Latest news with #100thStateFairofWestVirginia
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Tazewell County Sheriff's Office receives grant to expand EMT program
TAZEWELL COUNTY, VA (WVNS) — The Tazewell County Sheriff's Office received grant funding that will help expand their EMT program. According to a press release, the Norfolk Southern Corporation awarded $15,000 in grant funding to to expand the EMT program at the Tazewell County Sheriff's Office. Comcast announces broadband expansion project in Mercer County This funding, along with the continued support of our Board of Supervisors, will have an immediate impact on the work we do. We're thankful to Norfolk Southern for investing in our community and for supporting our mission. Sheriff Brian Hieatt Various divisions of the Sheriff's Office, including Patrol, Courthouse Security, School Safety, Civil Process/Code Enforcement, and the Detective Division, have people who are EMT-certified, which allows them to effectively serve the people in Tazewell County. According to the press release, some of the deputies who are EMT-certified help with staffing shortages by working part-time with local rescue squads, making Tazewell County one of two agencies in Virginia, and the first in southwest Virginia, with deputies who are also trained as EMTs. The press release stated that the funds will allow for the addition of seven additional EMT deputies to expand the EMT program at the Sheriff's Office. In 2023, Norfolk Southern started two community programs that the grant is a part of: The Safety First Grant Program and the Thriving Communities Grant Program. Multiple bands announced for 100th State Fair of West Virginia The Safety First Grant Program aims to increase safety initiatives and organizations, and the Thriving Communities Grant Program is meant to support community life, encourage economic opportunity, and offer equal access to basic necessities. With a history spanning more than 200 years across thousands of communities, Norfolk Southern is proud to be a part of the towns, cities, and states we serve. Norfolk Southern employees live, work, and play in every community across our network, and we are committed to seeing those communities thrive. Kristin Wong | Director Corporate Giving at Norfolk Southern Those who receive the grant award are chosen from Norfolk Southern's 22-state network each year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
WVSOM receives 10-year accreditation from Higher Learning Commission
LEWISBURG, WV (WVNS) — The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) was granted continued accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). According to a press release, the accreditation will continue for 10 years, when the next reaffirmation will take place. The important milestone marks the product of a years-long effort to prepare for review from HLC. The commission expressed no concerns regarding the accreditation, signifying that the institution has no areas currently needing improvement. T-Pain announced for the 100th State Fair of West Virginia One of seven national institutional accreditors, HLC accredits approximately 950 colleges and universities, particularly in the central portion of the United States, the release stated. They serve in 19 states, stretching from institutions in Arizona to West Virginia. Besides WVSOM, 12 other osteopathic medical schools have or will be seeking accreditation from the commission. James W. Nemitz, Ph.D., WVSOM's president, stated he is happy with the commission's findings, and expressed appreciation for the staff, administrators, and faculty that play a role in meeting the HLC requirements. The Higher Learning Commission's report shows that WVSOM is adhering to the highest standards of compliance while preparing students for careers as competent, compassionate physicians. I'm proud of all those who have helped make this accreditation a success. A stamp of approval from a prestigious organization like the HLC will have positive implications for WVSOM for years to come. James W. Nemitz, Ph.D. | President, WVSOM The thorough evaluation included a review of arguments and evidence given by the institution that shows compliance with the commission's accreditation requirements, and a student survey. Also included in the review is an on-site evaluation performed by peer reviewers to score the way the institution follows and applies the requirements of the commission. The final review and action, based on the team report, was reached by an HLC body, the release stated. Andrea Bucklew, J.D., WVSOM's Director of Accreditation and Continuous Quality Improvement, stated that the HLC requires institutions to demonstrate that they meet criteria. The Fayette County Commission has grant funding for demolition of old buildings First, we have to show that our mission statement guides our decisions. Second, we have to act with ethics and integrity. The third and fourth criteria deal with teaching: Are our students learning? Do they have good outcomes? Are they able to match to residencies? And the fifth criterion deals with planning and institutional resources. Andrea Bucklew, J.D. | Director