Long Term Aftermath & Recovery

2016 flood victims get new bridge to get back and forth to their home

By: Jeff Jenkins | Posted: Jan. 19, 2018 at 4:30 p.m. | Source: WV MetroNews

PROCIOUS, W.Va. — One of the latest signs of recovery from the June 2016 flood that devastated parts of central and southeastern West Virginia can be seen in Clay County.

On Friday afternoon, a new bridge was dedicated in Procious to open up access for one family to their home. It was made possible through the efforts of the West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (West Virginia VOAD).

“We’ve now built eight since the 2016 flooding and here in two weeks we are going to start up the next phase of bridges when we’ve got 12 engineered and ready to go to be built in the next few months,” West Virginia VOAD Executive Director Jenny Gannaway said Friday. (more…)

January 19, 2018 in 2016 FLOOD, Local News, Long Term Aftermath & Recovery

Public Meeting Set to Discuss Future of Local Schools: Feb 7, 2018 6:30PM

A much anticipated public meeting has been scheduled by the Kanawha County Board of Education to discuss the status of Clendenin Elementary School and Herbert Hoover High School.

This public meeting will be held at the Clendenin Volunteer Fire Department on February 7, 2018 at 6:30pm, and there will be a question & answer session.

Many in the Clendenin and Elk River Valley areas have expressed ongoing concerns about the relocation and rebuilding of these schools. This will be a very important meeting and everyone is strongly encouraged to attend.

January 8, 2018 in 2016 FLOOD, Business News, Education News, Educators, Local News, Long Term Aftermath & Recovery, NEWS, Students

Clendenin Planning Commission Established, Facilitated by WVU Law

In the earlier months following the 2016 Flood, Kanawha County Commissioner, James Young, presented an economic development grant opportunity, through WVU, to the former Clendenin town administration. It was approved, applied for, and the grant was secured and passed on to the new administration when they took office.

A variety of local residents were selected and appointed to the new Clendenin Planning Commission. They include: Russel Underwood, Kevin Clendenin, Kay Summers, Mayor Shana Clendenin, Jeanie Ladd Bird, Dave Knight, and Susan Jack.

On Wednesday, October 25th, 2017 they held their first meeting, which was facilitated by the WVU Law Department. An election of officers was conducted, and Kevin Clendenin was named President, and Jeanie Bird, Vice President. Discussions of timelines, scope, bylaws, and other issues took place. <See Agenda and other documents>

The Clendenin Planning Commission Meetings are OPEN to the public. You do not have to live within town limits to attend and/or participate in these meetings. Everyone in Clendenin and the surrounding area is encouraged to attend.

The next meeting will be held Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at 6:30 PM at the Clendenin Rec Building located beside Town Hall. The third meeting has been scheduled for Monday, January 23, 2018 at the Clendenin Rec Building located beside Town Hall at 6:30pm.

January 4, 2018 in 2016 FLOOD, Business News, Local News, Long Term Aftermath & Recovery, NEWS, Uncategorized, Volunteers & Volunteer Organizations

Readiness on all fronts is focus for West Virginia National Guard at start of new year

By: MetroNews Staff | Posted: Jan. 2, 2018 at 12:05 am | Source: MetroNews

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Year 2018 will bring new deployments for members of both the West Virginia Army National Guard and Air National Guard after some of them spent the holidays overseas, according to West Virginia’s adjutant general.

“In the current world environment, we’ve always got to keep our focus on the highest levels of readiness,” said Major General James Hoyer.

Major General James Hoyer

In 2017, more than 100 Air Guard members from the 130th Airlift Wing deployed in support of contingency operations for Operation Freedom Sentinel, the U.S. mission in Afghanistan, and Operation Inherent Resolve, focused on ISIS in Syria and Iraq.

For hurricane relief in a devastating Atlantic season, 14 members of the West Virginia Army National Guard provided immediate infrastructure support after Hurricane Irma hit the U.S. Virgin Islands. (more…)

January 2, 2018 in 2016 FLOOD, Long Term Aftermath & Recovery

West Virginia National Guard highlights 2017 accomplishments

By: Capt. Holli Nelson | Posted: Dec. 28, 2017 | Source: Defense Video Imagery Distribution System

The West Virginia National Guard had numerous significant accomplishments in 2017 that included homeland and disaster response missions, deployments around the globe, innovative training and the forging of new partnerships at home and abroad.

