October 2, 2025 • 36 mins
Monongalia County Delegate Joe Statler discusses upcoming interim meetings.
United Way MPC Board Member Steven Saab hypes up the Spooky Sprint
United Way MPC Board Member Steven Saab hypes up the Spooky Sprint
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
This is the Talk of the Town from Morgantown to Clarksburg.
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 notlting.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Well.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Good Wednesday morning. Glad you're with us.
Speaker 4 (00:35):
It is nine oh seven, fair skies, fifty six degrees
metro Newsaki Weather says today plenty of sunshine. I have
seventy eight degrees. Welcome to Talk of the Town in
good Wednesday morning. This is the midweek version of Talk
of the Town where we focus on things important to
you and your family and community. Now, Ethan Collins is
(01:00):
producing the program, and he's actually overcoming the early onset
of old age.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
So be easy on Ethan today.
Speaker 4 (01:07):
You'll be able to get him at eight hundred seven
sixty five eight two five five. Now the text line
that's your opportunity to be heard. Don't let it slip
past you.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
That number is three h four Talk three oh four.
On Tuesday, we.
Speaker 4 (01:22):
Talked about some financial issues smaller school districts brought on
by population decline. School funding formula was part of that discussion.
Barbara County Superintendent Eddie Vincent said there has to be
a better way to consider other factors as well as
headcount when making funding decisions. Speak with Mond County Delegate
(01:43):
Joe Statler coming up at nine to fifteen this morning.
He's the vice chair of the House Education Committee, and
we'll talk with Joe about maybe what some of those
options might be. Interim meetings also start at the end
of the week, and we'll talk with Joe about that
as well. Coming up at nine thirty, we've got Montgelia
(02:04):
County Sheriff Todd Forbes.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
It is wanted Wednesday.
Speaker 4 (02:07):
We'll talk about his featured felons, and we also have
Stephen sab coming in from the mont Preston County United Way.
We're gonna be talking about their Spooky sprint that's coming
up on November the first, and the eighty seventh Forest
Festival is going on this week. It'll wrap up this weekend.
(02:29):
We've got the executive director, Heidi Bray, She's gonna step
in at just about nine forty. I'm gonna get you
tuned in for what's happening in Elkins with the Forest Festival.
Speaker 3 (02:40):
Let's take a look at a couple of headlines.
Speaker 4 (02:43):
Detectives with the Harrison County Sheriff's Department are searching for
a Detroit man in connection with a hot spot stabbing
Sunday night. Thirty two year old Devonte Lavelle. Maurice Smith's
described as a blackmale six foot five, two hundred pounds
eyes and black hair. Smith has wanted for a parole
violation from Michigan as well. Now, if you know where
(03:07):
Smith is, called nine to one one. If you do
have a tip, you can forward that information to the
Harrison County Sheriff's Department, to the Detective division of the
Governor's Conference on Tourism wraps up in Morgantown today. Governor
Morrissey addressed attendees on Tuesday and highlighted the industry that
(03:28):
supports thousands of jobs and produces an economic impact of
more than nine billion dollars across the state. I believe
that number of jobs is somewhere in the neighborhood of
fifty to sixty thousand jobs. The other thing that I
thought was interesting about that particular event. Earlier this year,
(03:50):
they rolled out the Ambassador Training program, where you can
go online get free training earn college credits and ultimately
become an ambassador. And there are different levels of ambassadorships
that you can achieve, and it's a really neat program
to really encourage you to check that out. Of the
State Board of Education having their regular monthly meeting at
(04:13):
this hour, the board continues a legal dispute with the
governor over the school entry vaccination requirements. Morrisy signed an
executive order earlier this year allowing for religious exemptions, and
parents have challenged both existing law and the executive order
in court. Now some want a high profile Raleigh County
(04:35):
case to go all the way to the Supreme Court
to be decided, and once again the State Board of
Education they are gabling into their regular meeting this hour.
State Treasurer Larry Pack says Governor Patrick Morrissey should call
state lawmakers into a special session to eliminate state income
tax on tips in overtime. Pax says that federal taxes
(04:58):
are already going away on those two years in two
years as part of the Big Beautiful Bill passed earlier
this year. Packed once a bill passed before the end
of the year so it can take effect on January.
The first we turned the page to another month, and
that means that burn restrictions change.
Speaker 3 (05:20):
Today is the beginning.
Speaker 4 (05:22):
Of fall outdoor burning regulations in the state of West Virginia,
and through the end of the year, outdoor burning is
only allowed from five pm until seven am. There is
no significant rain in the forecast for West Virginia for
the foreseeable future. And let me get another look at
that just to verify, because yeah, looks like we've got
(05:46):
near perfect weather, but it is certainly rain free, so
it's gonna start getting dry, so I have to watch
out for that. Fairest guys, and fifty six degrees. When
we come back, spend a few minutes with mont County
Delegate Joe Statler. We'll be talking about all things education related,
specifically state funding formula and maybe exactly what lawmakers.
Speaker 3 (06:11):
Are up to when it comes to that.
Speaker 4 (06:13):
That's coming up next on Top of the Town AM
fourteen forty FM one oh four point five waj R
A town.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
Now back to the Talk of the Town.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
Well, good Wednesday morning.
Speaker 4 (06:25):
Some good news to report from the roadways West Virginia.
Five one one now reports the I sixty eight I
seventy nine split is clear. However, there is now a
new accident. I seventy nine northbound at mile marker one
forty two. Now that's going to be south of the
Goshen Road exit. On the phone, we've got mon County
(06:47):
Delegate Joe Statler with us. Joe is the vice chairman
of the House Education Committee.
Speaker 3 (06:54):
Good morning, Joe. How are you?
Speaker 5 (06:56):
Good morning, sir. I am fantastic.
Speaker 4 (06:58):
Well, that's good to hear, Joe. Now, just to bring
you up to speed here. On Tuesday, we had the
superintendent of Barbara County Schools, ed evincent On, and we
were talking about some of their consolidation issues. Those details
are at wv metronews dot com. But to make a
long story short, they're consolidating from seven buildings to four
(07:20):
buildings based on a drop in their headcount and that's
largely dictated by the school funding formula that is limiting
their financial resources. And that Barbara County is really not
the only place that that's happening. Are you still there, Yes, yes,
(07:42):
I am, But I think that Barbara County that's not
the only place that that's happening.
Speaker 5 (07:47):
Oh, absolutely not. That's happening all over the state and
even on one of the districts. Part of the district
that I represent Wetzel County, as you know, they went
through the same process last year and are going to
go from basically four high schools to one high school
in the future and changing around some configurations in their buildings.
(08:10):
They've already closed two high schools and consolidated them into
two other schools nearby. So the process is happening all
of the state.
Speaker 4 (08:20):
And I'll tell you it's definitely an uncomfortable, painful process
for those people that you know, they really cherished the
identity of the school that they went to or they
are going to, or that they graduated from, you know, Joe.
In those conversations, the school funding formula got brought up
(08:41):
a lot, and I think that some of the things
that I picked up from that conversation was one, it's
been in place and hasn't been changed for a long time.
And number two that you know, maybe there are some
ways that that can be subtly changed to take in
the circustances for places like Wetzel, Randolph and Barbara Counties.
Speaker 5 (09:05):
Well, and I would agree that it has been in
place for a long time. Now, I would have a
little contention with that it hasn't been changed because I
can tell you they've tinkered with that steps along the
way and have added extra funding sources, and it changed
the way the funding sources has been allocated to the counties.
