Federal Court Ruling Finding Transgender Sports Law Constitutional
West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey in June told a crowd gathered at the State Capitol that a lawsuit
brought against a state law defining “sex” in school sports would not succeed. On Thursday, those words came to fruition: a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West
Virginia ruled the state legislature’s definition of “girl” and “woman” in the context of HB 3293 (Save Women’s
Sports Bill) is “constitutionally permissible.” “This is not only about simple biology, but fairness for women’s sports, plain and simple,” Attorney General Morrisey
said. “Opportunities for girls and women on the field are precious and we must safeguard that future. Protecting these
opportunities is important, because when biological males compete in a women’s event women and girls lose their
opportunity to shine. Under HB 3293, all biological males, including those who identify as transgender girls, are ineligible for participation
on girls’ sports teams. The challenge to that law came from a transgender student at Bridgeport Middle School identified in court papers as
“BPJ.” Attorneys for BPJ argued that HB 3293 violates BPJ’s rights under Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause of
the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Attorney General Morrisey, on behalf of the state, intervened and asserted the law protects female athletes’ safety and
keeps female sports competitive for female athletes, consistent with Title IX and the Constitution. Title IX was signed
into law on June 23, 1972. It prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or any other education program that
receives funding from the federal government. “This short and simple law demands that girls and women get their fair share of opportunities in education, and Title
IX’s regulations make it clear that this could be accomplished in school athletic programs by having ‘separate teams
for members of each sex’ where the teams are based on competitive skill,” Attorney General Morrisey said. Read a copy of Thursday’s ruling at: https://bit.ly/3GEyNxp.
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W.Va. high speed chase runs through 2 counties
The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office released more information on a high speed chase that ran through two counties in West Virginia.
The report comes from Metro News out of West Virginia.
The driver of a black Infiniti refused to stop when Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Deputies attempted to pull him over for defective equipment and speeding on Oct. 12.
The driver identified as Austin Michael Roher of Leetown reached speeds of over 111 miles per hour as he proceeded down Route 9 west.
Roher took the Kearneysville Leetown exit through a stop sign before turning south onto Leetown Road with authorities in pursuit.
Roher managed to avoid spike strips turned off his lights and turned onto Sulphur Springs Road using the oncoming lane.
Berkeley County Deputies joined the pursuit when Roher ran through a red light into Berkeley County.
Roher drove onto Winchester Road Route 11 stopping at a dead end on Lobo Lane.
Officers gave verbal commands for Roher to exit the vehicle to no avail.
When Authorities reached the vehicle they found Roher with a self-inflected gunshot wound.
Roher was transported by Emergency Medical Services to Berkeley County Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into the incident continues.
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W.Va. Authorities ask for the public’s help in Arson cases
The West Virginia Fire Marshal’s Office announced the need for the public’s assistance in the investigation of a series of suspected arson cases.
Eight different fires have occurred in the Capon Bridge and Augusta areas.
Each of the fires have occurred in vacant structures with no injuries reported.
As the investigation continues authorities are asking the public to be on the watch for as well as be alert to any suspicious activity.
The public is asked to be on alert at least until the suspect or suspects are apprehended.
If you have any information or see suspicious activity report it immediately to law enforcement.
If you have any information or wish to report suspicious activity call 1-800-233-3473.
There is a $5,000 reward offered for information leading to arrest and conviction in any arson case in West Virginia.
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VA. and W.Va. Sales Tax Holiday begins today 8/5
Virginia and West Virginia Sales Tax Holiday begins today Fri. Aug 5 lasting through Aug. 7 in Virginia and Aug. 8 in West Virginia.
Certain school supplies that cost $20 or less per item will be Virginia and West Virginia sales tax free during the holiday.
Some clothing and footwear priced at $100 or less will also be included in the holiday as well.
A number of emergency preparedness items are also sales tax free in Virginia as well.
Visit tax.virginia.gov for details on the annual Virginia Tax free holiday.
Visit tax.wv.gov for more information on West Virginia’s tax free days.
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Southern States merges to form new co-op
Southern States Cooperative of Winchester is merging with 3 other co-ops in West Virginia and Maryland to form Freedom Ag & Energy Cooperative.
