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WDTV •

How the Use of Social Media Can Impact Children and Teens

Thanks to apps like Snapchat and TikTok, we can stay connected to our friends, family, and favorite influencers around the clock, but it can start to take over your life pretty easily.

“It’s immediate and it’s forever and they can’t escape it,” says Assistant Principal at East Fairmont High School Valerie Rinehart.

Rinehart says that information is sent around the school instantaneously now.

“Before, when I was in school, if something happened, you really had to wait until the end of the day,
WDTV •

Monongah Family Raising Money After Losing House to Fire Saturday Night

MONONGAH, W.Va (WDTV) - A home in Monongah is a total loss after a fire on February 24.

Both the Monongah Fire Department and Valley Volunteer Fire Department were called to a structure fire just before 6 p.m.

Nobody was home at the time, and there were no injuries, but the home is a total loss.

Most of her possessions were in the fire, including photos of her late husband, who passed away in 2020.

Her son, Ace Cunningham, has started a GoFundMe page to help his mom get back on her feet and
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WDTV •

Unicare hosts Repack the Backpack event at Meadowbrook Mall

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) - Unicare, a Medicaid Managed Care Organization, hosted its statewide “Repack the Backpack” event at the Meadowbrook Mall on Saturday.

The event allows kids and their families to get free school supplies and learn about Unicare as a Medicaid MCO.

Community Outreach Manager of Unicare, Rachael Coen, says the event helps boost students’ confidence in an academic setting.

“Education is a social driver of health, and if we can improve their confidence in the academic setti
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WDTV •

Court documents say Clarksburg murder suspect has a long history of crime in WV

CLARKSBURG, W.Va (WDTV) - A Harrison County man has been arrested and charged with felony murder after law enforcement was alerted to a dead body on Jack Run Road on Wednesday afternoon.

The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office told 5 News that Dennis Allen High, 36, of Salem, was arrested for shooting and killing Dallion Corbet Lewis, 37, of Clarksburg.

The call came in around 2:30 p.m.

Court documents show that High has a criminal history in West Virginia. Here’s what we know.

He has one felon
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WDTV •

Morgantown Municipal Airport hits passenger record, hopes to expand in coming years

MORGANTOWN, W.Va (WDTV) - Southern Airways at the Morgantown Municipal Airport broke its record for flying the highest number of passengers in 2023.

According to a Facebook post, Southern posted a passenger count of 13,871 passengers.

This beat their 2022 record, which was just slightly less.

Jonathon Vrabel, the airport’s director, says it shows how much the airport has grown since Southern started flying in 2018.

“Prior to Southern, the airport had good flight service, in early like 2011,
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WDTV •

How the Use of Social Media Can Impact Children and Teens

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) - At the end of January, executives of some of the most popular social media companies testified on Capitol Hill.

According to CBS News, Senators heard from the leaders of Meta, TikTok, X, Snapchat, and Discord on measures being taken to protect minors.

The goal of the hearing was to pass more comprehensive regulations, and amend a law that protects most tech giants from being sued by users.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr. Adrienne Coopey says social media should
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WDTV •

How to prepare for the snowy weekend ahead

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) - WDTV’s First Alert Weather Team is tracking snow showers headed to our area.

It will continue to snow overnight and into tomorrow morning, with mountainous areas seeing more accumulation.

In our area, we can expect to see about two to three inches.

Since we haven’t seen snow in a while, here are some tips from the West Virginia Emergency Management Division to help ensure you’re ready for the road ahead.

Check to make sure you have everything you need, including any
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WDTV •

Local domestic violence shelter gets housing funds for victims

FAIRMONT, W.Va (WDTV) - Senator Joe Manchin announced today that the Clarksburg-Harrison Regional Housing Authority will be receiving almost $12.4 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

28 housing authorities in West Virginia will receive a portion of the funds, including some right here in North Central West Virginia.

Hope Incorporated, a domestic violence shelter in Fairmont, is receiving over $450,000 to help fund their housing program.