(09:26):
End of the fact. At one time basically, well you
had they called this step seven formula, and there's about
ten steps to that formula. But they allowed a lot
more freedom to how the counties can use that money.
And even though it may be pigeonholed in a certain way,
(09:49):
because the first thing you got to know is you're
setting a setting board member on any board of education,
about eighty seven percent of that money that you receive
is already and that's all money that's coming in for education.
It's already earmarked and how it's going to be spent.
So you have very limited amounts that you completely have
(10:11):
a lot of control or well you have control over
it all. That's just the law and the way it is.
But about thirteen percent is what's at the table when
you set down, and I.
Speaker 4 (10:21):
Think that that eighty seven percent that you're talking about
that's committed, those are personnel costs.
Speaker 5 (10:27):
Well not all personnel, but most of it is personnel.
But also you have the fixed cost of the buildings,
you know, the utilities, the insurances, all that kind of
stuff has already worked into where it's at. And actually
there is allowances for some of that into the state
aid formula that they can recoup and get back, and
(10:48):
some of it actually lags a year behind. You spend
it this year, you receive the money back next year.
And that has to do with the head count. And
I did. I was fortunate yesterday and was able to
listen to the gentleman and he's correct. I forget it's
a second Tuesday, I believe in October. But there's a
magical date in October that is when the school count
(11:12):
will be counted for who you will get paid for
basically for next year. So they're working for their school systems.
This year was actually by their head count that was
taken in October of last year.
Speaker 4 (11:27):
Mon County Delegate Joe Statler's with us, and you know, Joe,
when you look at education, you look at funding, it's
hard not to justify it by head count.
Speaker 3 (11:36):
But what other ways are there to do that?
Speaker 5 (11:40):
Well, I will tell you, Mike that myself and some
others have been looking at this formula for quite a
while and in other people down in Charleston has been
looking at it, and we've worked with some We got
staff looking at some things. Now we look at models
from other states. I attended a conference last weekend in Atlanta, Georgia,
(12:03):
and of course I talked in through other representatives across
the southern region and the ones that I've looked at
intensely is my Mississippi, Alabama and now Tennessee. Tennessee has
a model that I've asked them to pull everything up
on and have it ready for us downer this weekend.
(12:24):
I don't want to sit down and talk to our
counterparts and also hopefully Sunday we can schedule a meeting
with the speaker and leadership and bring them up to
date where we're at looking at some of the ideas
on the school aid funding formula. And you're right, heag
count is always going to be part of it, don't.
(12:45):
I don't know how else exactly you can do it all,
but it's how those constraints and how we do that
head count. And quite frankly, every state that I've looked
at so far has done the school aid formula type thing.
Who recalculate how they do it, it is not saved
the state money. It's actually costs more money. So there's
(13:06):
always that possibility that people thinks because the student population
has decreased in the schools, which has many factors. I
heard a gentlemen speak yesterday, and we can get on
that subject sometime as to what the legislature has done
and allowed in school choice to cause that. I'm willingly
(13:29):
to have that debate with them. But what ends up
at the end of the day is if you don't
use student headcounts, I'm not sure what you can use.
And every state uses that now somehow it gets more
money back from the state than what we do. So
we're looking at that. It's a very complicated system and
(13:51):
it does need revamped and revised, and we do need
to have a little more freedom toward the counties and
how they can pitch and hold that money and use it.
But I'll also tell you, Mike, that we've given them
some of that freedom already and what we seem from
a not it last year looking at some of these counties,
(14:12):
some of these counties had some pretty big war chest.
I know Wetzell County has about twenty seven million on hand.
Now I wouldn't call it out a big war chest.
I understand where they're at with that. Montingaye County, I
have to believe is sixty seven million, and that of
course at Suncrest School will burn a lot of that up.
So kudos to them for looking ahead to try and
(14:34):
save some money and do some things to help out,
and it is going to benefit the students. I believe
Berkeley was one hundred and thirty five million is what
was a nurse. So we're looking at that, how this
money's once they get it, what they're using it for,
and how they're using it. So it's something that we've
(14:54):
been looking at for a couple of years now.
Speaker 4 (14:57):
Mont County Delegate Joe Statler's whether you brought up the
competition issue, and I think that everybody can agree that
competition is a good thing. It's healthy, it makes things better.
Just that that's what it does well.
Speaker 5 (15:12):
And I will tell you, sir, I agree with you.
I'm not against school choice. There's a reason parents are
choosing school choice. What I have problems with is the
public education system is not looking at it as competition.
They are looking at it as basically putting them out
of business instead of trying to change your business model
(15:36):
to see why parents would choose twenty four thousand students
to be homeschooled. Let me tell you I'm never homeschooled
anyone and certainly wouldn't want to. But I can tell
you that if it's done correctly, it is not an
easy chore to do. So why would twenty four thousand
people choose to homeschool with their child instead of sending
(15:57):
their public education? Well, quite frankly, I've asked have you
surveyed those people to see why? Have you asked them
the question? Because in order to homeschool, they have to
ask the county boards of education of superintendents to release
them from the home system and give them basically, we
are going to homeschool. So they at least have the
(16:21):
knowledge that's going to happen at that point in time.
They need to ask them, why are you choosing to
do this? And not in an adversarial way, in a
way is what are we not doing that we could
do that's not happening, and that's got to happen. Whether
it's charter schools, whether it's virtual schools, or whether it's
home schools. You know, the hope scholarship to private schools.
(16:45):
It all is a part. And I also whenever that
with many of my state counterparts in Alatt last weekend,
and basically, you know, it's happening everywhere. There are every
state's doing it and people just made that choice. And yes,
that does hurt the school population, and yes that money
generally follows the student, and that also is part that
(17:08):
has been a formula and so.
Speaker 4 (17:11):
Well, I can tell you that I guess when it
comes to funding and things like that, You're right, headcount
has definitely got to play a role.
Speaker 3 (17:19):
The competition is you know, certainly it is here.
Speaker 4 (17:24):
It has to happen now that we have charter schools
and we have homeschooling. And I would say that from
a professional standpoint that any organization, and I know throughout
my professional life i've participated in exit interviews is what
they're called, and they're actually pretty important for the company.
Speaker 5 (17:45):
They are, and I will tell you that I've seen
that myself, and again i'd asked for those reasons. Now
they all a lot of people said it's because of absenteeism,
and I don't know what the percentage is trying to
follow up on that, but I have a hard time
believing that a large percentage of these twenty four thousand
(18:08):
or the private schools, because they've got to go there
are virtual schools, you know that may be they can
attend from wherever we have that going on. Charters are
the same way. They've got to come into the school.
So we can't just rely on all being ads andeeism,
which I'm sure that's a portion of what's going on.
(18:28):
And I want to say, you know, to the people
out there listening, you know, Montague County, we're blessed. We
have an excellent school system, and you know it's not
as heavily done here. We still have some homeschoes but
there's parts of the state that it just there's a
lot of issues and we've got to find those issues
(18:50):
of why people is leaving the system. What do we
need to do to correct that. And one thing that
I ask for this year is we got thirteen high
hundred and fifty two pages of laws on restricting how
education's done. So I asked all the county superintendents give
(19:10):
me the sections of code that we have referenced that
we could change or look at it at least, And
so far I've had four counties that has responded back
to me. We also as the teachers' associations to join
in on that, no response from them. Mike, We've got
(19:31):
a problem where people thinks we have you know, we
have a perception problem, but nobody's willing to see what
we need to do to fix it.
