House Judiciary approves medical cannabis banking bill, sends it to floor for passage

February 8, 2019

CHARLESTON — The House Judiciary Committee overwhelmingly approved and sent to the House floor the medical cannabis program banking bill, HB 2538. The vote was 20-3. Two of the opponents expressed concerns about cannabis remaining Schedule I and federally illegal. “This is simply a mechanism to get around federal law,” said Delegate Tom Fast, R-Fayette. Delegate Ray Hollen, R-Wirt, said, “This is no different than any other money laundering scheme.” In contrast, Delegates Brandon Steele, R-Raleigh, and Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, both pointed out that Congress has for ...

WVU Board of Governors approves changes to campus tobacco policy

February 8, 2019

MORGANTOWN — Changes to WVU’s campus tobacco policy prohibiting the use of electronic smoking devices and vaping products were adopted during Friday’s meeting of the WVU Board of Governors. The new policy has a tentative effective date of Aug. 1 and will apply to anyone on WVU property, including the WVU Institute of Technology and Potomac State College. WVU General Counsel Gary Furbee explained that the proposed change was subjected to an extended comment period during which 33 comments were received — most of which were either strongly in support of the changes or strongly ...

Bill to give low-volume gas wells tax break and create well capping fund clears House Finance

February 8, 2019

CHARLESTON — The House Finance Committee quickly and without debate passed HB 2673, a bill to reduce the tax burden on low-producing oil and gas wells and provide millions of dollars to cap orphan wells to pose a risk to public health and the environment. Committee counsel characterized ...

Preston deputies charge two men with marijuana possession after chase

February 8, 2019

KINGWOOD — Two men faced drug and other charges after police said they fled from Preston County Sheriff’s deputies. Blake Conrad, 28, of Berkeley Springs, was in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail Friday in lieu of $75,000 bond. He is charged with fleeing with reckless indifference and ...

Jump right in: Trampoline park offers variety of packages

February 7, 2019

MORGANTOWN — Some community members are bouncing into better health at Launch Pad Trampoline Park. The park, which features an open trampoline jump area, a foam pit, an arcade, rock wall and more, offers two fitness classes twice a week. Total body cardio, which is a one-hour class ...

Granville surveys community about future center

February 7, 2019

GRANVILLE — The Town of Granville needs community help. Through a survey, the town is seeking opinions from citizens to help decide what their future community will offer. Chief of Police Craig Corkrean said about a year and half ago he approached town council about building a community ...