Around Charleston for Sept. 24
Manchin gets nod
CHARLESTON The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce announced its support Monday of Gov. Joe Manchin for United States Senate.
“Gov. Manchin has an established record of commitment to improving the business climate in West Virginia. He has worked to address some of the biggest challenges facing large and small businesses across the state throughout his term as governor,” said Steve Roberts, president of the West Virginia chamber, in a press release.
The state chamber joins the United States Chamber in support for the Governor.
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Poverty is on the rise
CHARLESTON – According to the Current Population Survey (CPS), 15.2 percent of West Virginians, or 273,000, were poor. That’s up 0.5 percent from the previous estimate, which was determined using two-year averages.
The United States Census Bureau released data last week that demonstrated how the recession continues to impact families, not just around West Virginia but nationwide. Nationally the poverty rate grew from 13.2 to 14.3 percent in 2009, leaving 3.8 million more Americans in poverty.
The Census Bureau will release data from the American Community Survey on Sept. 28 that will accurately determine poverty figures on the state and local levels. For the first time this data will be available for areas of less than 20,000 people.
Innovation events slated
CHARLESTON?- The West Virginia Department of Education will host several Innovation Zone meetings across the state during September and October.
The first of four meetings will take place today at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center in Shepherdstown. The first session will start at 2 p.m. The second will begin at 4:30 p.m.
The School Innovation Zone is to encourage pilot projects at state schools. These schools become learning laboratories for students while maintaining accommodating teaching strategies for faculty.
For educators who cannot attend today’s sessions, other dates and locations include:
Sept. 30 at the I-79 Technology Park Research Center, Fairmont
Oct. 5 at the Clay Center, Walker Theater, Charleston
Oct. 7 at Tamarack, Beckley
For more information contact Donna Peduto at (304) 558-3199 or the Office of Communications at (304) 558-2699.
IRS open house set
CHARLESTON The Internal Revenue Service will hold an open house Saturday to help taxpayers solve tax problems and respond to IRS notices. The session will especially help veterans and those with disabilities.
Anyone with a tax question or who has received a notice will be able to speak with an IRS employee. Help with offers-in-compromise will also be available.
The IRS is partnering with the West Virginia Alliance for Sustainable Families and the West Virginia Division of Veteran’s Affairs to offer additional information attendees may need.
West Virginians can attend the open house in the IRS office in Charleston located at 1206 Quarrier St from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 25. Taxpayers who require special services, such as interpretation, should call ahead to make an appointment.
Electric service eyed
CHARLESTON – Electric service reliability in West Virginia will be studied by a panel created by the state Public Service Commission.
The Charleston Gazette reports that the group will recommend ways to ensure reliable electric service.
The PSC is investigating conditions surrounding a December 2009 storm that knocked out power to about 156,000 customers of Appalachian Power. About 80,000 Allegheny Energy customers lost power as well.
Appalachian Power spokeswoman Jeri Matheney said the company believes there should be an established set of guidelines for reliability.
But she said such rules would affect day-to-day reliability more than widespread outages caused by severe weather or other disasters.