Speaker 3 (19:41):
You know.
Speaker 4 (19:41):
Joe, I'm sorry, but we're out of time. We will
continue this conversation again though, Thank you.
Speaker 5 (19:46):
Sir, very much, thank you for the time.
Speaker 4 (19:48):
Absolutely absolutely mon County Delegate Joe Statler, it's.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
Join the conversation at one eight hundred and seven sixty
five eight two fivey five. This is the Talk of
the Town.
Speaker 3 (20:13):
Well, good Wednesday morning.
Speaker 4 (20:14):
It is a nine thirty five fair Skies, sixty degrees.
The is sixty nine I sixty eight seventy nine split
now clear. However, there is an accident I seventy nine
northbound just south of there. In just a moment, we're
going to talk about the Spooky Sprint coming up on
November the first put on by the mont Preston County
(20:34):
United Way. But before that, get out your at home
version of Talk of the Town and go to Monengelia
Sheriff dot gov. We've got Mont County Sheriff Todd Forbes
with us. Good morning, Sheriff, How are you great.
Speaker 2 (20:51):
Gods for having me.
Speaker 3 (20:52):
Absolutely, it's a pleasure to have you on board.
Speaker 2 (20:54):
Now.
Speaker 4 (20:55):
It is a wanted Wednesday. You've got some featured felons
that you'd like to tell us about. Yeah, we have some.
Speaker 2 (21:03):
Folks we're looking for. I wanted to give you a
little date. I haven't fund of me some stats. It
looks like we've gotten twenty one folks captured since July
the fifteenth, which is really good.
Speaker 6 (21:12):
We're really happy about that.
Speaker 2 (21:13):
And appreciate the all the participation from the community a
lot easier.
Speaker 3 (21:18):
That is good news, Sheriff. And thanks to listeners for
stepping up to help out.
Speaker 2 (21:26):
Yes, absolutely so listen. Let me run down this list
real quick here for you this morning. We have. The
first individual we have is Timothy Broussard for fraudlent scheme.
Next up is Britney Don Bauer for forgery and uttering.
Marjorie Christine Crowe fleeing while dui, reckfast driving in disregard
(21:47):
to the safety of others, and failure to appear. Also
Travis Jackson Vanoy for a dui and a failure that appeared.
And lastly, Jerome Williams domesticatory's strangulation, child abuse resulting an
injury and failure to appear. We certainly want to try to.
Speaker 6 (22:06):
Get him in justice if we can, so anything we
know about him would be greatly appreciated.
Speaker 4 (22:10):
Absolutely, And you can take a look at these wanted
suspects at Montengilia Sheriff dot Gov. Sheriff everything on the roads.
How are things looking today?
Speaker 6 (22:23):
Yeah, it's been It's been a busy morning and a
couple of accidents. Hewed you mentioned there the interstate sixtch
back Hope and now we had a little bit that
this morning. But I think we're all cleared up and
ready for the day.
Speaker 4 (22:36):
Okay, good deal. Well until next week, Sheriff. Appreciate your time.
Speaker 2 (22:41):
I appreciate you as always, Mike.
Speaker 4 (22:43):
Absolutely, yep, take care of shell so Sheriff Todd Forbes
on the phone. We've got Steven Sob with the mont
Preston County United Way. I'm going to spend a few
minutes talking about the spooky sprint coming up on November
the first. Hey Stephen, good morning, sir, how are you.
Speaker 7 (23:00):
Good morning? Mike doing well?
Speaker 3 (23:01):
How are you Hey, I'm doing good. It's pleasure to
have you on.
Speaker 4 (23:04):
Now let's see what do we need to know about
the Spooky Sprint Steven.
Speaker 7 (23:09):
Yeah, I appreciate the time. The Spooky Sprint coming up
on November first, so the morning after Halloween, we'll have
a five k and a one mile trick or Treat
trail available for everyone to come out and sign up.
It'll be November first, starting at the five k starting
at nine am, with the one mile walk and trick
(23:32):
or Treat trail following the five k targeting nine to
forty five am that morning. But just another good chance
to continue the Halloween weekend festivities and help to continue
to raise some money for the United Away campaign this year,
going towards our goal put on there with w Medicine,
our primary sponsor of the race, and the Emerging Leaders
(23:56):
group that I'm a part of with United Way, we're
helping to order and ize this year's race and looking
to get as many people as we can to come
out and dress up, have some fun, run a five
k down on the rail trail starting at Hazel Ruby
mcquain Amphitheater and hopefully should be a good morning.
Speaker 1 (24:13):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (24:14):
Sounds like you'll have a good time.
Speaker 4 (24:15):
And of course, the United Way mission of addressing basic
safety net needs, education, financial needs, and healthcare needs and
Mond and Preston County is a very important mission.
Speaker 7 (24:29):
Absolutely, Yeah, you got it. A good way to be
able to help raise money in one spot and help
distribute it across all of our funded partners across Mind
and Preston Counties and addressing those most pressing needs each year,
you know, you know, unfortunately continue to see that that need,
(24:50):
but always lots of good partners helping to fill in
and address those needs. And there's just another good chance
to help raise money for that and have fun and
while doing it.
Speaker 4 (25:01):
And you know what, Stephen, A lot of things, a
lot of I'm sorry, I misspoke a lot of times.
People really love to know the fact that the money
that they contribute during this campaign stays in Montengilia in
Preston Counties to help our neighbors, the people that we know.
Speaker 7 (25:19):
Yeah, no, absolutely, I think that's the biggest impact that
we can have. Since I joined as a volunteer across
a couple of different events, being able to see that
directly go to these organizations in Mond, in Preston County,
I mean, it all stays right here within the community.
And each year, you know, we look at the funding
(25:43):
with the funded partners across the two counties and they're
addressing the emerging needs that it changes year over year. Obviously,
we have a number of things that like food pantries
and a number of different services that you know continue
to serve the communities, but it's always looking at what
is the most pressing need across those key areas that
you had mentioned. So definitely good to see you. If
(26:07):
you not sure where to donate to make the most
impact for your local community, that's where the United Way
helps to step in and help to direct that to
the most pressing cause right here in Mond and Pressing County.
Speaker 4 (26:19):
And just to highlight that for you, Steven, we've got
Steven Sob with the Mond Preston County United Way. When
you make a donation to the United Way, you're actually
not just making a donation to the United Way, you're
actually supporting thirty one programs and twenty four agencies across
both counties that address all the needs that Steven and
I have been talking about.
Speaker 7 (26:41):
Yeah. Absolutely, the goal is to make that the most
efficient way to get the most impact for your dollar,
no matter how much that is, whether you're able to
volunteer your time or talent or treasure in any of those,
we make sure to get the most impact out of that.
Speaker 4 (27:02):
Okay, well, let's see. You can go to United WAYMPC
dot org, go over to the events tab and you'll
see the Spooky sprint and when you go there are
you There are some corporate sponsorships available for those who
are so inclined, but for just the average every day Joe,
don't forget dress up. This is the day after Halloween.
(27:23):
Registration starts at seven point thirty in the morning. Now
where is registration again, please Stephen?
