Local News

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. Despite being massively outspent, Chris Rose defeated two-term state senator Mike Maroney, R-Marshall, in the May primary election by more than 2,800 votes in his first run for political office.

On WAJR’s “Talk of the Town,” Rose said the campaign was won on hard work and face-to-face contact with voters in the district that covers three counties and portions of three others. Campaign finance reports show Rose spent $54,282.66, compared to $1,187,298.43 spent by Maroney.

“Hopefully this race is an example to people that you don’t have to have a lot of money; you just have to have the will and the willingness to get out there and fight to make that difference,” Rose said. “The fact that we were willing to go out and meet the voters at their homes made all the difference at the end of the day.”

The district encompasses all or portions of Monongalia, Marion, Doddridge, Marshall, Tyler, and Wetzel counties, and Rose believes he has knocked on more than 4,000 doors during the campaign.

“Three gentlemen in a pickup truck are traveling this district, a very large six-county district,” Rose said. “Door knocking and having front porch conversations with voters, getting to know the people in the district, hearing their needs and concerns, and hearing what I stand for.”

Rose said he will support policies that encourage energy production and snub policies that provide subsidies for renewable energy. Energy produced from wind and solar is only competitive because of government subsidies, according to Rose.

“Free market capitalism is what built this country and made it great,” Rose said. “When we have that same approach with our energy, we have a lot of energy jobs in the state of West Virginia, and we have to get back to that—we have to do what we can to get government out of the way to let the energy sector do what it does.”

Some of the issues Rose talked with voters about were Maroney’s voting record on energy-related issues, and his campaign materials referred to Maroney as a “phony conservative” who does not have Christian values.

“He had a very poor attendance record, and when he did show up, he supported things like the Green New Deal, and we’re an energy district—we have a lot of coal, oil, and gas in the district, and they felt like they were being betrayed with their tax dollars funding the Green New Deal,” Rose said. “They definitely didn’t like some of his other votes on social issues.”

Rose does not face a challenger in the November election, but he has plans to continue the campaign pace and voter engagement through the summer.

“I don’t have a general election opponent, but I feel like I need to be out with the people, introducing myself to them and thanking them for their vote,” Rose said. “Obviously continuing to have those conversations about the wants and needs in the district because that’s what good public servants do.”
 

WESTOVER, W.Va. — The city of Westover hes settled the lawsuit brought against the city by former councilman Ralph Mullins.

U.S. District Judge Thomas Kleeh dismissed seven of the nine counts filed against the city, former mayor Dave Johnson, attorney Tim Stranko, clerk Sandy Weiss and five current and former members of council.

The remaining counts of assault and battery against former mayor Dave Johnson were settled for $3,000. Johnson was also charged with misdemeanor battery from an incident during a council meeting in Feb. of 2022 but was found not guilty in magistrate court.

In the lawsuit Mullins said his First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendments were violated, intentional infliction of emotional distress, violation of the West Virginia Whistle Blower Law, slander, assault, and battery.

Johnson was the lone defendant in the lawsuit after the judge dismissed the whistleblower claim.

In a statement to The Dominion Post, Mullins said he believes the lawsuit was successful.

“From two short years ago, the entire Westover legislative and executive has been dismantled with the exception of two. The premise of this case was to ensure that those who betrayed the public trust would never again be in a position to do so. And we achieved that.”

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. The Monongalia County Health Department (MCHD) is conducting a community health survey to inform the public about the services they provide. MCHD Executive Director Anthony DeFelice said the department is in the implementation phase of a strategic plan developed with the help of Morgantown-based Forge Business Solutions.

MCHD services touch many aspects of life, from inspecting restaurants to providing health care to the Quick Response Team.

“We permit all those, we inspect them, and we train their food workers,” DeFelice said. “So again, every time someone goes to an establishment for dinner or beer, we’re involved in that.”

