NEWS

Middle school students mix it up at Chemist Challenge

DuPont Middle School students and their sponsor who took part in the “You Be the Chemist Challenge” April 13 at West Virginia State University included, from left to right, (front row) Max Hall, Jenny McBrayer, Olivia Minor, Dashaya Booker, Halley Burke, Joseph Cook, Bryant Welch, (back row) Hayden Henderson, Kaleb Rameriz, Charles Melvin, Zoe Spencer-Clark and DPMS teacher/sponsor Kristy Peters. CLINT THOMAS | Metro

Posted: April 13, 2018 | Source: WV Gazette-Mail – Metro Kanawha

West Virginia State University hosted the annual Dow Chemical “You Be the Chemist Challenge” on April 13, in the James C. Wilson University Union on the Institute campus.

More than 60 competitors from 11 area middle schools competed in the challenge, an interactive academic contest that encourages students in grades five through eight to explore chemistry concepts and their real-world applications.

Competitors came from the following middle schools: Andrew Jackson, Calvary Baptist Academy, Charleston Catholic, Clay County, DuPont, East Bank, Hurricane, McKinley, Sissonville, Stonewall Jackson and Winfield.

The youths competed against one another through numerous rounds of multiple-choice questions that tested their knowledge of chemistry concepts, important discoveries and chemical safety awareness.

The Hurricane Middle School team of Gianna Muto (first place), Olivia Akins (second place) and Laynee Caldwell (third place) swept the event.

Sponsored locally and nationally by Dow Chemical, the challenge is an academic competition created by the Chemical Educational Foundation.

April 13, 2018 in Academic Achievements, Education News, Local News, NEWS, Students

Town of Clendenin Encourages Public to Attend Comprehensive Plan Meeting

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Town of Clendenin (304) 548-4192

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Town of Clendenin Encourages Public to Attend Comprehensive Plan Meeting

What are the biggest issues facing the Town of Clendenin? The Clendenin Planning Commission is hosting a community meeting to gather citizen input on creating the Town’s comprehensive plan.  All residents, business owners, and other interested persons are invited and encouraged to attend the meeting, which is being held on Thursday, April 26, 2018 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Town Hall at 103 First Street.

The meeting will be in an open house format to accommodate citizens’ schedules.  Interested persons can stop by anytime from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM to offer ideas, voice concerns, and help formulate a vision for the future of Clendenin.

Why is the town engaged in a planning process? When communities do not plan, they fail to take advantage of their opportunities.  The Town of Clendenin has many strengths and advantages, but the town has challenges as well.  The plan will recommend specific projects to address the issues and concerns that are voiced throughout the planning process.

The plan is being facilitated by the Planning Commission. For more information, please call the Town of Clendenin at (304) 548-4192.

###

Promotional Flyers To Distribute – JPG | PDF
Community Meeting Agenda – PDF

April 13, 2018 in COMMUNITY, Community News, Local News, NEWS

Herbert Hoover sweeps softball doubleheader from upstart Nitro

Herbert Hoover’s Jessica Canterbury lays down a sacrifice bunt against Nitro. F. Brian Ferguson | Gazette-Mail

By: Ryan Pritt, Staff Writer | Posted: April 12, 2018 | Source: WV Gazette-Mail

Over the course of three games in two days against both Class AA state title game combatants from a year ago, Nitro coach Greg Garber learned a lot about just how far his team had come.

(more…)

April 12, 2018 in Herbert Hoover High School Athletics, Local News, Sports News

At least three brush fires burning in Kanawha; red flag warning issued

A brush fire in Clendenin can be seen from I-79 (WCHS-WVAH)

By: Jarrod Clay | Posted: April 12, 2018 | Source: WVAH

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS/WVAH) — On the day the National Weather Service issued a red flag warning in several West Virginia counties due to dry and windy conditions, Metro 911 said there are at least three working brush fires in Kanawha County.

Dispatchers said the largest fire currently burning is in Tornado near Hudson Valley Drive where about 68 acres are burning.