Speaker 7 (27:31):
Yeah, so day of the race check in registration will
be down at Hazel Ruby mcquain Amphitheater right there at
the pavilion. That'll be our start in finish line, So
everything you'll need we'll be right there. The plan will
be to go out and back along the rail trail,
so nice, flat, easy course as far as the five
(27:52):
k is concerned, and then same thing for the one
mile trick or treat trail. We'll be planning to have
some stops along the one mile walk for racers. Registration
will be thirty dollars, but we do have some different
opportunities to save a little money on that as well,
whether that's early bird registration before October fifteenth, or if
(28:14):
you register as a couple after that, you get two
registrations for five dollars off each of those, so that
will be for the actual five k which you can
run or walk, and then additionally the one mile trick
or Treat trail is complementary. We want to have this
as an opportunity to get people out there with bring
(28:36):
their families kids. There is a suggested donation amount, but
definitely want to just have that opportunity out there for
maybe kids who don't have a good neighborhood to walk around.
We'll have a chance for them to go trick or
treating the next morning as well down there on the
rail trail.
Speaker 4 (28:54):
Okay, perfect, Steven, soob really do appreciate your time today
and keep up the good works. Thank you for your volunteerism.
Speaker 7 (29:02):
Yeah, thank you very much. I appreciate the time and
all that you do as well, So thank you.
Speaker 4 (29:07):
Absolutely take care of yourself, Stephen sab with the mont
Preston County United Way, you'll be able to uh oh,
you can recap everything we talked about at UNITEDWAYMPC dot org.
And once again, just if you look at what we
do and then click on events, you'll you'll find the
Spooky Sprint right there. The eighty seventh Forest Festival is
(29:31):
going on this week in the city of Elkins. And
when we come back, we've got the executive director, Heidi
Brace's very very busy this week, but I'm just going
to spend a couple of minutes with us coming up
next to let us know why we all need to
make the trip to Elkins. That's next on Top of
the Town AM fourteen forty FM one four point five WAJR.
Speaker 1 (30:04):
Now back to the Talk of the town.
Speaker 3 (30:12):
A good Wednesday morning.
Speaker 4 (30:13):
It is nine forty eight in the University City Metro
Newsaki Weather says fair skies and fifty six degrees a
West Virginia five to one one. I've got more good
news to report. Both accidents at mile marker one forty
one and also at the I sixty eight I seventy
(30:34):
nine split, both on the northbound side of I seventy nine,
have been cleared up. However, there is a congestion delay
remaining to deal with, so keep your eyes on that.
If you can avoid that area, might be a good
thing to do. Of course, it's gonna be dry and
nice and a great day to go to the eighty
(30:55):
seventh Forest Festival in the city of Elkins. Let's see
we do have. We've got the executive director, Heidi Bray. Now,
Heidi is out on a very special mission as you
and I have this conversation. But one of the things
that I wanted to talk with Heidi about was the
specific lineup for Saturday, because it looks looks like an
(31:20):
incredible lineup because starting at one o'clock in the afternoon,
they've got the Antique and Classic Street rod Car Parade.
Now that'll start on Twelfth Street, Okay, that is at
one o'clock. Then thirty five minutes later at one thirty five,
they've got the log Truck and Equipment Parade, and that'll
(31:42):
start from the same location. Then at oh, I'm sorry,
that's at one fifteen log Truck and Equipment Parade up.
Speaker 3 (31:51):
Then coming up at one.
Speaker 4 (31:53):
Thirty it's the Grand Feature Parade. So for just about
for more than an hour, have a procession of some
pretty high speed vehicles on the streets in the City
of Elkins on the phone. We've got executive director Heidi Bray. Heidi,
you're a busy lady and we appreciate your time today.
Speaker 3 (32:14):
How are you.
Speaker 7 (32:16):
Actually?
Speaker 8 (32:16):
Heidi is so busy that she is in another event working.
And my name is Lydia Jones. I'm the board president
of the Mount State Forest Festival.
Speaker 4 (32:23):
Well, Lydia, thank you very much for joining us, and
I know Heidi is certainly busy running around.
Speaker 3 (32:30):
How's the festival going this morning?
Speaker 8 (32:33):
Thinks they are going great. We are off and running.
We've had a great week so far. We've had some
great downtown stage entertainment. We had a wonderful gospel night
on Sunday night and bluegrass and I believe last night
was the talent show. They're getting ready for a night
of dance tonight. So we've got a lot going on downtown.
The weather has been wonderful, which we are very grateful for.
(32:56):
It makes everything go just a little bit smoother.
Speaker 4 (33:00):
Lydia Jones is whether she's the president of the festival
board at the Forest Festival, and you know, looking ahead
to Thursday and Friday, what would be the highlights of
the festival for you?
Speaker 8 (33:12):
Well, I of course love to see the crowning of
Mate Sylvia turning into Queen Sylvia the eighty seventh Sterling
and comp It's just such an exciting time to see
all of the princesses from all over West Virginia join
us to be part of her crowning. All of the
costumes and pageantry are definitely one of my favorites. I
love to hear the sounds of the festival. I love
(33:34):
the trumpeteers and the highlanders. Our city park events are fantastic.
We have multiple craft shows, We've got all kinds of
events going on in the city park that you definitely
don't want to miss.
Speaker 4 (33:48):
And how about the Lumberjack contest coming up Saturday morning.
It's a big hit.
Speaker 8 (33:54):
I think it is an ode to our history and
natural resources of West Virginia first sure, and it'll be
a great event. It's always fun to see. If you've
never been there, it's definitely an experience that you don't
want to miss.
Speaker 4 (34:08):
You know what, Lydia, As you were coming on in
the air with me, I was telling the listeners about
what's going to happen Saturday afternoon in the city of Elkins,
and I'd like to get your reflection on that you've
got street rods, lumberjack equipment, and then the Grand Featured Parade.
Speaker 8 (34:26):
We do have a Grand Feature Parade and it has
over one hundred different quotes and bands and different attractions.
We have a couple new attractions to the parade this
year that I think people will really enjoy. We have
a string band, I believe, and several local West Virginia
High school marching bands, and there's a lot to see
(34:49):
with the parade and with good weather, I think there'll
be a great turnout.
Speaker 4 (34:52):
And I tell you, Lydia, looking at the weather forecast, gosh,
I don't know. The Elkins Chamber of Commerce really been
doing their homework because mid seventies and you know, into
the sixties and fifties for the lows. So it's absolutely
perfect weather to come to Elkins.
Speaker 8 (35:12):
It's absolutely perfect and come rainer Sean. We always make
the best of all of our events and bring you know,
exciting things to town. But I tell you, the weather's
looking great and we couldn't be more thrilled.
Speaker 3 (35:24):
Okay, good dear Lydia Jones.
Speaker 4 (35:26):
She is the president of the Forest Festival Board of Directors.
Lydia really do appreciate your time. And you know, I'm
sorry that we couldn't talk to Heidi, but I thank you.
Speaker 3 (35:38):
I appreciate Heidi for setting this up.
Speaker 8 (35:42):
Well I do too. Heidi's a great worker, she's our
executive director and we've kept her busy, and I know
that she hated to miss it, but I'm happy to
step in and I hope everyone can come and take
at least one or two events in this weekend.
Speaker 4 (35:56):
Absolutely, hey, thank you very much, ma'am. I'm happy a festival.
Speaker 8 (36:02):
Thank you, We appreciate it.
Speaker 4 (36:03):
Absolutely, take care of yourself Lydia Jones. She's the president
of the Forest Festival and this year is the eighty
seventh version going on in Elkins up through Sunday afternoon.
Speaker 3 (36:15):
So if you've got some time, the weather's great, take trips,
great festival, check out.
