Northern Panhandle Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

The Importance Of Corridor H And Phish Has Our Song Of The Week, This West Virginia Morning

On this West Virginia Morning, the Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 571, creating an Advanced Energy and Economic Corridor Authority for Corridor H. Curtis Tate spoke with Economic Development Secretary Mitch Carmichael about the importance of Corridor H to the state. Before that discussion, though, they talked about some breaking news about a steel plant in the Northern Panhandle.

On this West Virginia Morning, the Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 571, creating an Advanced Energy and Economic Corridor Authority for Corridor H. Curtis Tate spoke with Economic Development Secretary Mitch Carmichael about the importance of Corridor H to the state. Before that discussion, though, they talked about some breaking news about a steel plant in the Northern Panhandle.

Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from Phish. We listen to the band’s performance of “All Things Reconsidered.” It’s guitarist Trey Anastasio’s variation on NPR’s All Things Considered theme, and this performance marks the only time it was ever performed live by the band on National Public Radio.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.

Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from CAMC and Marshall Health.

West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.

Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

The Role Of Corridor H In W.Va. — And Its Importance

On this episode of The Legislature Today, the Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 571, creating an Advanced Energy and Economic Corridor Authority for Corridor H. Curtis Tate spoke with Economic Development Secretary Mitch Carmichael about the importance of Corridor H to the state.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, the Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 571, creating an Advanced Energy and Economic Corridor Authority for Corridor H. Curtis Tate spoke with Economic Development Secretary Mitch Carmichael about the importance of Corridor H to the state. Before that discussion, though, they talked about some breaking news about a steel plant in the Northern Panhandle.

In the House, there was a lengthy, emotional, life and death debate over the pros and cons of euthanasia and medically assisted suicide.

In the Senate, the chamber focused on voting, with three out of five bills relating to voting or voter ID. Briana Heaney has the story.

Also, whether or not to teach middle schoolers about fentanyl and overdose-reversing medicine sparked discussion in the House Education Committee, while Senate Education modified a House bill on special education. Chris Schulz has more.

Finally, West Virginia State University is one of the state’s two HBCU’s, or Historically Black Colleges and Universities. It was WVSU Day at the Capitol, where school leadership worked the shoe leather, as they say, to see big dollar budget legislation passed.

Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.

The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.

Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

‘Churched-Up Soup Beans’ And A New Book From A Climate Scientist, This West Virginia Morning

On this West Virginia Morning, the owner and head chef at the Northern Panhandle’s Vagabond Kitchen Matt Welsch spoke with Randy Yohe about his plans to enhance the dining experience at state park lodge restaurants.

On this West Virginia Morning, have you ever had “churched-up soup beans?” West Virginia State Parks has hired Wheeling’s Matt Welsch as its new executive chef, who has this Appalachian dish on his menu.

The owner and head chef at the Northern Panhandle’s Vagabond Kitchen spoke with Randy Yohe about his plans to enhance the dining experience at state park lodge restaurants.

Also, in this show, we listen to the latest story from The Allegheny Front. Here’s their latest story – an interview with University of Pennsylvania climate scientist Michael Mann about his new book.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.

Caroline MacGregor produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

W.Va. Receives Federal Funding For Infrastructure Projects

More than $7 million in federal funding has been approved for three West Virginia infrastructure projects.

The money from the Economic Development Administration will support the expansion of a Northern Panhandle business complex, along with upgrades to water treatment and distribution systems in Doddridge County and Pineville.

U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin calls the investment a long-term economic opportunity that he says will result in high-paying jobs.

“The EDA continues to be a strong partner for West Virginia, and the funding announced today will allow new and existing businesses in the Northern Panhandle to grow and thrive,” Manchin said.

Individual awards include $3,126,336 for the Business Development Corporation of the Northern Panhandle to support an expansion of the Beech Bottom Industrial Complex in Weirton.

Doddridge County Public Service District received $2,590,800 for water infrastructure improvements and to expand to local businesses in the county.

The remaining $1.5 million will be used to upgrade Pineville’s water treatment and distribution systems with accommodation for future expansion and new business development.

New Wellsburg Bridge Opens With Celebration

The 1,875-foot Wellsburg Bridge now connects Wellsburg, West Virginia in the Northern Panhandle to Brilliant, Ohio.

Getting from Wellsburg, West Virginia in the Northern Panhandle to Brilliant, Ohio used to be a chore. For decades, people in both communities have been asking for a bridge across the river.

And on Wednesday, that wish became a reality.

The 1,875-foot Wellsburg Bridge now connects the communities. It was built as part of the 2017 Roads to Prosperity program.

The local community celebrated the opening with a car show, food trucks, bands and fireworks. It is also featured on the West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) podcast “WV on the DOT.”

The episode, which is now available on most podcast providers, was recorded on the Wellsburg Bridge during the bridge’s grand opening celebration. The podcast hosts captured local voices about what the bridge will mean to them.

Local resident Barbara Miller.

*Courtesy West Virginia Department of Transportation*

“This is a tremendous opportunity for the Northern Panhandle,” Barbara Miller, a resident of Windsor Heights in Brooke County, said. “We’ll use this bridge to go to the malls more easily. My granddaughter recently got a job in Steubenville, Ohio so I am really happy she’ll be able to use this bridge every day and shorten her route.”

“There are a lot of people here supporting their community and ready for this new connection,” Rowdy Workman, of Shadyside, Ohio, said.

Workman grew up in Moundsville, West Virginia. He participated in the grand opening ceremony, presenting the colors when Gov. Jim Justice arrived.

The 830-foot main span of the bridge was built off-site on the bank of the Ohio River just upstream from the bridge site by Flatiron Construction of Broomfield, Colorado. Flatiron won the $131 million contract to build the new bridge.

“The bridge is here because of the community on both sides of the river,” Mike Swinson, of Flatiron Construction, said on the podcast. “These folks have been wanting this bridge, this connection, for decades. They are the genesis of this. Working with West Virginia DOT and Ohio DOT, this bridge got the funding and Flatiron was selected to deliver the bridge.”

On April 26, 2021, the 830-foot main span was lifted onto two pairs of barges and moved into position in a massive, 13-and-a-half-hour operation. It was the largest bridge floating project ever attempted in North America.

The bridge was supported on the barges by eight sets of sectional pilings. Once in place, it was slowly jacked up and additional pylons were set underneath until it was high enough to rest on its support piers.

W.Va. Air Quality Alert Extended

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection has issued a statewide air quality advisory for fine particulate matter until midnight Tuesday.

An air quality advisory was also issued Monday as smoke from wildfires in Canada moved into the region.

Air Quality Index scores, particularly in the Northern Panhandle, may be in the 101-150 range, which can cause health effects in sensitive groups including children, people suffering from asthma, heart or lung disease, and the elderly.

Per the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, citizens in areas with poor air quality are encouraged to limit their time outdoors and avoid strenuous activities.

N-95 masks can help reduce smoke inhalation and potential health risks.

Citizens are encouraged to check the AirNow website to see real time air quality data in their area and surrounding states. Please make sure you are viewing the interactive map for your area using the “contours” setting.