The Intelligencer Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Wheeling University President Suspended With Pay, No Reason Given

The Wheeling University Board of Trustees announced in an email Tuesday that President Ginny Favede was relieved of all duties, news outlets reported. The statement gave no reason for the suspension and a school spokesperson told The Intelligencer Wheeling News Register that further details about it would not immediately be released.

A private West Virginia university that has struggled financially said it has suspended its president with pay.

Favede became the school’s 13th president when she was named to the position in 2019 amid financial difficulties. In 2021, the school was put on probation after the Higher Learning Commission determined it “does not have sufficient fiscal resources to support is operation,” noting it relies heavily on subsidies from the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. The probation was lifted last year, but the organization said it would continue to monitor the school due to concerns about finances, staffing and enrollment.

The university said graduate education director Dianna Vargo was named interim chief operations officer and will work with the Board of Trustees to develop a plan to move forward without disruption.

Pence Visits West Virginia for Public Event, Fundraiser

Updated on Friday, July 27, 2018 at 11:22 a.m.

Vice President Mike Pence has used a stop in West Virginia to boast about border security, the economy and conservative judges and plug the state’s GOP congressional delegation and lend support to the Republican nominee seeking to unseat Democratic U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin.

Pence criticized Manchin, saying he has opposed President Donald Trump’s initiatives, but said the administration has delivered new jobs and low unemployment anyway.

In video from the event Thursday shown on WOWK-TV’s website, Pence said Manchin’s opponent, state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, defends coal miners and energy producers and supports the Second Amendment.

The Intelligencer said the event in Wheeling was sponsored by America First Policies.

Pence was next going to a private fundraiser for Morrisey’s campaign sponsored by Murray Energy CEO and President Robert E. Murray.

Original Post:

Vice President Mike Pence is making a stop in West Virginia to speak at a public event and later attend a private fundraiser.

The Intelligencer in Wheeling said America First Policies is sponsoring the free public event, where Pence is to speak following a panel discussion on the federal tax overhaul. The event is being held at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at Oglebay Park’s Wilson Lodge in Wheeling.

State Attorney General Patrick Morrisey will speak after the discussion and introduce Gov. Jim Justice. America First Policies spokeswoman Erin Montgomery said Justice will then introduce Pence. Pence also is expected at a private fundraiser for Morrisey’s U.S. Senate campaign sponsored by Murray Energy CEO and President Robert E. Murray.

West Virginia County to Combine 7 Schools into 4 Next Year

A West Virginia county has planned to combine seven primary schools into four next year to avoid deficit spending.

The Intelligencer reports the Brooke County Board of Education unanimously approved the consolidation on Monday.

Board treasurer Kimberly Puskarich told board President Brian Ferguson the school district would go into deficit spending by the end of the current fiscal year if it continued to operate the seven schools. Puskarich estimated the closings will save the district around $1 million by eliminating nearly 80 professional and service personnel not funded by the state.

In fall 2018, kindergarten through second grade students are set to attend schools to be renamed Brooke County Primary North and South, while third and fourth graders will go to ones renamed Brooke County Intermediate North and South.

Board of Education Hears Views on 'Trump Perry' Sign at Game

A West Virginia superintendent has received criticism and support for apologizing to a largely black high school for a football game banner that read “Trump Perry.”

The Intelligencer reports the Brooke County Board of Education heard from residents Monday after Superintendent Toni Shute apologized to Perry Traditional Academy for the sign displayed during last month’s game against Brooke High School. The banner had an image of the American flag, the words “Trump Perry” and yellow wavy lines.

Shute wrote in a letter to Pittsburgh Schools Superintendent Anthony Hamlet that the school system apologizes for the intimidating and offensive sign posted in the school’s student section.

Parent Chris Byers said Shute’s apology was disrespectful to the students, while Carla Davis said those not offended by the sign don’t understand minorities’ experiences.

Big Increase Seen in W.Va. Needle Exchange Program

Health officials say more than 8,300 new syringes have been distributed in the nearly two years that a needle exchange program has been operated in a West Virginia city.

The Intelligencer reports that nearly 6,000 of the clean needles have been given out in the past nine months by the Wheeling-Ohio County Board of Health Department. That’s more than double the number from the exchange program’s initial year.

Health Department administrator Howard Gamble says the exchange program has been going well.

The health department conducts the off-site program at a Northwood Health System facility from noon to 3 p.m. every Friday. Operating a one-for-one free exchange, health personnel accept used needles and can give out an equal number of sterile syringes.

West Virginia Business College to Remain Open During Appeal

West Virginia Business College will remain open as a judge’s last-minute reprieve has allowed it while the school appeals state officials’ order to close.

The Intelligencer reports the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education ordered the college to close by June 30 after the school lost its accreditation. Ohio County Circuit Judge David Sims granted a stay of the order after attorney Ron Kasserman filed documents arguing that the U.S. Department of Education no longer recognizes the college’s accrediting agency, the Accrediting Council on Independent Colleges and Schools.

U.S. education department spokesman Al Betancourt says the college can continue participating in federal financial aid programs.

Three former students have sued the college, contending that the degrees awarded last month are worthless because of the lack of accreditation.