Latest news with #RaleighCounty
CBS News
5 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Parents seeking religious exemptions to school vaccines win reprieve in a West Virginia county
A West Virginia judge on Thursday allowed the children of three families in one county to attend school this fall without required vaccinations, the latest move in a showdown between Republican Gov. Patrick Morrisey and the state Board of Education. Raleigh County Circuit Judge Michael Froble issued a preliminary injunction less than a month before the start of the new school year. The ruling involves children whose parents sued and are claiming religious exemptions to a long-standing school vaccine mandate. Morrisey issued an executive order upon taking office, allowing such religious exemptions. But the board voted last month to direct public schools to ignore the order and instead follow school vaccine requirements that are laid out in state law and prohibit the exemptions. Froble's ruling came in a lawsuit that was filed June 24. The injunction was limited to the three children of the plaintiffs who sued the state and local departments of education, and has no impact statewide. Morrisey, who served as West Virginia's attorney general from 2013 until he was sworn in as governor in January, said he believes the religious exemptions to vaccinations should already be permitted under a 2023 law passed by the Legislature called the Equal Protection for Religion Act. "Today's ruling is another legal victory in the fight for religious freedom," Morrisey said in a statement. "No family should be forced to choose between their faith and their children's education, which is exactly what the unelected bureaucrats on the State Board of Education are attempting to force West Virginians to do." The board said in a statement that it was disappointed by the ruling and that its members "will decide next steps in the near future." The original lawsuit doesn't explain what specific religion the families follow. It was filed on behalf of parent Miranda Guzman, who identifies as a Christian and said that altering her child's natural immune system through required vaccinations "would demonstrate a lack of faith in God" and "disobey the Holy Spirit's leading." The suit was later amended to add two other parents. Most religious denominations and groups support medical vaccinations, according to the American Bar Association. Vaccination mandates for public schools are seen as a way to prevent the spread of once-common childhood diseases such as measles, mumps, whooping cough, chickenpox and polio. But due in part to vaccine hesitancy, some preventable and deadly diseases are on the rise. For example, the U.S. is having its worst year for measles spread in more than three decades. Medical experts have long heralded West Virginia's school vaccination policy as one of the most protective in the country for children. State law requires children to receive vaccines for chickenpox, hepatitis B, measles, meningitis, mumps, diphtheria, polio, rubella, tetanus and whooping cough before starting school. Several states grant medical exemptions from school vaccinations. At least 30 states have religious freedom laws modeled after the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act, signed in 1993 by then-President Bill Clinton. It allows federal regulations that interfere with religious beliefs to be challenged. On Wednesday, a Kanawha County judge dismissed a separate lawsuit against Morrisey's executive order because it didn't give the required 30-day notice before being filed. That lawsuit, filed on behalf of two Cabell County parents, will be allowed to be refiled. It alleged that only the Legislature, not the governor, has the authority to make such decisions. During their regular session that ended in April, lawmakers failed to pass legislation that was introduced to allow religious exemptions for school vaccine mandates.