Speaker 4 (36:21):
Wrap things up coming up right after this on top
of the Town AM fourteen forty FM one oh four
point five W A.
Speaker 2 (36:29):
J R.
This is the Talk of the Town from Morgantown to Clarksburg.
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 notlting.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Well.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Good Wednesday morning. Glad you're with us.
Speaker 4 (00:35):
It is nine oh seven, fair skies, fifty six degrees
metro Newsaki Weather says today plenty of sunshine. I have
seventy eight degrees. Welcome to Talk of the Town in
good Wednesday morning. This is the midweek version of Talk
of the Town where we focus on things important to
you and your family and community. Now, Ethan Collins is
(01:00):
producing the program, and he's actually overcoming the early onset
of old age.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
So be easy on Ethan today.
Speaker 4 (01:07):
You'll be able to get him at eight hundred seven
sixty five eight two five five. Now the text line
that's your opportunity to be heard. Don't let it slip
past you.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
That number is three h four Talk three oh four.
On Tuesday, we.
Speaker 4 (01:22):
Talked about some financial issues smaller school districts brought on
by population decline. School funding formula was part of that discussion.
Barbara County Superintendent Eddie Vincent said there has to be
a better way to consider other factors as well as
headcount when making funding decisions. Speak with Mond County Delegate
(01:43):
Joe Statler coming up at nine to fifteen this morning.
He's the vice chair of the House Education Committee, and
we'll talk with Joe about maybe what some of those
options might be. Interim meetings also start at the end
of the week, and we'll talk with Joe about that
as well. Coming up at nine thirty, we've got Montgelia
(02:04):
County Sheriff Todd Forbes.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
It is wanted Wednesday.
Speaker 4 (02:07):
We'll talk about his featured felons, and we also have
Stephen sab coming in from the mont Preston County United Way.
We're gonna be talking about their Spooky sprint that's coming
up on November the first, and the eighty seventh Forest
Festival is going on this week. It'll wrap up this weekend.
(02:29):
We've got the executive director, Heidi Bray, She's gonna step
in at just about nine forty. I'm gonna get you
tuned in for what's happening in Elkins with the Forest Festival.
Speaker 3 (02:40):
Let's take a look at a couple of headlines.
Speaker 4 (02:43):
Detectives with the Harrison County Sheriff's Department are searching for
a Detroit man in connection with a hot spot stabbing
Sunday night. Thirty two year old Devonte Lavelle. Maurice Smith's
described as a blackmale six foot five, two hundred pounds
eyes and black hair. Smith has wanted for a parole
violation from Michigan as well. Now, if you know where
(03:07):
Smith is, called nine to one one. If you do
have a tip, you can forward that information to the
Harrison County Sheriff's Department, to the Detective division of the
Governor's Conference on Tourism wraps up in Morgantown today. Governor
Morrissey addressed attendees on Tuesday and highlighted the industry that
(03:28):
supports thousands of jobs and produces an economic impact of
more than nine billion dollars across the state. I believe
that number of jobs is somewhere in the neighborhood of
fifty to sixty thousand jobs. The other thing that I
thought was interesting about that particular event. Earlier this year,
(03:50):
they rolled out the Ambassador Training program, where you can
go online get free training earn college credits and ultimately
become an ambassador. And there are different levels of ambassadorships
that you can achieve, and it's a really neat program
to really encourage you to check that out. Of the
State Board of Education having their regular monthly meeting at
(04:13):
this hour, the board continues a legal dispute with the
governor over the school entry vaccination requirements. Morrisy signed an
executive order earlier this year allowing for religious exemptions, and
parents have challenged both existing law and the executive order
in court. Now some want a high profile Raleigh County
(04:35):
case to go all the way to the Supreme Court
to be decided, and once again the State Board of
Education they are gabling into their regular meeting this hour.
State Treasurer Larry Pack says Governor Patrick Morrissey should call
state lawmakers into a special session to eliminate state income
tax on tips in overtime. Pax says that federal taxes
(04:58):
are already going away on those two years in two
years as part of the Big Beautiful Bill passed earlier
this year. Packed once a bill passed before the end
of the year so it can take effect on January.
The first we turned the page to another month, and
that means that burn restrictions change.
Speaker 3 (05:20):
Today is the beginning.
Speaker 4 (05:22):
Of fall outdoor burning regulations in the state of West Virginia,
and through the end of the year, outdoor burning is
only allowed from five pm until seven am. There is
no significant rain in the forecast for West Virginia for
the foreseeable future. And let me get another look at
that just to verify, because yeah, looks like we've got
(05:46):
near perfect weather, but it is certainly rain free, so
it's gonna start getting dry, so I have to watch
out for that. Fairest guys, and fifty six degrees. When
we come back, spend a few minutes with mont County
Delegate Joe Statler. We'll be talking about all things education related,
specifically state funding formula and maybe exactly what lawmakers.
Speaker 3 (06:11):
Are up to when it comes to that.
Speaker 4 (06:13):
That's coming up next on Top of the Town AM
fourteen forty FM one oh four point five waj R
A town.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
Now back to the Talk of the Town.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
Well, good Wednesday morning.
Speaker 4 (06:25):
Some good news to report from the roadways West Virginia.
Five one one now reports the I sixty eight I
seventy nine split is clear. However, there is now a
new accident. I seventy nine northbound at mile marker one
forty two. Now that's going to be south of the
Goshen Road exit. On the phone, we've got mon County
(06:47):
Delegate Joe Statler with us. Joe is the vice chairman
of the House Education Committee.
Speaker 3 (06:54):
Good morning, Joe. How are you?
Speaker 5 (06:56):
Good morning, sir. I am fantastic.
Speaker 4 (06:58):
Well, that's good to hear, Joe. Now, just to bring
you up to speed here. On Tuesday, we had the
superintendent of Barbara County Schools, ed evincent On, and we
were talking about some of their consolidation issues. Those details
are at wv metronews dot com. But to make a
long story short, they're consolidating from seven buildings to four
(07:20):
buildings based on a drop in their headcount and that's
largely dictated by the school funding formula that is limiting
their financial resources. And that Barbara County is really not
the only place that that's happening. Are you still there, Yes, yes,
(07:42):
I am, But I think that Barbara County that's not
the only place that that's happening.
Speaker 5 (07:47):
Oh, absolutely not. That's happening all over the state and
even on one of the districts. Part of the district
that I represent Wetzel County, as you know, they went
through the same process last year and are going to
go from basically four high schools to one high school
in the future and changing around some configurations in their buildings.
(08:10):
They've already closed two high schools and consolidated them into
two other schools nearby. So the process is happening all
of the state.
Speaker 4 (08:20):
And I'll tell you it's definitely an uncomfortable, painful process
for those people that you know, they really cherished the
identity of the school that they went to or they
are going to, or that they graduated from, you know, Joe.
In those conversations, the school funding formula got brought up
(08:41):
a lot, and I think that some of the things
that I picked up from that conversation was one, it's
been in place and hasn't been changed for a long time.
And number two that you know, maybe there are some
ways that that can be subtly changed to take in
the circustances for places like Wetzel, Randolph and Barbara Counties.
Speaker 5 (09:05):
Well, and I would agree that it has been in
place for a long time. Now, I would have a
little contention with that it hasn't been changed because I
can tell you they've tinkered with that steps along the
way and have added extra funding sources, and it changed
the way the funding sources has been allocated to the counties.
(09:26):
End of the fact. At one time basically, well you
had they called this step seven formula, and there's about
ten steps to that formula. But they allowed a lot
more freedom to how the counties can use that money.
