Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
This is the Talk of the Town from Morgantown to Klerksburg.
If it's happening, we're talking about it. Call the show
toll free at one eight hundred seven sixty five eight
two fivey five. Now Here is your host for the
Talk of the Town, Mike Nolting.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Now, good Wednesday morning, and welcome to Talk of the Town.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
I'm Mike Nolting.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Of course you'll find me out on x as your
news guy, and producing the program this morning is of
course Ethan Collins. You'll find Ethan at eight hundred and
seven six five eight two five five. The text line
is available for you that number three oh four Talk
three oh four coming up Friday, that is cans for
the community food drive at the University Town Center at
(00:51):
the Giant Eagle.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
There.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
At nine point forty, we're going to talk with the
pastor at the First Presbyterian Church, Zach Morton. Pastor Morton
is gonna talk to us about some drop off points
and some coordination that he's doing with the area churches.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
Nine thirty.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Mont County Sheriff Todd Forbes is going to slip in
and we're going to talk about his slate of featured
felons for wanted Wednesday. We also have Joe Huby. Now
Joe is the commandant of the Earl Anderson Marine Corp
League Detachment three forty two.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
Post was sure exactly what to call that.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
We're going to be talking about toys for Todd's because
it is that season and Veterans Day is approaching now.
The Rack that's a network of student food pantries on
the Morgantown campus of WVU. Sidney Vega runs that operation
and she's agreed to talk to us about their need
coming up at nine point fifteen, But right now it
(01:49):
is nine oh eight, and we're going to start the
program with Dale Sparks. He's a professional photographer, chair of
the Mont County Republican Executive Committee. We'll get his re
action to the slate of elections last night, talking about
an event coming up Friday at Keglers, and we'll get
a recap of the Reagan dinner held last month at
(02:12):
the Waterfront or I'm sorry out at the Lakeview.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
Dale, Good morning, how are you, sir?
Speaker 4 (02:18):
Good morning, Mike. I'm doing great.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
That's a pleasure.
Speaker 4 (02:22):
It was an interesting day yesterday.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
Yes, it most certainly was. I guess let's start right there. Dale,
give us your reaction to the slate of elections held
across the country.
Speaker 4 (02:34):
Well, my first reaction, Mike, is that I'm thankful to
live in West Virginia and live with West Virginia values
because I don't I don't see a lot of that
happening outside of West Virginia. And you know, New Jersey
wins with Sheryl, she's a far far left, going to
be a far left governor Virginia. Same thing with span Burger,
(02:58):
and of course n y See and ma'm donnie, who
I mean, he's doubled down on being a democratic socialist.
I think New York City's in for a big shock,
a big problem coming up in the years. How many
every years he's going to be around, how long they'll
put up with him. But you know, socialism has never worked.
(03:20):
It will always fail, and it will fail this time.
So we talk a lot. We've got a lot going
on there, and it's really surprising. I really thought that
New Jersey had a chance to elect a Republican. I
was worried about Virginia just because of you know, when
you get a Republican governor and then everybody doesn't like that,
(03:43):
and they want to switch back to Democrat and they
don't want don't like that, and they want to switch
back to Republican. So it's kind of a cyclical thing
and you see it a lot. But I was I
was concerned about Virginia. But there's a reason we left
Virginia in eighteen sixty three and this as part of it.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Dale Sparks is with us.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
He is the chairman of the Republican Party Executive Committee
here in mont County. Now, Dale, when you take a
look at these results and then maybe look one year
down the road when we'll be going to the polls
for mid term elections, what conclusions do you draw? What
kinds of I guess, How does this affect your workflow
(04:22):
for the next twelve months.
Speaker 4 (04:25):
Well, you know, we've got a lot of work to
do in these mid terms to get good Republicans elected,
and that's that's our main goal of the Mond County
Republican Executive Committee, go out, cultivate, find good Republican candidates.
So we're going to we're going to have to make
a strong showing at the mid terms with you know, city, local, state,
(04:47):
I meant every level that we're going to have midterm elections.
We've got to work hard to get those people in
there and get them elected. I think that I don't know,
I really think that this will help us more than
that will hurt us what happened last night in these
other states. I think that people are just going to
get fed up with this far left stuff. They're gonna
(05:11):
want to bring in these conservative Christian values that we promote.
I think it's going to help us in the midterms
more than it's going to hurt us.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Now, Dale, it's speaking of energy. Back on the sixteenth
of October, you held your Reagan dinner out at the
Lakeview Resort.
Speaker 3 (05:33):
Yeah, we did tell us about that.
Speaker 4 (05:36):
Well, you know, this was kind of a dream that
we started with that turned into a huge, beautiful reality.
We had over four hundred people in attendance that came
out to see and hear Johnny Joey Jones at Fox News.
He is, first of all, an American hero who fought
(05:57):
in Afghanistan, lost both his legs in Afghanistan, and he
is a tremendous speaker, very very smart, very gifted, and
the crowd loved him, I mean just absolutely loved him.
We got so many positive results and comments back from this,
even from politicians who were in attendance, which there were many,
(06:19):
that said this was one of the best dinners that
they had ever been to. So we're really happy with
the final result, which you know, this is our big
fundraiser for the year to raise funds solely for the
purpose of electing good Republicans from top to bottom, and
that's what the money is spent for. There's you know,
(06:41):
there's no other ulterior motive. I mean, it's this is
what the money's for. We have a job to do
to elect good Republicans and that's what this committee does.
There's very very little overhead to our committee. I mean
when I say very little, we're less than one hundred
you know, maybe one hundred fifty dollars a month in overhead,
(07:02):
maybe two hundred, So there's not there's not a big
not a big overhead there. So all that money that
we generate and we did, we did very well. We
were very very pleased because we had some very generous sponsors.
First of all, and I'd like to mention those specifically.
Our big sponsors for the evening financially were Nathaniel Mason,
(07:28):
the Foggy Dale farms, and that's in Richie County.
Speaker 5 (07:31):
He is.
Speaker 4 (07:31):
Nathaniel is also the Republican chairman of the Richie County Committee,
so you know, and he's part of the State Republican
Executive Committee as well, and so he donated quite a
bit of money to help us throw this party in
to have you know, Joey there, and also Barbara Alexander
(07:53):
of Howard Hannah and Nate and Michelle Mayer of Ati Industries.
So those were our big main sponsors. We had a
lot of other thousand dollars two thousand dollars table sponsors,
a lot of I mean, just too many to go over,
but we really really appreciated all those and just the
ticket buyers, people that spent one hundred bucks to come
(08:15):
out and hear Joey Jones. They got their money's worth
and it really was a great time we had. We
even had a visit from our governor who spoke to us.
Our Secretary of State Chris Warner was there and spoke
our GOP chairman, our new state GOP chairman, Josh Holstein
(08:37):
was there with his with his folks, and a lot
a lot of local and state politicians and like I said,
over you know, right around four hundred people in attendance.
It was just packed.
Speaker 3 (08:50):
It sounds two things.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
Number one, sounds like there was a lot of energy
in the room, and it also sounds.
Speaker 3 (08:57):
Like for a guy like you, there were a lot
of good shots to get well.
Speaker 4 (09:03):
Well, it took most of the night off from photographing
since I was kind of running the whole show and
I was a MC and hopefully I did a good
job at that. But you know, there were a lot
of good shots there there. And I did have a
photographer friend of mine, Sheila Jenkins, who was our official
photographer for the evening, and she took some beautiful, beautiful
(09:26):
images that will just cherish forever. Because Joey was I mean,
he had that crowd in the palm of his hand.
He had used a mix of seriousness, some joking and
telling the truth, sure, telling you know, the truth about
good Christian conservative values. So he is a hot, dynamic speaker.
(09:50):
And you know, the crowd went away not disappointed. They
were I mean, I've never seen a crowd that was
so enthusiastic and and appreciative of Joey and the job
that he did there speaking to us and telling his
story about losing his legs and how that has transformed
(10:11):
him into the man that he is today.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
Okay, now coming up on Friday, you have got a
big event over at Keglers.
Speaker 3 (10:19):
Tell us what you're going to be doing, Dale, Well.
Speaker 4 (10:23):
We've got one of the greatest running backs. He's in
the top three. He's number three in rushing overall for
West Virginia University football. Steve Slaton, who was an All American.
He was an All American consent. I think it was
a consensus All American. But basically you have to be
(10:45):
a consensus All American to receive the honor that he
is about to receive here in a month, which is
being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. And
that's huge. I mean, that's a really huge honor. You
can think about about a lot of the football players
that we've had here, the great ones, and there's not
(11:06):
a whole lot of them that are in the College
Football Hall of Fame, and Steve Slaton will be one
of those. So from four thirty to six thirty at
Caglar's Clubhouse, we're going to have a autograph signing with Steve.
