FILE – A man holds a lit cigarette while smoking in San Francisco, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

CHARLESTON — Gov. Patrick Morrisey has preached the need for healthier lifestyles for West Virginians since taking office last year, but a report released earlier this month by a state task force raised concerns about high usage of tobacco products.

The West Virginia Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Task Force released its 2025 Annual Legislative Report at the beginning of December, detailing the state’s struggle with high nicotine consumption rates and diminishing resources.

According to the report, West Virginia’s tobacco use constitutes a severe public health crisis, characterized by tobacco and nicotine use rates that are among the highest in the nation, particularly the alarming prevalence of e-cigarette use among youth.

“While the use of traditional tobacco products in the United States has declined in the past five decades, tobacco use levels in WV continue to rank among the highest in the nation,” according to the report. “Conversely, use of electronic vaping devices (e-cigarettes) has been rising.

“In (West Virginia), 10.1% of adults reported current use in 2023 compared to 9.3% in 2022,” the report continued. “Furthermore, e-cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product among youth. This plight accentuates the need for the public health initiatives outlined in this report.”

When it comes to youth tobacco use, 6.2% of high school students reported using smokeless tobacco products according to the West Virginia Department of Education’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 9.8% of high school students reported smoking cigarettes or cigars, and 27% reported using electronic vaping products with 48.8% of high school students reported trying a vape product at least once.

When it comes to adults, 20.4% are current smokers compared to the national rate of 12.1%. The use of smokeless tobacco products by adults in West Virginia was the second highest in the nation. And the percentage of adults using vape products was 10.1% compared to the national rate of 7.7%.

West Virginia’s high use of tobacco and nicotine products has real health consequences, with the state having the second highest rate of tobacco-associated cancers in the nation at 228.2 cancers per 100,000 people. The residential maternal smoking rate in the state was 153.4 per 1,000 births. This high tobacco usage inflicts a significant toll on the state, costing over $1 billion annually in direct health care expenses and placing a taxpayer burden of $1,587 per household.

A few months ago, the American Lung Association’s State of Tobacco Control report gave West Virginia an F for tobacco cessation and preventing funding, an F for tobacco taxes, a D for smokefree air regulations, a D for access to cessation services, and a F for restrictions on flavored tobacco products.

In November, the American Cancer Society held its 49th annual Great American Smokeout, calling on lawmakers and state officials to allocate $5 million towards tobacco prevention and cessation.

“For too long, West Virginia has allowed the tobacco industry to addict people to deadly, cancer-causing products. It’s time to say, enough is enough. West Virginians deserve better,” said Doug Hogan, government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. “We know that well-funded tobacco prevention efforts and services that help people quit are so important to provide the support needed to help people quit, and to help prevent kids and young adults from starting to use tobacco.”

The Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Task Force was created by the Legislature in 2020 with the passage of House Bill 4494, tasked with “…recommending and monitoring the establishment and management of programs that are found to be effective in the reduction of tobacco…”

The task force reported to the Division of Tobacco Prevention (DTP) within the state Department of Health Bureau for Public Health’s Office of Community Health Systems and Health Promotion. DTP was funded in part through the CDC, most recently through a five-year program between April 2020 and April 2025.

DTP received $1.2 million from the CDC, with $1.1 million used for DTP salaries, program contracts and activities. Another $145,380 was used for the state’s Tobacco Quitline.

However, with no further federal funding anticipated beyond next April, the state dissolved DTP in September, with one employee retiring and others transferred to the Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease, with one staff member continuing to focus on tobacco cessation efforts. With DTP dissolved, several programs – including Raze and the peer-to-peer

youth prevention program – came to an end, with other programs offering only limited services.

State funding for tobacco prevention and cessation programming was also reduced in the current fiscal year general revenue budget, from $451,404 in fiscal year 2025 to $305,000 in fiscal year 2026.

