West Virginia Archives

General

West Virginia: Tax Commissioner Dale Steager Announces Retirement

WV Department of Revenue: Tax Commissioner Dale Steager announces his retirement CHARLESTON, WV (STL.News) West Virginia Tax Commissioner Dale Steager announced today that he is retiring from the West Virginia State Tax Department. Steager’s work in the areas of West Virginia’s tax code and revenue laws spanned nearly 50 years. He was appointed as Tax Commissioner by Gov. Jim Justice in January 2017. “Commissioner Steager has served the State remarkably well for several decades,” West Virginia Department of Revenue Secretary Dave Hardy said. “We thank him for his extraordinary service to West Virginia and its people, and wish him all the best in his retirement and his future endeavors.” Steager began his career with the State Tax Department in 1971 and later served as General...

General

West Virginia: Christopher T. Engle sentenced for wire fraud

Berkeley County man, Christopher T. Engle sentenced for wire fraud involving Hearts2Heros organization MARTINSBURG, W.V (STL.News) Christopher T. Engle, of Bunker Hill, West Virginia, was sentenced to 41 months of incarceration for wire fraud, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced. Engle, age 30, was the co-owner of Hearts2Heros, a for-profit entity that allegedly was meant to support the military by creating and sending care packages to deployed service members. Hearts2Heros employees solicited contributions and misrepresented that the organization was a charity. Engle pled guilty in February 2020 to a one-count information, charging him with “Wire Fraud.” Engle admitted that he defrauded donors in the Northern District of West Virginia, taking their donations for Hearts2Heros and u...

Health

West Virginia: COVID Vaccination Pre-Registration System

West Virginia First State to Launch Everbridge COVID-19 Vaccination Pre-Registration System CHARLESTON, WV (STL.News) West Virginians will now have access to a COVID-19 vaccination pre-registration tool available statewide. West Virginia is the first state to deploy this new system through Everbridge, a global provider of critical event management technologies. The tool enables West Virginians to pre-register for COVID-19 vaccination and receive updates through text, phone and/or email. The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) will launch the new service at 8 a.m., Monday, January 25, 2021 on vaccinate.wv.gov. Those who have already been placed on a waitlist through their local health department or other medical provider, as well as those who have already recei...

Politics

West Virginia Governor Justice Appoints Harold Ward

CHARLESTON, WV (STL.News) Gov. Jim Justice announced today that he has appointed Harold Ward as Cabinet Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP). Ward recently served as the WVDEP’s Deputy Secretary of Operations and Director of the Division of Mining and Reclamation (DMR), where he oversaw all operational components of the WVDEP, as well as the agency’s mining regulatory program. “Harold Ward has been a superstar in the WVDEP for a long time and the work he’s done during my administration, leading our Division of Mining and Reclamation, has been truly incredible,” Gov. Justice said. “I have all the confidence in the world that he will do a fantastic job as our new Secretary for the Department of Environmental Protection.” “I am honored to be ...

Politics

West Virginia: Inauguration Ceremony Scheduled for Friday, Jan. 22

CHARLESTON, WV (STL.News) The Office of Gov. Jim Justice announced today that the 2021 West Virginia Gubernatorial and Constitutional Officer Inauguration Ceremony will be held on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021, beginning at 1 p.m., on the North Side of the West Virginia Capitol Building. The ceremony will include the swearing in of the Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Treasurer, State Auditor, Commissioner of Agriculture, and Supreme Court Justices. After taking his oath of office, Gov. Justice will give his inaugural address. Due to COVID-19 protocols and due to security protocols, attendance will be limited to dignitaries, families of those being sworn in, members of the media, and other invited guests. The event will be live-streamed online. All West Virginian...

