Category: Articles

  • Women’s Health Center of West Virginia proposal to start syringe service voted down


    A women’s health care provider’s aim to begin a needle exchange program was shot down by council members on Tuesday night. After lengthy debate from both sides of the issue, the Women’s Health Center of West Virginia’s proposal to Charleston City Council was voted down 17-9. Yes, the Kanawha-Charleston syringe program had problems, but we…

  • Charleston City Council turns down needle exchange program proposal from Women’s Health Center


    Much of Charleston City Council’s time Monday evening was spent discussing a proposal from the Women’s Health Center of West Virginia on a needle exchange program to be located at their West Side facility. Ultimately, a majority of council members voted it down. A roll call vote was taken with nine for the proposal and…

  • Charleston elects five candidates with “Can’t Wait” organization


    A grassroots, progressive political organization with a platform that includes decriminalizing harm reduction efforts and cannabis, among other things, saw some success in Charleston Tuesday night. Five of the nine candidates running for city council with Charleston Can’t Wait won seats on the 26-member council. Joe Solomon, a Democrat and co-founder of the overdose prevention…

  • West Virginia’s opioid crisis transcends partisan politics


    CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Dr. Frank Annie sees desperation in his hospital, where 30- and 40-year-olds come in with organ failure after injecting opioids with dirty needles. Joe Solomon finds it in the faces of those who line up in the church gyms and parking lots where he passes out overdose reversal drugs. Sheena Griffith…

  • Broadband network a possibility for Charleston, fiber company says


    KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WCHS) — Broadband advocates in West Virginia’s capital city are looking across the river for inspiration on how to get better internet. SecureNet Chief Executive Officer Kevin Mullins has been working on a fiber network in South Charleston, and Charleston could be next. “Fiber to the home is doable,” Mullins said. “It…

  • Frank Annie Gazette-Mail Interview


    Name: Frank H. AnnieTown of Residence: CharlestonEducation and degrees obtained: Occupation: Research Scientist (Department of Cardiology)Charleston Area Medical Center 1. How should the city address homelessness? Addressing the root cause of homelessness in Charleston is the first step. We need to figure out what these citizens need in order to provide them with resources that…

  • Frank Annie WCHS Interview


    CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — Frank Annie is a Republican running for Ward 13 of Charleston City Council. He is running against Justin Williams, a Democrat, in the general election in November. * Editor’s Note: If you are a Charleston resident, you can find what ward you live in by clicking here. Dr. Frank Annie is…