In order for the public to take advantage of the services offered, they have to understand what all there is. So, this is a chance to talk about things like the mobile dentistry Smile Express program, services for mothers and young children through the WIC program, testing for sexually transmitted infections, and the Monongalia County Quick Response Team (QRT).

“We want them to get to know us and tell us what’s important to them,” DeFelice said. “So, we can make decisions on our initiatives on what direction we should go.”

Monongalia County has the only health department in the state with a full-service dental section with a dentist trained at West Virginia University. The mobile Smile Express travels to area schools and is now expanding.

“We touch about five counties, and we have also expanded Smile Express into a nursing home and recovery centers,” DeFelice said.

The process also includes a community survey that is required by law every five years. The survey is available at the health department office and online here.

“Part of this is going to be telling the community what we do, and hopefully some of these services will be helpful to them,” DeFelice said. “Also, we want to listen to them to see if there’s something we can align with that might fit a need they have.”

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Members of the Monongalia Morgantown Metropolitan Planning Organization (MMMPO) will be a part of a committee to meet with DOH officials to get an update on the scheduling of the Transportation Improvement Plan.

The motion to establish the committee was approved by a near unanimous vote after discussions related to the planned Star City Interchange Project (a.k.a. the Exit 155 Interchange Project) were tabled to get more clarity on the timeline for state dollars expected to be used in the project. MMMPO Chair and Monongalia County Delegate Joe Statler called for the establishment of the committee due to confusion over a slate of both federal and state dollars dedicated to the project. The committee would include a combination of county and local representatives who will look to get answers on how the project will be funded in order to allow for other side projects that were included as part of an over $110 million proposal to move forward.

“I want to appoint an informational committee to look at 155, to meet with the state, to narrow down some things that’s out there and how we move forward,” said Statler, addressing members of the MMMPO during their regular meeting Thursday night.

The Transportation Improvement Plan Committee will include Statler, Monongalia County Commission President Sean Sikora, Morgantown Area Partnership President and CEO Russ Rogerson, former Morgantown Mayor and WVU Director of Local Government Relations Ron Justice, Star City Recorder Steve Blinco, and MMMPO Executive Director Bill Austin. As part of the committee, they will meet with State DOH officials, with State Transportation Secretary Jimmy Wriston potentially a part of the conversations, to discuss how the $66 million dedicated towards projects for the improvement plan will be affected by around $54.3 million coming from the U.S. Department of Transportation. With months of no firm answers on a state level added to a potential conflict over how projects will be completed, Statler feels a formal meeting is needed.

“I don’t want anybody to believe that we’re trying to put the breaks on, to slow it down, or to hold it up, I certainly don’t want the folks in Charleston to feel that way,” said Statler. “I just want some good, clear direction on where we’re at,” he said.

The establishment of the Transportation Improvement Plan Committee will not affect any future plans related to the Exit 155 Interchange, the Morgantown Industrial Park Access Road, or other projects that are included as part of the multi-year plan. This includes the replacement of I-79 bridges over Chaplin Hill Road, flyover reconstruction on the westbound end of I-79, and a pedestrian and bicycle connection between the Star City bridge and the regional rail-to-trail network. While there’s a call for more clarity of the timeline for the project that has been in the works, there’s confidence that the five year window for the MMMPO Transportation Improvement Plan will not be affected if a goal to start construction by the end of 2024 can be reached.

“But this project started a good while ago, I don’t know where it’s at now compared to where it was (to our last update in January),” said Statler. “What’s moving forward? What are the commitments? What’s the money commitment? What is the project commitment?” he said.

If State DOH officials confirm with the MMMPO that the approximately full $66 million allocation will be approved as previously stated, then plans for construction on the Transportation Improvement Plan are expected to move forward after years of delays. The start of construction would be the start of the completion of road infrastructure plans that have been in the works since 2019, but have been delayed by various funding delays. With the federal funds now ready to be used, the MMMPO hopes to hear more news from the State DOH so any parameters that could affect funding will be avoided, preventing any further delays.

