Local News

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Crews from the Morgantown Utility Board (MUB) will begin a $115,000 waterline replacement project on North High Street that will close a portion of the street for about four weeks May 6.

MUB Senior Engineer Cory Jones said the work is in response to a customary review of facilities prior to street work done by the city of Morgantown in the area this year.

“Based on some leaks we’ve had in the past and the age of the system, we want to upgrade our infrastructure there,” Jones said.

The work zone will consume both lanes of North High Street and will include the closure of the entrance to the Mountainlair parking garage. Jones said signage will be in place to help motorists get around the area during the closure.

“Replacing an existing 8-inch waterline between Prospect Street and Maiden Lane on North High Street,” Jones said. “Once we have that replaced, we’re going to do some spot repairs on our sanitary and storm sewer mains between Maiden and Fife Streets.”

Due to the close quarters in the work area, the decision was made to entirely close the road. Typically, this type of work can be completed in less time when the work area is closed to traffic, so if traffic were maintained through the project, it would likely take more than four weeks to complete.

“We are going to have to shut down the portion of North High Street between Prospect Street and Maiden Lane while we replace the waterline due to construction activities and the laydown/staging area,” Jones said. “That part will need to be closed for the duration of our replacement project.”

The current waterline lays under the curb, according to Jones, and the new line will move closer to the centerline and the existing storm and sanitary sewer lines.

“We’ll be moving it a little farther out into the road with our new line, and our existing sanitary and storm sewers are right in the middle of High Street, Jones said.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A subject wanted on an outstanding warrant for sex crimes has been arrested in Monongalia County and is being held in the North Central Regional Jail.

Police got a tip Jacob Hammer, 23, was in the area of a home on Community Drive and had an outstanding warrant from Wichita, Kansa for sexual exploitation of a child.

Police said hammer was taken into custody without incident.

MARION COUNTY, W.Va. — Marion County Schools have been named one of 16 districts in the state to earn the Purple Star Award given by the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) and Common Ground Partnership. The award recognizes districts and schools that dedicate support and services to military families.

Superintendent Donna Heston said this is the second time the district has won the award, and serving military families is an honor for each employee.

“It is the highest commitment that anyone can make to their country, and we’re thankful for their service,” Heston said. “We’re honored to be a Purple Star district, and certainly it is especially an honor to salute our students who make that commitment.”

The program started at Rivesville Elementary School with then assistant principal and member of the West Virginia National Guard, Chris Donato, who is now the principal at Pleasant Valley Elementary School.

On the most recent Military Signing Day, Donato, who is in training in Oklahoma, participated virtually with the Board of Education to recognize students in the district who have made the commitment to serve in the military.

“We got to see our principal through his leadership and service to our country and speak to his community, as well as being live streamed during the board of education meeting,” Heston said.

In the district, every school has a sponsor to connect with military families to offer support. Heston said that support also extends to employees of the district, like Donato, who took time during training to address wearing uniforms.

“We certainly support him as the principal and leader of one of our schools. We certainly support that commitment and the example he’s setting for our students and families,” Heston said. “That was just a very special moment.”

The dedicated program in Marion County Schools recognizes the unique needs of students with family members serving in the military, and Superintendent Heston calls the mission “vital” to the district.

“That is all that we can do to support them and recognize as a school system what their family is doing for our country and what we can do to keep them connected,” Heston said. “That’s vital for our school system.”

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — It’s donation time for the 2024 Gold and Blue Mine Sale planned for May 11. The “rummage sale” repurposes a variety of household items for new owners, and the proceeds benefit local non-profits.

The event is hosted by the WVU Office of Sustainability and the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties. Marissa Earle is the graduate assistant in charge, helping to organize the event.

“I’m the Graduate Assistant for the WVU Campaign for the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties, and the profits that we make go to this year’s campaign,” Earle said. “It’s one of the first events for the campaign.”

Earle said they are looking for purses, bags, luggage, shoes, clothing, home decor, kitchen items, exercise equipment, furniture, and anything else in reasonably good condition that the current owner would like to pass on. Collection runs through May 8, and a full list of drop-off locations and items needed is here.

“We’re collecting a little bit of everything, and we have already received a lot from college students moving out of their dorms and apartment complexes,” Earle said. “And we’ve also received items from families in the area.”

The goal of the sale is to raise about $1.2 million, which will support the missions of more than 20 non-profits serving a wide variety of needs in the two-county area.

“The organizations support anything from child care to food insecurity to veteran health and anything in the community, helping the public and serving those in need,” Earle said.

Earle said in addition to donating items for sale, they are also looking for people willing to donate their time on the day of the sale, May 11.

“We’re still looking for volunteers and will be up until the day of the sale,” Earle said. “If anyone would like to volunteer, just reach out to our United Way of Monongalia and Preston County offices at 304-296-7525.”

On May 11, early birds can participate before the crowd from 7 to 9 a.m. for a $5 fee. General admission is free and runs from 9 a.m. to noon, when the sale will close temporarily. The sale reopens from 4 to 6 p.m., with all stock discounted by 50 percent. Also included in the event is the $25 “fill-a-bag” sale.

