Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
This is Metro News this Morning, bringing you this morning's
biggest news headlines from across the state.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Good Friday morning to you. Jeff Jenkins with you. It
is October seventeenth, twenty twenty five, and this is Metro
News this Morning, a service of Metro News for forty years,
the voice of West Virginia'll get you updated on what's
going on across the state of West Virginia. Today news
headlines also will take a look at sports big high
school football Friday tonight in West Virginia. TJ. Meadows is
(00:34):
by with commentary. So let's get us started. This is
Metro News this Morning for Friday morning. Here's an update
from the Metro News anchor desk. A Raleigh County Circuit
judges following through with his promise to make the fight
over school entry required vaccinations a class action battle. Metro
News State White Corseponder Brad Mcohey says just Michael Froebel
has entered in order declaring class action status for all
(00:57):
those seeking religious exemptions.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Order says joining together the cases of all the people
under similar situations is reasonable given the number of affected
people and their statewide geographic distribution.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
Now The order comes just before a hearing set for
today in Kanaw County Circuit Court in a mother's attempt
to get a religious exemption for her son. Read more
from Brad on the order that came out yesterday at
wv Metronews dot com. State Public Service Commission says it's
starting a general investigation into the operations of Black Diamond Power.
The Commission says it's filled in many complaints about service
(01:32):
and billing. Black Diamond provides power to buy five thousand
customers in Clay, Wyoming, and Raleigh County's utility is currently
seeking a rate increase. The customers turned out to speak
against that at a public hearing this week in Clay.
Another hearing schedule for next Tuesday and Molds. The PSC
says it will conduct a hearing next February on questions
about Black Diamonds reliability of service. In another case, the
(01:54):
PSC says utilities and broadband providers need to get moving
on POE attachments in order to expand broadband. One of
the disputes is who should pay for new utility polls
when they're needed. A commission order says the poll owner
is responsible. Capital County Delegate Daniel Limvow says, it's time
to clear these hurdles.
Speaker 4 (02:13):
The ultimate thing is the public wants this built, they
want this access, they want reliability. It's key to commerce,
it's key to healthcare, it's key to quality of life,
and we're working to make sure that that gets accomplished.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
The PSC says it's concerned the disagreements will keep this
state from much needed federal money to expand broadband. US
Centator Shelley Mark Capito predicts pressure is going to continue
to build on Democrats in the Senate to agree to
a clean funding resolution to reopen the federal government. Capital
says that pressure will come from federal workers.
Speaker 5 (02:43):
We have air traffic controllers that are calling in sick,
and then we're going to have a whole host of
other people that are not going to get a paycheck.
And the President has said that the cuts that he's
making are going to become even more difficult to me.
That's the pressure point.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
Capitol another Republicans say negotiations with Democrats can begin after
the government reopens. Police in South Charleston releasing the name
of the driver killed in a head on crash when
US Route one nineteen Wednesday morning thirty eight year old
Charles Fry at Branchland was in a passenger car that
went through the median and collided with an oncoming box truck.
Fry died shortly after the crash. The truck driver was
(03:19):
hospitalized with serious injuries. The Randolph County Srifes Department reports
a man missing from Berkeley County in recent days has
been found dead in the Bowden area of Randolph County.
No foul play is suspected. Charlestown police say a man
wanted in connection with an August twentieth shooting is in
custody in Baltimore. Authority say Curtis Bailey was arrested early
(03:40):
Wednesday morning. He's a wedding extradition back to West Virginia.
Bailey allegedly shot a person who was in a car
on West Liberty Street in Charlestown last month or back
in August. The board that oversees Vandalia Health has chosen
its next leader.
Speaker 6 (03:53):
Jeff Sanden has been chosen to be the new president
and CEO of Vandalia Health. Vandalia Health owns all CAAMA
facilities and all Mont Health facilities, as well as a
few other hospitals. Throughout the state. Sandean, who has been
the chief financial officer at CAMC for nine years now,
will be replacing long time leader Dave Ramsey. Sandean says
he's seen a lot of forward progress over the past
(04:14):
few years and he'll be stepping into the new role
with good momentum.
