawha County man, and a 74-year-old Logan County man, raising the state’s death toll to over 140. There are over 19-hundred active cases, and more than 120 people are hospitalized with the virus.
Governor Justice is calling for another round of COVID-19 testing at nursing homes, and could shut down visitation again. There are thirty outbreaks at West Virginia long-term care facilities. The governor says more testing needs to be at the state’s correctional facilities. Eight inmates at the South Central Regional Jail tested positive for COVID-19, and … Read more
President Trump’s plan for enhanced unemployment will cost West Virginia 26-million dollars week, and Governor Justice says the state will pay for it. The president’s plan calls for a reduced unemployment benefit of 400-dollars-per week. The federal government will cover 300-dollars-per-week, and the state is responsible for the remaining 100-dollars.
Two people in Wood County are facing charges for leading police on a pursuit and ramming two police cruisers. No one was hurt. Nineteen-year-old Hannah Byers, and 21-year-old Devan Sunderman are charged with fleeing.
Schools are set to open September 8th. Governor Justice says he will make a final decision no later than September 1st, he says the metrics for determining the status of schools will be unveiled soon.
Kanawha County Schools has almost 170 bus routes, and transportation officials are putting together a plan to combat COVID-19. Buses will be cleaned and disinfected after each run. There will be hand sanitizer on board, and kids will have to wear a mask. Kids will sit in assigned seats next to family members, or someone … Read more
Gov. Jim Justice said the state will follow President Donald Trump’s executive order to pay $400 a week in extended unemployment benefits to people during the pandemic, and the state has the money to handle it. The federal government will handle $300 of the weekly unemployment benefit and states will be required to pay $100. … Read more
West Virginia University Choral Director Kym Scott has created a maks that works for singers. WCHS TV reported Scott created “the performer’s mask” which sits a few inches away from the face, allowing for full range of motion and a snug fit on the nose and under the chin. The masks have been tested by … Read more
The New River Gorge National River is increasing access and services that were stopped in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The National Park Service is using guidance from federal authorities and state and local health officials as it monitors the pandemic and increases access. The park reopened access beginning Saturday to Grandview Sandbar Campground, Glade … Read more