In Around West Virginia: the expansion of drug courts in West Virginia, another city considers a nondiscrimination ordinance, protesters want a public water system, and more.
n West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Brent Benjamin said that since drug courts in the state began 12 years ago, 1,400 people have graduated and the recidivism rate is less than 10 percent. The Register-Herald reports that Benjamin made the comments at the opening ceremony of the Fayette County Adult Drug Court, the 26th drug court in the state and the 45th county served by a drug court.
n Charles Town has scheduled first reading of an LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance for June 6, according to The Journal. The newspaper reports that the purpose of the ordinance is so "all individuals are free to exercise and express their own beliefs, relationships and values, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, race, religion or sexual orientation."
n Advocates for a Safe Water System protested West Virginia American Water on Tuesday at the Kanawha County Voter Registration office, hoping to catch the attention of county commissioners. MetroNews reports that they are advocating for a publicly funded water system. West Virginia American Water has filed for two rate increases this year. Member Paul Dalzell said West Virginia American Water consumers are paying the third-highest rate in the nation.
n Handle with Care is being planned for Mercer County, according to the Princeton Times. The program, which began in Charleston, involves police officers sending notices to schools when children are at the scene of traumatic crimes so that teachers will know to handle that child with care the next day.
Reach Erin Beck at erin.beck@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-5163, Facebook.com/erinbeckwv, or follow @erinbeckwv on Twitter.