Speaker 7 (04:17):
Been a part of a lot of great growth that
we've had over those nine years, just within the last
three years, growing from four hospitals to fourteen, and it's
been exciting time to watch the transformation and to be
part of the team that's really helped build Vandeli into
a statewide presence.
Speaker 6 (04:34):
Sandean will continue serving as THECFO for CAMC until Ramsey
retires next July. I'm Aaron Parker, wv Metronews dot com.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Most of the stays under a frost advisor until nine
this morning, with temperatures overnight down around the freezing marked
the eastern Mountains in eastern Panhandle or under a freeze
morning with temperatures dropping into the upper twenties this morning.
It's a Friday morning here on the morning news, and
that means on high football season. We got Frip Persinger
coming up talking about key matchups around the state. And
(05:04):
high school football Tonight. Fred is coming up next.
Speaker 3 (05:07):
The high school football season continues Friday Night, presented by Gomar.
You can watch Princeton and Beckley Montcalm against Greenbrier West,
Parkersburg South at Morgantown, Scott and Roane County, and Winfield
versus Shady Spring, all on Metro News TV, brought to
you by the Thrasher Group, Marshall University and the Mountaineer
Challenge Academy s Dream The action live on Metro News Television,
(05:30):
Download the free Metro News Television app or visit wv
metronewstv dot com for more information.
Speaker 8 (05:37):
What's the biggest myth about interscholastic performing arts that you
have to be the most talented or experienced to participate.
The truth is anyone can be a part of their
school's performing arts. There are countless opportunities for students to participate,
from theater, choir and band to speech and debate. The
bottom line, if you want to perform, there's a place
(05:59):
for you.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
Ye This message presented by the NFHS and the WVSSAC.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Daniel Wood's coming up with sports in just a couple moments,
but we're going to talk Sports right now with Fred
Persinger High School Sports in the state of West Virginia. Fred,
this is week number eight of the high school football season,
and we've got some good matchups tonight. Let's start right
at Quad A with Huntington visiting George Washington.
Speaker 9 (06:31):
Yeah, does George Washington bounce back from that loss to
Jefferson last Saturday afternoon. I think Huntington has as good
a team as anyone in the state, everyone else included.
And they're only lost that first game of the season
out of state down in Winchester, Kentucky.
Speaker 1 (06:47):
They lost.
Speaker 9 (06:47):
They still have a tough schedule remaining. They gotta go
to Severeville, Tennessee, coming up next weekend. So big game
for both teams. But for GW I think just for
their psyche. If nothing else, you got to bounce back
and see what you can do. Cyperson or quarter back
is one of the better quarterbacks in the state. And
Steve Edwards Junior, you know, he's been around forever, one
of the best coaches. Billy Seal's certainly one of the
very best coaches in the state. So I think it'll
(07:08):
be a good one tonight.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
I like this matchup. Also, you guys have in quite
a game of the week Spring Mills and University.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
Four and two.
Speaker 9 (07:15):
Spring Mills coming across the mountain to play University at
five and two. Both teams jockey. Both teams are in
the playoffs, no doubt, but they're jockeying now for a
good seating position. This is an important game for that.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
All right.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
We often talk about over the years, obviously coal fields,
Southern coal fields, basketball battles, But what about this football
battle tonight two undefeated Logan and Mingo Central.
Speaker 9 (07:38):
All right, week number eight, number one and Logan is
six and oh football football going to minor mountain tonight
six and oh against six and oh, I don't know.
Nick Booth doing a heck of a job in his
first year for the Logan Wildcats. Mingo Central Miners are
always playing great football. Yeah, that I think will be
one of those that people are going to state to
(07:59):
the inn to be sure they know who won.
Speaker 2 (08:01):
Yeah, that'll be a good Now. I think if Logan
stays undefeated, it goes back back to the teams or
something last time, the last time they've been undefeated this
late in the.
Speaker 9 (08:09):
Seasons nineteen forty four for a first year head coach
to go five and oh, so it's really getting crazy
now into the numbers. But hey, Wildcats are playing.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
Well, yeah, exactly they are. You've got a couple of
games we're watching here in Class single A Clay Bettel,
which has been impressive the last several weeks. They're taking
on Riverview tonight.
