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Local Government

Ihlenfeld creates investigative team to review Upshur County Schools spending

WHEELING — U.S. Attorney for Northern West Virginia Bill Ihlenfeld said Friday he’s made no predetermination but he’s heard enough about how federal pandemic relief money was spent in the Upshur County school system to begin a federal investigation. Ihlenfeld said he was contacted earlier this month by state education officials who noticed red flags in their review of the spending. He has now formed an eight-member team to do an independent investigation. “I put together a team that will subpoena all of the relevant documents, that will interview witnesses, that will issue ...

Council considers contracting building inspector

KINGWOOD — Kingwood City Council members are considering hiring Trenton Cooper, a building code inspector from Elkins. If hired, he would be contracted by job and would not receive insurance or other benefits. A building code inspector inspects homes and commercial buildings to ensure local laws and zoning ordinances are being followed. “Someone (on council) contacted me and asked if I do contract work,” Cooper said. “I’m not opposed to it. I’m busy but I could commit to a couple of days a week for you.” He said removing dilapidated buildings and bringing ...

PEIA: open enrollment active following changes

Managers of the Public Employees Insurance Agency are encouraged by open enrollment, which has come after big changes to the program. And they are monitoring the results of opt-ins for spouses following the establishment of a surcharge. “We’ve had one of the largest open enrollments you can imagine,” acting PEIA director Jason Haught told finance board members during a Thursday afternoon meeting. Online, the insurance plan had more than 20,000 finalized enrollment transactions, he said. Among people who filled out enrollment forms on paper, Haught estimated about ...

Solid Waste Authority hears about youth program opportunities

KINGWOOD — Preston County Solid Waste Authority board members met in regular session Wednesday evening. The agenda included a visit by Jo Ann Snoderly, Youth Environmental Program District 1 Coordinator. The program is sponsored by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and provides opportunities for West Virginia youth to participate in environmental projects within their communities. Snoderly, whose office is in Fairmont, said District 1 covers Brooke, Hancock, Harrison, Marion, Marshall, Monongalia, Ohio, Preston, Taylor and Wetzel ...

SUPCO: Don’t sue the gov. over charter schools

In a question of whether West Virginia’s system for approving charter schools is constitutional, the state Supreme Court has ruled that Gov. Jim Justice isn’t the guy who should be sued. The justices concluded that the West Virginia Public Charter Schools Board, which was established by the legislature as a way of approving and assessing the schools, is the entity with the actual authority. “Upon thorough review, we conclude that Respondents lack standing to seek the preliminary injunction at issue against Governor Justice because (1) he does not have the ability to ...