State

West Virginia University Health System will receive more than $3.4 million in state Rural Health Transformation Program funding to improve care for patients with chronic illnesses and help rural hospitals address staffing shortages. Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced the awards, which will support programs designed to help patients manage their health from home and provide hospitals with additional healthcare workers when staffing needs arise, according to a statement released from the governor’s office. “West Virginians deserve access to quality healthcare no matter where they live,” Morrisey said. “These investments will help patients manage serious health conditions before they become emergencies while making sure our rural hospitals have the healthcare professionals they need to serve their communities. Better healthcare means healthier West Virginians who can return to work, support their families, and contribute to a stronger economy.” More than $2.5 million will go toward the state’s Connected Care Grid initiative, which will expand services for West Virginians with diabetes and high blood pressure. The program will establish a team of nurses and other healthcare professionals based in West Virginia to help patients monitor their conditions at home and connect with medical care when needed. It is expected to serve approximately 1,200 patients during its first year, with services reaching communities in all 55 counties. The initiative also will allow eligible patients to enroll in monitoring services before leaving the hospital. The goal is to maintain communication between patients and healthcare providers during the transition home and reduce complications associated with chronic illnesses. “WVU Health already serves patients in communities across West Virginia and has built a strong foundation for delivering innovative care,” state Health Secretary Dr. Arvin Singh said. “This investment allows them to build on that work by helping more people manage chronic conditions, stay connected to their healthcare providers, and access support closer to home.” A second award of $900,000 will support the Mountain State Care Force initiative, which will create a statewide pool of healthcare professionals who can be assigned to hospitals facing staffing shortages. The program will prioritize rural and critical access hospitals, helping communities maintain access to essential medical services. Funding also will support efforts to prepare healthcare professionals to work across multiple WVU Health facilities, allowing them to be deployed more quickly when staffing demands increase.

West Virginia is entering a national competition to host the proposed United States Space Academy, a move that could bring new jobs, private investment and educational opportunities to the state. Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced the state-sponsored bid, saying West Virginia intends to compete for a role in the nation’s future space program. “West Virginia helped write the history of America’s space program, and now we have an opportunity to compete for a role in its next chapter,” Morrisey said according to a statement from the governor’s office. “This will be a tough competition, but West Virginia has a strong case to make. We are going to fight for every opportunity that can bring good-paying jobs to our state, grow our economy, and help make West Virginia more affordable for our families.” President Donald Trump established the United States Space Academy through Executive Order 14423 on August 28. NASA’s Office of Strategic Infrastructure subsequently issued a national request for potential locations for the proposed institution. NASA is seeking a site that can accommodate an inaugural class of 300 students in 2028, with construction of a permanent campus beginning no later than 2027. The campus would need at least 300 acres and the capacity to serve 1,200 students by 2031, with room to eventually expand to approximately 4,000 students. Nearly every higher education institution in West Virginia has joined the effort, forming a statewide network to help support the academy’s curriculum while a permanent campus is developed and accredited. Marshall University and West Virginia University’s joint grant resource centers are assisting with the state’s proposal ahead of the October 26 deadline. Morrisey said the effort aligns with his administration’s focus on attracting investment and creating employment opportunities for West Virginians. “Economic development has to translate into something real for West Virginia families,” Morrisey said. “That means more good-paying jobs, more opportunities for our kids to build their careers here at home, and a stronger economy that helps us keep taxes low and make West Virginia more affordable. Jobs and affordability are what this is ultimately about.” The state is pursuing the opportunity amid a period of significant announced economic development. West Virginia has secured approximately $96 billion in announced private-sector investment and more than 19,000 projected jobs in less than a year, according to the governor’s office. The administration said that level of announced development is approximately nine times what the state had previously experienced over a comparable one-year period. Although West Virginia would face competition from states with established aerospace industries, Morrisey said the state has a distinct history and potential advantages to present. “We know that it’s not easy to compete on space issues with states such as Florida or Texas, but West Virginia has our own unique space story to tell,” Morrisey added. The governor is encouraging communities across the state to contribute potential sites, development concepts and other resources that could strengthen West Virginia’s proposal. Additional information about the state’s effort is available at wvspaceacademy.com.

