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SWR 458513 seen arriving into Eastleigh working5Y78 Fratton C.S.D to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs at 16:37
A pair of South Western Railway class 158 DMU's led by 158885 near Redbridge on the Test Valley Line.
W.Va. Intelligence Fusion Center honored for 10th anniversary
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – It tracks down killers and unmasks multi-state crime rings. It thwarts human traffickers and helps keep crowds safe at Bridge Day, the Boy Scout Jamboree and other events. And on Saturday, the W.Va. Intelligence Fusion Center marks its first decade of service.
Governor Jim Justice has honored the Fusion Center’s for its 10th anniversary with a proclamation, presented Friday to Director Jessica Griffith by Deputy Chief of Staff Ann Urling on Friday, March 16, 2018.
Also taking part in the Governor’s Mansion ceremony were U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, who was governor when the Fusion Center began, and Secretary of State Mac Warner, who has enlisted the center in his mission to defend digital democracy.
“The West Virginia Intelligence Fusion Center is extremely proud of the dedicated service by its men and women both past and present,” Governor Justice wrote. “During the past decade, the Fusion Center has been nationally recognized countless times for its accomplishments.”
Governor Justice also signed an Executive Order last month declaring, for the first time, the Fusion Center to be a criminal justice entity – a critical designation under federal law that enhances its capabilities.
The Fusion Center was formed on March 17, 2008 to apply a bitter lesson from Sept. 11. It allows local, state and federal law enforcement and public safety agencies, as well as private sector partners, to share information, resources, and expertise. This approach harnesses their respective strengths to prevent, detect, investigate and respond to all hazards – including but not limited to terrorist and criminal activity.
The analysts and specialists who staff the Fusion Center routinely provide effective, behind-the-scenes assistance both in the Mountain State and across the country. The center’s numerous successes including tracking the killers of a North Carolina couple as they drove through West Virginia, and the suspect in a Putnam County homicide after he had fled to a Boston suburb; tracing a bogus check to a multi-state fraud ring targeting casinos; and educating everyone from law enforcement and hairdressers on how to spot would-be human traffickers and their victims.
Recent achievements include helping law enforcement identify more than 70 persons of interest and 20 drug trafficking operatives as part of the fight against the opioid crisis and resulting crime in Huntington.
The Fusion Center’s well-honed skill sets and high-tech tools play similarly critical roles in preventing or avoiding hazards. It helps conduct pre-event threat and security assessments and then provides on-site support for all manner of gatherings, from the Greenbrier Classic and this winter’s congressional retreat at the resort to Bridge Day and the jamborees hosted at the Summit Bechtel Reserve.
Much of this assistance occurs below-the-radar and without fanfare. But the Fusion Center’s contributions to public safety and homeland security have still been recognized by numerous organizations and partners, including the U.S. Attorneys for both of West Virginia’s federal court districts and the International Association of Special Investigation Units.
Director Griffith, a veteran analyst for the office, became just the second person to earn that title last month. She succeeded Thom Kirk, whose hiring in 2008 marked the center’s creation and who remains Deputy Secretary and General Counsel of the W.Va. Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety. The Fusion Center is part of WV DMAPS.
“During its 10-year history, the Fusion Center has accomplished so much behind the scenes,” said DMAPS Secretary Jeff Sandy. “The Fusion Center concept is simple in its purpose of protecting Americans from domestic and international threats to our way of life, but complex in its methods to achieve those goals. The citizens of West Virginia owe it a world of thanks.”
SWR Class 158882 leaves Exeter St Davids with the 17:45 Exeter St Davids to Exeter New Yard empty stock working,on the 17th of September 2020.
SWR Class 159 No.159020 passes Green Lane,with the 09:25 Exeter St Davids to London Waterloo service,on the17th of November 2022.
South Western Railway Class 444, 444018 with 1W60 1408 to London Waterloo, service had started at Bournemouth but would had started at Weymouth and booked to pass through this station but due to South Western Railway Industrial action the service was booked to start from Bournemouth and planned to stop at Eastleigh, taken 16th December 2019
Newbury & District 791 SN16 OHJ is seen arriving into Portsmouth Harbour on Rail Replacement from Fareham, this vehicle has recently been rebranded for the White Knight 20 in Reading.
WVABLE Announcement 2-9-18
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: Gina Joynes, Deputy Treasurer
February 9, 2018 304.341.0758; gina.joynes@wvsto.com
West Virginia State Treasurer launches WVABLE program for individuals with disabilities
The new program will help individuals with disabilities save for their future.
CHARLESTON – West Virginia State Treasurer John Perdue, with honored guest Governor Jim Justice, announced the launch of a new savings program today at the State Capitol. The West Virginia Achieving a Better Life Experience program, known as WVABLE, will provide people with disabilities an opportunity to save and invest without jeopardizing needs-based public benefits.
