The CuddleCot is known around the world for assisting families when they suffer the loss of a baby. The system cools the baby's body and keeps skin hydrated allowing grieving parents time to spend with their child.

When the couple learned that PCH didn't have a CuddleCot, they decided to donate one to the Women's Center as a tribute to their son.

"I think it is very beneficial, because unfortunately the sad reality is that we do have babies that pass. Everyone thinks labor and delivery is all sunshine and rainbows and every baby lives. But unfortunately, some don't make it. So, this gives parents time to come to term with what happened and still get that bonding time," said Jackie Mency, the Director of the PCH Women's Center.

This fall, the parents presented a CuddleCot to the Women's Center after it made its way from the United Kingdom to West Virginia. A special plaque inscribed with the name of Gettys' and Norman's child was included with the donation.

At approximately 9 a.m. on Friday, January 5, 2024, Raleigh County Sheriff's Office dispatched officers out for a reported structure fire. The structure fire was reported on the 300 block of Market Road in Beckley.

Multiple emergency services responded and cleared the scene including: Beckley Police Department, Bradley Volunteer Fire Department, Beaver Volunteer Fire Department, Coal City Volunteer Fire Department, Mabscott Volunteer Fire Department, Mt. Hope Volunteer Fire Department, Pax Volunteer Fire Department, and Jancare EMS.

No injuries were reported, and the scene was cleared by emergency services dispatched. The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time.

Held from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Bank of Glen Jean at 23 County Route 25/9 directly across the road from Park Headquarters in the Glen Jean area of Fayette County, the meeting will discuss the project to remove excess structures. It will address deferred maintenance needs, as well as allowing community members to give comments during the event on provided cards.

Information about the project will be displayed at the meeting, and park staff will be available to answer questions and listen to comments from the public. At this time the project is in the early proposal stage, and suggestions and comments are appreciated as the planning process moves forward.

A chance to give comments and learn more can be found on the NPS planning website until January 15, 2024 for anyone who cannot go to the public meeting.

The fire occurred in the White Sulphur Springs area of Greenbrier County early on January 4, 2024. Everyone made it safely out of the house, including the family's pet tortoise, Tank.

The White Sulphur Springs EMS thanks all of the agencies who responded to the fire, which included the WSSFD, the WSSPD, Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department, Greenbrier County Homeland Security, Lewisburg FD, Ronceverte VFD, Dunlap VFD, Fairlea VFD, Anthony Creek VFD, and the Frankford VFD.

The West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) has more than 1,000 trucks with plows across the state that can also spread salt. In order for the trucks to be on the roads 24 hours a day, the trucks have drivers for both a 12-hour day shift, and a 12-hour night shift.

As always, we are prepared for any snowfall event. We attack each storm with the same level of importance of having every available truck on the road.

Joe Pack | P.E. WVDOH Chief Engineer of District Operations

To keep the roadways as clear and safe as possible, snowplow drivers with the WVDOH will be on the roads, and will be clearing the roads as long as snow is falling. According to Pack, for wintry mix weather events the WVDOH uses salt mixed with a higher amount of stone.

As the abrasives are applied at a higher rate on the roadway, it does not allow the ice sheet to form a solid. It forms around that small rock and as the traffic drives over it, it cracks. The cracking allows the salt solution to penetrate the ice, melting it from underneath.

Joe Pack | P.E. WVDOH Chief Engineer of District Operations

The WVDOH has a supply of over 231,000 tons of salt across the state, and typically, a snowplow can hold 12 tons of salt. This amount of salt can treat approximately 100 lane miles of road, which equals around 25 miles of four-lane or 50 miles of two-lane roads.

During winter weather events, drivers are reminded to be careful, slow down around snowplows, not to pass the truck, and to give the snowplow drivers space on the roads.

Winners will be chosen by grade school level, with an award of $500, plus an additional $1,000 to be used towards the STEAM programs at their school.

In order for a teacher or educator to be eligible, they must be involved in the classroom setting in a West Virginia school for at least 1 year. Teachers and educators can nominate their selves, or be nominated by colleagues, students, or anyone familiar with the environmental program that is running the event.

Awards will be given based on the outstanding environmental work that teacher or educators expressed through their lesson plans and other work that is taught to the students.

Last year's winners were:

• Tiffany Pace, Cross Lanes Elementary, Kanawha County
• Amelia Mullens, Barrackville Middle School, Marion County
• Renee Haines, Martinsburg High School, Berkeley County

To nominate yourself or a fellow educator, applications are available at: https://dep.wv.gov. Type in “Make It Shine” in the search bar. For more information, contact Annette Hoskins at: Annette.L.Hoskins@wv.gov or call 304-926-0499 ext. 49759.

The deadline for application submission is February 14, 2024.

According to the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH), the fire was in a Pocahontas County WVDOH's garage bay in Hillsboro, West Virginia. The fire was thought to have been caused by an overheated transmission in a pickup truck at approximately 3:30 p.m.

During that time, the building was empty as the WVDOH crews from that garage were treating roads in Pocahontas County. By around 3:45 p.m., firefighters had arrived on scene and put out the fire.

The office, salt shed, and fuel station were left intact, however two pickup trucks in the garage were totaled. Although the WVDOH will examine the damage done to the garage, it is thought to be a complete loss.

Even though the garage was damaged, road crews in Pocahontas County will still handle snow and ice removal (SRIC).

Greenbrier County Dispatch confirmed the fire happened at 475 Church Street around 6 AM Friday morning. Dispatchers said the family was able to make it out of the fire safely. Unfortunately, their family cat died in the fire. A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family with anything they need.

Responding agencies included Rupert VFD, Smoot VFD, Quinwood VFD, Rainelle VFD and Clintonville VFD.

Drivers are asked to find an alternate route to avoid the area as one lane remains closed.

Stick with 59News for updates.

Ciliberti, Jr. said that he is a good fit for this position since he has served the citizens of Fayette County for over three years as Prosecuting Attorney and wants to continue to extend his services and accomplishments to the community.

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Concord University's Esports Maroon Team recently secured a national championship with the team captain, Will Jackson, at the helm. The team competed against Brewton-Parker College on December 13, 2023, at the Eastern College Athletic Conference Elite Division.

The team consisted of Ethan Tucker, Chase Koger, and team captain Will Jackson. The team competed in a video game known as Rocket League, a competitive game that operates like soccer but has the use of tricked-out cars to maneuver the ball.

“Going into the season, the staff and I were pretty confident that this young and new roster of mostly unheard-of or overlooked players was going to come out and show they mean business. When we went 7-1 in ECAC regular season only losing to Brewton Parker College, we knew who we had to prepare for in the playoffs. It was clear in the Grand Finals who was better prepared for that match, which allowed us to take home the victory. I am proud of the guys and can’t wait for them to run it back during the spring season.”

Austin Clay, Concord University's Esports Director

Students are given the opportunity to work with experienced, professionals in the Esports field thanks to Concord offering a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies-Esports. Several positions exists in the world of Esports beyond being a skilled gamer and Concord University's new program helps to guide students into the world of Esports.

For more information on Concord's Esports team, visit their website.