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Local Government

Mountain State Justice, ACLU-WV on ordinance: ‘We’ll see them in court’

Following Monongalia County Commission’s vote to pass the Ordinance Regulating Pedestrian and Vehicle Safety — which has been referred to as the “anti-panhandling” ordinance — area civil rights groups issued a letter condemning it. The groups maintain the ordinance unfairly targets the homeless and infringes on First Amendment rights. The letter reads: “Today the Monongalia County Commission voted 3-0 to enact the ‘Ordinance Regulating Pedestrian and Vehicle Safety,’ an infringement upon free speech dressed up in language meant to obscure the Commission’s intent: ...

West Virginia reps Mooney and Miller vote for Mike Johnson

CHARLESTON — West Virginia’s congressional representatives, Carol Miller and Alex Mooney, cast votes Wednesday for Congressman Mike Johnson, who was selected as speaker of the House after three contentious weeks of infighting. “I voted for Mike Johnson for speaker of the House. Mike is a proven conservative leader who will fight back against President Biden’s extreme agenda. Mike will unite our conference so we can get back to the work of the American people.” stated Mooney, a Republican who represents West Virginia’s northern counties. Johnson, a Republican from ...

Sen. seeks closer scrutiny of CPS

BY CHRIS LAWRENCE CHARLESTON — State Sen. Mike Stuart (R-7th) believes the time has come for the Legislature to take a much closer look at the internal workings of West Virginia’s Child Protective Services Division. The agency had already been the subject of scrutiny in recent years, but its operations have been called into greater question by a recent case in Kanawha County where two children were found locked up in a shed. Deputies found the two adopted teens, ages 14 and 16, locked in an out building near Sissonville with no running water, no food and no adequate toilet. ...

PEIA proposes premium increases for state, local employees

CHARLESTON — The Public Employees Insurance Agency is considering significant premium increases for the coming year. The PEIA Finance Board is proposing: 10.5% premium increases and no benefits changes for state employees who get the insurance. 13% premium increases for employees of local governments that opt into PEIA, plus the addition of a surcharge for eligible spouses of about $147. No changes in premiums or benefits for retirees who are eligible for Medicare. 10% premium increases and no changes in benefits for people who are old enough to have retired but not ...

City Council talks urban camping ban

BY JARETT LEWIS WHEELING — An anti-camping ordinance was introduced at Tuesday night’s Wheeling City Council meeting that would ban camping on public property. The proposed ordinance defines camping as “setting up, remaining in or at property for the purpose of sleeping, making preparations to sleep, storing personal property and/or performing cooking activities for habitation purposes.” Prohibited areas for camping would be on any street, sidewalk, alley, easement, nature preserve, park, conservation park, parking lots, public grounds, public right of way or under any ...

Mon County Courthouse hours to change Nov. 1

MORGANTOWN — The hours of operation for the Monongalia County Courthouse will change to 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. starting Nov. 1.  The Monongalia County Commission approved the new hours during Wednesday’s regular meeting.  Assessor Mark Musick explained the move away from the ...