BUCKHANNON, W.Va. — Detectives from the Upshur County Sheriff’s Department have made four drug-related arrests after serving a search warrant at a home on Randolph Street.

Detectives and members of the Mountain Region Drug and Violent Crime Task Force arrested Crystal Blankenship, 38; Eric Bellomy, 34; Joseph Lane, 34; and Jordan Sines, 27, for possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine as well as conspiracy to possess and deliver methamphetamine.

Officers recovered controlled substances, scales, paraphernalia, and packaging materials.

All four suspects are being held in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Through a team effort between the Morgantown Area Partnership (MAP) and the Preston County Economic Development Authority (PCEDA), the area is now included in the BUILD WV territory to incentivize the construction of affordable housing.

President and CEO of MAP, Russ Rogerson, said qualifying housing development projects within a 20-mile radius of Browns Mill, WV, can receive state sales and use tax exemptions for building materials and a 10-year property value adjustment refundable tax credit to defray building costs. The Browns Mill location was selected as the center point in order to maximize the area of land in each county.

Projects eligible for the BUILD WV Act must meet the following criteria:
Be in a certified BUILD WV Act District.
-Generate approved costs greater than $3 million, or include at least six units or houses.
– Create a significant positive economic impact on the state.
– Will directly or indirectly improve opportunities in the area where the project will be located for the successful establishment or expansion of other commercial businesses.
– Provide additional employment opportunities in the state.

“The developer now needs to get their project certified by the state, and that is an important step,” Rogerson said. “Once they do that, it becomes more of an administrative process to receive the sales tax credit.”

Passed in 2022, the program is managed by the West Virginia Department of Development, and applications must get the approval of James Bailey, Secretary of Commerce, Chelsea Ruby, Secretary of the Department of Tourism, and Mitch Carmichael, Secretary of the Department of Economic Development.

PCEDA Executive Director Roberta “Robbie” Baylor said local developers are prepared to take advantage of the program.

“For our district, we actually had a developer that came to us and asked to apply for this status because they wanted to take advantage of it,” Baylor said.

A tight monetary policy leading to rising interest rates and high inflation is forcing many developers to pump the brakes on new construction.

“Say, somebody is looking at the increased cost of development, and their numbers aren’t quite as attractive as they need to be; building material processes are up,” Rogerson said.

Baylor said the program incentivizes the construction of workforce-affordable homes for families, but not necessarily low-income homes.

“The hope is it will provide incentives to builders to develop, not low-income, but workforce affordable housing in both Preston and Monongalia Counties,” Baylor said.

Co-owner of Metro Properties David Biafora told WAJR News the program would be of value to some developers.

“On a $5 million project, if you can save at least the 6-percent sales tax to the state,” Biafora said. “That goes a long way against the rent.”

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Appointed Monongalia County Circuit Court Judge Paul Gwaltney continues to speak to voters as part of his re-election bid for the Division 1 seat on the 21st West Virginia Judicial Circuit.

Gwaltney, a long-time attorney who has served on the bench since he was appointed by Governor Jim Justice in 2023, will face two other candidates in the non-partisan race as part of the 2024 primary election on May 14. As he travels across the county to meet with voters to discuss his goals if he’s elected to his first full term, Gwaltney wants to be considered a candidate who approaches every case fairly and will support any way to help Mountain State residents get the justice they deserve.

“When I was seeking the appointment, I made it clear to the Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission to the Governor that I recognize that for those before me, the decision I make is probably one of the most important days in their lives,” said Gwaltney. “And I treat it as such,” he said.

One topic that Gwaltney and the other candidates running for the Division 1 seat on the 21st West Virginia Judicial Circuit have discussed is the establishment of a family treatment court. While there’s an expectation that some establishment of such a court will be approached on a state level, Gwaltney, if elected, hopes to increase local involvement in the court, which would offer different avenues for people with drug addiction-related charges to get treatment and avoid family conflicts. In Monongalia County, Gwaltney hopes that the close proximity of West Virginia University will be able to be explored.

“What I would like to do is leverage the university, we have many students in social work that need community service hours,” said Gwaltney on WAJR’s Talk of the Town. “They can’t, right away, be in visitation, but as people graduate and get closer to reunification, that’s something they could do,” he said.

In regards to handling cases on the bench, Gwaltney emphasizes that the amount of case preparation that he partakes in plays a major role in how justice is served, regardless of the issue. This includes hours of conversations with attorneys on each side, case workers depending on the person facing the bench, and a review of case law in the past that will allow him to make the best ruling as possible on an individual basis. This effort, which he feels can be confirmed by any person in the Monongalia County legal community who has had him preside over a case, is something voters can take from him heading into the ballot box.

“I meet with my probation officers before every sentencing, I spend time with them, discussing with them the individual that’s before me,” said Gwaltney about some of what he does ahead of sentencing.

