BUCKHANNON – Red Ribbon Week will kick off Monday, Oct. 24, and its purpose is to raise awareness about drug use, including alcohol, and its effects.

Several Upshur County Schools counselors and their students attended the Oct. 20 Upshur County Commission meeting to read a proclamation about the upcoming Red Ribbon Week. Tennerton Elementary School Counselor Suzanne Bohman read the proclamation to everyone in attendance.

It appears in full below:

Whereas recovery and abstinence from alcohol and other drug use are emphasized in West Virginia, it is imperative that visible unified prevention education efforts by community members be continued to eliminate the effects of drugs and their use; and

Whereas the National Red Ribbon Campaign is offering citizens the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to healthy lifestyles, including no drug use, and we’ll be celebrating such during National Red Ribbon Week, October 24-28, 2022; and

Whereas Upshur County further commits its resources to ensure the success of the Red Ribbon Campaign;

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Upshur County Commission does hereby proclaim October 24 to 28, 2022 as Red Ribbon Week and encourages citizens to participate in drug prevention education activities, making a visible statement that we are strongly committed to a healthy, drug free state.

In other Upshur County Commission news:

• The commission approved a bid from City Heating and Plumbing out of Morgantown, West Virginia for $643,50 for the Upshur County Courthouse Annex HVAC Upgrade Project.

• The commission approved hiring temporary hiring of election workers beginning on or around Oct. 26, 2022, and ending on or around Nov. 14, 2022, General Election.

• The commission approved correspondence from Robert Chapman, Acting Director of the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, announcing the award of $316,375 under the 2022 COPS Office School Violence Prevention Program. This project will install additional video surveillance equipment and replace outdated equipment at all nine public schools within Upshur County and is a joint initiative of the Upshur County Commission and the Upshur County Board of Education. The commission approved an electronic acceptance of the award.

• The commission approved a request from Lisa Lamb announcing her resignation from the James W. Curry Library Advisory Board, effective immediately.

• The commission approved correspondence from James Crouse requesting an appointment to the James W. Curry Library Advisory Board. Upon approval, Mr. Crouse’s term will be effective immediately and expire on Dec. 31, 2026.

• The commission approved correspondence from Janella Cochran, Lewis-Upshur Animal Control Facility Director, requesting the temporary part-time employment of Breann N. Stanton as LUACF Attendant, effective Oct. 23, 2022. Upon approval, Ms. Stanton will work a maximum of 8 weeks acquiring no more than an average of 19.5 hours per week.