WV VOAD still helping more than 700 families recover from 2016 flood

By: Carrie Hodousek | Posted: Jan. 22, 2018 at 12:01 a.m. | Source: MetroNews

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — More than a year and half later, the West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster group is still helping hundreds of families recover from the June 2016 flood.

WV VOAD logo

“We’re still building houses, we’re still building bridges and repairing. I think we still have a way’s to go, but we’ve came a long way too,” said Jenny Gannaway, executive director of West Virginia VOAD.

So far, the organization has closed 1,300 cases. There are still 700 families that need assistance. (more…)

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…)

First Presbyterian of St. Albans pastor retiring after 15 years

Pastor Paul Romine of the First Presbyterian Church of St. Albans is retiring later this month after 15 years at the helm of the historic church on Kanawha Terrace. The church is planning a celebration of his tenure on Sunday, Jan. 28, at the church.

By: Ben Calwell, Metro Staff | Posted: Jan. 11, 2018 | Source: Kanawha Metro

Pastor Paul Romine’s eyes seemed to glisten slightly as he talked about missing the mountains.

They moistened a bit more when he talked about missing the people.

Romine, pastor at First Presbyterian Church of St. Albans, is retiring later this month after 15 years at the helm of the historic church at 201 Kanawha Terrace. (more…)

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.

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.

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…)

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…)

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…)

Holiday charities, Martha Elementary Service Learning Project

Posted: Dec. 13, 2017 | Source: Herald-Dispatch (Full Article)

MARTHA ELEMENTARY SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT: Students at Martha Elementary are raising money to help Bridge Clendenin Elementary recover from the 2016 floods. The students designed individual quilt blocks of West Virginia symbols, which were then quilted into seven quilts by local award-winning quilter Wilanna Wales. Students are selling chances to win the quilts, $5 for one chance; $10 for three chances; $20 for 10 chances; $50 for 30 chances; and $100 for 100 chances. To purchase chances, contact the school at 304-733-3027. The drawing will be Dec. 14; you do not need to be present to win.

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…)