Speaker 9 (08:27):
You know, last week Clayvettel got an undefeated meadow Bridge
ball club and just thoroughly spank them. So it's going
to be interesting tonight.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
They get a.
Speaker 9 (08:35):
DOUBLEA team in Riverview and Riverview is up and down,
kind of a roller coaster team, So we'll see what
happens tonight. But Aaron Lopoe's doing a great job at
Clayvetel in Blacksville.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
And that's a North South matchup business that is.
Speaker 9 (08:46):
Indeed, it's a long way to go to play football.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
It is Clay Bettel and Riverview coming up there. And
then we had a game last night. You've talked a
lot of fred about Wheeling Central having a tough time playing,
you getting enough games, only have eight games, but they
had a real key victory last night.
Speaker 9 (09:00):
They did indeed over Martin's Ferry, Ohio. Martins ferred already
won six games on the season twenty eight to twenty
and Wheeling CenTra went out to a big lead and
they just really kind of fought off Martin's Ferry, but
the Purple Riders tried to come back and win and
couldn't do it. Next to the last game of the
season for Wheeling Central was last night.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
Wow, it's tough, it is.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
It is, all right, nine thirty tonight to try to
keep Dave in the game.
Speaker 9 (09:25):
Altait, it's impossible. Well, we do the best we can, Jeffrey.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
All right, all right, we're listening tonight Fred and Dave
on Metro News High School Game Night at nine thirty.
It's got a sports update now here is Daniel Woods.
Good morning, Daniel, Good morning, Jeff. We've got a lot
of high school football tonight. We've got a lot of
college football this weekend. Let's start in the collegiate ranks.
(09:50):
WVU back off of its bye week to take on UCF.
Head coach Rich Rodriguez says the Mountaineers will be challenged
with something they've struggled with most of the season.
Speaker 10 (10:00):
We've struggled at times with mobile quarterbacks this year. Just
getting the guys down, maybe lem to extend plays and
do stuff. So that's part of the thing is that
we got to put pressure on the quarterback without exposing
our guys to one on one coverage all the time,
and got to get them on the ground.
Speaker 11 (10:15):
WVU and UCF kickoff tomorrow at one o'clock. Jalen Henderson
out at quarterback for West Virginia, Tye Edward's out at
running back. Defensive lineman Hammond Russell ruled out on last
night's Big twelve injury report as well. Red shirt freshman
Khalil Wilkins, true freshman Scotty Fox getting the bulk of
the reps at quarterback. De Or Hubbard in line to
start once again at running back. Marshall getting ready to
(10:37):
take on Texas State. It's homecoming weekend for the Herd,
and head coach Tony Gibson says this Texas State team
will challenge them with a lot of weapons on offense.
Speaker 12 (10:45):
Their quarterback is a dual threat guy. He's explosive. They
got a really good run game with their running backs,
their quarterback. They've got some good whiteouts they can run.
So we're going to get tested a lot like last week,
and this team could do a lot of different things
to you.
Speaker 11 (11:00):
Marshall and Texas State kickoff Saturday at three point thirty.
We had some high school football action last night. As
Fred mentioned, Wheeling Central Catholic beating Martins Ferry twenty eight
to twenty. Head coach Mike Young of Wheeling Central says
this really helps their playoff hopes.
Speaker 13 (11:15):
It's definitely huge for the playoffs because we only have
eight games, and I'm i'm sure about that divisor and
how it all works and plays out, but I know
we'll definitely get some bonus points here which keeps us
up and hopefully the top four, maybe top two, I
don't know, We'll see how it plays out.
Speaker 11 (11:29):
More high school football conference tonight at wv Metro News
dot com. In college basketball, the preseason Big Twelve Conference
poll is out. West Virginia picked eleventh out of sixteen teams,
but first year head coach Ross Hodge says he doesn't
pay that much attention.