“Our housing program is o
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WDTV •

Boy Scouts of America Mountaineer Area Council appoints first female chairperson

MORGANTOWN, W.Va (WDTV) - The Mountaineer Area Council Boy Scouts of America made history at their annual meeting on February 8th as the first female president of the executive board stepped into her new role.

Amy Garbrick has been involved with the Boy Scouts of America for almost a decade.

“We started a Cub Scout pack at my church in Reedsville back in 2013. My son was 6 years old, and there were several other boys at the church that were that same age,” says Garbrick. “Someone from actually
WDTV •

57th Annual Fasnacht Celebration Held in Helvetia

The small town of Helvetia held its annual Fasnacht celebration this weekend.

The event’s meant to usher in spring by whatever fiery means necessary.

The history of Fasnacht dates back to Swiss and German immigrants who settled the land in the late 1860s.

“It’s a very ancient tradition in that it used to have Pagan roots, where you burn an effigy in order to welcome spring, but it also has Christian roots in that Lent is something that people are celebrating or getting ready to prepare for,”
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WDTV •

How the Use of Social Media Can Impact Children and Teens Pt. 1

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) - Social media can be a great way for people to connect.

You can share good news with family across the country, have access to any information at your fingertips, and more.

But it can also be harmful, especially to young children.

“It’s like opening the door to the rest of the world and never closing it,” says Dr. Adrienne Coopey, an assistant professor in the West Virginia University Department of Psychiatry.

Dr. Coopey, who has been a child and adolescent psychiatr
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WDTV •

What a Super Bowl Party will cost in 2024

It’s all about the food, the commercials, and of course, the football.

And it might be more affordable to fill up your plate this year than in the past.

Although food prices are still high, it will be easier to budge because people are getting paid more.

According to a Wells Fargo report, food at home prices, such as groceries, have risen 1% since January 2023.

Early 2024 data says fresh chicken wings are averaging $3.26 per pound, and frozen average about $3.17 per pound.

Both prices are d
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WDTV •

Morgantown Public Library celebrates Take Your Child to the Library Day

MORGANTOWN, W.Va (WDTV) - Take Your Child to the Library Day is celebrated on the first Saturday in February.

It’s a way for kids to learn how to use the library, make friends, and more.

Thousands of libraries across the world participate, including the Morgantown Public Library System.

Bryan Dawson, a library assistant, says the event helps kids get familiar with the layout so it’s not as intimidating.

“Take Your Child to Library Day is important because it gives the children a chance to ki
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WDTV •

Residents skeptical of improvement as Operation R.I.P Pothole begins

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) - Road crews with the West Virginia Department of Highways (WVDOH) have used nearly 700 tons of asphalt to patch potholes on nearly 1,000 miles of roads in West Virginia.

All of this patching is part of Operation R.I.P. Pothole, an initiative by the WVDOH to fill potholes during this warm weather streak.

WVDOH officials said in a press release that asphalt plants in Princeton and Morgantown have been temporarily opened to help make the hot mix that fills the potholes.
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WDTV •

Student aid delayed to March as FAFSA form is changed again

FAIRMONT, W.Va (WDTV) - College students across the country are on edge, as aid is delayed yet again.

The improved Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA form, was released on December 31, but was updated recently to account for inflation.

Typically, students can fill out their FAFSA forms as early as October 1.

Carla Marshall, who works in the financial aid office at Fairmont State University, says the changes will eventually make the process much easier.

“This year, the Departm
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WDTV •

LIEAP program available to help pay winter utility bills

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) - Temperatures in North Central West Virginia may have warmed up this week, but it won’t be long before they plummet again.

For many, it’s easy to ignore the cold by turning up the heat inside, but not everyone has that ability.

That’s why the West Virginia Department of Human Services offers the Low Income Energy Assistance Program, or LIEAP, to residents.

“The LIEAP program, or the Low Income Energy Assistance Program, is a federal program that we administer that bas
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WDTV •

Clarksburg Italian Heritage Festival holds wine tasting fundraiser

This is one of several fundraisers held by the organization that helps pay for the big event.