“We’ve got to figure out how we’re going to do that (compliment the state and federal funds) and make sure, at the same time, we’re made as whole as possible,” said MMMPO member and Monongalia County Commission President Sean Sikora. “We want as many dollars flowing through Mon County for this project as possible, and we have to figure out how all the projects connect,” he said.

FAIRMONT, W.Va. Police in Fairmont have arrested a 25-year-old who allegedly attacked a group of people in an apartment while high on LSD.

On Thursday, when police arrived at the apartment on Ridgely Avenue, residents were fleeing, and police found Tyreese Files inside with a gun fighting with other occupants.

Police said the basement door was damaged when they entered and found Files on his knees, sweating with a facemask on.

The police placed Files in handcuffs and found a pistol next to him. A victim at the scene said police files hit him during the attack.

While being questioned, Files admitted to taking LSD and said he wanted to fight the victim, and the only way was to kick the door in.

Witnesses also told police Files pointed the gun at the group after he kicked the door in.

Files has been charged with wanton endangerment, use of a firearm during a felony, and burglary and is being held in the North Central Regional Jail in lieu of a $150,012 bond.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Morgantown Utility Board (MUB) dedicated what leaders are calling the most important piece of infrastructure after former slave and African-American entrepreneur John Edwards.

More than 20 family members from all over the country came to the dedication ceremony on Don Knotts Boulevard on Thursday.

The four-mile, 30-inch raw water line from the Flegal Reservoir to the MUB Water Treatment Plant on Don Knotts Boulevard now carries his name. MUB General Manager Mike McNulty explained the line is the link to 30-days of fresh water for the community if there were ever a disaster similar to the 2014 Elk River chemical spill. McNulty said the line is in use and is currently delivering 10 million gallons of fresh water to the system each day.

“He started a water business, McNulty said. “He hauled water from the Monongahela River and Deckers Creek to customers and charged a little more for the Deckers Creek because it was a little harder to do.”

Great-great-grandson Ed Bolden is a Bronze Star recipient from the Vietnam War and is currently retired after a 40-year career with FedEx. When Bolden returned home from Vietnam in 1969, he said his first stop was the Edwards family home on White Avenue to see his great-grandmother. He said the lessons he learned from both of them have been key to his successes in life.

Mr. Edwards operated the water service from 1865 to around 1885, when the city started a water utility. His son then started a garbage business that thrived for more than three decades before the city went into the sanitation business.

“If you fall, get up and try it again until you succeed,” Bolden said. “Give advice to young people and try to help people when you see they’re a little wobbly on their feet.”

Greenmont resident Adelheid Schaupp now owns the property that belonged to James Edwards, John’s son, and was built next to the original family home on White Avenue. During school segregation, the large Edwards family home was also used as a school for African-American children. The home has been renovated by Schaupp, and the artifacts that were found are now at the West Virginia Regional History Center at West Virginia University.

“There was an old desk; I found an old chalkboard and lots of ledgers from where James kept records of the garbage business,” Schaupp said.

Pamela Bellamy is a great-great-granddaughter who remembers visiting the family on White Avenue as she was growing up. From Arlington, Virginia, and now living in Indianapolis, she said she always stops in Morgantown on the way home.

“It was wonderful, and it brought back a lot of memories,” Bellamy said. “On White Avenue, there were a lot of family members, and we would go from house to house and see everybody; it was a lot of fun.”

Bolden said the home on White Avenue, which was once a segregated school, was also a hub for activities in the community.

“They had movies there at one time,” Bolden said. “I remember going to the movies and playing up there at the school when I was a child.”

CHARLESTON, W.Va. During press availability on Thursday, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito offered her thoughts on the outcome of the recent primary election.

Her son, Moore Capito, finished second in voting totals to Patrick Morrisey in the race for the Republican nomination for West Virginia governor. Moore Capito served in the West Virginia House of Delegates from 2016 to 2023, when he resigned as Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee to focus on his campaign for governor.