He'll be there to sign everything and anything, We'll have
photos from the Dale Sparks collection there for sale and
(11:28):
any outside items that you bring in. There's a twenty
five dollars fee to get those autographed, which is normal,
So we've got some sponsors for that. We've got great
people VIPs coming to visit with Steve. Steve is really
a great personality and he loves being around people. So
(11:50):
I predict that it's going to be a great time
that we're going to have some fun. We're going to
sign some autographs, take some pictures with Steve. Be great.
Speaker 2 (12:00):
There's probably be a lot of reminiscing going on as well.
Speaker 4 (12:05):
Oh, there will be some reminiscing because at the same time,
as soon as this signing is over, there having the
Sugar Bowl team reunion from twenty oh six, so they'll
be right downstairs in Keglers and they have all those
guys and it's it's really hard to believe it's been almost,
you know, nineteen years since we played that game and
(12:28):
beat Georgia. But yeah, there'll be a lot of reminiscing
going on there.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
All right, Well, Dale, we appreciate your time today and
just might run into you out there Friday night.
Speaker 4 (12:40):
Well, I would certainly, hope. So you've always got an
invitation to join us and be there with us. It
will be it will be fun. It's going to be
great to see Steve again. We saw him last week
in Houston. He came down on the football field and
visited with us, so it was nice to see him,
and it'll be great to have him back in Morgantown.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
Okay, good deal, well Dale, We appreciate your time today.
Speaker 3 (13:04):
Hope you make it a great Wednesday, sir.
Speaker 4 (13:07):
All right, thank you, Mike, appreciate you and have a
great Wednesday.
Speaker 2 (13:10):
Absolutely, take care of yourself. It is nine to twenty.
We're gonna take a two minute break when we come back.
Got Sidney Vega from the rack on the Morgantown campus
of West Virginia University. It's next on Talk of the
Town AM fourteen forty f M one h four point
five WAJR.
Speaker 1 (13:36):
Join the conversation at one eight hundred and seven sixty
five eight two fivey five.
Speaker 6 (13:40):
This is the Talk of the Town.
Speaker 3 (13:42):
Well, good Wednesday morning. It's nine twenty one.
Speaker 2 (13:45):
Federal government shut down enters day thirty six. No snap
benefits yet, However, a supplemental food distribution has been underway
to help existing food pantries deal with the need.
Speaker 3 (13:58):
On the phone.
Speaker 2 (13:59):
We've got Sydney, Vegas. Sydney runs the rack over at
West Virginia University.
Speaker 3 (14:04):
Good morning, Sydney. How are you.
Speaker 7 (14:08):
I am doing well. How about yourself?
Speaker 3 (14:10):
Hey, I'm doing good. Thank you very much.
Speaker 2 (14:12):
Now, Sydney, before we talk about need, tell us a
little bit about the rack and how you operate.
Speaker 7 (14:19):
Yeah, So we are the student food pantry at WVU.
We serve over one thousand students a year. We actually
have five locations on campus, one downtown, four on Evansdale,
some wett snack rack locations for students to pop in
and grab some stuff. Our downtown location we offer fresh produce,
(14:42):
perishable and non perishable items, hygiene products and so on.
We offer cooking essentials like oils and flour and everything.
We try to support our students the best that we
can and their time and need, especially since education is
not we want to make sure that they aren't going
(15:03):
hungry as well as trying to get their degrees.
Speaker 2 (15:08):
Absolutely, because we all know, you know, food was a
struggle when we were in college. I know it was
for me as well. Now talk to us, maybe a
little bit about the need. What have you seen, especially
maybe since November the third when those SNAP benefits stopped.
Speaker 7 (15:24):
Absolutely every year we tend to see and increase in
need just as we build awareness of the RACK and
what we do, but especially since the government shut down
the SNAP benefits being cut off for the moment, we're
definitely seeing more students in need. And we also see
faculty and staff at WVU and more need right now
(15:47):
and we're extending a hand to them as well for
the time being until things seem to sort themselves out.
Speaker 2 (15:56):
So Sydney help us then understand you've you've got is
mounting need and no Snap benefits, it would appear that
you know, there could be some choke points in the
supply system at about right now? How are you doing
on maintaining your supply?
Speaker 7 (16:14):
A lot of nonprofits we're coming together and sharing their resources.
We work with the other pantries in town just to
kind of do swaps and pick ups to see like
who needs what, who has what? As well as the
governor providing some additional funds during this time and need
(16:37):
through Mountain your Food Bank, just to support pantry operations
and their time and need and the increased usage that
we're seeing right now. So right now I'm doing a
lot of grocery search trips, trying to stock up on
some things where I can without running them dry.
Speaker 2 (16:57):
Right right, And you know we've heard that too. I
guess one question that I've got for you. This is
a Sidney Vega that we're having a conversation with. She
runs the Rack, which is a network of food pantries
on the Morgantown WVU campus. And I, based on the
information that I have, I'm making an assumption that maybe
(17:19):
a lot of the students that you deal with are
first generation college students.
Speaker 4 (17:25):
Oh.
Speaker 2 (17:25):
Absolutely, And I guess those yeah, I guess you know
they're in another town in need.
Speaker 3 (17:35):
You're really their lifeline, You're all they know.
Speaker 7 (17:38):
Yeah, first generation students, me being one as well, just you.
Your parents don't know exactly how to navigate college, so
they're kind of clueless when it comes to how to
support you in everything that you're going through. Although law
students have very helpful family that can help support them
(18:01):
and send them care packages, not all of our students
are about lucky, especially if you're a first gen student
and your parents don't have the careers that you would
necessarily have if you did have a degree, So the
backing isn't there for them necessarily, So we do see
a lot of those students coming in to kind of
(18:22):
benefit from our services.
Speaker 3 (18:24):
Tell us a little bit about you, Sidney.
Speaker 7 (18:27):
Well, I am a Mortontown native born and raised here.
I went to WVU for my bachelor's degree and graduated
in twenty twenty. Actually, so my last semester was very interesting.
Speaker 3 (18:42):
I bet it was.
Speaker 7 (18:45):
Hey easy as everything went online and well, let's just
say I got straight a's that semester.
Speaker 3 (18:53):
Well, I guess you know that that's a good part
of the pandemic.
Speaker 7 (18:56):
Then well, yeah, it did have its perts.
Speaker 3 (19:00):
Okay, okay, So are you attending classes now?
Speaker 7 (19:03):
I am, Actually I'm currently an online student getting my
master's in business administration on top of being a full
time employee at the university.
Speaker 2 (19:11):
Okay, good deal, All right, now, let's see, Sydney. I
guess in closing, what can people do to help you
and these students?
Speaker 7 (19:24):
Absolutely, if you can follow us on social media, we
do post what we're in need of and we're currently
actually doing donation drives for a thanksgiving program where we
provide students with Thanksgiving meals, especially those students are staying
in town and not traveling home for the holidays. We
do have an Amazon which list you can find on
(19:46):
our website as well as a link to give dot
w dot edu where you can make a donation to
the student Food Pantry funds. And then if you're in
town and you see that you have some stuff in
your pants, that's how I inspired and I opened that
you would like to give. You can always just pop
on down to our downtown location and donate that in person.
Speaker 2 (20:07):
Okay, perfect, Well, Sydney, keep up the good work and
really do appreciate it, and you know, real quick. One
thing that I didn't mention is that you are a
member of the Student Government Association.
Speaker 3 (20:20):
What is your role there?
Speaker 7 (20:22):
So I am not a member of the Student Government Association,
but I oversee kind of THEIRS Student Government Association grant
process where they allocate money to student organizations to kind
of purchase items that student orgs would like for like
their activities and things of that nature.
Speaker 6 (20:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
Yeah, well, I just I always think that those student
government organizations are really great for students and it's a
way for them to kind of learn, you know, maybe
just a spoonful at a time of how the process
works and how it's.
Speaker 3 (20:59):
As of work.
Speaker 7 (21:01):
Absolutely, and Student Government Association is also great for students
to get involved in in terms of advocacy for student
needs on a higher level, going to the capital and
advocating for college students and their needs, and then starting
initiatives on campus like career closets, food pantries, and just
(21:22):
other great initiatives that help support the students on campus.
Speaker 2 (21:25):
All right, Sidney Vega, keep up the good work and
really do appreciate your time today.
Speaker 3 (21:29):
Thank you, thank you. Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (21:32):
Okay, it's time now to find out what's happening across
the great state of West Virginia. And to do that,
will head to the Metro News anchor desk in the
city of Charleston. Right now, Fair skies and fifty four
degrees in the University City. As we head to the
Metro News anchor.
Speaker 6 (21:53):
Desk, now back to the talk of the town.
Speaker 2 (22:18):
A good Wednesday morning, Fair skies and fifty seven in
the University City. Glad you're with us. In studio, we
have the commander of the Earl Anderson Marine Corps League
Detachment three forty two, that is Joe Huby and with Joe,
we also have the toys for todt's coordinator Christina Miller
(22:41):
with us here today.