In order to bring state tobacco cessation efforts up to full speed, the task force recommended the governor and lawmakers set aside $4.5 million in fiscal year 2027, including $1.5 million for the WV Tobacco Quitline; $1.5 million for youth community programs, such as the CATCH My Breath Program; $1 million for a comprehensive and independent evaluation of tobacco prevention and cessation program efficacy; and $500,000 for expanding the Certified Tobacco Treatment Program.

“Increased vaping rates, especially among WV youth, is of great concern with multiple partner organizations, stakeholders, educators, parents, and medical professionals raising the alarm,” the report’s authors wrote. “Task Force members are encouraged by the collaborative interest that has been generated over the last four years but also recognize efforts are limited by time and decrease in funding. As such, we hope that consideration and approval of the Task Force funding recommendations will be given.”

Dec. 30, 2025, 5:01 a.m. ET

Kadie and Hudson Blevins hang out together at Ashley High School before a track meet.

KEN BLEVINS/STARNEWS

DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. (WAFF/Gray News) – An Alabama community is mourning the loss of a teenager who died due to reported complications from the flu.

Officials with the New Home Baptist Church in Pisgah announced the death of 14-year-old Noah Smothers on Monday. The church said he died after suffering complications related to influenza.

Noah was a freshman at Ider High School, an active member of the youth church group and described as a “kind young man.”

The 14-year-old was being treated at TC Thompson Children’s Hospital.

“It is with deepest regret that we share the passing of one of our beloved students,” Ider High School shared in a social media post. “Noah ‘Smo’ Smothers was an Ider Hornet through and through, exemplifying strength of character and a bright young mind.”

Henegar Junior High School officials also shared a statement on social media, paying tribute to the May graduate.

“He was loved by all who knew him. He had a special way of making everyone laugh and smile. Mischievous, a little shy, and incredibly kind, he left a lasting impression on everyone,” the junior high said. “He leaves behind a legacy of laughter, kindness, and fun.”

Officials from both schools also sent their condolences to the teen’s family and friends, calling his death a heartbreaking loss.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday afternoon at Cornerstone Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow in Liberty Cemetery, according to Noah’s obituary.

Copyright 2025 WAFF via Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Editor,

For nearly 20 years, I’ve watched Westfield struggle to define its modern identity and become a vibrant place for future generations. Until recently, it felt impossible.

But in 2025, Mayor Scott Willis unveiled ambitious redevelopment plans: an expanded Grand Park, downtown mixed-use projects with parking, and “village-like marketplaces” across the city. This vision excites those of us who have long championed growth — especially the roughly 40,000 newcomers who arrived hoping for a thriving community.

In that same period, a small group of longtime residents has resisted every step forward, mourning the loss of the small town they remember. I understand — it’s painful to watch cherished memories fade. That simpler Westfield began disappearing even when we moved here in 2005 and it isn’t coming back.

Today, I believe it’s time to reinvest our personal ties in the inevitable transformation. We don’t have to love every change, but we can try seeing it through the eyes of a young family,

a new restaurant owner, the Parks Department, or a company considering relocation.

Supporting the greater good matters. Consider Grand Park: I don’t know a single youth athlete who isn’t proud to play on world-class fields in the nation’s top youth sports facility. Grand Junction Plaza buzzes with kids and parents enjoying events and vendors most nights. Downtown businesses — many family-friendly — are working hard to build something relevant while supporting their staff.

We’ve lost the old soda shop and the local hardware store, but we’ve gained amenities that only progress brings.

