Latest news with #PreservingBlackChurches'
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Burning restrictions return in West Virginia with the spring fire season
WEST VIRGINIA (WVNS) — Burning restrictions return as West Virginia's spring fire season kicks off on March 1. According to the West Virginia Division of Forestry's Facebook page and website, spring fire season lasts from March 1 to May 31 and open burning is only allowed from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Major Disaster Declaration approved by President Trump for counties in West Virginia There are two fire seasons in West Virginia: spring fire season from March 1 to May 31, and fall fire season from October 1 to December 31. Violation of the burning law can result in up to a $1,000 fine as well as an additional civil penalty of $200, and vegetative materials are the only type of materials that can be burned. Anyone burning is advised to only burn in low wind conditions. According to the fire burning guidelines on the West Virginia Division of Forestry's website, fires need to be watched at all times, and all fires need to be completely out before 7:00 a.m. Areas around the fire must have a safety strip, which consists of a minimum 10-foot wide area around the fire that is down to the soil and clear of any material that can be burned. McDowell County Commission looks for volunteers for landfills If a fire escapes a person's control, the person, firm, or corporation will be responsible for any damage that the fire may cause for other people, as well as costs that come from fighting the fire. Any power shovels, sawmills, engines, or machines that could create sparks will need to have a sufficient spark arrestor when running on land subject to fire. Inflammable waste areas on any land also need to be cleared of flammable and inflammable materials near disposal areas to give protection and keep any fires from spreading to nearby areas. There are some exceptions to the burn law guidelines that include: small fires meant for preparing food, warmth, or light, with a 10 foot area around the fire being cleared of burnable debris, and burning that occurs when there is minimum of one inch of snow around the burn area. 'Preserving Black Churches' grant aims to save more sites like New Salem Baptist Church The Division of Forestry can issue commercial permits to burn during restricted times, and willfully setting fire to other people's property is a felony and can be punished by fines and/or jail time. More information about the burning laws can be found on the West Virginia Division of Forestry's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Beckley Common Council appoints interim city manager
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) — Beckley Common Council appointed an interim city manager during the regular meeting on Tuesday, February 25, 2025. The newly-appointed city manager, Phillip Jarrell, retired from Raleigh County Schools and will serve until a permanent candidate is selected. The first city manager in Beckley history, Michael Resare, began serving in early December and resigned from the position at the end of January. 'Preserving Black Churches' grant aims to save more sites like New Salem Baptist Church In 2023, Beckley Common Council voted in favor of changing the city's form of government to that of a weak mayor and to hiring a city manager, sparking a civil lawsuit from Beckley businessman Doug Epling. WVEA president says WV schools could lose millions if Trump Administration closes Department of Education Cody Reedy, an at-large councilman on Beckley Common Council, said on Thursday that Beckley Common Council will very likely continue under a city manager form of government, despite the recent setback. 'It was a very controversial decision when it was made, and I think that as of right now, we're using the city manager form of government,' said Reedy. 'I don't really see there to be any change any time soon, and if it's to be a change, it would have to go on a ballot.' Reedy added that the next election cycle is 2028, which is the earliest date that the decision could be placed on a ballot for voters. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
WV First Foundation board member testifies before U.S. Senate on opioids
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) — A board member with the West Virginia First Foundation testified on the Senate floor in Washington, DC, about the effects of the opioid epidemic on West Virginia senior citizens in late February. Greg Duckworth, who is also president of Raleigh County Commission, was invited by Republican U.S. Sen. Jim Justice to speak before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, speaking on the financial, emotional and practical struggles senior citizens face as they help to rear grandchildren and to support adult children who are addicted to opioids. Sen. Justice introduced Duckworth and prompted an open discussion on opioids and senior citizens. 'Preserving Black Churches' grant aims to save more sites like New Salem Baptist Church 'Greg Duckworth is an incredible man, and we've worked hard together in the state to combat the opioid crisis that has devastated West Virginia families,' Sen. Justice said. 'I'm proud to have him here representing West Virginia, and it is encouraging to see opioid-related deaths decline in the state over the past few years, but we cannot get complacent.' Duckworth told 59News on Thursday, February 27, 2025, that the opioid epidemic has changed life for many families in the state. WVEA president says WV schools could lose millions if Trump Administration closes Department of Education 'When a grandparent is raising a grandchild, we're missing a generation out of that family's family tree, and it has huge effects, and it's like fires and floods,' he said, referring to the opioid crisis. 'It destroys everything it touches.' WVFF is a private, non-profit that was established to address the opioid crisis and its impact on the state. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