Speaker 3 (22:42):
Hey, good morning to both of you.
Speaker 8 (22:44):
How are you doing well? Good morning Mike.
Speaker 5 (22:47):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (22:47):
That's a pleasure to have you on board. Now let's
see Joe first. To you talk to us a little
bit about the Marine Corps League Detachment. When do you meet,
what do you do and how can you get involve?
Speaker 8 (23:00):
Very good? So we uh, we have a membership that's
expanding and growing very quickly. We're a little over one
hundred members strong now. We do meet for business meetings
once the month on the third Thursday ever every month
to conduct our business everything from planning for upcoming events,
(23:24):
covering past events, fundraising and those kinds of things. But
we we try to get involved in several different areas, uh,
starting with color guards. We'll be participating in the upcoming
Veterans Parade in Morgantown. We'll be participating in the Christmas
(23:45):
Parade there in Star City. We attend a lot of
funerals for marines that have passed. We stand by the
casket and represent not only our detachment, but the Marine
Corps League and paying honors to those fallen veterans. That's
many things that we do. We also are involved in
(24:09):
a lot of events, ranging from the Morgantown Home Show
outdoor show. That's where we try to do a lot
of our recruiting, and we've kind of expanded on the
recruiting efforts, even down to making home visits after some
phone calls when people interact with us, and it's just
it's about getting marines back together, and we're kind of
(24:32):
growing in that area as well because we're starting to
involve associate members. We have several, but we're looking at
other veterans that are not necessarily Marines, maybe Army, Navy,
Air Force, and we've recruited several of those. We started
attending a lot of meetings with the American Legion and
so we're starting to do some collaborating with the American Legion.
(24:55):
And recently at the nine to eleven event that was
held here in Morgantown, we did a flag raising. Half
the Marine Corps League Detachment and half of the other
Color Guard was from the American Legion. So doing a
lot of collaborative efforts with that.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
So this recruiting process doesn't require a physical assessment and
an ASPAT.
Speaker 8 (25:21):
No, but if you ask some of us past marines,
we maybe like to try to make it that way,
but no, really, it just requires you to be a
past marine with an honorable discharge and you do have
to show proof of service with your d D two
fourteen thirty one dollars a year get you in. And
then if you want to be an associate member that's
(25:43):
not a marine. Like Christina here, she just needs to
come to the meeting and get accepted by everybody, and
that's usually a pretty easy task to accomplish.
Speaker 2 (25:53):
Yeah, she looks like you could accept her pretty easy.
Speaker 6 (25:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (25:59):
Well, Christina, good morning, and it's a pleasure to meet
you in person. You are the coordinator for Toys for Tots.
You know, tell us about what you're trying to do,
because these are the kinds of efforts I like, because
you know they benefit the kids that you know you
might run into at the Walmart or the store when
you go out.
Speaker 9 (26:17):
Yeah, so we try to make sure that all of
the underprivileged children of our counties can have access to
a new toy for Christmas every year.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
And you had your first event last weekend. Uh, go
through that where did you have it? How did it
turn out? Things like that?
Speaker 9 (26:36):
Absolutely, So we were at Ali's Bargain outlet in the
Morgantown Mall. We were there for about six hours. We
collected one hundred and seventy five toys and books and
some monetary donations which we will forward to the foundation
and then buy more toys with those donations.
Speaker 3 (26:56):
That's great.
Speaker 2 (26:57):
And now everything that you collect, like I said, it's
gonna stay what Mond, Preston Counties are just Mond.
Speaker 9 (27:03):
So the stuff we collect in Mond County goes to
our Mond County programs for Christian Help and Salvation Army.
Preston County go to Salvation Army in Preston County, and
Marion and Taylor County as well goes to their Salvation Army.
So everything stays in the county.
Speaker 3 (27:19):
They're collected, you know, toys for tots. You know, they
kind of treaded some rough waters going through the pandemic
and things. But what's the state of the program.
Speaker 9 (27:28):
Now, We're going strong. We've rebooted and we're getting out there,
getting our word out there and our mission accomplished. This year,
we have more children in all of our four counties
than we've ever had. That's what the reports I'm getting
back from Salvation Army and Christian Help. So there's more
need this year as well.
Speaker 2 (27:47):
Now as I understand it, I believe that there are
three more events and those events are scattered between Middletown
Commons and the University Town Center.
Speaker 3 (27:56):
Can you walk us through that schedule?
Speaker 7 (27:58):
Absolutely?
Speaker 9 (27:58):
And we just picked up one geer Pont five below
is going to be on December sixth at noon, but
we're going to start on the twenty second of November
in Middletown Commons. Five below is going to be eleven
to five on the same time we're going to have
in University Town Center from ten to four. On the
(28:20):
twenty ninth of November, we're going to be back in
Middletown Commons from eleven to five. And then here in
peer Pont location we just added a few days ago,
and that's going to be starting at noon on the
sixth of December.
Speaker 2 (28:33):
Okay, perfect, And you know, thanks to Allie's Bargain Outlet
and five below for you know, allowing this to go on.
Speaker 9 (28:40):
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (28:41):
Yeah, that's great.
Speaker 2 (28:42):
Now, let's see Joe Veterans Day is coming up. I
think that there's a variety of events coming on. I'd
like to give you an opportunity to tackle that topic.
Speaker 8 (28:54):
That's a big one for the month of November. Mike.
We the Marine Corps turns two hundred and fifty years
old on the tenth of November, which is a big,
huge day for Marines annually, but being two hundred and fifty,
I think it makes it even bigger. And I'd just
like to give a shout out for all those that
bought tickets and sponsored this upcoming ball that we're getting
(29:17):
ready to host at Lakeview Resort on the fifteenth to
celebrate that event. We've got over two hundred that are
being attendance. It'll be a formal ceremony, cake cutting, and
then we'll move into guest speakers that are coming from
all the way out in California. We have the Junior
(29:40):
Vice Commander of the VFW of the State of California
that will be our guest speaker that night, as well
as several other folks from Michigan, Kansas, Illinois, and Arizona.
We'll be traveling all the way into Morgantown, West Virginia
for this event, so it's going to be a big one,
(30:01):
and I just want to give a shout out for that.
We're gonna before we have the event on the fifteenth here,
we'll also be traveling several of us from this detachment
to Charleston, West Virginia for a state ball that is
being hosted by our West Virginia State Department of the
Marine Corps League. And then we're going to move from
(30:22):
there to the tenth of November, which is our official birthday.
We'll be cutting the cake, cutting a cake in commemoration
of the two hundred and fiftieth birthday with the governor
at the state Capitol. We're going to move from the
state Capitol cake cutting, we'll move back into Morgantown and
(30:44):
finish our preparing for our upcoming ball. And then, like
you mentioned, we'll have a the Veterans Day Parade in
Morgantown that will be participating in. I believe there's one
other event that I'm missing. Oh, I've got We're gonna
be raising flags at three Huntington Banks. Uh actually this
(31:08):
Friday on the seventh. So those are just a few
of the things going on in the month of November.
Speaker 2 (31:13):
Okay, perfect, Now I'm just gonna add one on Monday.
The WVU School of Dentistry is offering free appointments for veterans.
That'll be from eight thirty until four thirty on Monday,
the tenth of November. If you'd like to get involved
in that, that number is three oh four two nine,
three six to zero eight. Tell you what appreciate you
(31:36):
guys coming in today. Thank you, Mike, appreciate it absolutely.
We'll talk again very soon. Okay, First, guy's fifty seven
degrees in the University city. When we come back, we've
got Pastor Zach Morton. We're gonna be talking about the
food drive coming up on Friday. We're gonna take a
two minute break starts right now on Talk of the Town.
(31:57):
AM fourteen forty f M one oh four point five.
I've w a j r.
Speaker 1 (32:13):
We are talking about your town. Now back to the
Talk of the Town.
Speaker 2 (32:24):
A good Wednesday morning. Faris, guys, and fifty seven degrees.
We've got Sheriff Todd Forbes on the line, and of
course the slate of featured felons that we're going to
be talking about on this Wanted Wednesday will be at
Monengelia Sheriff dot Gov.
Speaker 3 (32:41):
Sheriff Forbes. Good morning, sir. How are you.
Speaker 5 (32:45):
Good morning, Mike doing great? Thanks for having me. Also,
my Paul. I know we were supposed to get started
a little earlier, but had something to come up, so
I had to step away for just a second.
Speaker 3 (32:53):
Hey, No, that's what You're fine, You're fine.
Speaker 2 (32:56):
Okay, Sheriff got a slate of featured felons here we
want the public to know about.
Speaker 10 (33:02):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (33:02):
Let's uh who are they?