And even though it may be pigeonholed in a certain way,
(09:49):
because the first thing you got to know is you're
setting a setting board member on any board of education,
about eighty seven percent of that money that you receive
is already and that's all money that's coming in for education.
It's already earmarked and how it's going to be spent.
So you have very limited amounts that you completely have
(10:11):
a lot of control or well you have control over
it all. That's just the law and the way it is.
But about thirteen percent is what's at the table when
you set down, and I.
Speaker 4 (10:21):
Think that that eighty seven percent that you're talking about
that's committed, those are personnel costs.
Speaker 5 (10:27):
Well not all personnel, but most of it is personnel.
But also you have the fixed cost of the buildings,
you know, the utilities, the insurances, all that kind of
stuff has already worked into where it's at. And actually
there is allowances for some of that into the state
aid formula that they can recoup and get back, and
(10:48):
some of it actually lags a year behind. You spend
it this year, you receive the money back next year.
And that has to do with the head count. And
I did. I was fortunate yesterday and was able to
listen to the gentleman and he's correct. I forget it's
a second Tuesday, I believe in October. But there's a
magical date in October that is when the school count
(11:12):
will be counted for who you will get paid for
basically for next year. So they're working for their school systems.
This year was actually by their head count that was
taken in October of last year.
Speaker 4 (11:27):
Mon County Delegate Joe Statler's with us, and you know, Joe,
when you look at education, you look at funding, it's
hard not to justify it by head count.
Speaker 3 (11:36):
But what other ways are there to do that?
Speaker 5 (11:40):
Well, I will tell you, Mike that myself and some
others have been looking at this formula for quite a
while and in other people down in Charleston has been
looking at it, and we've worked with some We got
staff looking at some things. Now we look at models
from other states. I attended a conference last weekend in Atlanta, Georgia,
(12:03):
and of course I talked in through other representatives across
the southern region and the ones that I've looked at
intensely is my Mississippi, Alabama and now Tennessee. Tennessee has
a model that I've asked them to pull everything up
on and have it ready for us downer this weekend.
(12:24):
I don't want to sit down and talk to our
counterparts and also hopefully Sunday we can schedule a meeting
with the speaker and leadership and bring them up to
date where we're at looking at some of the ideas
on the school aid funding formula. And you're right, heag
count is always going to be part of it, don't.
(12:45):
I don't know how else exactly you can do it all,
but it's how those constraints and how we do that
head count. And quite frankly, every state that I've looked
at so far has done the school aid formula type thing.
Who recalculate how they do it, it is not saved
the state money. It's actually costs more money. So there's
(13:06):
always that possibility that people thinks because the student population
has decreased in the schools, which has many factors. I
heard a gentlemen speak yesterday, and we can get on
that subject sometime as to what the legislature has done
and allowed in school choice to cause that. I'm willingly
(13:29):
to have that debate with them. But what ends up
at the end of the day is if you don't
use student headcounts, I'm not sure what you can use.
And every state uses that now somehow it gets more
money back from the state than what we do. So
we're looking at that. It's a very complicated system and
(13:51):
it does need revamped and revised, and we do need
to have a little more freedom toward the counties and
how they can pitch and hold that money and use it.
But I'll also tell you, Mike, that we've given them
some of that freedom already and what we seem from
a not it last year looking at some of these counties,
(14:12):
some of these counties had some pretty big war chest.
I know Wetzell County has about twenty seven million on hand.
Now I wouldn't call it out a big war chest.
I understand where they're at with that. Montingaye County, I
have to believe is sixty seven million, and that of
course at Suncrest School will burn a lot of that up.
So kudos to them for looking ahead to try and
(14:34):
save some money and do some things to help out,
and it is going to benefit the students. I believe
Berkeley was one hundred and thirty five million is what
was a nurse. So we're looking at that, how this
money's once they get it, what they're using it for,
and how they're using it. So it's something that we've
(14:54):
been looking at for a couple of years now.
Speaker 4 (14:57):
Mont County Delegate Joe Statler's whether you brought up the
competition issue, and I think that everybody can agree that
competition is a good thing. It's healthy, it makes things better.
Just that that's what it does well.
Speaker 5 (15:12):
And I will tell you, sir, I agree with you.
I'm not against school choice. There's a reason parents are
choosing school choice. What I have problems with is the
public education system is not looking at it as competition.
They are looking at it as basically putting them out
of business instead of trying to change your business model
(15:36):
to see why parents would choose twenty four thousand students
to be homeschooled. Let me tell you I'm never homeschooled
anyone and certainly wouldn't want to. But I can tell
you that if it's done correctly, it is not an
easy chore to do. So why would twenty four thousand
people choose to homeschool with their child instead of sending
(15:57):
their public education? Well, quite frankly, I've asked have you
surveyed those people to see why? Have you asked them
the question? Because in order to homeschool, they have to
ask the county boards of education of superintendents to release
them from the home system and give them basically, we
are going to homeschool. So they at least have the
(16:21):
knowledge that's going to happen at that point in time.
They need to ask them, why are you choosing to
do this? And not in an adversarial way, in a
way is what are we not doing that we could
do that's not happening, and that's got to happen. Whether
it's charter schools, whether it's virtual schools, or whether it's
home schools. You know, the hope scholarship to private schools.
(16:45):
It all is a part. And I also whenever that
with many of my state counterparts in Alatt last weekend,
and basically, you know, it's happening everywhere. There are every
state's doing it and people just made that choice. And yes,
that does hurt the school population, and yes that money
generally follows the student, and that also is part that
(17:08):
has been a formula and so.
Speaker 4 (17:11):
Well, I can tell you that I guess when it
comes to funding and things like that, You're right, headcount
has definitely got to play a role.
Speaker 3 (17:19):
The competition is you know, certainly it is here.
Speaker 4 (17:24):
It has to happen now that we have charter schools
and we have homeschooling. And I would say that from
a professional standpoint that any organization, and I know throughout
my professional life i've participated in exit interviews is what
they're called, and they're actually pretty important for the company.
Speaker 5 (17:45):
They are, and I will tell you that I've seen
that myself, and again i'd asked for those reasons. Now
they all a lot of people said it's because of absenteeism,
and I don't know what the percentage is trying to
follow up on that, but I have a hard time
believing that a large percentage of these twenty four thousand
(18:08):
or the private schools, because they've got to go there
are virtual schools, you know that may be they can
attend from wherever we have that going on. Charters are
the same way. They've got to come into the school.
So we can't just rely on all being ads andeeism,
which I'm sure that's a portion of what's going on.
(18:28):
And I want to say, you know, to the people
out there listening, you know, Montague County, we're blessed. We
have an excellent school system, and you know it's not
as heavily done here. We still have some homeschoes but
there's parts of the state that it just there's a
lot of issues and we've got to find those issues
(18:50):
of why people is leaving the system. What do we
need to do to correct that. And one thing that
I ask for this year is we got thirteen high
hundred and fifty two pages of laws on restricting how
education's done. So I asked all the county superintendents give
(19:10):
me the sections of code that we have referenced that
we could change or look at it at least, And
so far I've had four counties that has responded back
to me. We also as the teachers' associations to join
in on that, no response from them. Mike, We've got
(19:31):
a problem where people thinks we have you know, we
have a perception problem, but nobody's willing to see what
we need to do to fix it.
Speaker 3 (19:41):
You know.
