Briefs for Friday March 22

Mar. 22—Annual Kids Kick Opioids deadline approaching

The West Virginia Attorney General is reminding schools, students and parents of the upcoming deadline for the office's 8th Annual Kids Kick Opioids contest on Friday, May 3.

The contest provides an opportunity for students to learn about the dangers and deadly consequences of prescription painkiller abuse. It has also given many an outlet to share their personal experiences, highlighting how opioid dependence has impacted their lives and that of their loved ones.

Students can work individually or in groups. Submissions may include drawings, poems, letters or anything that would promote awareness.

"Every year, the Kids Kick Opioids contest showcases the incredible talent and creativity of our elementary and middle school students," Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said. "Their entries viscerally demonstrate that the opioid crisis affects many families across West Virginia, and as a result, resonates in classrooms statewide."

Kids Kick Opioids has received more than 17,600 entries since its inception.

The winning entry will appear as a statewide newspaper public service announcement. Regional winners will be displayed in the state capitol.

Contest entries must be postmarked by Friday, May 3, and mailed to the Attorney General's Office at 1900 Kanawha Blvd. E., State Capitol Building 1, Room 26-E, Charleston, WV 25305, or sent by email to AGPSA.contest@wvago.gov.

Griffith awards grant to Virginia's Crooked Road

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded a $64,135 grant dedicated to the Crooked Road, Virginia's Music Heritage Trail. The funding supports a project that commemorates the 20th anniversary of the organization, according to U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Va.

"The Crooked Road celebrating its 20th anniversary is exciting. I was there in the Virginia House of Delegates when Delegate Phillips got the House Bill passed designating the Crooked Road as Virginia's Music Heritage Trail," Griffith said. "The trail generates major economic activity as their festivals and venues garner thousands of visitors year-round. This monetary contribution by ARC will continue the Crooked Road's mission in promoting Southwest Virginia's identity which includes traditional music."

Manchin introduces Women in Agriculture Day resolution

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., reintroduced a bipartisan resolution Thursday to designate March 21, 2024 as National Women in Agriculture Day to recognize the critical contributions of West Virginian and American women in the agriculture industry.

"West Virginia's farmers, ranchers and livestock producers play a vital role in our state's economy and provide nutritious food for our communities, and women have always been an essential part of this industry," said Manchin. "With grit and determination, women have forged their own path in agriculture, and I'm proud to reintroduce this bipartisan resolution to recognize and celebrate the women in West Virginia and across the country who are critical to leading and supporting agricultural businesses, operations and education."

Manchin was joined by Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA) and 62 additional bipartisan senators in introducing the measure.

Pothole patching continues across West Virginia

West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) road crews have patched over 5,000 miles of road during an early patching blitz, officials said Thursday.

Since Gov. Jim Justice and the WVDOH announced Operation R.I.P. Potholes on January 30, road crews have patched 57,171 potholes along 5,094 miles of road. Pothole patching typically doesn't begin until the first week of April.

WVDOH officials worked with asphalt plant owners in St. Albans, Morgantown, and Princeton to open early this season, allowing road crews to make permanent pothole repairs with hot asphalt. As crews are out patching, they are finding that some stretches of road may have numerous potholes to patch, while some stretches may have none.

Asphalt plants are beginning to open in other parts of the state now, with the rest expected to open the first week of April. Roads scheduled to be milled and filled today include:

— US 219 and Oine Grove Road, Monroe County.

—Johnny Cake Road, Mohawk, Panther Road, Dry Fork Road, and Rift-Berwind Road, McDowell County.

— Gardner Road, Mercer Springs Road, and Kegley River Road, Mercer County.

WVDEP hosting World Water Day outing for students

More than 100 grade school students will learn important lessons about water conservation in a unique outdoor classroom setting, sponsored by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP).

In conjunction with World Water Day 2024, the WVDEP's Youth Environmental Program and Project WET (Water Education Today) are hosting a water education event beginning at 9 a.m. today at Little Creek Park in South Charleston.

Fourth- and fifth-grade students from Holz, Kenna and Richmond elementaries in Kanawha County will rotate through a series of innovative, 20 minute presentations offered by government and industry experts. The hands-on stations are designed to be both interactive and fun, while providing valuable information about the availability of clean water on the planet, threats to its viability and actions needed to protect it.

Presenters will touch on subjects such as flooding, acid rain, safeguarding our drinking water, water usage and how pollution impacts aquatic insects.

World Water Day is an annual United Nations' observance with goals of raising awareness and inspiring action to take on water and sanitation issues around the globe. This year's theme is "Water for Peace," as more than 3 billion people worldwide depend on water that crosses national borders. As populations grow, there is an urgent need, within and between countries, to unite around conserving the resource.

Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com