FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, October 12, 2024
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West Virginia Week in Review
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Gov. Justice celebrates Roads to Prosperity anniversary and achievements with 1,320 highways members
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Seven years, Gov. Justice asked West Virginians to believe in his vision for transforming the state's infrastructure and approve a constitutional amendment allowing the largest bond sale in state history. The funds would be used to rebuild and maintain roads and bridges in every corner of the Mountain State.
Voters overwhelmingly answered the call, with 73% supporting the Governor's bold plan, giving rise to the $2.8 billion Roads to Prosperity program, the largest infrastructure investment West Virginia had ever seen.
Gov. Justice joined 1,320 West Virginia Department of Transportation workers to celebrate the remarkable success of this program. Each highway worker held a card representing one of the 1,320 projects made possible by Roads to Prosperity, highlighting the significant improvements made across the state's infrastructure.
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Gov. Justice signs House Bill 201 to provide $10 million for Communities In Schools West Virginia
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During his administration update briefing, Gov. Justice signed House Bill 201, which provides $10 million to the Communities In Schools West Virginia program.
Communities In Schools West Virginia is First Lady Cathy Justice's primary initiative, which took root in West Virginia in 2018. Today, the program operates in all 55 counties, providing essential resources to at-risk students and helping them stay in school and succeed. West Virginia is the only state in the country to have CIS operating in every county.
"Cathy truly deserves all the recognition in the world for her commitment to Communities In Schools," Gov. Justice said. "Over the years, we've had the honor to visit tons of CIS schools, meeting thousands of students and teachers in every corner of West Virginia. We've witnessed first-hand the heart that goes into this program. We see that our students know there are people who genuinely love and care for them, and that makes a huge difference. I am beyond proud of Cathy. It's her vision that paved the way for this Communities In Schools success story. These funds allow the program to keep going, and I would urge lawmakers for evermore to continue supporting this program, because without question it is working. Let's keep it going."
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Gov. Justice announces fall trout stockings and return of Monster Trout Contest
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The WVDNR will stock trophy-size and monster trout at 40 lakes and streams during the weeks of Oct. 21 and Oct. 28
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Gov. Justice announced the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources will begin fall trout stockings during the weeks of Oct. 21 and Oct. 28. The third annual Monster Trout Contest will also return at the same time.
During these two weeks, the WVDNR will stock 35,000 pounds of trout weighing 1-2 pounds and 6,500 pounds of monster trout weighing 3-6 pounds at 40 lakes and streams around the state.
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"This is absolutely one of my favorite times of the year," Gov. Justice said. "Our trout program keeps getting bigger and better, and this year will be no exception. It's a great opportunity for folks to enjoy our beautiful waters and try their luck at catching trophy-sized or even monster trout for some amazing prizes. West Virginia is truly a world-class fishing destination, so get out there and make some memories."
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Governor and First Lady Justice name Shawn Ball a Distinguished West Virginian during Communities In Schools celebration
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Gov. Justice and First Lady Cathy Justice presented Shawn Ball a Distinguished West Virginian Award, recognizing his impactful work with the Communities In Schools program and commitment to improving the lives of children in West Virginia.
Shawn Ball, President of Ball Toyota, is one of Communities In Schools West Virginia’s biggest partners, consistently raising awareness of the challenges students face in West Virginia. Gov. Justice surprised Ball during a CIS celebration at Woodrow Wilson High School, and the award was delivered by Ball’s three children.
“This award is the highest honor I can give as the Governor of West Virginia, and I’m proud to present it to Shawn Ball, a man who is making a huge impact on our Communities In Schools program,” Gov. Justice said. “When people like Shawn step up and make a difference for our kids, they become heroes in my book. It’s so important because Communities In Schools reaches over 119,000 students in about 280 schools. The stories our CIS staff and supporters share will truly touch your soul. So, supporting this program should be one of our state’s top priorities. We had to surprise him because I don’t think he would have accepted it otherwise—that’s just how selfless he is when it comes to awards. To top it off, his kids delivered it to him. It doesn’t get much better than that.”
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Gov. Justice celebrates West Virginia’s Paranormal Trail being met with great interest
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Gov. Justice announced that West Virginia's new Paranormal Trail is already seeing tremendous popularity with more than 4,300 people signed up to chase infamous haunts throughout the state.
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An accompanying digital passport allows visitors to check in at haunted locations, earning points and unlocking exciting prizes along the way. Nearly 800 spook-seekers have already checked in on digital passports.
To experience the haunts of West Virginia and uncover chilling tales, travelers can register to participate in the West Virginia Paranormal Trail online and instantly receive the digital passport via email or text.
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Governor and First Lady Justice celebrate Park Middle School’s 100th anniversary, deliver $234,000 for new upgrades
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Gov. Justice and First Lady Cathy Justice delivered a $234,219.00 check to Park Middle School to upgrade the 100-year-old building’s multimedia equipment, including a new sound system, projector, and display screen for the auditorium.
The check presentation coincided with the school’s 100th anniversary celebration where former students from the last century visited and toured the historic building.
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Gov. Justice thanks Commerce Secretary James Bailey for his tenure, announces Nick Preservati as acting replacement
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Gov. Justice announced that Department of Commerce Secretary James Bailey, who has served in the position since 2022, will be stepping down from his role. The Governor expressed his gratitude for Sec. Bailey's efforts and wished him well in his future endeavors.
Nick Preservati has been appointed as the acting Secretary for the Department of Commerce. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the West Virginia Office of Energy.
"I want to take a moment to thank Secretary Bailey for all of his hard work over the years," Gov. Justice said. "I think of James as a good friend. He's highly qualified and has done an excellent job at Commerce. I wish him nothing but the best. James will undoubtedly be very successful in the future, and I couldn't be happier for him and his family. He's done an outstanding job in his role as Secretary, leading some really big efforts.”
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