West Virginia will receive $9 million in federal funding over five years to expand college and career preparation services for students in 20 counties, Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced. The funding is expected to serve 3,600 students annually through a new initiative designed to help young people prepare for higher education, workforce training and future employment, according to a statement released from the governor’s office. “We’re bringing new jobs and investment into West Virginia at a historic pace, and we need to make sure our young people are prepared to take advantage of those opportunities,” Morrisey said. “This investment will open doors for thousands of students who haven’t had access to these services before, helping them build successful careers and futures right here in West Virginia.” The U.S. Department of Education’s Talent Search Program will fund Advancing College Education in West Virginia, or ACE WV. The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission will lead the initiative in partnership with six universities. The program will extend services to communities that have not previously had access to these resources. Beginning in sixth grade, participating students will receive tutoring, academic advising, college preparation assistance and guidance on financial aid, apprenticeships and workforce training. In Marion County, 390 students from 10 middle and high schools are expected to participate. Students also will be able to use ACE Wallets, digital records intended to track their academic accomplishments, skills and credentials as they progress through school and prepare for college or employment. “West Virginia has some of the hardest-working and most talented people in America, and we’re creating new opportunities for them to succeed,” Morrisey said. “I want our kids to have every opportunity to earn a great living without having to leave the state they call home. That’s how we strengthen our workforce, make life more affordable and build a stronger West Virginia.” The initiative comes as West Virginia works to prepare its workforce for anticipated economic growth. More than 19,000 jobs are projected to be associated with approximately $96 billion in announced private-sector investments since October 2025, according to the governor’s office.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey (R) is remembering Ike Morris as a businessman whose decades of work in West Virginia’s energy industry were matched by his generosity toward students, families and communities across the state. Morrisey issued a statement Monday following the death of Morris, a Glenville businessman and philanthropist who died October 19 at age 88. Morrisey highlighted Morris’ journey to West Virginia, where he built a successful business and spent much of his life supporting others. “Ike Morris made the Mountain State his home, and few people have done more to give back to the state they love,” Morrisey said, according to a statement released by the Governor’s Office. Morrisey said Morris helped strengthen West Virginia’s economy through his work in the oil and natural gas industry, creating jobs and building businesses over more than six decades. The governor also pointed to Morris’ philanthropic contributions, particularly his support for Glenville State University, scholarships, youth athletics and community programs in Gilmer County and beyond. While Morris built a substantial business legacy, Morrisey said his generosity toward others may ultimately be what he is remembered for most. He praised Morris for helping students access educational opportunities and supporting community initiatives without seeking public recognition or personal rewards. Morrisey said Morris’ life reflected the importance of helping others and giving back to the communities that provide opportunities for success. “Ike understood something important about West Virginia. Our greatest strength has always been our people and our willingness to help our neighbors,” Morrisey said. Morrisey and his wife, Denise, extended their condolences to Morris’ wife of 62 years, Sue, their children, Doug and Shelly, and the rest of the family. The governor described Morris as an influential businessman and philanthropist whose impact will continue through the institutions he supported and the people whose lives he changed. Morris founded Waco Oil & Gas Co. in 1975 after arriving in West Virginia in 1962. His business interests eventually expanded into land and mineral holdings, real estate and other ventures, with businesses associated with him employing more than 160 people in central West Virginia at the time of his death. His philanthropic efforts included significant investments in Glenville State University, where his contributions helped support facilities, academic programs and scholarships. He also donated land for two Gilmer County elementary schools and helped provide land for the federal correctional institution in Gilmer County. Morris’ legacy extended throughout his home community, where he supported educational opportunities, athletic programs and charitable causes. Morrisey said the effects of Morris’ work will continue to benefit West Virginians for generations.