Gwaltney will face Monongalia County Public Defender’s Corporation Chairman Michael Simms and attorney Natalie Sal in the 2024 primary election. The winner will also be on the seat for an eight year term, where they will preside over cases in Monongalia County that are not able to be handled by lower courts. With the election expected to have a significant impact on the county court system, Gwaltney encourages voters to remember his reputation during his time on the bench and his efforts to offer every individual a fair trial in his courtroom.

“I consider is that the right sentence for the defendant, but is it also the right punishment in the situation from the victim’s eyes, it’s finding that balance,” said Gwaltney. “It’s tough, but it takes the preparation, hopefully the people that have been before me can see that I put that in,” he said.

Early voting for the 2024 primary election is from May 1 until May 11. Election day is May 14.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Monongalia County voters will be asked to approve the Additional Fire Services Levy in the May primary election.
From 2025 through 2029, the levy would generate about $3.4 million for 12 Monongalia County volunteer fire departments: the Monongalia County Hazardous Incident Response Team, the Monongalia County Brush Fire Team, the Monongalia County Volunteer Fire Companies Association, and the City of Morgantown Fire Department.

On WAJR’s “Talk of the Town,” President of the Monongalia County Volunteer Firefighters Association Mickey Rinehart said volunteer firefighters here and across the state do a lot more than just put out fires.

“Some departments do first response for EMS to help assist them; we do car accidents, and a big thing departments do is road hazards—moving trees out of the road,” Rinehart said.

“With the cost of everything going up, more departments are applying for grants, and more departments are fighting for that raffle money as well,” Rinehart said. “Sometimes things get a little slim.”

The economy and inflation have forced many departments to fold in the last few years, and the dollars are essential for public safety. For example, the cost of the pants and suit worn by firefighters is about $3,000, and the essential breathing apparatus costs departments about $7,500.

“So, we’re looking at about $10,000, and that’s just to outfit the individual,” Rinehart said. “That’s not counting tools, hoses, or any equipment they need to use.”

Without levy proceeds, fire departments would have to scramble to meet the costs for insurance, utilities, facilities, updated equipment, and maintenance. Departments are still required to hold fund-raisers and raffles to fully fund their operations. The vast majority of equipment purchases are used equipment, and some are donations.

The Star City Volunteer Fire Department received the donation of a 1990 Pierce Lance fire engine, but the department still has to raise $15,000 to repair the engine.

“Some departments have purchased trucks; we have used them to buy a couple of apparatuses at the River Road Volunteer Fire Department,” Rinehart said. “Some have purchased turnout gear and breathing apparatus.”

For the first time, the city of Morgantown is included in the levy, according to Rinehart. The Morgantown Fire Department will receive about $20,000 per year to support their operations.

“It will also allow us to partner with the city of Morgantown; they’re going to get some money out of this,” Rinehart said.

Voters can cast an early ballot at the Mountaineer Mall, Mason Dixon Park, and the Suncrest Towne Centre from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through May 11.

CAMP DAWSON, W.Va. — Five high schools in the state gathered at Camp Dawson for the West Virginia National Guard’s Future Leaders Program (FLP) and held the North Schools competition at the Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy gymnasium. Retired U.S. Army Command Sargent Major and FLP Executive Director Deborah Patterson said teams from Brooke High School, Buckhannon-Upshur High School, Morgantown High School, University High School, and Tucker County High School participated in the event.

“There’s not one particular group of students that we want in our class—we want everybody,” Patterson said. “Because we believe providing equal opportunity to all students is what’s important in the state of West Virginia because we want all kids to feel like they have value, purpose, and impact.”

The voluntary program is for grades 9 through 12 and focuses on first aid, emergency preparedness, citizenship, leadership, physical fitness, drill and ceremony, and a healthy lifestyle.

“A lot of these kids don’t have structure at home,” FLP Instructor at University High School Warren Bosch said. “Wherever they might be in West Virginia, we have a big mix of kids here, so just providing some type of structure for them is awesome, and many of them respond to it very well.”

Lesson topics deal broadly with leadership, citizenship, life skills, and military science. The program emphasizes the importance of working as a team, having pride, developing self-confidence, and coping with challenges or failure.

“It’s a continual thing throughout the school year,” Patterson said. “Everything they face in the future, they’ll know because we also teach them resiliency skills that are built into our program, so when they fail now, they have coping mechanisms they need for the future.”

The courses are presented to the students by veterans who have been trained and employed by the West Virginia Military Authority (WVMA).

Bosch said the students benefit from the discipline lessons that are the backbone of the program. Over the course of the course of the four-year program, students learn and become accustomed to expectations.

“The biggest thing with high school kids is they don’t want to take orders; they want to be on their phones and listen to music in their earbuds,” Bosch said. “It’s a huge part of life, and we’re trying to teach them to be better people.”

During phases of the program, instructors bring civic and business leaders to address the classes. The sessions introduce students to the people behind the processes they learn about during the school year.

“We expose them to dignitaries, and we bring those people inside the schools so they can learn that type of thing,” Patterson said. “So, when they do participate in community events, they have better communication skills and a better presentation.”

FLP can be a one-year or multi-year program and is a lower-cost alternative to JROTC and the National Defense Corps of Cadets.