Thumbs up ... to 22-year-old Ripley native Talia Markham, the new Miss West Virginia. Markham will compete in the Miss America Pageant in February. Her platform is stopping child abuse and neglect.
Thumbs up ... to Mountain State University’s Operation Cougar Care. The effort raised $8,700 to help send care packages and fund a welcome home party for members of the 150th Armored Reconnaissance Squadron of the West Virginia Army National Guard.
Thumbs up ... to the Beckley VA Medical Center and its volunteers for raising funds for a special memorial paying tribute to veterans of the Vietnam War. Chapter 860 of the Vietnam Veterans of America in Beckley is also active in the project.
Thumbs up ... to Gov. Joe Manchin, elected chair of the Southern Regional Education Board, succeeding Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine. As chair of SREB’s 80-member board of state leaders from 16 states across the South, Manchin says he plans to stress the need to raise college graduation rates.
Thumbs up ... to Mountain State Regular Veterans Association Post 57 for donating $10,000 to Mountain State University. The money will enhance the education of local medical assisting students, including updates of the current laboratory with new medical equipment, supplies and technology.
Thumbs up ... to $153,952 in grants that will be shared by the Head Start programs in Fayette and Monroe counties. The grants include funding for cost-of-living increases, operating costs and program improvements.
Thumbs up ... to the Tourism Commission for giving out $2.8 million in grants to businesses that help promote West Virginia. The Greenbrier received $363,000 and Adventure Resort near Oak Hill got almost $139,000.
Thumbs up ... to State Police Sgt. Christopher Smith, honored as one of the top five troopers in West Virginia at the Trooper of the Year banquet. In 2008, he helped solve over 13 homicides and had a hand in more than 300 arrests and indictments.