Politics

West Virginia: Application for Thirteenth Judicial Circuit vacancy

CHARLESTON, WV (STL.News) The Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission will receive applications immediately for the vacancy on the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit serving the County of Kanawha. The deadline for application and submittal of letters of recommendation is January 27, 2021. Interviews will be held on February 11, 2021, in Charleston, with in-person and teleconference options available. Applications and letters of recommendation will not be considered if received after the deadlines outlined above. Both must be submitted to: Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission, c/o Manda Bickoff, Office of the Governor, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East, Charleston, West Virginia 25305

Politics

West Virginia DHHR Announces Low Income Energy Assistance Program

CHARLESTON, WV (STL.News) The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) announced applications for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) will be accepted beginning today, Monday, January 11, 2021, and ending at the close of business on January 29, 2021, or until funds are exhausted. The federally funded program assists eligible state residents in paying home heating bills. Eligibility for LIEAP benefits is based on income, household size and whether the household is responsible for paying its heating bill. To qualify, households must meet all program guidelines, which include an applicant’s annual income being at or below 60 percent of the State Median Income. In situations where a heating emergency exists, applicants must be seen by a DHHR worker. A...

General

West Virginia: Kaleah Scott admits to role in drug conspiracy

(STL.News) – Kaleah Scott, of Winchester, Virginia, has admitted to her role in a drug conspiracy that spanned several states, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced. Scott, 40, pled guilty today to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Heroin and Fentanyl.” Scott admitted to working with others to distribute heroin, fentanyl from June to November 2019 in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties and elsewhere. Scott faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. This case is the result of investigations supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task F...

Politics

West Virginia Governor Announces $6 million to Combat Drug Crisis

CHARLESTON, WV (STL.News) Gov. Jim Justice announced today a $6 million federal grant that will help West Virginia strengthen cutting-edge strategies that target addiction through prevention, intervention, and diversion. The funding comes from the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-based Program (COSSAP) through the Justice and Community Services section of the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security. “I’ve said many times that we need to do everything in our power and be willing to use every tool in our toolbelt to combat the epidemic we continue to face against opioids,” Gov. Justice said. “This grant is a truly fantastic help in that fight. It’s going to provide all kinds of new pathways and access to treatment for West Virginians who may be struggling. I...

General

W.Va: Charleston Felon Ronald Sayles Pleads Guilty to Gun Crime

(STL.News) – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced today that Ronald Sayles, 43, of Charleston, pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Sayles admitted that on September 18, 2020, he was a passenger in a vehicle that crashed on Washington Street, East in Charleston. When responding officers conducted a pat down of Sayles, they located a Ruger LC9, 9mm pistol in his jacket pocket. Sayles admitted to police officers that he knew he was prohibited from possessing the gun because of two prior felony convictions. In 2016, Sayles was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia and, in 2002, he was convicted in Kanawha County Circuit Court of possession with intent to deliver a controlled su...

General

West Virginia: Carlentez McDaniel indicted on firearms charge

(STL.News) – Carlentez McDaniel, of Morgantown, West Virginia, is facing a firearms charge, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced. McDaniel, 32, was indicted on one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” McDaniel, who is prohibited from having a gun, is accused of having a .45 caliber Glock pistol in February 2020 in Monongalia County. McDaniel faces up to 10 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Wagner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated. An indictment is merely an accusa...

General

West Virginia: Physician Dr. Kenneth C. Ramdat indicted

West Virginia: Physician Dr. Kenneth C. Ramdat indicted on assault charges (STL.News) – Dr. Kenneth C. Ramdat, a physician employed at the Louis A. Johnson VA Hospital in Clarksburg, West Virginia, is facing federal criminal charges, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced. Ramdat, 65, of Silver Springs, Maryland, was indicted on two counts of “Abusive Sexual Contact” and two counts of “Simple Assault.” Ramdat is accused of touching two staff women’s breasts without permission in two separate incidents in August 2019 and October 2019 at the hospital in Harrison County. Ramdat faces up to two years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for each of the sexual contact counts and faces up to six months of incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000 for the assault counts. Under the Federa...

General

West Virginia: Inmates and Joanna Masias indicted on drug charges

(STL.News) – Two inmates and an Illinois woman are facing charges involving smuggling suboxone into FCI Gilmer in Glenville, West Virginia, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced. Quadiri Ayodele, 41, and Francisco Masias, 41, both inmates at FCI Gilmer, and Joanna Masias, 36, of Cicero, Illinois, are each facing one count of “Conspiracy to Introduce and Obtain a Prohibited Object (Narcotic)” and one count of “Attempt to Introduce a Prohibited Object (Narcotic).” Joanna is also facing one count of “False Statement to a Federal Agency.” The three are accused of developing a plan to smuggle suboxone into FCI Gilmer in March and April 2019. Joanna is also accused of lying on a form at the prison that stated she didn’t have narcotics in her possession. Ayodele, Francisco Masias, and Joanna M...