Speaker 5 (33:05):
Well, let's go through this little list real quick. Ashley Doveman,
she is wondering for uh think of false identity uh
and driving while suspending and failure failure to appear, which
is very common when we when we do these. Ashley
Hoskins breaking and entering third offense, buy or driving suspended
(33:26):
and failure to appear. Joseph Kine transferring and receiving stolen property,
violation of probation, Tricia Nunley financial exploitation of an elderly
person and failure to appear. And lastly, Colton Recomen want
engagement involving a firearm, grand larceny, violation of probation. So
(33:49):
that's our five for this week. And well I have
you here. I want to tell you we ran a
little story yesterday about we had at that time captured
thirty people since we started this and that's up to
third won. And none of that is possible without the
help of the community. We really appreciate the anonymous tips
and it really makes a big difference when we're running
these folks up.
Speaker 3 (34:10):
Absolutely it does.
Speaker 2 (34:11):
And of course, like we say every week, be sure
and call the Sheriff's department if you have information about
these folks, and don't try to take matters into your
own hands.
Speaker 5 (34:22):
Certainly not so they One more thing I like to
say before before I got to go, Mike, is this
is the last time that I'll talk to you, probably
hopefully at least until Veterans Day. So I wanted to
go on record and thank all of our veterans for
their service and their dedication. And I'm going to give
a plug. I know that this week at blond Park
they're doing an event up there for some seniors. I'm sorry,
(34:44):
for some veterans. They're giving away a home let's see,
a whole house generator to a veteran. So if you're
a veteran, you don't have anything going on Saturday, get
up there, take a chance to win that and.
Speaker 3 (34:59):
Have okay, perfect. Hey, Sheriff, it's always a pleasure to
catch up with you.
Speaker 2 (35:05):
Have a safe day, sir. Okay, you bet your sheriff
Todd Forbes again. Uh, you can check those folks out
at Montagelia Sheriff dot gov. On the phone, we've got
the pastor of the first Presbyterian Church here in the
city of Morgantown, Pastor Zach Morton.
Speaker 3 (35:23):
Good morning, Pastor Morton. How are you, sir?
Speaker 10 (35:26):
I'm good, are you?
Speaker 5 (35:27):
Mike?
Speaker 2 (35:27):
Hey, I'm doing good and I do appreciate your time
here today. Zach, you're gonna be busy Friday. Tell us
what you're gonna be well, Actually, you've been busy kind
of getting organized for Friday.
Speaker 3 (35:39):
Tell us what you've been doing.
Speaker 10 (35:42):
Yeah, so we've been a number of local congregations have
been working together to organize a food drive for our
food pantries in the area that are experiencing, you know,
three to four times in need, maybe more than that.
The need was already up before we saw these since
not benefits for people for the month of November, and
(36:03):
November is always a busy month for the food pantries anyway,
so it's kind of a perfect storm, So we kind
of felt we have an obligation and responsibility to step
up and do our part as among a lot of
other good people in our community, to make sure that
people have food on the table in the coming months.
So there's a number of different congregations that are working
(36:24):
together for a food drive to collect food that can
be distributed to all of our local pantries here in
the Morgantown area.
Speaker 2 (36:30):
Pastor Zach Morton is with a season pastor at the
First Presbyterian Church here in the city of Morgantown. Now,
there will be some drop off locations coming up on Friday.
Speaker 3 (36:39):
Do we know what those are? Can you share those?
Speaker 5 (36:42):
Yeah?
Speaker 10 (36:43):
So we have four congregations in different parts of the
Morgantown area where you can drop off food items. There
is a list of preferred food items that's available on
our websites and social medias, and I think a lot
of other folks have shared those around town. But the
for sites are First Presbyterian Church. We're downtown at four
(37:05):
fifty six Spruce Street. Westover United Methodist Church is another
drop off point there at twenty eight North Street over
in Westover. Morgantown Church or the Brethren they're up in
the Wild Hill community at four sixty four Virginia Avenue
and Woodlands United Methodist Church is out on the Mile
Ground their eighteen forty six mile Ground roads. You can
(37:26):
drop off goods at any of those locations.
Speaker 2 (37:30):
Pastor had the opportunity to speak with Rick be About
earlier in the week and he was talking a little
bit about their drop off there and how involved that
you are in feeding the local community in need. I'd
like for you to share with the audience exactly what
you do.
Speaker 10 (37:48):
Yeah, so, I mean our particular congregation serves as a
point for lots of different feeding programs. We have a
circle of friends which goes to various churches and they
are at our church one week end out of the month.
They're are church the first weekend of the month. We
do a pancake breakfast that is free to the community
every Sunday morning. We have some church gardens and we
(38:10):
also have a partnership with the university. We've expanded those gardens.
We usually are able to grow and donate between two
and three thousand pounds of fresh produce every year that
goes to groups like Community Kitchen and some of the
local food countries as well, and then we continually have
a blessing box that's available for folks, and then we
like to work with other congregations to do different food
(38:32):
drives like this as need arises.
Speaker 2 (38:35):
You know, the other thing that you mentioned throughout the
course of this particular conversation is the fact that you've
witnessed the need increase just in the last week or two.
Speaker 3 (38:46):
Can you help us understand that?
Speaker 10 (38:49):
Yeah, so most of that is from talking with other
community leaders. I mean, we certainly see a little bit
of it with our meal programs that are there at
the church, those fluctually a lot, But talking to other
community leaders and other food pantries, they're seeing registrants and
people who are just calling looking for food that those
numbers are really starting to increase dramatically over the last
(39:13):
three ish weeks. And I've heard again from some of
them that they're seeing up to like three or four
times in need. And you know, this is before probably
the biggest strain hits people, so you can only it's
only going to go up from there. So that's just
kind of where we're at and where we see the
numbers going at this moment in time.
Speaker 2 (39:33):
Pastor Zach Morton with First Presbyterian Church as well. It's
easy for me to say, but Zach, on the way out,
give us your service times and how people can connect
with your church.
Speaker 10 (39:46):
Yeah, they can connect with us. We have service times
every Sunday at eleven a m. Where they're in downtown
Morgantown and would love to see folks act.
Speaker 2 (39:54):
Okay, good deal, Pastor Zach. Appreciate your time, sir, have
a great day.
Speaker 5 (39:59):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (39:59):
Mike, appreciate absolutely. You take care of yourself. I'm sure
we'll be talking at some point during the day on Friday.
Right now, fair skys fifty seven degrees. We'll be back
to wrap things up coming up after this on Talk
of the Town AM fourteen forty f M one oh
four point five WAJR.
Speaker 1 (40:28):
Join the conversation at one eight hundred and seven sixty
five eight two fivey five.
Speaker 6 (40:32):
This is the Talk of the Town.
Speaker 3 (40:36):
Good Wednesday morning, fair and fifty seven degrees.
Speaker 2 (40:39):
Monn County Commissioners the will be gabbling in at the
top of the hour for their regular meeting that'll be
available in the mon County Courthouse on High Street or
the mon County Commission YouTube page. Now got a note
from the WVSSAC this morning. Believe it or not, their
Facebook page has for thirty two thousand followers, and they've
(41:02):
been made aware that there have been some other accounts
claiming to represent the wvs SAC that have been set
up and they're sharing links to live streams. Of these
are fraudulent live streams of high school football games. These
links are not official, and the wv s SAC is
(41:26):
telling residents that these could be attempts to steal your
personal information or maybe even compromise your devices, hack your
emails and things like that. So remind your school communities,
coaches and parents to really you want to use caution
and vet these things before you click on them. And
(41:47):
if you do have a question, talk to somebody ask them.
And you know, keep in mind that there are a
lot of people that are out there that you know,
maybe they're not so tech savvy. You might want to
reach in and lend them a hand, and you know,
don't forget that. Always a safe option in this type
(42:07):
of a situation is to go to wvmetronews dot com
and download the METRONEWSTV app and the games that we televise,
you'll be able to have access to those. But once again,
the WVSSAC has said that they've had some attempts to
(42:28):
hack residents through their Facebook page by providing fraudulent links
to high school football games. So keep your eye out
on that and don't forget that. Coming up on Friday,
six am to six pm will be at the University
Town Center Giant Eagle store for the latest WVRC media
(42:51):
Cares for Community event. That would be Cans for Community.
It's a joint operation with Titan Roofing. Also the United
Way of Montinglia and Preston Counties are involved as well.
And don't forget about that one thousand dollars cash prize.
All you have to do is show up. Don't need
to make a donation. I believe you do have to register.
(43:13):
But then later that day somebody is going to win
a one thousand dollars prize. That is Friday at the
University Town Center Giant Eagle. You definitely won't want to
miss that. And we are following the Hope gas rate
increase negotiations and that is happening. That gabbled in at
(43:36):
nine to thirty this morning, so we'll have updates as
soon as they're available. It's time now for Metro News
talk Line on the Voice of Morgantown one oh four
point five FM and AM fourteen forty WAJR
This is the Talk of the Town from Morgantown to Klerksburg.
