Archives for February 2018

A post on the Greenbrier County Schools website announces that schools are closed again Wednesday…the fifth day in a row as teachers are refusing to go to school in protest of pay that’s among the lowest in the nation. Such statewide strikes are unusual but not unprecedented. Most teacher labor disputes start and end at the district level, where teacher salaries are more typically set. The strike in West Virginia has closed schools in all 55 counties. The same website notification says all students and staff will return to school on Thursday.

Posted to wjvr.vncnews.com
Feb. 27, 2018 2:50 AM CST
by pkilleen

Posted to wjvr.vncnews.com
Feb. 28, 2018 2:54 AM CST
by pkilleen

As we turn the calendar to March, they’re getting ready in Highland County for the Highland Maple Festival.The 60th Annual happens March 10 – 11 & 17 – 18. The hours are Saturdays 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Sundays 8:30 am to 4:00 pm at 168 W. Main Street in Monterey. Take a step back in time to Highland County, “Virginia’s Sweet Spot”. Travel back roads and mountain byways to the annual Highland Maple Festival. Held on the 2nd and 3rd weekends of March, the Maple Festival has been an annual event in Highland County, Virginia, since 1958. Each year, thousands of visitors are drawn to the region to celebrate the “opening” of the trees and observe the process of maple syrup-making.

A post on the Greenbrier County Schools website announces thart schools are closed again Wednesday…the fifth day in a row as teachers are refusing to go to school in protest of pay that’s among the lowest in the nation. Such statewide strikes are unusual but not unprecedented. Most teacher labor disputes start and end at the district level, where teacher salaries are more typically set. The strike in West Virginia has closed schools in all 55 counties. The same website notification says all students and staff will return to school on Thursday.

Posted to wjvr.vncnews.com
Feb. 27, 2018 2:50 AM CST
by pkilleen

A longtime civic leader in the Alleghany Highlands and former Covington City School Board chariman Thomas Sibold has died. He served in the US Air Force during the Korean War and worked at the former Industrial Rayon and Hercules. He was also vice president of Hammond and Mitchell. His funeral service was Tuesday.

With warmer weather approaching and the arrival of Spring, The City of Covington continues seeking applicants for its “Adopt-a-Street” program. Working together with individuals,
groups, and/or organizations can make a significant difference in the appearance of the community.
community. This program will assist the City of Covington in meeting several goals including improving the attractiveness of the City, reducing roadway pollution, reducing water pollution, reducing stormwater drainage issues, increasing public awareness of environmental issues and reducing the costs associated with litter removal.

Schools are closed in Greenbrier County for a fourth day Tuesday as teachers are refusing to go to school in protest of pay that’s among the lowest in the nation. Such statewide strikes are unusual but not unprecedented. Most teacher labor disputes start and end at the district level, where teacher salaries are more typically set. The strike in West Virginia has closed schools in all 55 counties. Speaking in Morgantown Monday, Gov. Jim Justice told striking teachers and their supporters at a Morgantown high school they should return to work Tuesday. He also says they should push for increasing the severance tax on natural gas as a permanent funding source for West Virginia’s public workers’ insurance program.

Clifton Forge Town Council meets Tuesday with a number of items on the agenda. They’ll recognize the – Clifton Forge Main Street Volunteer of the Year Award—Mott Atherholt. Also, members will consider an ordinance to allow the Town to vacate and sell a portion of an alleyway in the Fairview Heights section of Town to Commonwealth Lifespan Services, LLC. There will be updates given from the police department, public works department, public library, water treatment plant and the fire department. Plus, there are many civic events upcoming as we head into spring. The meeting happens at 7pm in council chambers.

The State Corporation Commission’s (SCC) Bureau of Insurance encourages Virginians in search of lost or misplaced life insurance policies to use the free Life Insurance Policy Locator offered by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). It utilizes NAIC technology to enable consumers to secure money that was promised to them through insurance contracts. Since its launch in November 2016, thousands of consumers nationwide have reaped the benefits of this tool, which has matched more than 8,000 beneficiaries with lost or misplaced life insurance policies or annuities totaling more than $167.2 million. So far in Virginia, 392 consumers have recovered more than $4.5 million using this service.

Schools in Greenbrier County are closed again Monday as West Virginia teachers will continue their strike, the latest response to what’s quickly becoming a deepening rift with the governor and Legislature over pay and health benefits. Thousands of teachers and school service workers in all 55 counties will remain off the job Monday, union leaders announced at a news conference Friday afternoon.
West Virginia Education Association President Dale Lee said county school superintendents are being asked to keep schools closed for a third day because the teachers will return to Charleston. A state Department of Education spokeswoman declined comment. State Schools Superintendent Steve Paine has said the work stoppage is illegal and disruptive to student learning.

A Community Conversation titled, Opioid Crisis in the Alleghany Highlands is being hosted by the Alleghany Highlands Healthy Youth Coalition and Alleghany Highlands Community Services. It takes place Tuesday, March 6th from 6pm to 8:30pm. at Fincastle Baptist Church: Highlands Campus
230 E Oak St, Covington. There will be discussion on the Opioid Abuse Crisis in our area and how the community can come together to help those affected and prevent it from spreading. Among the topics to be discussed; a presentation on Understanding Addiction & Resources for Recovery by Lindsey Livesay from AHCS, an Overview of opioid crisis in our area by Robbie Bates from Drug Task Force, plus a screening of the documentary “Heroin: Broken Dreams, Ruined Lives” by Ryan Hall & Sheriff Kevin Hall. All are invited. Admission is free.