of Accreditation and Quality Improvement, WVSOM Bucklew expressed that the school's high performance prompted the HLC commission to allow WVSOM to choose an 'open pathway' for its next accreditation cycle, the release stated. Institutions approved to use the open pathway are considered to have little concerns regarding accreditation, a strong culture of compliance, as well as more financial stability. The open pathway requires an institution to determine a strategic initiative and report the progress of that initiative to the HLC. The timing is good because we're already in the process of doing that as part of our strategic planning. Andrea Bucklew, J.D. | Director of Accreditation and Quality Improvement, WVSOM Machelle Linsenmeyer, Ed. D., WVSOM's Assistance Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness and Academic Resources state that the successful reaccreditation will lay the foundation for continuous growth. Accreditation shows that we are a school with processes in place and continuous quality improvement projects that meet the standards not only of our programmatic accreditor, but of an institutional accreditor. We're thrilled that we got the highest recommendation, and we now have the opportunity to move forward with the open pathway, which is important for the expansions we want to make for new opportunities at WVSOM. Machelle Linsenmeyer, Ed. D. | Assistant Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness and Academic Resources, WVSOM Concord University announces 13th President The programmatic accreditor for the school's D.O. program is the American Osteopathic Association's Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation, the release noted. WVSOM possesses continued accreditation for the program through 2029-2030. Linsenmeyer also stated that Bucklew's predecessor, Mary Norris, Ph. D., was vital in the process. Dr. Norris worked closely with the on-site teams who wrote the assurance arguments and collected supporting evidence, was the editor for the final report, and oversaw the logistics of the site team visit including close communication with site visitors throughout the process. I'm thankful to her, our teams and everyone at WVSOM for successfully navigating this process. Machelle Linsenmeyer, Ed. D. | Assistant Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness and Academic Resources, WVSOM For more information regarding the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, visit their website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
State Fair of West Virginia receives 'Centurion Chamber of Commerce' designation
FAIRLEA, WV (WVNS) — West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner awarded the State Fair of West Virginia the 'Centurion Chamber of Commerce' designation. Miranda Lambert to perform at the State Fair of West Virginia in 2025 According to a release, the designation is given to West Virginia businesses that were in continuous operation for 100 years or more. 2025 will mark the 100th year of the State Fair of West Virginia, which will take place from August 7, 2025 through August 16, 2025. Centurions are West Virginia businesses that have withstood the test of time. World Wars, depressions, recessions, and pandemics are just some of the major challenges that West Virginia Centurions have endured and survived. Kris Warner | West Virginia Secretary of State The press release stated that centurion businesses can often be found in many major events, activities, or fundraisers in their communities, and are connected with not only the communities but also the state's economy. Zach Top announced for the 100th State Fair of West Virginia Over the years, the success of the Fair led to expanded opportunities, events, and ways to highlight innovation in the agricultural industry. The name has changed, and the location has changed, but the commitment of the Board of Directors has remained steadfast and dedicated to the original vision for a State Fair. Since 1921, the much-anticipated annual State Fair of West Virginia has been enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of families from not just the Mountain State, but throughout the entire country. It is a unique opportunity to showcase West Virginia. Kris Warner | West Virginia Secretary of State The press release stated that the Greenbrier Agricultural Society started organizing an annual fair in 1854, and that the annual fair was officially chartered with a document by the Greenbrier Valley Fair on March 19, 1921, along with the intent to become the largest fair in the Mountain State. The Greenbrier Valley Fair was officially named the State Fair of West Virginia after an act was passed by the state legislature on March 19, 1941. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How locally owned businesses help small towns