If it's happening, we're talking about it. Call the show
toll free at one eight hundred seven sixty five eight
two fivey five. Now Here is your host for the
Talk of the Town, Mike Nolting.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Now, good Wednesday morning, and welcome to Talk of the Town.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
I'm Mike Nolting.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Of course you'll find me out on x as your
news guy, and producing the program this morning is of
course Ethan Collins. You'll find Ethan at eight hundred and
seven six five eight two five five. The text line
is available for you that number three oh four Talk
three oh four coming up Friday, that is cans for
the community food drive at the University Town Center at
(00:51):
the Giant Eagle.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
There.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
At nine point forty, we're going to talk with the
pastor at the First Presbyterian Church, Zach Morton. Pastor Morton
is gonna talk to us about some drop off points
and some coordination that he's doing with the area churches.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
Nine thirty.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Mont County Sheriff Todd Forbes is going to slip in
and we're going to talk about his slate of featured
felons for wanted Wednesday. We also have Joe Huby. Now
Joe is the commandant of the Earl Anderson Marine Corp
League Detachment three forty two.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
Post was sure exactly what to call that.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
We're going to be talking about toys for Todd's because
it is that season and Veterans Day is approaching now.
The Rack that's a network of student food pantries on
the Morgantown campus of WVU. Sidney Vega runs that operation
and she's agreed to talk to us about their need
coming up at nine point fifteen, But right now it
(01:49):
is nine oh eight, and we're going to start the
program with Dale Sparks. He's a professional photographer, chair of
the Mont County Republican Executive Committee. We'll get his re
action to the slate of elections last night, talking about
an event coming up Friday at Keglers, and we'll get
a recap of the Reagan dinner held last month at
(02:12):
the Waterfront or I'm sorry out at the Lakeview.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
Dale, Good morning, how are you, sir?
Speaker 4 (02:18):
Good morning, Mike. I'm doing great.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
That's a pleasure.
Speaker 4 (02:22):
It was an interesting day yesterday.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
Yes, it most certainly was. I guess let's start right there. Dale,
give us your reaction to the slate of elections held
across the country.
Speaker 4 (02:34):
Well, my first reaction, Mike, is that I'm thankful to
live in West Virginia and live with West Virginia values
because I don't I don't see a lot of that
happening outside of West Virginia. And you know, New Jersey
wins with Sheryl, she's a far far left, going to
be a far left governor Virginia. Same thing with span Burger,
(02:58):
and of course n y See and ma'm donnie, who
I mean, he's doubled down on being a democratic socialist.
I think New York City's in for a big shock,
a big problem coming up in the years. How many
every years he's going to be around, how long they'll
put up with him. But you know, socialism has never worked.
(03:20):
It will always fail, and it will fail this time.
So we talk a lot. We've got a lot going
on there, and it's really surprising. I really thought that
New Jersey had a chance to elect a Republican. I
was worried about Virginia just because of you know, when
you get a Republican governor and then everybody doesn't like that,
(03:43):
and they want to switch back to Democrat and they
don't want don't like that, and they want to switch
back to Republican. So it's kind of a cyclical thing
and you see it a lot. But I was I
was concerned about Virginia. But there's a reason we left
Virginia in eighteen sixty three and this as part of it.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Dale Sparks is with us.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
He is the chairman of the Republican Party Executive Committee
here in mont County. Now, Dale, when you take a
look at these results and then maybe look one year
down the road when we'll be going to the polls
for mid term elections, what conclusions do you draw? What
kinds of I guess, How does this affect your workflow
(04:22):
for the next twelve months.
Speaker 4 (04:25):
Well, you know, we've got a lot of work to
do in these mid terms to get good Republicans elected,
and that's that's our main goal of the Mond County
Republican Executive Committee, go out, cultivate, find good Republican candidates.
So we're going to we're going to have to make
a strong showing at the mid terms with you know, city, local, state,
(04:47):
I meant every level that we're going to have midterm elections.
We've got to work hard to get those people in
there and get them elected. I think that I don't know,
I really think that this will help us more than
that will hurt us what happened last night in these
other states. I think that people are just going to
get fed up with this far left stuff. They're gonna
(05:11):
want to bring in these conservative Christian values that we promote.
I think it's going to help us in the midterms
more than it's going to hurt us.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Now, Dale, it's speaking of energy. Back on the sixteenth
of October, you held your Reagan dinner out at the
Lakeview Resort.
Speaker 3 (05:33):
Yeah, we did tell us about that.
Speaker 4 (05:36):
Well, you know, this was kind of a dream that
we started with that turned into a huge, beautiful reality.
We had over four hundred people in attendance that came
out to see and hear Johnny Joey Jones at Fox News.
He is, first of all, an American hero who fought
(05:57):
in Afghanistan, lost both his legs in Afghanistan, and he
is a tremendous speaker, very very smart, very gifted, and
the crowd loved him, I mean just absolutely loved him.
We got so many positive results and comments back from this,
even from politicians who were in attendance, which there were many,
(06:19):
that said this was one of the best dinners that
they had ever been to. So we're really happy with
the final result, which you know, this is our big
fundraiser for the year to raise funds solely for the
purpose of electing good Republicans from top to bottom, and
that's what the money is spent for. There's you know,
(06:41):
there's no other ulterior motive. I mean, it's this is
what the money's for. We have a job to do
to elect good Republicans and that's what this committee does.
There's very very little overhead to our committee. I mean
when I say very little, we're less than one hundred
you know, maybe one hundred fifty dollars a month in overhead,
(07:02):
maybe two hundred, So there's not there's not a big
not a big overhead there. So all that money that
we generate and we did, we did very well. We
were very very pleased because we had some very generous sponsors.
First of all, and I'd like to mention those specifically.
Our big sponsors for the evening financially were Nathaniel Mason,
(07:28):
the Foggy Dale farms, and that's in Richie County.
Speaker 5 (07:31):
He is.
Speaker 4 (07:31):
Nathaniel is also the Republican chairman of the Richie County Committee,
so you know, and he's part of the State Republican
Executive Committee as well, and so he donated quite a
bit of money to help us throw this party in
to have you know, Joey there, and also Barbara Alexander
(07:53):
of Howard Hannah and Nate and Michelle Mayer of Ati Industries.
So those were our big main sponsors. We had a
lot of other thousand dollars two thousand dollars table sponsors,
a lot of I mean, just too many to go over,
but we really really appreciated all those and just the
ticket buyers, people that spent one hundred bucks to come
(08:15):
out and hear Joey Jones. They got their money's worth
and it really was a great time we had. We
even had a visit from our governor who spoke to us.
Our Secretary of State Chris Warner was there and spoke
our GOP chairman, our new state GOP chairman, Josh Holstein
(08:37):
was there with his with his folks, and a lot
a lot of local and state politicians and like I said,
over you know, right around four hundred people in attendance.
It was just packed.
Speaker 3 (08:50):
It sounds two things.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
Number one, sounds like there was a lot of energy
in the room, and it also sounds.
Speaker 3 (08:57):
Like for a guy like you, there were a lot
of good shots to get well.
Speaker 4 (09:03):
Well, it took most of the night off from photographing
since I was kind of running the whole show and
I was a MC and hopefully I did a good
job at that. But you know, there were a lot
of good shots there there. And I did have a
photographer friend of mine, Sheila Jenkins, who was our official
photographer for the evening, and she took some beautiful, beautiful
(09:26):
images that will just cherish forever. Because Joey was I mean,
he had that crowd in the palm of his hand.
He had used a mix of seriousness, some joking and
telling the truth, sure, telling you know, the truth about
good Christian conservative values. So he is a hot, dynamic speaker.
(09:50):
And you know, the crowd went away not disappointed. They
were I mean, I've never seen a crowd that was
so enthusiastic and and appreciative of Joey and the job
that he did there speaking to us and telling his
story about losing his legs and how that has transformed
(10:11):
him into the man that he is today.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
Okay, now coming up on Friday, you have got a
big event over at Keglers.
Speaker 3 (10:19):
Tell us what you're going to be doing, Dale, Well.
Speaker 4 (10:23):
We've got one of the greatest running backs. He's in
the top three. He's number three in rushing overall for
West Virginia University football. Steve Slaton, who was an All American.
He was an All American consent. I think it was
a consensus All American. But basically you have to be
(10:45):
a consensus All American to receive the honor that he
is about to receive here in a month, which is
being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. And
that's huge. I mean, that's a really huge honor. You
can think about about a lot of the football players
that we've had here, the great ones, and there's not
(11:06):
a whole lot of them that are in the College
Football Hall of Fame, and Steve Slaton will be one
of those. So from four thirty to six thirty at
Caglar's Clubhouse, we're going to have a autograph signing with Steve.