WVIHF Board of Directors member Marsha Viglianco says the money raised helps them put on an event that makes the community happy.

“The Italian Festival is about a $500,000 festival,” says Viglianco. “We do not charge to get in, so every drop of money we raise goes to paying and supporting this festival.”

There were 18 different wines available for tasting. Both North Central Distributors and Haunting
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WDTV •

Home inspectors encourage people to test homes for radon gas

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) - January is National Radon Action Month, and home inspectors in the area are urging the public to get their homes tested.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, and the first among non-smokers.

Jeff Davis, whose business, Davis Home Inspections, advertises with WDTV, says long-term exposure to radon gas is what causes lung cancer in some people.

“Radon gas has a very short half-life, so anything that has a very short half-life has a high energy release,” sa
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WDTV •

First Baptist Church of Fairmont now for sale

FAIRMONT, W.Va (WDTV) - The First Baptist Church in Fairmont was listed for sale on Monday, January 22.

According to Homefinders Plus Real Estate, the property has over two acres of space, a paved parking lot that holds about 50 cars, vaulted ceilings, and more.

Jo-Helen Williams, the realtor, and a lifelong member of the church, says it’s difficult to maintain the property the way it deserves.

“The congregation is aging, and it is difficult to maintain this wonderful property in the way in w
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WDTV •

Clarksburg History Museum celebrates 5th anniversary

CLARKSBURG, W.Va (WDTV) - The Clarksburg History Museum celebrated its 5th anniversary on Sunday, January 21.

To celebrate, there were historical reenactors, exhibits to look through, and more.

Marsha Viglianco, an AmeriCorps worker for the museum, says being open for 5 years is a big deal.

“We started out in 2018, and then 2019, and 20, and 21 came, and we were practically closed,” says Viglianco.

The museum started out on the second floor of the Harrison County Board of Education building,
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WDTV •

Local veterinarian shares tips to keep pets safe in frigid temps

MORGANTOWN, W.Va (WDTV) - When frigid temperatures and snow arrives, it’s important for pet owners to keep their furry friends safe.

Veterinarian George Seiler says pets are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia just like we are, so it’s important to keep them warm if temperatures outside are below freezing.

“Usually after it gets down below freezing, we start watching them close to see if they need a coat, or sweater, or something to keep them warm if they’re going to be out an extended pe
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WDTV •

Local and family reactions to Nick Saban's retirement announcement

MORGANTOWN, W.Va (WDTV) - Nick Saban is considered one of the greatest college football coaches ever.

In 27 seasons, he’s had seven national championships, eight playoff appearances, and 297 career wins.

But just last week, he announced he was hanging up his hat, which took the sports world by surprise.

It also came as a shock to those closest to him, his family.

Toni Southern, Saban’s aunt-in-law, says she knew his retirement was coming soon, but she didn’t expect it so quickly.

“The famil
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WDTV •

19th annual Run to Read Half Marathon benefits literacy in Marion County

FAIRMONT, W.Va (WDTV) - Almost 200 runners came to Prickett’s Fort Saturday for the 19th annual Run to Read Half Marathon.

All of the proceeds from the race benefit the Literacy Volunteers of Marion County.

The organization hosts two races a year to help support the improvement of literacy in the area.

“And it’s because of races like this, and the support of these runners that we have gotten for 19 years now, that we’re able to continue our good works here in Marion County,” says Susan May, t
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WDTV •

How Dry January could be the first step towards recovery

CLARKSBURG, W.Va (WDTV) - With the New Year right around the corner, many people have their list of resolutions ready, and some people maybe thinking about giving up alcohol.

Dry January started in 2012 as a way for people to start the New Year by abstaining from alcohol.

It helps encourage people to step back and look at their drinking habits, and change them if necessary.

Anthony Duba, with Clarksburg Mission, believes giving up alcohol for a month could be the first step in helping somebod
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