Speaker 4 (19:41):
Joe, I'm sorry, but we're out of time. We will
continue this conversation again though, Thank you.
Speaker 5 (19:46):
Sir, very much, thank you for the time.
Speaker 4 (19:48):
Absolutely absolutely mon County Delegate Joe Statler, it's.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
Join the conversation at one eight hundred and seven sixty
five eight two fivey five. This is the Talk of
the Town.
Speaker 3 (20:13):
Well, good Wednesday morning.
Speaker 4 (20:14):
It is a nine thirty five fair Skies, sixty degrees.
The is sixty nine I sixty eight seventy nine split
now clear. However, there is an accident I seventy nine
northbound just south of there. In just a moment, we're
going to talk about the Spooky Sprint coming up on
November the first put on by the mont Preston County
(20:34):
United Way. But before that, get out your at home
version of Talk of the Town and go to Monengelia
Sheriff dot gov. We've got Mont County Sheriff Todd Forbes
with us. Good morning, Sheriff, How are you great.
Speaker 2 (20:51):
Gods for having me.
Speaker 3 (20:52):
Absolutely, it's a pleasure to have you on board.
Speaker 2 (20:54):
Now.
Speaker 4 (20:55):
It is a wanted Wednesday. You've got some featured felons
that you'd like to tell us about. Yeah, we have some.
Speaker 2 (21:03):
Folks we're looking for. I wanted to give you a
little date. I haven't fund of me some stats. It
looks like we've gotten twenty one folks captured since July
the fifteenth, which is really good.
Speaker 6 (21:12):
We're really happy about that.
Speaker 2 (21:13):
And appreciate the all the participation from the community a
lot easier.
Speaker 3 (21:18):
That is good news, Sheriff. And thanks to listeners for
stepping up to help out.
Speaker 2 (21:26):
Yes, absolutely so listen. Let me run down this list
real quick here for you this morning. We have. The
first individual we have is Timothy Broussard for fraudlent scheme.
Next up is Britney Don Bauer for forgery and uttering.
Marjorie Christine Crowe fleeing while dui, reckfast driving in disregard
(21:47):
to the safety of others, and failure to appear. Also
Travis Jackson Vanoy for a dui and a failure that appeared.
And lastly, Jerome Williams domesticatory's strangulation, child abuse resulting an
injury and failure to appear. We certainly want to try to.
Speaker 6 (22:06):
Get him in justice if we can, so anything we
know about him would be greatly appreciated.
Speaker 4 (22:10):
Absolutely, And you can take a look at these wanted
suspects at Montengilia Sheriff dot Gov. Sheriff everything on the roads.
How are things looking today?
Speaker 6 (22:23):
Yeah, it's been It's been a busy morning and a
couple of accidents. Hewed you mentioned there the interstate sixtch
back Hope and now we had a little bit that
this morning. But I think we're all cleared up and
ready for the day.
Speaker 4 (22:36):
Okay, good deal. Well until next week, Sheriff. Appreciate your time.
Speaker 2 (22:41):
I appreciate you as always, Mike.
Speaker 4 (22:43):
Absolutely, yep, take care of shell so Sheriff Todd Forbes
on the phone. We've got Steven Sob with the mont
Preston County United Way. I'm going to spend a few
minutes talking about the spooky sprint coming up on November
the first. Hey Stephen, good morning, sir, how are you.
Speaker 7 (23:00):
Good morning? Mike doing well?
Speaker 3 (23:01):
How are you Hey, I'm doing good. It's pleasure to
have you on.
Speaker 4 (23:04):
Now let's see what do we need to know about
the Spooky Sprint Steven.
Speaker 7 (23:09):
Yeah, I appreciate the time. The Spooky Sprint coming up
on November first, so the morning after Halloween, we'll have
a five k and a one mile trick or Treat
trail available for everyone to come out and sign up.
It'll be November first, starting at the five k starting
at nine am, with the one mile walk and trick
(23:32):
or Treat trail following the five k targeting nine to
forty five am that morning. But just another good chance
to continue the Halloween weekend festivities and help to continue
to raise some money for the United Away campaign this year,
going towards our goal put on there with w Medicine,
our primary sponsor of the race, and the Emerging Leaders
(23:56):
group that I'm a part of with United Way, we're
helping to order and ize this year's race and looking
to get as many people as we can to come
out and dress up, have some fun, run a five
k down on the rail trail starting at Hazel Ruby
mcquain Amphitheater and hopefully should be a good morning.
Speaker 1 (24:13):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (24:14):
Sounds like you'll have a good time.
Speaker 4 (24:15):
And of course, the United Way mission of addressing basic
safety net needs, education, financial needs, and healthcare needs and
Mond and Preston County is a very important mission.
Speaker 7 (24:29):
Absolutely, Yeah, you got it. A good way to be
able to help raise money in one spot and help
distribute it across all of our funded partners across Mind
and Preston Counties and addressing those most pressing needs each year,
you know, you know, unfortunately continue to see that that need,
(24:50):
but always lots of good partners helping to fill in
and address those needs. And there's just another good chance
to help raise money for that and have fun and
while doing it.
Speaker 4 (25:01):
And you know what, Stephen, A lot of things, a
lot of I'm sorry, I misspoke a lot of times.
People really love to know the fact that the money
that they contribute during this campaign stays in Montengilia in
Preston Counties to help our neighbors, the people that we know.
Speaker 7 (25:19):
Yeah, no, absolutely, I think that's the biggest impact that
we can have. Since I joined as a volunteer across
a couple of different events, being able to see that
directly go to these organizations in Mond, in Preston County,
I mean, it all stays right here within the community.
And each year, you know, we look at the funding
(25:43):
with the funded partners across the two counties and they're
addressing the emerging needs that it changes year over year. Obviously,
we have a number of things that like food pantries
and a number of different services that you know continue
to serve the communities, but it's always looking at what
is the most pressing need across those key areas that
you had mentioned. So definitely good to see you. If
(26:07):
you not sure where to donate to make the most
impact for your local community, that's where the United Way
helps to step in and help to direct that to
the most pressing cause right here in Mond and Pressing County.
Speaker 4 (26:19):
And just to highlight that for you, Steven, we've got
Steven Sob with the Mond Preston County United Way. When
you make a donation to the United Way, you're actually
not just making a donation to the United Way, you're
actually supporting thirty one programs and twenty four agencies across
both counties that address all the needs that Steven and
I have been talking about.
Speaker 7 (26:41):
Yeah. Absolutely, the goal is to make that the most
efficient way to get the most impact for your dollar,
no matter how much that is, whether you're able to
volunteer your time or talent or treasure in any of those,
we make sure to get the most impact out of that.
Speaker 4 (27:02):
Okay, well, let's see. You can go to United WAYMPC
dot org, go over to the events tab and you'll
see the Spooky sprint and when you go there are
you There are some corporate sponsorships available for those who
are so inclined, but for just the average every day Joe,
don't forget dress up. This is the day after Halloween.
(27:23):
Registration starts at seven point thirty in the morning. Now
where is registration again, please Stephen?