A two-acre fire also broke out in the Sissonville area, but firefighters have that fire about 80 percent contained.

A third brush fire is burning just off of Interstate 79 south in Clendenin. Dispatchers do not know how big that fire is at this time.

With winds expected at 15 to 25 mph and gusting up to 40 mph, the warning is in effect until 8 p.m. Thursday, the weather service said.

The weather service said outdoor burning is not recommended because any fires that develop will likely spread quickly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

The warning about the danger of outdoor burning comes at a time when limits are already in place for forest fire season, which started March 1 and runs through May 31. No burning is currently allowed between 7 a.m. through 5 p.m., and all fires are to be extinguished by 7 a.m., according to information from Kanawha County Emergency Management. A 10-foot safety strip should be placed around outdoor fires, and it is against the law to leave a fire unattended.

To see a full list of counties under the red flag warning, click here.

For the latest Eyewitness News Storm Team forecast, click here.

April 12, 2018 in Local News, NEWS, Weather

Windy, dry conditions lead to warning about danger of outdoor burning

By: Jeff Morris | Posted: April 12, 2018 | Source: WVAH

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS/WVAH) — The National Weather Service in Charleston issued a red flag warning in multiple West Virginia counties, including Kanawha, Putnam and Cabell, about the danger of fire spreading due to the dry and windy conditions.

With winds expected at 15 to 25 mph and gusting up to 40 mph, the warning is in effect until 8 p.m. Thursday, the weather service said.

Counties in West Virginia under the warning include Kanawha, Putnam, Cabell, Mason, Jackson, Wood, Pleasants, Tyler, Lincoln, Roane, Wirt, Calhoun, Ritchie, Doddridge, Mingo, Logan, Boone, Clay, Braxton, Gilmer, Lewis, Harrison, Taylor, McDowell, Wyoming, Upshur, Barbour, northwest Raleigh, southeast Raleigh, northwest Fayette, southeast Fayette, northwest Nicholas, southeast Nicholas, northwest Webster, southeast Webster, northwest Pocahontas, southeast Pocahontas, northwest Randolph and southeast Randolph.

Kentucky counties under the warning include Greenup, Carter, Boyd and Lawrence.

The weather service said outdoor burning is not recommended because any fires that develop will likely spread quickly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

The warning about the danger of outdoor burning comes at a time when limits are already in place for forest fire season, which started March 1 and runs through May 31. No burning is currently allowed between 7 a.m. through 5 p.m., and all fires are to be extinguished by 7 a.m., according to information from Kanawha County Emergency Management. A 10-foot safety strip should be placed around outdoor fires, and it is against the law to leave a fire unattended.

For the latest Eyewitness News Storm Team forecast, click here.

April 12, 2018 in Local News, NEWS, Weather

WV debuts childhood cancer license plate

Bailey Deel had chemotherapy scheduled and couldn’t be at Wednesday’s ceremony marking the creation of a “Cure Childhood Cancer” license plate, but 9-year-old Bryce Cater (right), of Poca, held up a photo of his friend for everyone to see. Several survivors of childhood cancer, including Bryce, gathered inside the state Capitol to commemorate the new plate. F. BRIAN FERGUSON | Gazette-Mail

Posted: April 11, 2018 | Source: WV Gazette-Mail

The latest specialized license plate in West Virginia recognizes the state’s children who have fought cancer.

The plate bears the words “Cure Childhood Cancer” and the logo of West Virginia Kids Cancer Crusaders, the nonprofit group that applied for the special plate. The Legislature passed the bill and Gov. Jim Justice signed it at the end of last month. A ceremonial bill-signing for that measure and several others was held Wednesday at the state Capitol.

“Childhood cancer cuts too many lives short for children. The awareness allows us to educate the public about the huge impact childhood cancer plays in our state, as well as the fact that the National Cancer Institute only designates 4 percent of its budget to pediatric cancer,” Kelly Wymer, the group’s co-founder, said in a news release.