I’m excited for what people will preserve 100 years from now and look forward to strolling downtown with my grandkids, enjoying what growth has made possible. As someone without deep roots elsewhere, I feel blessed to call Westfield home — and I want my kids to have real reasons to stay. #bestfield

Curt Whitesell, Westfield

Game Day Information

Who: Purdue Fort Wayne (8-7, 2-2 Horizon League) vs. Green Bay (6-8, 1-2 Horizon League)

When: Thursday, January 1 | 2 PM ET 

Where: Fort Wayne, Ind. | Memorial Coliseum

Live Stats: Link

Watch: ESPN+

Listen: 1380 AM

Tickets: Link

Game Notes: Purdue Fort Wayne | Green Bay

Know Your Foe

A much improved from last season Green Bay team comes to the Summit City on Thursday. The Phoenix own Division I non-league wins over UMass, Iona and UC Santa Barbara. They won at IU Indy in league play, but have losses to Wright State and Robert Morris. C.J. O’Hara is averaging 12.7 points per game. 

Series History

Purdue Fort Wayne leads 9-2, winning the last nine games. Green Bay’s only two wins came in the 2020-21 regular season when games were played in empty gyms. Even that year, though, the ‘Dons topped Green Bay 89-84 in double overtime in the league’s postseason. That game is best remembered for Jalon Pipkins’ game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer of the first overtime session. 

‘Dons & Ends

// In December, Corey Hadnot II was named to the Lou Henson Award Watch List. The award recognizes the best player in NCAA Mid-Major Division I basketball. The award is given out at the end of the season. 

// The Mastodons have eight games this season with single-digit turnovers, including just two vs. Detroit- Mercy on Dec. 14. 

// Corey Hadnot II is one of only five juniors or seniors in NCAA Division I men’s basketball currently averaging 20 or more points who entered the season never having averaged 10 points in a season. (Cameron Carr, Baylor | Chandler Cuthrell, Elon | MJ Collins, Utah State | Dennis Parker Jr, Radford)

// The win over Notre Dame put the ‘Dons on a four-game win streak. The ‘Dons have now had a winning streak of at least four games in every season since 2009-10 except for one (2017-18). That is 16-of-17 seasons. 

// The top two scoring games in the league this season belong to Corey Hadnot II. He had 33 at Oakland (Dec. 3) and 32 at Western Michigan (Nov. 12). Mikale Stevenson’s 29 against Chicago State (Nov. 25) is the fifth best scoring performance in the league this season. 

// Through four league games, Corey Hadnot II is averaging 21.8 points per game in league play, second best in the league.

// Jon Coffman picked up his 200th career victory on Nov. 15 against Boyce. He is the program’s leader in victories. 

// DeAndre Craig Jr. has scored double-digits 15-of-16 games this season. He has four games of exactly 18 points this year. The only game under 10 points was a seven-point outing vs. Chicago State (Nov. 25). He tied a career high with 22 points vs. Oakland.

// Darius Duffy has 73 rebounds on the season, 40 have been on the offensive glass. 

// Redshirt freshman Ebrahim Kaba has shown early results from beyond the arc, hitting 16-of-43 (38.1 percent) from three.

// DeAndre Craig Jr. has demonstrated an ability to fill up the box score. Not only does he have 10+ points in all but one game this season, he has three games with six or more rebounds, three games with five or more assists and two games with three steals; all while turning the ball over only 16 times in 397 minutes.  

// How good has Corey Hadnot II been this year? 

– Corey Hadnot II is 3rd in the nation with 116 field goals. He has 306 points this season, 2nd in the nation. He is 1st in the league at 20.4 points per game. Hadnot is also 9th in the nation in steals with 36. 

– Hadnot is averaging 20.4 points per game, should he finish at that average, it would rank tie for 5th in Mastodon history for a single season.

– He has the most field goals made (tied, 12 at Oakland) and most field goals attempted (22 at WMU) by a Horizon League player this season.

– He has the third most steals in a game by a Horizon League player this season (6 at Ohio State).

– Through 15 games, Hadnot is on track to score 628 points in the regular season this year. This would rank 7th all time for points scored by a player in a single season in Mastodon history.

– Through 15 games, he is on track to have 73 steals in the regular season this year. This would rank 6th all time for steals by a player in a single season in Mastodon history.