I. L. “Ike” Morris, a longtime West Virginia businessman, philanthropist and community leader whose investments and generosity helped shape Glenville and surrounding communities, died Monday, October 19, 2026. He was 88. Morris spent more than six decades building businesses, creating jobs and supporting educational, athletic and community initiatives throughout West Virginia. He incorporated Waco Oil & Gas Co. in 1975, building it into a successful independent oil and gas operation. At the time of his death, businesses associated with Morris employed more than 160 people in central West Virginia. Born November 21, 1937, in Henryetta, Oklahoma, Morris moved to West Virginia in 1962 after beginning his career in the oil and gas industry working alongside his father in southern Illinois. He started out servicing oil rigs before establishing Waco Oil & Gas, which grew alongside West Virginia’s energy industry. His business interests eventually expanded to include land and mineral holdings, timber, real estate and other ventures. Morris also developed a longstanding business partnership and friendship with fellow West Virginia businessman Mike Ross. The two worked together on numerous ventures, including LandAPlenty, Rossco LLC and Mike & Ike Oil Co., while partnering on property acquisitions and other investments. Their relationship was marked by a shared work ethic, a sense of humor and a commitment to giving back to their communities. In a profile of the two businessmen, Morris joked that he and Ross first met when Ross was hitchhiking. Ross played along, saying Morris had picked him up. Morris later revealed the real story: He had purchased a compressor from Ross but had not yet paid for it, prompting Ross to follow him to Glenville. Over the years, the two friends continued to work together, invest in property and support charitable causes. Their contributions helped fund the Waco Center at Glenville State University, a $25 million facility featuring athletic and educational spaces. Both men also supported other institutions of higher education and community initiatives across the state. Morris and his wife of 62 years, Sue, became particularly influential supporters of Glenville State University. Their contributions helped develop and improve Morris Stadium, the Waco Center and the Morris Family Health and Wellness Center, among other campus projects. The family also established an annual $500,000 matching grant to support academic merit scholarships through the Glenville State University Foundation’s Day of Giving. In 2009, Morris donated the former Kinney Shoe Building to the university for use as a Criminal Justice Training Center. He also provided land for the construction of two elementary schools in Gilmer County and donated family land for the federal correctional institution in Gilmer County, an effort undertaken alongside former U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd. Duck Run Bridge was named in recognition of his service and dedication. Morris established the Morris Foundation Inc. to help provide resources for future community initiatives. The foundation also operates the Sue Morris Sports Complex, a baseball and softball facility serving the Glenville area. His philanthropy extended beyond Glenville State University to local schools, charitable organizations, community projects and individuals in need. Morris was known for quietly helping others, often without seeking public recognition. He also regularly picked up the breakfast tab for customers at the Cornerstone Cafe in Glenville, a tradition that reflected his enjoyment of supporting the community he called home. Morris received numerous honors during his lifetime, including the 1994 West Virginia Oil and Gas Man of the Year award, Gilmer Countian of the Year, the Rotary Service Above Self Award and an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from Glenville State University in 2007. He was inducted into the Glenville State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016 and the university’s Business Hall of Fame in 2022. He also received the State Journal’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018 and was inducted into the State Journal’s Business Hall of Fame in 2026. He served on the boards of United Bank, Alliance Petroleum Corp. and the West Virginia Oil and Gas Commission and was a past president of the Glenville Golf Club. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Glenville, the Gilmer County Farm Bureau, the Independent Oil and Gas Association of West Virginia and the Independent Petroleum Association of America. Despite his many business accomplishments, Morris often emphasized the importance of giving back to the state that had provided him with opportunities. He was frequently heard saying, “I might not have been born in West Virginia, but I got here as fast as I could.” Morris was preceded in death by his parents, Irvin Leo and Agnes LaRue Morris; three siblings, Sally Bernstein, Betty Ramey and Bill Ramey; and a grandson, Lucas Daniel DeMarino. He is survived by his wife, Sue; son Douglas S. Morris of Glenville; daughter Shelly Smith and her husband, Greg, of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida; grandchildren Ian Lee Morris, Jordan Leigh Morris and Hannah Sue DeMarino; and great-grandchildren Ariana, Mia, Maggie and Marlee Morris, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Friends may attend a visitation from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday, October 22, at the Waco Center, 921 Mineral Road, in Glenville. A private burial will be held at a later date. Ellyson Mortuary Inc. is assisting the family with arrangements.

Potomac Highlands Guild will receive $500,000 to expand access to mental health and addiction recovery services in eight eastern West Virginia counties through a state-supported rural health initiative. Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced the award through the Rural Health Transformation Program, which will fund technology intended to improve patient monitoring, strengthen recovery support and reduce administrative demands on health care workers. The project will serve Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral, Morgan and Pendleton counties. Planned technology includes wearable monitoring devices, mobile applications and artificial intelligence tools to help providers recognize when patients may need additional assistance. The initiative is designed to help care teams identify potential concerns before they escalate, maintain contact with patients between appointments and support individuals throughout treatment and recovery. Reducing paperwork and other administrative responsibilities is also a goal, allowing providers to devote more time to patient care. “Getting more West Virginians healthy and back into the workforce starts with making sure people have access to the care and support they need,” Morrisey said in announcing the funding. He said the investment would help behavioral health providers support people facing addiction and mental health challenges as they work toward recovery. Potomac Highlands Guild has served communities in the region for more than four decades, according to Dr. Arvin Singh, secretary of the West Virginia Department of Health. Singh said the funding would give local providers additional resources to connect with patients sooner, address staff burnout and improve recovery outcomes. The project is intended to benefit people experiencing substance use disorders, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and other behavioral health conditions. Organizers expect the combination of technology, clinical care and peer support to help patients remain connected to treatment and recovery resources close to home. Alina Czekai, director of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Office of Rural Health Transformation, said the program emphasizes solutions developed around the needs of individual rural communities. The award is part of the broader Smart Care Catalyst Provider Productivity Support Fund. Additional awards are expected as the initiative expands across West Virginia.