“I’m excited this type of savings program is now available to those who need it most here in West Virginia,” said Treasurer Perdue. “This is an important step toward empowering more individuals in our state to plan for their financial future.”
WVABLE helps individuals with disabilities put aside money for qualified expenses, such as rent, transportation, education and training. Individuals may save up to $15,000 per year in a WVABLE account, with earnings accumulating tax-free. Individuals must have developed the disability before the age of 26 to qualify.
“This WVABLE plan will allow me to have more control of my life with the day-to-day freedom to take care of medical emergencies and unexpected home repairs,” said Kevin Smith, one of the first people to sign up for the plan. “The difference between me and others in the community is that they can save for those emergencies, but I have and I have always had to watch the balance of my bank account due to income limits because I receive SSI and Medicaid.”
Prior to passage of the ABLE Act, individuals receiving government benefits were restricted in the amount of money they could save or invest without losing public benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid. Before, financial resources in excess of $2,000 in savings could result in the loss of benefits.
“As a parent of a child with a developmental disability, I can tell you that rolling out the WVABLE program has eased my mind,” said Christina Smith, executive director of The Arc of West Virginia.
“We are thrilled that it is finally available in West Virginia, and I am personally excited that my daughter will now have access to a resource that will enable her to achieve more independence, financial security, and an overall better quality of life,” she added.
A WVABLE account will come with a loadable debit card and have features similar to a checking account, but it is also an investment account similar to a 529 college savings account or 401(k) retirement fund.
“The reason it will be good for the younger generation to have access to this plan is because families could put money in their account for their future and when they get older and are facing the same challenges I am, they will already have money put aside to take care of them,” said Kevin Smith.
WVABLE is administered by the West Virginia State Treasurer’s Office through a partnership with the Ohio Treasurer’s Office STABLE program.
For more information, or to sign up for an account, log onto WVABLE.com.
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GOVERNOR JUSTICE, SECRETARY THRASHER RECOMMEND PROJECTS FOR WEST VIRGINIA’S APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION INVESTMENT PACKAGE
CHARLESTON, WV – Today, Governor Jim Justice and Secretary of Commerce Woody Thrasher recommended seven projects totaling almost $3 million in grants from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Investment Program.
“These projects will not only address many of our community and economic development needs in the state, but also take advantage of our assets so that we can continue to grow our economy,” said Governor Justice. “We are pleased to have such a strong commitment from ARC and our local and regional partners to ensure a brighter future for West Virginia.”
“Thanks to these funds from the ARC, West Virginia communities can build stronger infrastructure, increase access to educational programs and services and infuse more community-based recreational and wellness activities,” said Secretary Thrasher. “I am proud of our team in the West Virginia Development Office that works diligently with the Appalachian Regional Commission to administer these funds to organizations who invest wisely in the Mountain State.”
West Virginia’s ARC program is a partnership of federal, state and local participants that provides financial and technical assistance for economic development and infrastructure projects.
Projects recommended for ARC funding include:
AREA DEVELOPMENT:
MULTI-COUNTY
Jobs for West Virginia Graduates, Inc.$130,000
Jobs for West Virginia Graduates
The project will provide at-risk high-school students with specialized instruction and guidance, including tutoring and mentoring services, career development training, and leadership development. The result will strengthen graduation rates and employability for at-risk students. The project will serve an estimated 175 students in Cabell, Greenbrier, Randolph, Lincoln, and Wyoming Counties.
MULTI-COUNTY
Region 7 Planning and Development Council$96,000
Economic Analysis and GIS Mapping Project
The project will identify and inventory all businesses and commercial entities in the Region 7 area, developing a geodatabase of economic assets that can be used with GIS for economic analysis and planning. The geodatabase will also provide critical information and data for short and long-term recovery from natural disasters. The project area includes Barbour, Braxton, Gilmer, Lewis, Randolph, Tucker, and Upshur Counties.
MULTI- COUNTY
West Virginia University Research Corporation$130,000
Energy Express Initiative
The project will provide support for the West Virginia Energy Express program, a summer feeding, literacy, and physical activity program for elementary school students. Project activities include expanding the number of Energy Express sites in ARC-designated distressed and at-risk counties, enhancing reading and literacy activities, recruiting community volunteers, expanding program collaborations, and increasing the overall number of children that will benefit from the summer program. The project area includes the counties of Boone, McDowell, Lincoln, Webster, Clay, Roane, Calhoun, Mingo, and Gilmer and Wyoming.
MINERAL COUNTY
Potomac State College of West Virginia University$100,000
Nursing Simulation Lab Equipment
The project will purchase state-of-the-art nursing simulation lab equipment that will enhance the training and education of students in the nursing program at Potomac State College of WVU. The simulation lab will allow the college to increase the number of nursing students in the program and improve the retention and completion rates of students by offering simulated experiences in a controlled clinical setting.