He'll be there to sign everything and anything, We'll have
photos from the Dale Sparks collection there for sale and
(11:28):
any outside items that you bring in. There's a twenty
five dollars fee to get those autographed, which is normal,
So we've got some sponsors for that. We've got great
people VIPs coming to visit with Steve. Steve is really
a great personality and he loves being around people. So
(11:50):
I predict that it's going to be a great time
that we're going to have some fun. We're going to
sign some autographs, take some pictures with Steve. Be great.
Speaker 2 (12:00):
There's probably be a lot of reminiscing going on as well.
Speaker 4 (12:05):
Oh, there will be some reminiscing because at the same time,
as soon as this signing is over, there having the
Sugar Bowl team reunion from twenty oh six, so they'll
be right downstairs in Keglers and they have all those
guys and it's it's really hard to believe it's been almost,
you know, nineteen years since we played that game and
(12:28):
beat Georgia. But yeah, there'll be a lot of reminiscing
going on there.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
All right, Well, Dale, we appreciate your time today and
just might run into you out there Friday night.
Speaker 4 (12:40):
Well, I would certainly, hope. So you've always got an
invitation to join us and be there with us. It
will be it will be fun. It's going to be
great to see Steve again. We saw him last week
in Houston. He came down on the football field and
visited with us, so it was nice to see him,
and it'll be great to have him back in Morgantown.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
Okay, good deal, well Dale, We appreciate your time today.
Speaker 3 (13:04):
Hope you make it a great Wednesday, sir.
Speaker 4 (13:07):
All right, thank you, Mike, appreciate you and have a
great Wednesday.
Speaker 2 (13:10):
Absolutely, take care of yourself. It is nine to twenty.
We're gonna take a two minute break when we come back.
Got Sidney Vega from the rack on the Morgantown campus
of West Virginia University. It's next on Talk of the
Town AM fourteen forty f M one h four point
five WAJR.
Speaker 1 (13:36):
Join the conversation at one eight hundred and seven sixty
five eight two fivey five.
Speaker 6 (13:40):
This is the Talk of the Town.
Speaker 3 (13:42):
Well, good Wednesday morning. It's nine twenty one.
Speaker 2 (13:45):
Federal government shut down enters day thirty six. No snap
benefits yet, However, a supplemental food distribution has been underway
to help existing food pantries deal with the need.
Speaker 3 (13:58):
On the phone.
Speaker 2 (13:59):
We've got Sydney, Vegas. Sydney runs the rack over at
West Virginia University.
Speaker 3 (14:04):
Good morning, Sydney. How are you.
Speaker 7 (14:08):
I am doing well. How about yourself?
Speaker 3 (14:10):
Hey, I'm doing good. Thank you very much.
Speaker 2 (14:12):
Now, Sydney, before we talk about need, tell us a
little bit about the rack and how you operate.
Speaker 7 (14:19):
Yeah, So we are the student food pantry at WVU.
We serve over one thousand students a year. We actually
have five locations on campus, one downtown, four on Evansdale,
some wett snack rack locations for students to pop in
and grab some stuff. Our downtown location we offer fresh produce,
(14:42):
perishable and non perishable items, hygiene products and so on.
We offer cooking essentials like oils and flour and everything.
We try to support our students the best that we
can and their time and need, especially since education is
not we want to make sure that they aren't going
(15:03):
hungry as well as trying to get their degrees.
Speaker 2 (15:08):
Absolutely, because we all know, you know, food was a
struggle when we were in college. I know it was
for me as well. Now talk to us, maybe a
little bit about the need. What have you seen, especially
maybe since November the third when those SNAP benefits stopped.
Speaker 7 (15:24):
Absolutely every year we tend to see and increase in
need just as we build awareness of the RACK and
what we do, but especially since the government shut down
the SNAP benefits being cut off for the moment, we're
definitely seeing more students in need. And we also see
faculty and staff at WVU and more need right now
(15:47):
and we're extending a hand to them as well for
the time being until things seem to sort themselves out.
Speaker 2 (15:56):
So Sydney help us then understand you've you've got is
mounting need and no Snap benefits, it would appear that
you know, there could be some choke points in the
supply system at about right now? How are you doing
on maintaining your supply?
Speaker 7 (16:14):
A lot of nonprofits we're coming together and sharing their resources.
We work with the other pantries in town just to
kind of do swaps and pick ups to see like
who needs what, who has what? As well as the
governor providing some additional funds during this time and need
(16:37):
through Mountain your Food Bank, just to support pantry operations
and their time and need and the increased usage that
we're seeing right now. So right now I'm doing a
lot of grocery search trips, trying to stock up on
some things where I can without running them dry.
Speaker 2 (16:57):
Right right, And you know we've heard that too. I
guess one question that I've got for you. This is
a Sidney Vega that we're having a conversation with. She
runs the Rack, which is a network of food pantries
on the Morgantown WVU campus. And I, based on the
information that I have, I'm making an assumption that maybe
(17:19):
a lot of the students that you deal with are
first generation college students.
Speaker 4 (17:25):
Oh.
Speaker 2 (17:25):
Absolutely, And I guess those yeah, I guess you know
they're in another town in need.
Speaker 3 (17:35):
You're really their lifeline, You're all they know.
Speaker 7 (17:38):
Yeah, first generation students, me being one as well, just you.
Your parents don't know exactly how to navigate college, so
they're kind of clueless when it comes to how to
support you in everything that you're going through. Although law
students have very helpful family that can help support them
(18:01):
and send them care packages, not all of our students
are about lucky, especially if you're a first gen student
and your parents don't have the careers that you would
necessarily have if you did have a degree, So the
backing isn't there for them necessarily, So we do see
a lot of those students coming in to kind of
(18:22):
benefit from our services.
Speaker 3 (18:24):
Tell us a little bit about you, Sidney.
Speaker 7 (18:27):
Well, I am a Mortontown native born and raised here.
I went to WVU for my bachelor's degree and graduated
in twenty twenty. Actually, so my last semester was very interesting.
Speaker 3 (18:42):
I bet it was.
Speaker 7 (18:45):
Hey easy as everything went online and well, let's just
say I got straight a's that semester.
Speaker 3 (18:53):
Well, I guess you know that that's a good part
of the pandemic.
Speaker 7 (18:56):
Then well, yeah, it did have its perts.
Speaker 3 (19:00):
Okay, okay, So are you attending classes now?
Speaker 7 (19:03):
I am, Actually I'm currently an online student getting my
master's in business administration on top of being a full
time employee at the university.
Speaker 2 (19:11):
Okay, good deal, All right, now, let's see, Sydney. I
guess in closing, what can people do to help you
and these students?
Speaker 7 (19:24):
Absolutely, if you can follow us on social media, we
do post what we're in need of and we're currently
actually doing donation drives for a thanksgiving program where we
provide students with Thanksgiving meals, especially those students are staying
in town and not traveling home for the holidays. We
do have an Amazon which list you can find on
(19:46):
our website as well as a link to give dot
w dot edu where you can make a donation to
the student Food Pantry funds. And then if you're in
town and you see that you have some stuff in
your pants, that's how I inspired and I opened that
you would like to give. You can always just pop
on down to our downtown location and donate that in person.
Speaker 2 (20:07):
Okay, perfect, Well, Sydney, keep up the good work and
really do appreciate it, and you know, real quick. One
thing that I didn't mention is that you are a
member of the Student Government Association.
Speaker 3 (20:20):
What is your role there?
Speaker 7 (20:22):
So I am not a member of the Student Government Association,
but I oversee kind of THEIRS Student Government Association grant
process where they allocate money to student organizations to kind
of purchase items that student orgs would like for like
their activities and things of that nature.
Speaker 6 (20:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
Yeah, well, I just I always think that those student
government organizations are really great for students and it's a
way for them to kind of learn, you know, maybe
just a spoonful at a time of how the process
works and how it's.
Speaker 3 (20:59):
As of work.
Speaker 7 (21:01):
Absolutely, and Student Government Association is also great for students
to get involved in in terms of advocacy for student
needs on a higher level, going to the capital and
advocating for college students and their needs, and then starting
initiatives on campus like career closets, food pantries, and just
(21:22):
other great initiatives that help support the students on campus.
Speaker 2 (21:25):
All right, Sidney Vega, keep up the good work and
really do appreciate your time today.
Speaker 3 (21:29):
Thank you, thank you. Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (21:32):
Okay, it's time now to find out what's happening across
the great state of West Virginia. And to do that,
will head to the Metro News anchor desk in the
city of Charleston. Right now, Fair skies and fifty four
degrees in the University City. As we head to the
Metro News anchor.
Speaker 6 (21:53):
Desk, now back to the talk of the town.
Speaker 2 (22:18):
A good Wednesday morning, Fair skies and fifty seven in
the University City. Glad you're with us. In studio, we
have the commander of the Earl Anderson Marine Corps League
Detachment three forty two, that is Joe Huby and with Joe,
we also have the toys for todt's coordinator Christina Miller
(22:41):
with us here today.