A Buckhannon man was arrested after police investigated an allegation that he engaged in sexually explicit conversations with a person believed to be a 14-year-old girl, according to the Buckhannon Police Department. Richard Wood was arrested on charges of soliciting a minor via computer and attempted use of minors in filming sexually explicit conduct, police said in an Oct. 4 statement. According to police, the investigation began after the department received a tip from Niky Sal alleging that Wood was engaging in sexually explicit conversations with a juvenile. Pfc. J. Warner investigated the allegation and later arrested Wood, police said. “Mr. Wood thought it would be a great idea to reach out and talk to juveniles via cellphone/computer,” the department said in its statement. Wood is being held at Tygart Valley Regional Jail, according to police. Buckhannon police thanked the West Virginia State Police, Sal and Oklahoma Predator Prevention for their assistance with the investigation. The department also issued a warning to parents and guardians about monitoring children’s electronic communications. “Parents and Guardians, please do not hesitate to go through your child’s phone/computer/Xbox/iPad or any other electronic device to see who they are communicating with,” police said. “If you suspect any kind of harm being done to your child please call 911. Officers can get on top of the situation before it’s too late!” the department said. Under the law, Wood is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

Two people have been arrested following a multi-agency investigation into the sale of illicit THC products at tobacco and vape shops in Beckley. The Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspects as Abdullatif Yasser Altahami, who faces two counts of delivery of a controlled substance, and Hada Abulhakeem Taher Abdullah, who faces three counts of delivery of a controlled substance. The investigation was launched after authorities received multiple complaints in recent months concerning the sale of THC products in Beckley. Investigators focused on both sales to underage customers and the distribution of THC products that were not legally permitted for sale. The Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office and Beckley Police Department conducted the investigation with assistance from the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration, West Virginia Department of Agriculture and West Virginia Tax and Revenue Department. Undercover purchases were made at several tobacco and vape businesses in Beckley as part of the investigation. Authorities then executed search warrants Sept. 30 at four locations: Beckley Smoker Inc., 1232 N. Eisenhower Drive; Adam Tobacco & Vape, 3066 Robert C. Byrd Drive; Raleigh Tobacco & More, 316 Beckley Plaza; and MacArthur Smoke Shop, 412 Beckley Crossing. Investigators seized nearly 7,000 THC products with an estimated value of approximately $124,500. Authorities also confiscated more than $57,000 in cash and a firearm during the searches. The investigation remains active, and authorities said additional arrests or enforcement actions may occur as the case continues.

West Virginia’s community and technical college system has secured a $15 million federal Educational Opportunity Centers grant to expand access to higher education and career training statewide, Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced Sept. 18. The award will provide $3 million annually for five years and is described by state officials as the largest EOC grant in the nation. The program will operate across all 55 counties through the West Virginia READY Educational Opportunity Centers initiative, according to a statement released from the governor’s office. “This historic $15 million investment marks a transformative milestone for West Virginia’s workforce and economy,” Morrisey said. “By connecting our residents directly to career training, industry-recognized credentials, and higher education, we are removing barriers to employment and strengthening our state’s talent pipeline.” The initiative brings together all nine of the state’s community and technical colleges and will serve adults 19 and older, out-of-school youth, veterans, low-income residents and first-generation students. WV READY EOC will provide assistance with college admissions, high school diploma and equivalency completion, financial literacy, FAFSA applications, pre-apprenticeships and registered apprenticeship programs. “At the end of the day, this is an investment in our people and our communities,” said Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, chancellor of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and Community and Technical College System. “Through this grant, thousands of West Virginians will have access to the support and guidance they need to overcome obstacles and reach their goals.” The program aims for a 65% FAFSA completion rate and a 55% rate of postsecondary or apprenticeship enrollment among participants.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced a $2 million grant Tuesday to modernize water infrastructure in Ohio County, targeting several long-standing needs in the county’s water system. The funding from the West Virginia Water Development Authority’s Economic Enhancement Grant Fund will support four projects in partnership with the Ohio County Public Service District, according to a statement released from the governor’s office. “Safe, reliable drinking water is something no community should ever have to worry about,” Morrisey said. “Today, we are taking decisive action to ensure families, students, and businesses in Ohio County have the water system they deserve.” The projects include maintenance and recoating of the 500,000-gallon Cabela Elevated Water Storage Tank, installation of aeration mixing systems to reduce disinfection byproducts, replacement of about 5,300 feet of aging water main along Route 88 in West Liberty and upgrades to the West Liberty water tank to improve water circulation. The Route 88 project will replace a 12-inch cast iron line installed in the 1960s that has experienced recurring breaks and service disruptions affecting residents and West Liberty University. The governor also credited Ohio County PSD Chairman Randy Wharton and the engineering firm Vaughn, Coast & Vaughn for helping identify the infrastructure needs and work with the state on the improvements. The announcement comes as West Virginia continues investments in infrastructure and economic development across the state.