Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston received nearly $2M in PPP Loans

July 11, 2020

WHEELING — The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston received nearly $2 million in federal Paycheck Protection Program loans to help pay its administrative staff and every active priest working in West Virginia during the coronavirus pandemic. The request was not unusual as numerous dioceses across the country, including those in Youngstown, Columbus and Pittsburgh each received PPP loans between $2-5 million when the program was rolled out in April, according to public records. In all, Roman Catholic dioceses across the United States received an estimated $1.4 billion in loans designed to ...

West Virginia governor delays action as virus spikes

July 11, 2020

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice delayed action Friday on whether to strengthen coronavirus restrictions as the state reports spikes in cases, hospitalizations and transmission rates. The Republican governor said he is considering limiting the sizes of gatherings across the state and is "looking" at closing bars and indoor dining in Monongalia County in response to rising caseloads. He said he needs more information before moving forward but said a decision could come next week. New virus cases have been ticking up in the state and the numbers this week peaked to the highest daily ...

Gov. Justice names Amjad as new state health officer to replace Slemp

July 11, 2020

CHARLESTON — A Beckley-based physician is the new West Virginia health officer and commissioner of the Bureau of Public Health, the governor announced on Friday. Dr. Ayne Amjad replaces Dr. Cathy Slemp. "We have picked up an incredible West Virginian," Justice said as he announced the ...

US bets on untested company to deliver COVID-19 vaccine

July 11, 2020

(EDITOR'S NOTE — This story is part of an ongoing investigation by The Associated Press, the PBS series FRONTLINE and the Global Reporting Centre that examines the deadly consequences of the fragmented worldwide medical supply chain.) When vats of COVID-19 vaccine are finally ready, jabbing ...

July 11: Events canceled/postponed due to coronavirus

July 11, 2020

Due to the precautions being taken surrounding the coronavirus, the following changes have been made regarding events and meetings in the local area: ł The 74th-annual Weirton Steel Corp. 25-Year Club picnic scheduled for July 18 was canceled. ł Mingo Community Days, normally held each July, has been canceled. ¯ The 203rd-annual on-site Hollow Rock Campmeeting for July has been canceled. ł The 50th-annual Covered Bridge Festival that had been scheduled for Sept. 19-20 at eight locations across Washington and Greene counties in Pennsylvania, has been canceled. ł All ...

Gov. Justice names Amjad as new state health officer to replace Slemp

July 10, 2020

CHARLESTON — Dr. Ayne Amjad, a Beckley-based physician, will replace Dr. Cathy Slemp as the state health officer and commissioner of the West Virginia Bureau of Public Health. Gov. Jim Justice announced the appointment of Amjad Friday during his coronavirus briefing at the ...