MULTI-COUNTY
YMCA of Kanawha Valley$275,000
Upper Kanawha Valley YMCA Initiative
The project will provide start-up funding, including equipment and personnel costs, to create a new regional YMCA center in Montgomery in the Upper Kanawha Valley. The YMCA will provide much needed recreational services and programs for residents surrounding communities in the valley and for students of Bridge Valley Community Technical College.
MULTI-COUNTY
Active Southern West Virginia$199,190
Making Southern West Virginia Active
The project will provide funding for workplace wellness and community-based healthy living and eating programs. Project activities include working with local schools to develop exercise and healthy living clubs, recruiting and developing local community health leaders to promote and organize active living programs in communities, and expanding a workplace wellness initiative that focuses on healthy living education and activities in the workplace. The project area includes Fayette, Nicholas, Raleigh, and Summers Counties.
DISTRESSED COUNTIES:
MINGO COUNTY
Town of Gilbert$679,000
River Bend Road Waterline Extension
The project will extend public water service and fire protection to the Verner and Paynter Bottom areas of Mingo County. The area is currently served by wells that are unreliable or provide a poor quality of water. The waterline extension will also provide much needed infrastructure for future economic development based on the nearby Hatfield-McCoy trail system. The project will serve 33 new customers.
ROANE COUNTY
City of Spencer$800,000
Wastewater System Improvements
The project will provide upgrades to the City of Spencer sewage collection system and wastewater treatment plant to correct inflow and infiltration problems in the system. The project will serve 1,568 existing residential and commercial customers and provide much needed infrastructure improvements for the city.
WEBSTER COUNTY
Cowen Public Service District$316,000
Webster County High School Water Tank Replacement
The project will replace the main water tank of the Cowen PSD water system that is currently failing. The water tank provides water service and fire protection to the Webster County High School and surrounding area. The project will improve the reliability and safety of water service for approximately 1, 315 existing residential, commercial, and community customers.
CALHOUN COUNTY
Calhoun County Commission$240,000
Calhoun County Park Star Park Improvements Phase 1
The project will provide funding for the construction of an ADA-compliant bath house and restroom at the Calhoun County Park. The project is part of a multi-phase development of a star gazing park designed to attract star gazers and amateur astronomers as overnight guests, increasing local tourism based on the area’s uniqueness in having dark skies and little light pollution. The project will increase visitation and spending in the local economy and spur the development of additional local and regional amenities that in turn will further economic development.
Capitol Protective Services Officers Awarded Certificates of Appreciation 3-21-18
Governor Justice thanks Capitol Police for keeping campus safe, incident-free amid record crowds
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Governor Jim Justice is saluting the West Virginia Capitol Police and its leadership after daily throngs gathered safely during the recent legislative session.
Governor Justice has issued Certificates of Recognition to Capitol Police Director Kevin Foreman and Deputy Director Jack Chambers. Chief of Staff Mike Hall presented the honors during a Wednesday ceremony at the State Capitol.
The awards thank Foreman and Chambers “for outstanding and dedicated commitment in keeping both state employees and the public safe during the trying events that have taken place at the Capitol over the past several months.”
During a portion of the 60-day regular session of the Legislature, the Capitol saw daily crowds that routinely exceeded 5,000 visitors. On one Friday, the visitors entering through the building’s two Directed Public Access Points over the course of that day topped 7,000.
Crowds on another day during this period swelled to nearly 6,700 people, and were concentrated in a way that prompted safety concerns from both Capitol Police and the State Fire Marshal’s Office. As a result, the Public Access Points were closed for two hours before resuming operations.
Foreman recounted how Capitol Police officers worked 12- to 15-hour shifts for six or more consecutive days during the session gatherings.
“We had guys working six and seven hours without breaks, on their feet, and I never heard the first complaint from any of them,” Director Foreman said.
Throughout these massive daily gatherings, Foreman and Chambers met and kept in touch with the organizers. As the leaders of the Capitol Police, they have made it their practice to seek dialogue with participants ahead of and during on-campus events. Their goal is to ensure a safe and trouble-free environment as citizens assemble at the seat of their state government.
Organizers and legislators alike applauded Capitol Police for this approach and their service after the session crowds resulted in no arrests, property damage, disturbances or other incidents.
“We very much appreciate Governor Justice and the Chief of Staff recognizing the hard work of the men and women of this organization,” Director Foreman said after Wednesday’s ceremony. “They’re the ones who do it. We’ve just set them up, hopefully, to where they can be successful.”
Capitol Police, also known as the Division of Protective Services, is part of the Cabinet Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety. It fields 30 fully certified law enforcement officers as well as civilian support staff and other personnel. The Capitol Police oversee the safety and security of the State Capitol and its campus as well as other state government properties.