“It’s not easy to lose, and our son is learning that himself, and as his mother, I’m learning that myself,” Capito said. ” But he should be very proud of his efforts, as we are.”

When asked if she would support the winner, Patrick Morrisey, in the fall for governor, she provided a coy response.

“I am the leader of the Republican Party and will be supporting the Republican ticket, so let’s just see what happens in November,” Capito said.

She was very clear on who she thought the next U.S. Senator from West Virginia would be.

“I welcome Governor Justice as the Republican nominee for Senate and the eventual winner,” Capito said. “There is no doubt in mind that Governor Justice is exceedingly popular.”

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. —The Clay-Battelle Cee Bees have hired their next head football coach.

The Monongalia County Board of Education has hired Aaron LaPoe. He takes over for Ryan Wilson, who has served as the head coach for the past 29 years. LaPoe has been on various coaching staffs, but this will be his first time being a head coach at the high school level.

“I feel like Spiderman,” said LaPoe. “Coach Wilson as Uncle Ben, and telling me the famous quote, ‘With great power comes great responsibility.’ So, I feel like there’s a big responsibility on my shoulders,” he said.

LaPoe graduated from Clay-Battelle High School in 2004. He broke the school all-time rushing yards record, and that record still holds to this day. He went to West Virginia University as a preferred walk-on. He then transferred to Fairmont State and played with the Falcons for three years. He started as a middle school coach at South Middle School. LaPoe then moved on to Capital High School and served on the coaching staff for 5 years, including a state championship in 2014 and a runner-up in 2015.

Coach Wilson played a huge role in his upbringing as a coach.

“He was a powerful role model to me,” said LaPoe. “I would not be where I am today. I would not be the father or husband that I am today if it weren’t for Coach Wilson. When people ask what I want to do when I leave high school, I simply say I want to be like him. I just want a beautiful family; I want to live in a brick house; and I want to coach football,” he added.

LaPoe is taking over a Cee Bee’s side that has enthusiasm that they can turn around the bad fortunes of last year. While the Cee Bees had a 3-7 record, four of those losses were decided by two scores or less. However, the players and community outreach were overwhelming in their support for Coach LaPoe to take over.

“I felt led in that direction by people in the community. I prayed a lot and talked with my wife. She’s now in her first week as the physical therapist in Blacksville, and then this job opened up. The timing could not be more perfect.

Things have drastically changed since LaPoe was a player at Clay-Battelle. Now, with the one-time transfer rule, along the way, the four-classification system favors the Cee Bee’s as well. Only four state champions are returning to single-A (twice Weirton Madonna, once Wahama, and Magnolia).

“Speaking on transfers, when I first got there with Coach Carpenter, goal one was to keep our own kids,” said LaPoe. “Clay-Battelle is somewhat insulated from that. I do still feel like I need to recruit my own hallways. Not necessarily transferring, but just getting them on the field, he added.

“As for the four-class system, I think it’s great for us smaller schools,” LaPoe said. “I think new coaches come in and say our goal is to win a state championship, but the fact is that’s never been done in Clay-Battelle football. Now though, with this four-class system, I think that is the goal,” he added.

Lupoe’s first game will be at home on August 30th against Hundred.

SALEM, W.Va. An argument while hanging a star on a barn in Doddridge County that led to a domestic dispute has a Salem man behind bars.

On Monday, deputies from the Doddridge County Sheriff’s Department were called to the residence on Elkhorn Road and found William Fragmin, 49, mowing the grass.

When deputies asked Fragmin about the incident, he told them there was a fight and he had lost his temper.

Witnesses told deputies the two were hanging a star on a barn when the fight occurred. According to the witness, he pulled the juvenile off the ladder while his hand was stuck in it.

The juvenile told deputies that Fragmin kicked him in the stomach after being pulled off the ladder.

Deputies said the juvenile had a red mark on his chest and marks on his back.

Fragmin has been charged with child abuse.