Here’s what other regional news organizations are reporting:
- Minister Death: A well-known local activist and minister has died. Rev. Jim Lewis, a longtime rector at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Charleston, died Sunday afternoon at age 90, according to church officials. In addition to his ministerial duties, Lewis was also known for his community and social activism. He founded the local nonprofit Manna Meal in 1976. (WOWK)
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Jail Panel: County officials announced last week that they created a new four-member task force to help combat the county’s ballooning jail bill. They formed the task force using opioid settlement funds. Currently, Kanawha County pays upwards of $400,000 per month in taxpayer money to keep inmates jailed in state facilities, according to reports. Commission President Ben Salango said the task force’s goal is to save $1 million in its first year by identifying non-violent and non-repeating offenders and recommending alternative monitoring or supervision, thereby reducing jail stays and eliminating the $67 per day the county pays to house each inmate. (WCHS)
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Awareness Tournament: A weekend basketball tournament held at Nitro High School aimed to raise awareness of the dangers of sextortion, a type of online blackmail in which someone threatens to share private, sexual images or videos. Organizers named the Bryce Tate Tournament for a 15-year-old Nitro student who took his life after someone victimized him through sextortion. The tournament featured more than 40 basketball teams and took place over two days. (WV Metro News)
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UC Marathon: A flood of athletes took to the streets of Charleston on Saturday and Sunday, marking two days of running events as part of the UC Marathon. Organizers held a 5K competition on Saturday, while Sunday featured both half and full marathon races. One UC professor and program director told WSAZ that individuals from as far away as California, Colorado, Nevada, and Florida came to the capital city to participate in the marathon, which served as a Boston qualifier. (WSAZ)
