Planning commission tables zoning request, institutes lengthy study

January 10, 2019

MORGANTOWN — Since Morgantown’s Comprehensive Plan was updated in 2013, the corner of Jones Avenue and Stewart Street has been identified as part of Future Study Area No. 5, but no such study has been initiated. That changed Thursday evening when Gregg Metheny, representing Scott Properties, came before the Morgantown Planning Commission to request a zoning map amendment to reclassify 18 parcels on that corner from R-2 (single and two-family residential) to R-3 (multi-family residential). By a 5-2 tally, the planning commission voted to table Metheny’s request and initiate the ...

A sampling of bills introduced Jan. 10

January 10, 2019

CHARLESTON – Here is a sampling of bills introduced Jan. 10. Monongalia-Preston-Marion-area lead sponsors and co-sponsors, if any, are noted. SB 231, to calculate retirement benefits for legislators based on an average of all years of service. Former legislators sometimes take higher-paying state jobs for a few years and have their benefits based on their higher pay. SB 234, to require schools to provide elective courses on the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. SB 238, increasing fines for passing a stopped school bus. HB 2204, to prohibit lobbyists from serving on ...

Senate Finance revives some dead bills, sends them to the full body

January 10, 2019

CHARLESTON – After sitting through a couple hours of budget presentations, the Senate Finance Committee zipped through a handful of bills that had passed out of the Senate last year only to die in the House. Among them was SB 24, which passed the Senate unanimously last year. It requires ...

Gov. Justice explains Jim’s Dream, unveils opioid disposal program for Charleston area

January 10, 2019

CHARLESTON – Gov. Jim Justice shed more light on his Jim’s Dream drug abuse program and unveiled a Charleston-area program to keep unused opioids out of the wrong hands during a Thursday afternoon press conference. Jim’s Dream is his four-part, $45 million plan to address the ...

More snow, cold temps expected this weekend

January 10, 2019

MORGANTOWN — January’s temperatures have been exceptionally mild so far, but that should be changing over the next week. AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tom Kines said the Morgantown area will have a brief respite from the snow Friday until Saturday morning, but it will stay dry and ...

Newburg scales back Independence water project — for now

January 10, 2019

NEWBURG –  The first phase of the Newburg water project will reach only part of those Independence residents who signed up for service. The initial project will provide water to 26 of the 70 customers who signed up. The town still hopes to serve the others later. Sheena Hunt, ...