In Around West Virginia today: a pivotal moment in the history of the state, a new user fee in Morgantown, a mild flu season, and more.
n On this date in 1862, President Abraham Lincoln paced the halls trying to decide if West Virginia should be able to break off from Virginia, then decided the state should be granted approval. West Virginia Public Broadcasting notes that the U.S. Constitution says one state cannot form from another without the original state's approval. West Virginia had the approval of the government in Wheeling, but not the government in Richmond.
n Berkeley County has a more severe heroin overdose problem than metropolitan counties in Maryland, according to a report covered by The Journal. The "Heroin Treatment Needs Assessment for Berkeley County, West Virginia," released by the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, found 24 overdose deaths in Berkeley County in 2014, compared to 33 in Montgomery County, 26 in Frederick County, and 21 in Washington County. When taking into account population size, Berkeley County had the highest rate per 100,000 people.
n Morgantown's $3 weekly user fee kicks in tomorrow, according to The Domininion Post. The fee will cost each person who works in Morgantown a total of $156 per year, and go toward police retention and street paving and upkeep.
n Health officials report a low rate of influenza cases so far this flu season in North Central West Virginia, according to The Exponent-Telegram. Mark Povroznik, chief quality officier and chairman of infection control at United Hospital Center, thinks the flu vaccine is doing a good job this year, although that doesn't mean people who haven't got the vaccine yet should skip it.
n UMWA officials say about 100 people will lose their jobs at Murray Energy mines in Marshall and Ohio counties, MetroNews reports. The company confirmed lay-offs Wednesday but did not give a specific number.
Reach Erin Beck at erin.beck@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-5163, Facebook.com/erinbeckwv, or follow @erinbeckwv on Twitter.