In Around West Virginia today: inside a school during a bomb threat, Handle with Care continues to expand, schools offer free mental health courses, and more.
n The executive editor of The Exponent Telegram was inside a Harrison County middle school during a non-credible bomb threat. School administrators had to review surveillance footage and interview students while police combed the school. He said the school system "has a good procedure in place, with caring administrators and staff doing all they can to keep students safe."
n The Handle with Care program that started in Charleston has expanded to Harrison County, according to The Exponent Telegram. Police agencies that participate in the program send notifications to schools after kids are present during traumatic incidents. As a result, educators know to "handle with care" the next day, and be understanding instead of reprimanding the child for any outbursts, sleepinees or lack of focus.
n Lewisburg City Council held an emergency meeting Friday morning and spent 90 minutes in executive session discussing litigation. Mayor John Manchester told The Register-Herald potential litigation has been threatened regarding the city's efforts to enact a nondiscrimination ordinance extending protections to the LGBT community. City Council also voted to postpone second reading of the ordinance to Feb. 1.
n Berkeley County public schools are offering free "mental health first aid" classes in Martinsburg. Attendees will learn the signs of mental health problems and learn about depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis and substance abuse, according to The Journal. The course is aimed at adults.
n A federal public defender for the Southern District of West Virginia says PTSD defenses are becoming more common, according to The State Journal. Christian Capece, federal public defender, told the newspaper about a former Marine who admitted to selling stolen military equipment, an offense that could have resulted in 57 months in prison, who was sentenced to five months in prison plus three years supervised release. The story also described incidents when defendants used military service as a defense but the court was not more lenient.
Reach Erin Beck at erin.beck@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-5163, Facebook.com/erinbeckwv, or follow @erinbeckwv on Twitter.