Latest news with #WestVirginiaStateCode
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Terra Alta won't be able to collect taxes next year: Auditor's office
TERRA ALTA, (WBOY) — The Town of Terra Alta is nearly two months behind the deadline to submit its annual budget, and state officials say that the Tax Department could intervene soon. According to Hayden Erwin, the Director of Communications for the West Virginia State Auditor's Office, Terra Alta has yet to submit its budget for the upcoming 2025-2026 fiscal year, meaning that no levy rate has been approved and that the town will not be able to levy or collect property taxes for the fiscal year. Public transportation service expanding into Tucker County Erwin said that Terra Alta and all other municipalities were required to submit their budgets by March 28. He added that under §11-8-9 of the West Virginia State Code, the State Auditor may allow late budgets to be submitted between April 15 and May 1, but only if 'good cause' is shown. Because Terra Alta didn't do that, despite receiving a certified letter from the auditor's office, a levy rate or budget for the town can not be approved. According to Erwin, if the town never submits a budget, the State Tax Department and county assessors may take action, including things like excluding Terra Alta from county tax rolls. 12 News reached out to officials in Terra Alta by both phone and email, but has yet to receive a response as of this publication. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bridgeport mayor issues statement on city manager's possible removal
BRIDGEPORT, (WBOY) — Bridgeport Mayor Andy Lang has issued a statement on Thursday's special council meeting to discuss the potential removal of City Manager Patrick Ford. In a statement emailed to 12 News on Wednesday morning, Lang wrote 'Thursday's Special Meeting was called by me in accordance with the City's procedural requirements.' City officials have not commented publicly on the reason they're considering Ford's removal. 'The City Council and I are elected to serve the residents of the City of Bridgeport, and we took an oath to serve and always work in the best interests of the City,' Lang wrote. 'Many times, we must discuss and act on tough issues and make decisions to keep the City moving forward.' Bridgeport city manager intends to fight for his job Ford, who was hired in October of 2024, has claimed his possible termination is an effort by city leaders to hide the results of an internal investigation initiated in February of 2025. In a letter to City Council obtained by 12 News, Ford wrote 'on February 10th, 2025, you (city council) unanimously voted to initiate an internal investigation — the initial results of which you are collectively now attempting to hide through my termination.' In that same letter, Ford invoked West Virginia State Code, which he said gives him the statutory right to have an open meeting concerning his employment status. In an email sent to local media outlets Tuesday, Ford said there was a 'wealth of misinformation' circulating about his reputation and character and that he intends to 'fight for what is right — and my job.' The Thursday special meeting has one item on the agenda: discussion and possible action on Ford's removal from office. 'Thursday's Special Meeting was called by me in accordance with the City's procedural requirements,' wrote Lang in his Wednesday statement. 'As an elected official who takes my responsibilities seriously, I will not deviate from the processes that we are obligated to follow. Rest assured, regardless of any information posted on social media or elsewhere, accurate information will be provided when appropriate. We must follow State Law and the Charter of the City of Bridgeport.' The special meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 5 p.m. 12 News will be at the meeting and will bring you the latest. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Marion County Commission allocates opioid funds for mindfulness program targeting teens
FAIRMONT — In a world filled with smartphones, gadgets and devices, the Marion County Family Resource and Support Network wants to get kids to touch grass. 'Until they're five years old, they're allowed to play video games, do whatever, and then they have to sit quietly in school,' Jan Smith, Family Support Center director, said. 'We're setting them up for failure.' Smith showed up to Wednesday's Marion County Commission meeting with a $25,000 request from the county's opioid funds. The money will be used to develop a program that will allow the FRSN to go into local schools and teach young people as an alternative to vaping or drugs. Smith sees electronic devices as responsible for having created an overwhelming demand for mental stimulation among young people. A review of studies conducted by the National Institutes of Health found that most studies found an association between screen time and attention spans in children, with excessive exposure linked to attention problems. An article published on the American Psychology Association's website found there was a correlation among 8-11 year-olds who exceeded screen time recommendations and lower scores on cognitive assessments. Larry Rosen, a professor at California State University, found that heavy smartphone users experience anxiety after 10 minutes of not having access to a smartphone. Smith's own experience with her grandchildren bear this out. She said anytime their phones are taken away, it's comes off as the worst punishment in the world. Smith believes the smartphone induced need for inflated mental stimulation opens a gateway to risky, but stimulating behaviors, such as vaping or drug seeking. 'Very young kids say vaping relaxes me, and it's like, no — you need natural things to relax,' Smith said. 'You teach them to go into nature and sit quietly. Young people don't sit quietly. There's no meditation. There's no mindfulness about what they're doing. They're just scattered running from one place to the other.' Smith said the goal of the new initiative is to introduce students to meditation and mindfulness techniques that will reduce the need to seek stimulation through vaping or drug seeking. The whole idea is prevention, she said. Commissioners approved the funding request. Smith hopes to have the program ready to launch in the 2025-26 school year. Commissioners also awarded a $31,000 contract for work to Carpet One for a project replacing the carpets of the second floor of the J. Harper Meredith Building. County Administrator Kris Cinalli said it's been at least 25 years since those carpets have been replaced. Commissioner Ernie VanGilder opened competing bids at the public meeting, assigning the award to the lowest bid according to West Virginia State Code. The next competing bid came in at roughly $34,000. Finally, commissioners also approved a cost reimbursement subaward for the Appalachian Regional Energy Hub initiative. Marion Regional Development Corp. Executive Director Bruce McDaniel said Brian Redmond, principal owner of Hog Lick Aggregates and also the regional hydrogen organization, applied for a grant to help develop hydrogen infrastructure in Marion County. 'Basically, they've hired a consultant that's going to coordinate a training aspect for hydrogen vehicles, how to work on them, how to service them, how to drive them,' McDaniel said. 'The whole thing is going to be a collaboration between WVU and Pierpont, and the County Commission has passed the necessary resolutions to make that go forward.' The next commission meeting is scheduled for March 19.