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Proposed Ghent truck stop a no-go as courts back county commission decision
GHENT, WV (WVNS) – Local courts chose to concur with the decision of county leadership regarding a proposed truck stop location at the Ghent exit on I-77. Several public meetings were held to discuss the proposed project earlier in the year. Commission members said the community was largely opposed to the addition. Raleigh County Commission President, Greg Duckworth told 59News public outcry played a large role in the decision. DUI checkpoint to be held in Raleigh County 'Public input should weigh very heavy on rezoning, responsible development, and those kinds of things,' said Commissioner Duckworth. 'In this case the outcry, it wasn't even close. It was so lopsided the community just didn't want the truck stop there.' Raleigh County Attorney, Bill Roop said Go-Mart would still have the option to use the property commercially. Raleigh County Circuit Courts backed the commission's decision that the truck stop project is not viable under commercial use.'They did say that the property could be used as a commercial use such as a gas station or a convenient store,' said Roop. 'The problem was just the overnight parking of the tractor trailers.' Circuit courts have indicated the commission acted within its legal authority to block the project, though Roop told 59News that Go-Mart still has the opportunity to appeal the decision through the West Virginia Supreme Court should they choose to do so. Commission members have stated they will continue to support the planning and zoning process as a fair and structured method for consideration of land use and development. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Raleigh County Public Library aims to combat the ‘summer slide'
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) – School is out, but the learning does not have stop. Staff with the Raleigh County Public Library have worked to bring students access to educational resources outside the classroom. The summer months have traditionally always offered a well-earned break from school-related stress. But well over half of elementary school students fall behind in reading comprehension during this time, according to Horizon Education Centers. Raleigh County Public Library staff said members said they hope to give local students an edge this summer in learning and comprehension. Proposed Ghent truck stop a no-go as courts back county commission decision 'They call it the summer slide. Where kids will – if they don't have anything to keep them stimulated over the summer, their reading levels will actually start to go back,' librarian Beth Mills told 59News. 'So, it's really important to have these resources to help keep them on track and maybe even get a little ahead for next year's reading.' From puzzles and games to summer reading programs, the library can offer a range of resources without the hefty price tag. People of all ages have been encouraged to stop by in the coming weeks to check out the new 'Summerween' spooky book display to keep their minds sharp this summer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
American Tax Company of Beckley celebrates 10 years
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) – A local business marked a major milestone with a ribbon-cutting Tax Company – Dixon Financial Service has been serving the Raleigh County area for a decade. They brought out the balloons and party favors with the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce. While the owners pride themselves on the quality of their results, longtime clients say it's the people behind the process that keep them coming back. Raleigh County Public Library aims to combat the 'summer slide' 'I have a connection with the people that work here. They do treat you like family,' said ATC client Summer Bevins. 'They help out. She has saved me money. She has truly been an asset to me and to my business.' Another client, Marty Ashley told 59News that the dependability of American Tax Company is a key part of why he enjoys the service. 'She's available any time,' he said. 'You call and she'll answer your questions. You don't get that kind of service anywhere.' Staff members said they look forward to continuing to build these relationships with longtime clients and new customers alike. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
A West Virginia parent sues seeking a religious exemption from required school vaccinations
CHARLESTON, (AP) — A West Virginia woman filed a lawsuit Tuesday seeking a religious exemption from required school vaccinations for her young child. Miranda Guzman alleges that the state's vaccine mandate violates a 2023 West Virginia law that stipulates the government would not be able to 'substantially burden' someone's constitutional right to freedom of religion unless doing so 'is essential to further a compelling governmental interest.' Guzman sued the state and local boards of education and the county schools superintendent in Raleigh County Circuit Court. West Virginia was among just a handful of states that granted only medical exemptions from school vaccinations when Republican Gov. Patrick Morrisey issued an executive order in January allowing religious exemptions. However, the state Board of Education voted this month to direct public schools to ignore the executive order and instead follow long-standing school vaccine requirements that are laid out in state law. Also, two groups have sued over the governor's order, saying the Legislature, not the governor, has the authority to make such decisions. Guzman obtained a religious exemption to the vaccine mandate from the state health department and enrolled her child in elementary school for the 2025-26 school year. But on June 17, Guzman received an email from the Raleigh County school superintendent rescinding the certificate, according to the lawsuit. Guzman's attorneys said 'the straightforward legal issue" in the lawsuit is whether enforcement of the state vaccine mandate violates the 2023 Equal Protection for Religion Act. West Virginia Board of Education spokesperson Christy Day referred to a June 12 statement from the board that its intent is to 'do what is best' for public school students, educators and school service personnel. 'This includes taking the important steps of protecting the school community from the real risk of exposure to litigation that could result from not following vaccination laws,' the earlier statement said. A telephone message left with Raleigh County Schools Superintendent Serena Starcher wasn't immediately returned. West Virginia's school vaccination policy long has been heralded by medical experts as one of the most protective in the country for children. State law requires children to receive vaccines for chickenpox, hepatitis B, measles, meningitis, mumps, diphtheria, polio, rubella, tetanus and whooping cough before starting school. Morrisey, who is not a party to the lawsuit, held a news conference Tuesday in Beckley in support of Guzman. 'This is not about whether or not about parents should vaccinate their children,' Morrisey said. 'This is about standing up for religious liberty.' At least 30 states have religious freedom laws, including one signed by Georgia's governor in April. The laws are modeled after the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act, signed in 1993 by then-President Bill Clinton, which allows federal regulations that interfere with religious beliefs to be challenged.
