In Around West Virginia: West Virginia counties at risk for HIV and Hepatitis C, nearly 1,000 people to access clean water, Red Cross volunteers assisting flood victims in Texas, and more.
n The CDC has found that 28 counties in West Virginia are in the top 50 counties most at-risk for HIV and Hepatitis C, due to intravenous drug use. McDowell County is the second-most vulnerable county, according to a Wall Street Journal review. The Register-Herald spoke to Beckley Mayor Bill O'Brien, who said he was undecided on whether the city should develop a needle-exchange program to fight the problem. Raleigh County was in the top 10.
n Three water projects in Lewis County will bring clean water to nearly 1,000 people, The Exponent Telegram reports. By the end of October, about 200 students and teachers at Roanoke Elementary School will have access to clean water. Lewis County Economic Development Authority Director Mike Herron said the water at the school currently "smells bad and it tastes bad." Herron said many residents will benefit from the project because they currently have iron in their water due to oil and gas drilling.
n The American Red Cross sent 10 volunteers to Texas to help flood victims after severe storms hit the state. MetroNews reports the volunteers will deliver items like mops, buckets, bleach, food and clean water.
n The Girl Scouts of the Black Diamond Council are at the Summit Bechtel National Scout Reserve this week, MetroNews reports. The girls are learning to push their limits as they zip line, rock climb, paddle board, kayak and more, according to Kathy Storage, camp and travel manager for the Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council. She said they are "camping every night obviously, but definitely doing everything the boys do."
Reach Erin Beck at erin.beck@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-5163, Facebook.com/erinbeckwv, or follow @erinbeckwv on Twitter.