Highway projects skip Marion County

There are no Marion County highway construction projects in the $1 billion road bond amendment facing West Virginians in an October 7 election.

Projects are planned for 18 counties if the bond issue passes.

They are in Berkeley, Cabell (Huntington), Hancock, Harrison (Clarksburg), Jefferson, Kanawha (Charleston), Lewis, Mingo (Williamson), Monongalia (Morgantown), Morgan, Ohio (Wheeling), Pendleton, Putnam, Roane, Tucker, Wayne, Wood (Parkersburg) and Wetzel counties.

Governor Jim Justice, running as a Democrat, won Marion County in 2016 by 52.5% to 38.6% for State Senate president Bill Cole. Later, billionaire Justice switched his party affiliation to Republican in an apparent attempt to court President Trump’s favor.

WV Highways Supervisor Pleads Guilty to Lying

By Kim Freda, WBOY-TV Assignment Editor

Former West Virginia Division of highways supervisor Matthew Tuttle, 38, of Buckhannon, pleaded guilty Wednesday to lying about state employees repairing and replacing parts in a dump truck while on the clock for the state.

Tuttle was Highway Administrator in Upshur County and a supervisor for the Equipment Division.  

Citizen complaints led to the investigation.

Tuttle faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Barry Thompson, also a supervisor as the DOH Equipment Division, was indicted in February 2014 for making false statements to a federal agent. Thompson also ordered an employee to work on the truck on state time, at the state’s expense, according to the indictment.  If convicted, Thompson faces a fine of up to $250,000.