Speaker 14 (11:43):
Over the course of my career, we've been picked really
low to start the year and finished really high, and
then have been times where we were picked higher in
leagues and didn't finish as high as we got picked.
So don't put a lot of thought into it.
Speaker 11 (11:56):
Houston has voted the preseason favorite in the Big twelve.
Texas techs JT tomes up and is the preseason conference
Player of the Year. And last night on Thursday Night Football,
the Cincinnati Bengals moving to three to three and four
with a thirty three to thirty one win against the
Pittsburgh Steelers.
Speaker 2 (12:10):
Thanks Daniel. Remember High School Game Night on Metro News
is tonight beginning at nine thirty. You can see a
streaming live at wv metronews dot com, also on Metro
News TV, and you can get all the scores all
night long at wv metronews dot com. All of that
beginning at nine thirty tonight. This is Metro News This
Morning for Friday morning, October seventeenth, twenty twenty five. I'm
(12:33):
Jeff Jenkins and Metro News is, for forty years, the
voice of West Virginia. Let's get a commentary this morning
from Metro News talk line co host TJ.
Speaker 1 (12:41):
Meadows.
Speaker 15 (12:42):
Jeff, The Claint County Commission once the West Virginia Public
Service Commission to investigate Black Diamond Power over repeated outages,
billing complaints, and poor service. Despite a recent rate hike,
They've also asked the PSC to consider transferring service to
Appalachian Power. Now, residents have every right to expect reliable electricity,
(13:04):
and when a utilities costs outpace its revenues, it's reasonable
to seek a rate increase an investigation. That's reasonable too.
So if everyone's being reasonable, why do we still have
a problem. Maybe because we're looking at the symptoms, not
the cause. Let's start with the numbers. Clay County's population
has fallen twenty four percent since two thousand. It's now
(13:26):
around seventy eight hundred. The sixty five and older group
grew by nearly twenty four percent, while the thirty five
to forty nine age group dropped over forty percent. Poverty
about one in four residents. Unemployment roughly thirty percent of
the total population. Not just the workforce, and density or
the lack of it, tells the rest. Clay County spans
(13:50):
three hundred forty two square miles. Putnam County is about
the same size, but where Clay has just twenty three
people per square mile, Putnam has one hundred six sixty
six GDP per square mile. Clay County four hundred and
sixty thousand dollars per square mile Putnam more than eight
point four to six million. That's an eighteen to one difference,
(14:14):
and it matters because infrastructure doesn't get cheaper when people leave,
it gets more expensive. For those who stay. You still
have to maintain the same miles of power lines, water systems,
and roads for fewer and fewer customers. So what's the answer.
We can't wish the math away. Asking Appalachian Power to
absorb a Clay's service area might sound simple, but it
(14:37):
shifts the cost onto other counties and other customers. Doing
nothing isn't an option either. There is a third path,
and one that's tough to talk about. Consolidation. Encouraging relocation
into the town of Clay, for example, could make infrastructure
viable again. More people on fewer miles of line means
lower costs, more reliable service, and a stronger local economy.
(15:02):
It would take coordination and federal help, frankly, but it's
not about abandoning Clay County. It's about saving it. We
West Virginians love our land and are hollers, but if
we want our rural counties to survive, we've got to
be willing to rethink what community means. Better to have
one strong town of Clay than have no Clay County
(15:24):
at all. And if that opinion earns me a few
angry emails, I'll take them knowing it comes from a
place of wanting the best for my fellow West Virginians.
Speaker 2 (15:35):
Jeff, thanks TJ. Don't forget talk Line at ten oh
six this morning on great radio stations across the state
of West Virginia and on Metro News TV. Another nice
day across the Mountain state after a frosty morning in
some areas today though again a cooler day. Temperature is
in the mid to upper sixties. Another nice day in
the forecast for Devas. Should be great weather for Bridge
(15:56):
Day down at the New River Gorge Bridge and then
Sunday Transition Day. Chance for showers and thunderstorms in some
areas of this day. Thanks for joining us all week
long on Metro News This Morning. For Danieloodn't TJ Meadows,
I'm Jeff Chains.
Speaker 1 (16:11):
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