The Board of Directors of the co-ops formally approved the merger and now await the votes of each member.
The merger is expected to be finalized by the start of 2023.
The merger will allow the new cooperative to have a better competitive advantage and strengthen their financial position.
It will also help protect members equity and patronage.
Each cooperative shares similar core values and visions which should accelerate the merger.
No jobs will be eliminated in the process with overall employment expected to increase over the next 12 months.
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W.VA. reaches a settlement with drug manufacturers
West Virginia’s Attorney General (AG) Patrick Morrisey announced in a news release that a settlement has been reached in a suit against drug manufacturers.
The AG’s office has reached a $161.5 million plus settlement with drug manufacturers Teva and Allergan.
The drug manufacturers were accused of fueling the opioid epidemic in West Virginia.
The Teva and Allergan are accused of engaging in campaigns to misrepresent the risks and benefits of opioid painkillers.
The AG asserts that this settlement and others will provide significant help to those affected the most by the opioid crisis in the state.
As a part of the settlement Teva will also supply West Virginia with $27 million worth of narcan.
The cash value of the settlement is believed the highest per capita in the nation.
The monies will be distributed among cities and counties throughout the state.
The overall amount secured thus far from opioid manufacturers and related parties is a total of $296.5 million plus.
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W.VA. Officials gather after devastating flooding
A group of 80 officials and experts are scheduled to gather in Charleston West Virginia to address flooding issues.
The West Virginia news service reports that officials will gather May 18 and Thur. May 19 to update West Virginia’s flood prevention plan.
The meeting is to address issues that flooding caused to more than 100 homes in Huntington West Virginia.
Less than two weeks ago the Mayor of Huntington issued an emergency declaration over a second large scale flooding episode hit the city in nine months.
Elected leaders from across West Virginia along with state officials who work on flooding will meet with the state chief resilience officer.
The officials plan to work on ways to improve public policy and ways to better inform the public.
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4 hurt in Bunker Hill fight and shooting
The Herald Mail reports a fight and shooting at a gentlemen’s club in Bunker Hill West Virginia.
Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department Deputies responded to reports of a shooting Saturday morning May 7 at the Elysium Gentlemen’s club.
A large fight was reported at the bring your own beverage club on Winchester Road around 5 a.m..
An unidentified Virginia man was injured when he fell fleeing reported gunfire and was taken to the Berkeley Medical Center in Martinsburg.
Two other individuals who had been at the club were later reported at the Winchester Medical Center and treated for gunshot wounds.
Another was injured by broken glass after a bullet struck the windshield of the vehicle he was fleeing in.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the outbreak and the extent of the injuries involved.
Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office are being assisted by the West Virginia State Police on the investigation.
The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office and Virginia State Police are also working on the case.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact authorities.
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W.VA. Attorney General announces agreement with Endo
West Virginia’s Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced in a news release a settlement with Endo Health Solutions Inc.
The settlement of $26 million will be shared by all city and counties in West Virginia.
This is in regards to a lawsuit that was filed in 2019.
The lawsuit alleges that Endo Health Solutions failed to disclose the serious risk of opioid addiction.
The suit also alleges that Endo overstated the benefits of chronic opioid therapy and promoted higher dosage without disclosing the greater risk.
Along with the monetary settlement Endo has agreed to not make false claims or encourage the use of opioids.
Endo must also operate an effective monitoring program using downstream customer data to identify suspicious orders.
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Units from 4 states respond to mountain fire
Fire crews from Frederick County Virginia joined 5 units from West Virginia 3 from Maryland and 3 from Pennsylvania to fight a mountain fire.
Several sources including the Morgan Messenger report the crews spent most of last night Mar. 21 working a 50 acre fire at the top of Sleepy Creek Mountain near White’s Gap.
Reports indicate that heavy smoke may still be visible but the fire is contained by hand dug fire lines and the natural barrier of the Meadows Branch Stream.
The West Virginia Department of Forestry is monitoring the situation through the coming days.
Authorities ask that if you see fire on the mountain you should call 911.
It is reported at this time there is no danger to residents.
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