Like all special license plates, the Division of Motor Vehicles won’t start producing the plates until 250 drivers have applied for it. Advocates have six months to get that many people to apply with the DMV.

April 12, 2018 in Life & Style, Local News, NEWS

Herbert Hoover marching band performs in Disney’s Performing Arts Parade

The Herbert Hoover High School Marching Huskies take to the streets on the magic kingdom during Disney’s Performing Arts Parade. (Photo: Hoover High)

By: Jessi Starkey | Posted: April 12, 2018 | Source: WVAH

ELKVIEW, W.Va. (WCHS/WVAH) — For the Herbert Hoover High School Marching Huskies, the road to Disney World has not been magical.

This June will mark two years since the band members lost everything in the 2016 flood. Senior Shelby Bowles said she will never forget the feeling of that summer afternoon.

“I just thought it was going to be a normal marching band year,” Bowles said. “All of a sudden we had no instruments, no uniforms and we had nowhere to practice. We didn’t even know if we were going to be able to stay together as a school. We didn’t think we would be able to have a band on the field that year.”

The days that followed were filled with hard work and perseverance. The students started practicing in church parking lots, open fields and the outside hallways of their portable classrooms. If there was a space large enough, they were determined to march.

“We had to find a way,” Band Director Maleah Fisher said. “They are good kids. They have a good work ethic. We just had to be resourceful.”

After submitting an audition tape, the marching huskies were hand selected to march in the Disney Performing Arts Parade. Fisher said at the time of the submission the band still didn’t have uniforms. Fisher submitted a photo of what the uniforms would look like, and reassured the parade staff they would be ready to march.

“When we found out we had been selected the celebration just spread,” Fisher said. “We announced it at the football game and everyone in the stand just got so excited. We knew at that time, it was game on. We formed a fundraising committee just for this trip.”

The students got to work fundraising by group and individually. Band members raised thousands of dollars to make the trip possible. Their story even reached people across the country, and Fisher said they received donations from people out of state who wanted to help.

“It was a great opportunity,” Morgan Henry said. “Looking back we were horrified after the flood. Once we started helping each other and cleaning up, the community came together. It’s hard to put into words what it was like performing at Disney. I know everyone’s adrenaline was up.”

The marching huskies’ story even started to spread around the magic kingdom. Fisher said many people reached out to them to ask more about their journey.

“I had a talk with them before we performed,” Fisher said. “I reminded them, you’re representing a small town that has been through a hard situation. You can show these people there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”

April 12, 2018 in Education News, Herbert Hoover High School Athletics, Local News, NEWS, Sports News, Students

Boil-water advisories: April 12, 2018

Updated: April 13, 2018 | Source: WV Gazette-Mail (Complete List)

West Virginia American Water has lifted a boil-water advisory for 22 customers on Jarrett Street in Elkview.

 

Posted: April 12, 2018 | Source: WV Gazette-Mail (Complete List)

West Virginia American Water has issued a boil-water advisory for 22 customers on Jarrett Street in Elkview. The advisory follows a water main break.

Customers in these areas should boil their water for at least one full minute prior to use until further notice.

April 12, 2018 in Local News, NEWS

Clendenin man pleads guilty in Charleston double murder

Bobby Gene Hall enters court for his arraignment on Aug. 16, 2017. Hall pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder before Kanawha Circuit Judge Jennifer Bailey on Wednesday. Gazette-Mail photo

Bobby Gene Hall enters court for his arraignment on Aug. 16, 2017. Hall pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder before Kanawha Circuit Judge Jennifer Bailey on Wednesday. Gazette-Mail photo

By: Lacie Pierson, Staff Writer | Posted: April 11, 2018 | Source: WV Gazette-Mail

A Clendenin man on Wednesday pleaded guilty to two charges of second-degree murder in the 2017 case of a double murder at a home along Garrison Avenue in Charleston.

(more…)

April 11, 2018 in Crime, Local News, NEWS