Speaker 7 (27:31):
Yeah, so day of the race check in registration will
be down at Hazel Ruby mcquain Amphitheater right there at
the pavilion. That'll be our start in finish line, So
everything you'll need we'll be right there. The plan will
be to go out and back along the rail trail,
so nice, flat, easy course as far as the five
(27:52):
k is concerned, and then same thing for the one
mile trick or treat trail. We'll be planning to have
some stops along the one mile walk for racers. Registration
will be thirty dollars, but we do have some different
opportunities to save a little money on that as well,
whether that's early bird registration before October fifteenth, or if
(28:14):
you register as a couple after that, you get two
registrations for five dollars off each of those, so that
will be for the actual five k which you can
run or walk, and then additionally the one mile trick
or Treat trail is complementary. We want to have this
as an opportunity to get people out there with bring
(28:36):
their families kids. There is a suggested donation amount, but
definitely want to just have that opportunity out there for
maybe kids who don't have a good neighborhood to walk around.
We'll have a chance for them to go trick or
treating the next morning as well down there on the
rail trail.
Speaker 4 (28:54):
Okay, perfect, Steven, soob really do appreciate your time today
and keep up the good works. Thank you for your volunteerism.
Speaker 7 (29:02):
Yeah, thank you very much. I appreciate the time and
all that you do as well, So thank you.
Speaker 4 (29:07):
Absolutely take care of yourself, Stephen sab with the mont
Preston County United Way, you'll be able to uh oh,
you can recap everything we talked about at UNITEDWAYMPC dot org.
And once again, just if you look at what we
do and then click on events, you'll you'll find the
Spooky Sprint right there. The eighty seventh Forest Festival is
(29:31):
going on this week in the city of Elkins. And
when we come back, we've got the executive director, Heidi
Brace's very very busy this week, but I'm just going
to spend a couple of minutes with us coming up
next to let us know why we all need to
make the trip to Elkins. That's next on Top of
the Town AM fourteen forty FM one four point five WAJR.
Speaker 1 (30:04):
Now back to the Talk of the town.
Speaker 3 (30:12):
A good Wednesday morning.
Speaker 4 (30:13):
It is nine forty eight in the University City Metro
Newsaki Weather says fair skies and fifty six degrees a
West Virginia five to one one. I've got more good
news to report. Both accidents at mile marker one forty
one and also at the I sixty eight I seventy
(30:34):
nine split, both on the northbound side of I seventy nine,
have been cleared up. However, there is a congestion delay
remaining to deal with, so keep your eyes on that.
If you can avoid that area, might be a good
thing to do. Of course, it's gonna be dry and
nice and a great day to go to the eighty
(30:55):
seventh Forest Festival in the city of Elkins. Let's see
we do have. We've got the executive director, Heidi Bray. Now,
Heidi is out on a very special mission as you
and I have this conversation. But one of the things
that I wanted to talk with Heidi about was the
specific lineup for Saturday, because it looks looks like an
(31:20):
incredible lineup because starting at one o'clock in the afternoon,
they've got the Antique and Classic Street rod Car Parade.
Now that'll start on Twelfth Street, Okay, that is at
one o'clock. Then thirty five minutes later at one thirty five,
they've got the log Truck and Equipment Parade, and that'll
(31:42):
start from the same location. Then at oh, I'm sorry,
that's at one fifteen log Truck and Equipment Parade up.
Speaker 3 (31:51):
Then coming up at one.
Speaker 4 (31:53):
Thirty it's the Grand Feature Parade. So for just about
for more than an hour, have a procession of some
pretty high speed vehicles on the streets in the City
of Elkins on the phone. We've got executive director Heidi Bray. Heidi,
you're a busy lady and we appreciate your time today.
Speaker 3 (32:14):
How are you.
Speaker 7 (32:16):
Actually?
Speaker 8 (32:16):
Heidi is so busy that she is in another event working.
And my name is Lydia Jones. I'm the board president
of the Mount State Forest Festival.
Speaker 4 (32:23):
Well, Lydia, thank you very much for joining us, and
I know Heidi is certainly busy running around.
Speaker 3 (32:30):
How's the festival going this morning?
Speaker 8 (32:33):
Thinks they are going great. We are off and running.
We've had a great week so far. We've had some
great downtown stage entertainment. We had a wonderful gospel night
on Sunday night and bluegrass and I believe last night
was the talent show. They're getting ready for a night
of dance tonight. So we've got a lot going on downtown.
The weather has been wonderful, which we are very grateful for.
(32:56):
It makes everything go just a little bit smoother.
Speaker 4 (33:00):
Lydia Jones is whether she's the president of the festival
board at the Forest Festival, and you know, looking ahead
to Thursday and Friday, what would be the highlights of
the festival for you?
Speaker 8 (33:12):
Well, I of course love to see the crowning of
Mate Sylvia turning into Queen Sylvia the eighty seventh Sterling
and comp It's just such an exciting time to see
all of the princesses from all over West Virginia join
us to be part of her crowning. All of the
costumes and pageantry are definitely one of my favorites. I
love to hear the sounds of the festival. I love
(33:34):
the trumpeteers and the highlanders. Our city park events are fantastic.
We have multiple craft shows, We've got all kinds of
events going on in the city park that you definitely
don't want to miss.
Speaker 4 (33:48):
And how about the Lumberjack contest coming up Saturday morning.
It's a big hit.
Speaker 8 (33:54):
I think it is an ode to our history and
natural resources of West Virginia first sure, and it'll be
a great event. It's always fun to see. If you've
never been there, it's definitely an experience that you don't
want to miss.
Speaker 4 (34:08):
You know what, Lydia, As you were coming on in
the air with me, I was telling the listeners about
what's going to happen Saturday afternoon in the city of Elkins,
and I'd like to get your reflection on that you've
got street rods, lumberjack equipment, and then the Grand Featured Parade.
Speaker 8 (34:26):
We do have a Grand Feature Parade and it has
over one hundred different quotes and bands and different attractions.
We have a couple new attractions to the parade this
year that I think people will really enjoy. We have
a string band, I believe, and several local West Virginia
High school marching bands, and there's a lot to see
(34:49):
with the parade and with good weather, I think there'll
be a great turnout.
Speaker 4 (34:52):
And I tell you, Lydia, looking at the weather forecast, gosh,
I don't know. The Elkins Chamber of Commerce really been
doing their homework because mid seventies and you know, into
the sixties and fifties for the lows. So it's absolutely
perfect weather to come to Elkins.
Speaker 8 (35:12):
It's absolutely perfect and come rainer Sean. We always make
the best of all of our events and bring you know,
exciting things to town. But I tell you, the weather's
looking great and we couldn't be more thrilled.
Speaker 3 (35:24):
Okay, good dear Lydia Jones.
Speaker 4 (35:26):
She is the president of the Forest Festival Board of Directors.
Lydia really do appreciate your time. And you know, I'm
sorry that we couldn't talk to Heidi, but I thank you.
Speaker 3 (35:38):
I appreciate Heidi for setting this up.
Speaker 8 (35:42):
Well I do too. Heidi's a great worker, she's our
executive director and we've kept her busy, and I know
that she hated to miss it, but I'm happy to
step in and I hope everyone can come and take
at least one or two events in this weekend.
Speaker 4 (35:56):
Absolutely, hey, thank you very much, ma'am. I'm happy a festival.
Speaker 8 (36:02):
Thank you, We appreciate it.
Speaker 4 (36:03):
Absolutely, take care of yourself Lydia Jones. She's the president
of the Forest Festival and this year is the eighty
seventh version going on in Elkins up through Sunday afternoon.
Speaker 3 (36:15):
So if you've got some time, the weather's great, take trips,
great festival, check out.
Speaker 4 (36:21):
Wrap things up coming up right after this on top
of the Town AM fourteen forty FM one oh four
point five W A.
Speaker 2 (36:29):
J R.
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