Speaker 3 (22:42):
Hey, good morning to both of you.
Speaker 8 (22:44):
How are you doing well? Good morning Mike.
Speaker 5 (22:47):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (22:47):
That's a pleasure to have you on board. Now let's
see Joe first. To you talk to us a little
bit about the Marine Corps League Detachment. When do you meet,
what do you do and how can you get involve?
Speaker 8 (23:00):
Very good? So we uh, we have a membership that's
expanding and growing very quickly. We're a little over one
hundred members strong now. We do meet for business meetings
once the month on the third Thursday ever every month
to conduct our business everything from planning for upcoming events,
(23:24):
covering past events, fundraising and those kinds of things. But
we we try to get involved in several different areas, uh,
starting with color guards. We'll be participating in the upcoming
Veterans Parade in Morgantown. We'll be participating in the Christmas
(23:45):
Parade there in Star City. We attend a lot of
funerals for marines that have passed. We stand by the
casket and represent not only our detachment, but the Marine
Corps League and paying honors to those fallen veterans. That's
many things that we do. We also are involved in
(24:09):
a lot of events, ranging from the Morgantown Home Show
outdoor show. That's where we try to do a lot
of our recruiting, and we've kind of expanded on the
recruiting efforts, even down to making home visits after some
phone calls when people interact with us, and it's just
it's about getting marines back together, and we're kind of
(24:32):
growing in that area as well because we're starting to
involve associate members. We have several, but we're looking at
other veterans that are not necessarily Marines, maybe Army, Navy,
Air Force, and we've recruited several of those. We started
attending a lot of meetings with the American Legion and
so we're starting to do some collaborating with the American Legion.
(24:55):
And recently at the nine to eleven event that was
held here in Morgantown, we did a flag raising. Half
the Marine Corps League Detachment and half of the other
Color Guard was from the American Legion. So doing a
lot of collaborative efforts with that.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
So this recruiting process doesn't require a physical assessment and
an ASPAT.
Speaker 8 (25:21):
No, but if you ask some of us past marines,
we maybe like to try to make it that way,
but no, really, it just requires you to be a
past marine with an honorable discharge and you do have
to show proof of service with your d D two
fourteen thirty one dollars a year get you in. And
then if you want to be an associate member that's
(25:43):
not a marine. Like Christina here, she just needs to
come to the meeting and get accepted by everybody, and
that's usually a pretty easy task to accomplish.
Speaker 2 (25:53):
Yeah, she looks like you could accept her pretty easy.
Speaker 6 (25:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (25:59):
Well, Christina, good morning, and it's a pleasure to meet
you in person. You are the coordinator for Toys for Tots.
You know, tell us about what you're trying to do,
because these are the kinds of efforts I like, because
you know they benefit the kids that you know you
might run into at the Walmart or the store when
you go out.
Speaker 9 (26:17):
Yeah, so we try to make sure that all of
the underprivileged children of our counties can have access to
a new toy for Christmas every year.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
And you had your first event last weekend. Uh, go
through that where did you have it? How did it
turn out? Things like that?
Speaker 9 (26:36):
Absolutely, So we were at Ali's Bargain outlet in the
Morgantown Mall. We were there for about six hours. We
collected one hundred and seventy five toys and books and
some monetary donations which we will forward to the foundation
and then buy more toys with those donations.
Speaker 3 (26:56):
That's great.
Speaker 2 (26:57):
And now everything that you collect, like I said, it's
gonna stay what Mond, Preston Counties are just Mond.
Speaker 9 (27:03):
So the stuff we collect in Mond County goes to
our Mond County programs for Christian Help and Salvation Army.
Preston County go to Salvation Army in Preston County, and
Marion and Taylor County as well goes to their Salvation Army.
So everything stays in the county.
Speaker 3 (27:19):
They're collected, you know, toys for tots. You know, they
kind of treaded some rough waters going through the pandemic
and things. But what's the state of the program.
Speaker 9 (27:28):
Now, We're going strong. We've rebooted and we're getting out there,
getting our word out there and our mission accomplished. This year,
we have more children in all of our four counties
than we've ever had. That's what the reports I'm getting
back from Salvation Army and Christian Help. So there's more
need this year as well.
Speaker 2 (27:47):
Now as I understand it, I believe that there are
three more events and those events are scattered between Middletown
Commons and the University Town Center.
Speaker 3 (27:56):
Can you walk us through that schedule?
Speaker 7 (27:58):
Absolutely?
Speaker 9 (27:58):
And we just picked up one geer Pont five below
is going to be on December sixth at noon, but
we're going to start on the twenty second of November
in Middletown Commons. Five below is going to be eleven
to five on the same time we're going to have
in University Town Center from ten to four. On the
(28:20):
twenty ninth of November, we're going to be back in
Middletown Commons from eleven to five. And then here in
peer Pont location we just added a few days ago,
and that's going to be starting at noon on the
sixth of December.
Speaker 2 (28:33):
Okay, perfect, And you know, thanks to Allie's Bargain Outlet
and five below for you know, allowing this to go on.
Speaker 9 (28:40):
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (28:41):
Yeah, that's great.
Speaker 2 (28:42):
Now, let's see Joe Veterans Day is coming up. I
think that there's a variety of events coming on. I'd
like to give you an opportunity to tackle that topic.
Speaker 8 (28:54):
That's a big one for the month of November. Mike.
We the Marine Corps turns two hundred and fifty years
old on the tenth of November, which is a big,
huge day for Marines annually, but being two hundred and fifty,
I think it makes it even bigger. And I'd just
like to give a shout out for all those that
bought tickets and sponsored this upcoming ball that we're getting
(29:17):
ready to host at Lakeview Resort on the fifteenth to
celebrate that event. We've got over two hundred that are
being attendance. It'll be a formal ceremony, cake cutting, and
then we'll move into guest speakers that are coming from
all the way out in California. We have the Junior
(29:40):
Vice Commander of the VFW of the State of California
that will be our guest speaker that night, as well
as several other folks from Michigan, Kansas, Illinois, and Arizona.
We'll be traveling all the way into Morgantown, West Virginia
for this event, so it's going to be a big one,
(30:01):
and I just want to give a shout out for that.
We're gonna before we have the event on the fifteenth here,
we'll also be traveling several of us from this detachment
to Charleston, West Virginia for a state ball that is
being hosted by our West Virginia State Department of the
Marine Corps League. And then we're going to move from
(30:22):
there to the tenth of November, which is our official birthday.
We'll be cutting the cake, cutting a cake in commemoration
of the two hundred and fiftieth birthday with the governor
at the state Capitol. We're going to move from the
state Capitol cake cutting, we'll move back into Morgantown and
(30:44):
finish our preparing for our upcoming ball. And then, like
you mentioned, we'll have a the Veterans Day Parade in
Morgantown that will be participating in. I believe there's one
other event that I'm missing. Oh, I've got We're gonna
be raising flags at three Huntington Banks. Uh actually this
(31:08):
Friday on the seventh. So those are just a few
of the things going on in the month of November.
Speaker 2 (31:13):
Okay, perfect, Now I'm just gonna add one on Monday.
The WVU School of Dentistry is offering free appointments for veterans.
That'll be from eight thirty until four thirty on Monday,
the tenth of November. If you'd like to get involved
in that, that number is three oh four two nine,
three six to zero eight. Tell you what appreciate you
(31:36):
guys coming in today. Thank you, Mike, appreciate it absolutely.
We'll talk again very soon. Okay, First, guy's fifty seven
degrees in the University city. When we come back, we've
got Pastor Zach Morton. We're gonna be talking about the
food drive coming up on Friday. We're gonna take a
two minute break starts right now on Talk of the Town.
(31:57):
AM fourteen forty f M one oh four point five.
I've w a j r.
Speaker 1 (32:13):
We are talking about your town. Now back to the
Talk of the Town.
Speaker 2 (32:24):
A good Wednesday morning. Faris, guys, and fifty seven degrees.
We've got Sheriff Todd Forbes on the line, and of
course the slate of featured felons that we're going to
be talking about on this Wanted Wednesday will be at
Monengelia Sheriff dot Gov.
Speaker 3 (32:41):
Sheriff Forbes. Good morning, sir. How are you.
Speaker 5 (32:45):
Good morning, Mike doing great? Thanks for having me. Also,
my Paul. I know we were supposed to get started
a little earlier, but had something to come up, so
I had to step away for just a second.
Speaker 3 (32:53):
Hey, No, that's what You're fine, You're fine.
Speaker 2 (32:56):
Okay, Sheriff got a slate of featured felons here we
want the public to know about.
Speaker 10 (33:02):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (33:02):
Let's uh who are they?