“The men and women of the West Virginia National Guard proudly accepted the challenge of service as Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen, impacting the lives of West Virginians and furthering national defense objectives around the globe,” said Maj. Gen. James A. Hoyer, The Adjutant General of the West Virginia National Guard. “As an economic engine for the State of West Virginia that delivers a half billion dollars in economic impact to the mountain state, the West Virginia National Guard once again has proven its value to the people of West Virginia and our Nation and we will continue to do so into 2018 and beyond.” (more…)

December 28, 2017 in 2016 FLOOD, Long Term Aftermath & Recovery

WVNG, state schools partner for first of its kind Guard readiness, student education program

Photo Caption: West Virginia National Guard Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. James A. Hoyer, and partners from six colleges and universities within the state signed a memorandum of understanding Dec. 14, 2017 to develop a first-of-its-kind cooperative program between the WVNG’s Fitness Training Program and students in health science areas of study. Photo by WVANG Airman Caleb Vance.

By: Sgt. Zoe Morris, West Virginia National Guard | Photo By: Airman Caleb Vance | Posted: Dec. 15, 2017 | Source: Defense Video Imagery Distribution System

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia National Guard Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. James A. Hoyer, and partners from six colleges and universities within the state signed a memorandum of understanding Dec. 14, 2017 to develop a first-of-its-kind cooperative program between the WVNG’s Fitness Training Program and students in health science areas of study.

Through the MoU, students attending West Virginia State University, University of Charleston, Marshall University, West Virginia University, Shepherd University, and Davis and Elkins College will have the opportunity to earn on-the-job training hours by working with Guard units, members and their families participating in the WVNG’s Fitness Training Program, a program designed to provide a holistic approach to physical fitness and wellness. (more…)

December 15, 2017 in 2016 FLOOD, Long Term Aftermath & Recovery

Lease negotiations underway to bring back Clendenin Library Branch

By: WSAZ News Staff | Dec. 12, 2017 2:28 am | Source: WSAZ

CLENDENIN, W.Va. (WSAZ) — They’ve got the books and computers and now they’re one step closer to having the space.

Kanawha County Library Board Members voted Monday to enter into a lease agreement to open up a new Clendenin branch.

The agreement would give them space on the first floor of the former Clendenin Middle School. (more…)

December 12, 2017 in 2016 FLOOD, Local News, Long Term Aftermath & Recovery, NEWS

Library approves agreement for temporary Clendenin library

By: Alexander Thomas | Posted: Dec. 11, 2017 | Source: WCHS News Network

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Clendenin residents could have a temporary library following the approval of a lease agreement by the Kanawha County Public Library Board of Directors at its meeting Monday.

The Clendenin library was destroyed in the June 2016 flood. The closest options for residents to receive service were the Elk View branch as well as weekly stops by the county mobile library.

The agreement would include renting the first floor of the former Clendenin Middle School building on Koontz Avenue, a 3,300 square-foot space. The library board will pay $1,500 per month to 25405 A New Clendenin Inc., the not-for-profit owner of the building. (more…)

December 11, 2017 in 2016 FLOOD, Local News, Long Term Aftermath & Recovery

Library board moves toward establishing temporary Clendenin branch

Gazette-Mail file photo: The Clendenin branch of the Kanawha County Public Library was severely damaged when around 9 feet of water inundated the building in the June 2016 flood.

By: Carlee Lammers, Staff Writer | Posted: Dec. 11, 2017 | Source: WV Gazette-Mail

The Kanawha County Public Library Board of Directors is one step closer to establishing a temporary branch in Clendenin.

Board members voted unanimously Monday to proceed with lease negotiations to create a temporary branch on the first floor of the former middle school on Koontz Avenue in Clendenin.

Board member Anne Silbernagel said the board’s public services committee toured several potential locations before landing on the former middle school property.

(more…)

December 11, 2017 in 2016 FLOOD, Early Aftermath/Relief Efforts, Local News, Long Term Aftermath & Recovery, NEWS

WV National Guard, fire departments unite for swift water training

Photo by Craig Hudson | Gazette-Mail – Military personnel hoist up a trainee who was “rescued” from the water during a training exercise for the newly formed West Virginia Swift Water Rescue Team.

By Max Garland Staff writer for WV Gazette Mail | Posted: Dec. 2, 2017 | Source: WV Gazette Mail

When Kevin Clendenin first trained for swift water rescue operations more than two decades ago, he didn’t expect he’d be training one day with West Virginia National Guard members, let alone using their helicopters.

But circumstances changed quickly following the deadly June 2016 flood that devastated much of West Virginia.

“The floods in 2016, with many losing their lives, that’s what sparked this joint enterprise,” said Clendenin, now chief of the Clendenin Volunteer Fire Department.
(more…)

December 2, 2017 in 2016 FLOOD, Local News, Long Term Aftermath & Recovery, NEWS