Coronavirus

Justice backs state school board decision

CHARLESTON — As West Virginia’s two teachers’ union file lawsuits to block a state Board of Education mandate for in-person school, Gov. Jim Justice said Thursday he applauded board members for holding their ground. “I am really happy our schools have reopened for in-person learning. It’s going smoothly at this time,” Justice said during his coronavirus briefing Thursday at the Capitol. “I want to thank the state Board of Education for everything they’re doing to make sure the in-person learning option is made available to all of our families across the state.” Both ...

Vaccination clinic set Thursday

ELKINS — Another mass vaccination clinic will be offered at the Phil Gainer Community Center Thursday, officials said. As was the case with this week’s event, Thursday’s clinic will be a regional event focusing on providing COVID-19 vaccinations to residents 65 years old and older from Randolph, Barbour, Tucker, Upshur, Webster and Pendleton counties. However, Thursday’s event will be open to all West Virginians on a first call, first appointments basis. The phone line for appointments will be open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Tuesday, and again on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until ...

Commission approves paid leave change

ELKINS — Randolph County Commissioners unanimously voted to approve paid leave for county employees affected by COVID-19 this week during their regular meeting at the James Cain Courthouse Annex. With the decision, the county will now provide paid sick leave for up to 80 days for any Randolph County employee who is off work because of testing positive for COVID-19, or for any employee who has to be quarantined because of the coronavirus. Last year, Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act that mandated that any employee who was off for any circumstances related to ...

Mass Vaccination Clinic

Online vaccine appointment system to roll out

CHARLESTON — With county health departments being inundated with calls for COVID-19 vaccinations and growing waiting lists, West Virginia will have an online appointment and registration system to help get more people into the system. Gov. Jim Justice and state health officials announced Thursday the state entered into a contract with Everbridge to create an online system for West Virginians age 65 and older to get put into the queue for a COVID-19 vaccine. “I hinted about this on Tuesday,” Justice said. “Today, I’m announcing that we will very soon be launching an ...

Annual Fasnacht celebration canceled

HELVETIA — A tradition that has been celebrated annually in the town of Helvetia for the past 150 years has suffered the same fate that many other festivals and gatherings across the country have during the past 12 months. Fasnacht, which has been referred to as the Mardi Gras of Randolph County, has been canceled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The unique festival is the staple of the small community and is celebrated annually on the Saturday before Ash Wednesday. The event was scheduled for Feb. 13. Fasnacht is a pre-Lenten celebration that was brought to Randolph County ...