Politics

WV Gov. Justice appoints Dr. Stan Maynard to State Board of Education

CHARLESTON, WV (STL.News) Today, Gov. Jim Justice announced the appointment of Arthur “Stan” Maynard, Ed.D. to the West Virginia State Board of Education. Dr. Maynard’s appointment is effective immediately. He will fill the expired seat formerly held by David G. Perry. Click here to view appointment letter The term will last through Nov. 4, 2029. Dr. Maynard is currently the Executive Director of the June Harless Center for Rural Educational Research and Development at Marshall University. He resides in Huntington. Dr. Maynard has over 40 years of service to public education and higher education, spending the last 20 years working with school districts to provide educators and families of rural West Virginia with a support system that addresses educational challenges in order to ben...

Politics

Governor Justice awards $8.6 million in TARTP Grants in West Virginia

Gov. Justice awards over $8.6 million in Transportation Alternatives and Recreational Trails grants benefitting dozens of communities across West Virginia CHARLESTON, WV (STL.News) Over the past week, Gov. Jim Justice traveled across the state to award a total of 47 Transportation Alternatives and Recreational Trails Program (TARTP) grants, worth over $8.6 million, for various improvement projects in 29 counties throughout West Virginia. West Virginia TARTP grants help towns and cities build and improve sidewalks, lighting, trails, and more. The program is administered by the West Virginia Department of Transportation and funded by the Federal Highway Administration. Earlier this year, Gov. Justice presented another round of 38 TARTP grants,worth over $7.4 million, for additional projec...

Politics

West Virginia Governor Justice awards $500,000 grant to Town of Rainelle

Gov. Justice awards $500,000 grant to Town of Rainelle for major streetscape improvement project More than $8.6 million has been awarded for similar projects all across West Virginia in the past week RAINELLE, WV (STL.News) In celebration of yet another day of betterment in southern West Virginia, Gov. Jim Justice joined local leaders for an event today to award a $500,000 Transportation Alternatives and Recreational Trails Program grant to the Town of Rainelle that will pay for a major streetscape enhancement project on Main Street. “I love Rainelle beyond good sense and I’m so excited to be here today to announce this grant,” Gov. Justice said. “We’ve given out a bunch of these grants over the last week, but this one today is one of the biggest and we’re bringing it to Rainelle. It’s ...

Politics

West Virginia Gov. Justice Awards $2.6 million in Transportation

Gov. Justice awards over $2.6 million in Transportation Alternatives and Recreational Trails grants benefitting Eastern Panhandle and Wood County CHARLESTON, WV (STL.News) Gov. Jim Justice held a virtual ceremony today to award over $2.3 million in Transportation Alternatives and Recreational Trails Program (TARTP) grants for seven projects in cities and towns across West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle, and to award $300,000 in TARTP grants for three additional projects in communities across Wood County. The 10 grants awarded are worth a combined total of $2,686,639 and include projects in five counties. “I am excited to announce that we are giving out yet another round of these grants today,” Gov. Justice said. “They end up making our cities and towns a lot more presentable and they make...

Politics

West Virginia Governor Justice Announce Public Access Site on New River

Gov. Justice, WVDNR announce new public access site on New River CHARLESTON, WV (STL.News) Gov. Jim Justice and officials with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) today announced that a new fishing access site and boat ramp has opened on the New River, near Gauley Bridge. The new site, located downstream from the Hawks Nest-Gauley Mountain Hydroelectric facility, between Gauley Bridge and Cathedral Falls along state Route 60, will give anglers access to the scenic stretch of the New River with prime fishing for smallmouth bass, walleye, and other popular species. “I'm very proud that we continue to provide more and more opportunities for West Virginians everywhere to fully enjoy the unmatched natural wonders that we're blessed with in our state,” Gov. Justice said. “...