States join forces to create digital archive of area history

January 13, 2019

  Forget that business about 1863. These days, West Virginia and Virginia couldn’t be more civil to one another. At least where  university libraries are concerned. WVU’s library system  linked with the University of Virginia, George Mason University, Virginia Commonwealth University, William & Mary and Virginia Tech for a broad, information-sharing project known as “Digital Virginias.” More library systems from schools are expected to join this year. The biblio-clasping of hands is part of the Digital Public Library of America initiative, which is just ...

Police warn residents about spam caller claiming to be part of fake government office

January 13, 2019

Monongalia County residents  received phone calls claiming their Social Security Numbers were discontinued or erased. Mon County Sheriff Perry Palmer said his department  received at least three calls from people who got those calls, but  no one he knows of fell for the scam. The caller claims to be from the Auditor General’s Office, which is not a real office in West Virginia. With tax season approaching, people get nervous when the IRS or their Social Security Numbers are brought up, and scammers try to take advantage of that, Palmer said. If you receive such a call, do not ...

Calif. passes law targeting puppy mills, bans sale of non-rescue animals at pet stores

January 13, 2019

A California law passed in 2017 took effect this year, prohibiting pet stores from selling dogs, cats and rabbits unless the animal is obtained through a rescue organization. “It’s a wonderful thing if shelter pets can find a home,” said Heather Severt, West Virginia state director for the Humane Society of the United States. Severt said she hasn’t read the specifics of the California law (A.B. 485), but that the law in general sounds like something the Humane Society would support. There are no plans to introduce a similar law in the 2019 legislative session, she said. The ...

Preston works to lower homeowners’ flood insurance costs

January 12, 2019

KINGWOOD — Cuts in government-backed flood insurance means higher rates for policy holders, but Preston’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is trying to help. Help will come by Preston  working with the Community Rating System (CRS) for the National Flood Insurance Program. OEM/911 ...

Ability to make 3-pointers lifts Oklahoma State past West Virginia

January 12, 2019

MORGANTOWN — On paper, Oklahoma State only made two more 3-pointers than West Virginia on Saturday afternoon. In person, the difference felt more like a gulf in the Cowboys’ 85-77 victory. Oklahoma State’s late first-half flourish behind the arc helped the Cowboys pad a lead that West ...

Column: Men’s basketball team shaping up for worst season since 2001-’02

January 12, 2019

MORGANTOWN — Isaac Likekele wound up and delivered what may officially go down as the low point of West Virginia’s season Saturday. Having already dribbled through the little bit of a trap the Mountaineers defense attempted against the freshman from Arlington, Texas, Likekele was now ...