RAINELLE, WV (WVNS) – Rainelle is a town that once suffered from a lack of booming businesses and a large number of people leaving the area. Zach Top announced for the 100th State Fair of West Virginia During recent years, this town has really turned a corner, with businesses popping up all around town. The Coal Creek Salon Boutique opened in October 2024. Owner and operator Christi Sims said that she has seen a lot of positive change throughout the community since their opening. 'We are providing a service not only through the Boutique within and also hair care services, and I think that brings people that were going other places to shop at, bringing them back to the town that they live in, where they can buy the stuff they need instead of having to go elsewhere,' said Sims. Jeff Dunham to make an appearance at the State Fair of West Virginia in 2025 This new shop offers folks something a little different than what you would expect in a small town. It provides a place for people to get their hair cut locally as well as a place to shop for clothes, beauty supplies, and much more. Sims told 59News her shop is not the only one that is bettering their community. There are several other businesses in Rainelle that have really helped the town and its residents be able to stay closer to home. Places like these even give opportunities for employment to locals – something that is a boom in every community. 'We're hoping to add a nail tech, a hairstylist, and other things over time. Small towns need these things, so they do not just die off and people move into the bigger towns,' added Sims. Sims recently moved to Rainelle in the summer of 2024. Since then, she has easily integrated into the community. She said the feeling of belonging is in no small part thanks to the people she gets to be around in the town. Greenbrier Historical Society honors long-serving member on his 90th birthday 'The people here are wonderful. They are so kind. [My husband and I] have not met one person yet that that has not been super welcoming and so and so nice. They check on you when you need help, or [even when] they think you might need help. It is just a great community and people that have not been to Rainelle in a while need to come back and visit just to see how it has changed,' said Sims. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Dumpsites open for debris, bridge supplies and more needed for McDowell County flood clean up
WELCH, WV (WVNS) – The McDowell County Commissioners gave an update on where the county stands in terms of flood relief efforts. FEMA teams survey Raleigh County Michael Brooks is the McDowell County Commission President. He told 59News one of the biggest needs right now is bridge supplies. Many McDowell County residents have bridges constructed on their private properties. As it stands, 36 bridges throughout the county are completely destroyed according to Brooks. 'A lot of folks around here use the old oak, red oak, and things like that to build the bridges. We need the beams. Gabion baskets – we have a massive need for those. Culvert pipe – so many people live here in one area and their pipe is ten miles down the road somewhere else. So we do have a major need for those type of supplies,' said Brooks. If you would like to donate any bridge supplies, they are asking folks to call 888-929-4966. If you call that number, they will direct you through how you can contribute. There are a number of different dumpsites open throughout McDowell County. Zach Top announced for the 100th State Fair of West Virginia Here are the approved dumpsites throughout McDowell County: Route 103 between Gary and Wilco, near the old U.S. Steel Barnyard Near Panther around Red Ash Temple. Old fire department lot in Berwind Intersection of Route 52 and Route 16 Property on Premier Mountain owned by Commissioner Dobson Old D&T Chevrolet Property on the outskirts of Bradshaw headed to Jolo Brooks said more dumpsites could open soon. The County Commission has threatened charges for folks who place their debris on the roadsides for illegal dumping. They emphasize that debris must be dumped at an approved dumpsite. The National Guard is coming by throughout the county to help pick up debris to properly dispose of it. 'Do your best to separate said debris, whether it be tires, appliances, things like that. Place it out as close to the curb as you can without blocking the roadway,' said Brooks. 'Make sure you have no overhead lines that way when the National Guard and others are able to come in that they can safely remove that debris.' The County Commission squashed rumors that water restoration could take months. They clarified public service district workers, as well as workers from out of the area, are laboring tirelessly to get full water restoration as soon as possible. Types of donations communities need after a disaster 'We need the humidifiers, dehumidifiers and things like that. We are searching all the time for straw and things like that to help dry some of the areas that are people have. If you are in a community and you know that you have elderly people and you have the means, if you have a skid steer that you can go in your community and help some of our seniors. A lot of people may not realize, but McDowell County has a major population of senior citizens that have worked all their life and now they're not able to do the things. So, you know look out for your neighbor,' said Brooks. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