Speaker 5 (33:05):
Well, let's go through this little list real quick. Ashley Doveman,
she is wondering for uh think of false identity uh
and driving while suspending and failure failure to appear, which
is very common when we when we do these. Ashley
Hoskins breaking and entering third offense, buy or driving suspended
(33:26):
and failure to appear. Joseph Kine transferring and receiving stolen property,
violation of probation, Tricia Nunley financial exploitation of an elderly
person and failure to appear. And lastly, Colton Recomen want
engagement involving a firearm, grand larceny, violation of probation. So
(33:49):
that's our five for this week. And well I have
you here. I want to tell you we ran a
little story yesterday about we had at that time captured
thirty people since we started this and that's up to
third won. And none of that is possible without the
help of the community. We really appreciate the anonymous tips
and it really makes a big difference when we're running
these folks up.
Speaker 3 (34:10):
Absolutely it does.
Speaker 2 (34:11):
And of course, like we say every week, be sure
and call the Sheriff's department if you have information about
these folks, and don't try to take matters into your
own hands.
Speaker 5 (34:22):
Certainly not so they One more thing I like to
say before before I got to go, Mike, is this
is the last time that I'll talk to you, probably
hopefully at least until Veterans Day. So I wanted to
go on record and thank all of our veterans for
their service and their dedication. And I'm going to give
a plug. I know that this week at blond Park
they're doing an event up there for some seniors. I'm sorry,
(34:44):
for some veterans. They're giving away a home let's see,
a whole house generator to a veteran. So if you're
a veteran, you don't have anything going on Saturday, get
up there, take a chance to win that and.
Speaker 3 (34:59):
Have okay, perfect. Hey, Sheriff, it's always a pleasure to
catch up with you.
Speaker 2 (35:05):
Have a safe day, sir. Okay, you bet your sheriff
Todd Forbes again. Uh, you can check those folks out
at Montagelia Sheriff dot gov. On the phone, we've got
the pastor of the first Presbyterian Church here in the
city of Morgantown, Pastor Zach Morton.
Speaker 3 (35:23):
Good morning, Pastor Morton. How are you, sir?
Speaker 10 (35:26):
I'm good, are you?
Speaker 5 (35:27):
Mike?
Speaker 2 (35:27):
Hey, I'm doing good and I do appreciate your time
here today. Zach, you're gonna be busy Friday. Tell us
what you're gonna be well, Actually, you've been busy kind
of getting organized for Friday.
Speaker 3 (35:39):
Tell us what you've been doing.
Speaker 10 (35:42):
Yeah, so we've been a number of local congregations have
been working together to organize a food drive for our
food pantries in the area that are experiencing, you know,
three to four times in need, maybe more than that.
The need was already up before we saw these since
not benefits for people for the month of November, and
(36:03):
November is always a busy month for the food pantries anyway,
so it's kind of a perfect storm, So we kind
of felt we have an obligation and responsibility to step
up and do our part as among a lot of
other good people in our community, to make sure that
people have food on the table in the coming months.
So there's a number of different congregations that are working
(36:24):
together for a food drive to collect food that can
be distributed to all of our local pantries here in
the Morgantown area.
Speaker 2 (36:30):
Pastor Zach Morton is with a season pastor at the
First Presbyterian Church here in the city of Morgantown. Now,
there will be some drop off locations coming up on Friday.
Speaker 3 (36:39):
Do we know what those are? Can you share those?
Speaker 5 (36:42):
Yeah?
Speaker 10 (36:43):
So we have four congregations in different parts of the
Morgantown area where you can drop off food items. There
is a list of preferred food items that's available on
our websites and social medias, and I think a lot
of other folks have shared those around town. But the
for sites are First Presbyterian Church. We're downtown at four
(37:05):
fifty six Spruce Street. Westover United Methodist Church is another
drop off point there at twenty eight North Street over
in Westover. Morgantown Church or the Brethren they're up in
the Wild Hill community at four sixty four Virginia Avenue
and Woodlands United Methodist Church is out on the Mile
Ground their eighteen forty six mile Ground roads. You can
(37:26):
drop off goods at any of those locations.
Speaker 2 (37:30):
Pastor had the opportunity to speak with Rick be About
earlier in the week and he was talking a little
bit about their drop off there and how involved that
you are in feeding the local community in need. I'd
like for you to share with the audience exactly what
you do.
Speaker 10 (37:48):
Yeah, so, I mean our particular congregation serves as a
point for lots of different feeding programs. We have a
circle of friends which goes to various churches and they
are at our church one week end out of the month.
They're are church the first weekend of the month. We
do a pancake breakfast that is free to the community
every Sunday morning. We have some church gardens and we
(38:10):
also have a partnership with the university. We've expanded those gardens.
We usually are able to grow and donate between two
and three thousand pounds of fresh produce every year that
goes to groups like Community Kitchen and some of the
local food countries as well, and then we continually have
a blessing box that's available for folks, and then we
like to work with other congregations to do different food
(38:32):
drives like this as need arises.
Speaker 2 (38:35):
You know, the other thing that you mentioned throughout the
course of this particular conversation is the fact that you've
witnessed the need increase just in the last week or two.
Speaker 3 (38:46):
Can you help us understand that?
Speaker 10 (38:49):
Yeah, so most of that is from talking with other
community leaders. I mean, we certainly see a little bit
of it with our meal programs that are there at
the church, those fluctually a lot, But talking to other
community leaders and other food pantries, they're seeing registrants and
people who are just calling looking for food that those
numbers are really starting to increase dramatically over the last
(39:13):
three ish weeks. And I've heard again from some of
them that they're seeing up to like three or four
times in need. And you know, this is before probably
the biggest strain hits people, so you can only it's
only going to go up from there. So that's just
kind of where we're at and where we see the
numbers going at this moment in time.
Speaker 2 (39:33):
Pastor Zach Morton with First Presbyterian Church as well. It's
easy for me to say, but Zach, on the way out,
give us your service times and how people can connect
with your church.
Speaker 10 (39:46):
Yeah, they can connect with us. We have service times
every Sunday at eleven a m. Where they're in downtown
Morgantown and would love to see folks act.
Speaker 2 (39:54):
Okay, good deal, Pastor Zach. Appreciate your time, sir, have
a great day.
Speaker 5 (39:59):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (39:59):
Mike, appreciate absolutely. You take care of yourself. I'm sure
we'll be talking at some point during the day on Friday.
Right now, fair skys fifty seven degrees. We'll be back
to wrap things up coming up after this on Talk
of the Town AM fourteen forty f M one oh
four point five WAJR.
Speaker 1 (40:28):
Join the conversation at one eight hundred and seven sixty
five eight two fivey five.
Speaker 6 (40:32):
This is the Talk of the Town.
Speaker 3 (40:36):
Good Wednesday morning, fair and fifty seven degrees.
Speaker 2 (40:39):
Monn County Commissioners the will be gabbling in at the
top of the hour for their regular meeting that'll be
available in the mon County Courthouse on High Street or
the mon County Commission YouTube page. Now got a note
from the WVSSAC this morning. Believe it or not, their
Facebook page has for thirty two thousand followers, and they've
(41:02):
been made aware that there have been some other accounts
claiming to represent the wvs SAC that have been set
up and they're sharing links to live streams. Of these
are fraudulent live streams of high school football games. These
links are not official, and the wv s SAC is
(41:26):
telling residents that these could be attempts to steal your
personal information or maybe even compromise your devices, hack your
emails and things like that. So remind your school communities,
coaches and parents to really you want to use caution
and vet these things before you click on them. And
(41:47):
if you do have a question, talk to somebody ask them.
And you know, keep in mind that there are a
lot of people that are out there that you know,
maybe they're not so tech savvy. You might want to
reach in and lend them a hand, and you know,
don't forget that. Always a safe option in this type
(42:07):
of a situation is to go to wvmetronews dot com
and download the METRONEWSTV app and the games that we televise,
you'll be able to have access to those. But once again,
the WVSSAC has said that they've had some attempts to
(42:28):
hack residents through their Facebook page by providing fraudulent links
to high school football games. So keep your eye out
on that and don't forget that. Coming up on Friday,
six am to six pm will be at the University
Town Center Giant Eagle store for the latest WVRC media
(42:51):
Cares for Community event. That would be Cans for Community.
It's a joint operation with Titan Roofing. Also the United
Way of Montinglia and Preston Counties are involved as well.
And don't forget about that one thousand dollars cash prize.
All you have to do is show up. Don't need
to make a donation. I believe you do have to register.
(43:13):
But then later that day somebody is going to win
a one thousand dollars prize. That is Friday at the
University Town Center Giant Eagle. You definitely won't want to
miss that. And we are following the Hope gas rate
increase negotiations and that is happening. That gabbled in at
(43:36):
nine to thirty this morning, so we'll have updates as
soon as they're available. It's time now for Metro News
talk Line on the Voice of Morgantown one oh four
point five FM and AM fourteen forty WAJR
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