– At 20.4 points per game, Hadnot’s scoring is up this year as is his shooting percentage. He is shooting 55.0 percent from the floor. He shot 44.6 percent last year.

– His field goal percentage has improved each season.

 (Freshman: 40.9 -> Sophomore: 44.6 -> Junior: 55.0)

// In the nation, the ‘Dons are: 

– 19th in steals per game (10.1)

– 9th in turnover margin (5.4)

– 44th in fast break points per game (16.07)

– 36th in turnovers forced per game (15.5)

– 40th in fewest turnovers per game (10.1)

// Weekly alumni spotlight:

– 22 former Mastodons have played professionally in the last 14 years. 

Jalon Pipkins (2021-22) is playing for Gargzdu in Lithuanian. He had 14 points and four assists in a loss to Juventus on Dec. 27. 

// John Konchar to enter Mastodon Hall of Fame

– Former Mastodon John Konchar (2014-19) will be inducted into the Mastodon Hall of Fame on Jan. 31. Konchar, the seven-year NBA veteran with the Memphis Grizzlies, finished his collegiate career as the first student-athlete in NCAA Division I men’s basketball history to record 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 500 assists and 200 steals.

// Drafting notes from the Mastodons’ game at Milwaukee

– Deangelo Elisee tied a career high with four blocks.

– Maximus Nelson tied a career high with three steals. 

// Here come the notes on the win at Notre Dame

– Only four players scored in the contest (Corey Hadnot II, Maximus Nelson, Mikale Stevenson and DeAndre Craig Jr.). It is the first game in the Division I era of the program with only four players scoring in a contest. The previous low was five, which has occurred multiple times. 

– It was the Mastodons’ first win over an ACC opponent.

– It was Purdue Fort Wayne’s fourth win against a major conference foe. The Mastodons beat Indiana in 2016 and 2017 and DePaul in 2023. All four wins have come under head coach Jon Coffman.

– Corey Hadnot II scored 29 points, his sixth game of 25 or more points this season. 

 

~ Feel The Rumble ~

OTHELLO — Outgoing Othello Mayor Shawn Logan said his time in office has reinforced some things he already knew and taught him some new lessons, too.

“Othello has nice people in it. Really good people. And we really are a family-friendly, youth sports, agriculture, largely Hispanic community,” he said. “I got to know my community better. And the other thing that I was learning is that this town has a lot of kids in it.”

Logan was defeated earlier this year in a bid for his fourth term as mayor. He was first elected to the mayor’s job in 2014. Logan said his motivation was to help Othello grow and improve, and that continued to be his focus. The question, he said, was how to do it.

“People want to make an investment in Othello, build homes, make improvements (including) infrastructure improvements. But the thing that we found out was, our water supply was a major obstacle,” Logan said. “This was about 11 years ago. Currently, we rely 100% on water from the Wanapum aquifer, and our static water levels in all our city wells are dropping just like they are in many places in eastern Washington. But what we did is, we developed a long-term strategy to secure Othello’s future.”

The strategy involved finding an alternative source of water that was easy to access.

“We wanted to bring in surface water from the El 68 (irrigation) canal, treat it to Class A drinking water standards and create an aquifer storage and recovery system,” Logan said. “And this put us at the forefront of modern water supply innovation. And so, you know, so we did lots of studies. We took local money from our budget. We received a lot of state and federal investments in it.”

It’s been a long process – Othello is still working on getting the money to design the facility and will need to find money to build it. Logan said there were some lessons in that process.

“That’s (another) thing I learned, it is difficult to finish a project. A lot of people start projects but finishing them is really difficult because it takes a lot of effort. And a lot of people don’t want to put in that kind of effort,” he said.

He cited the project to build the Iron Horse Playground in Lions Park as an example.

“The reality is, is that there are a lot of details. This is a public project. This takes a lot of time, a lot of effort,” Logan said. “You have architects, you have playground experts, you have different contractors, and then you have (the Recreation Conservation Office). They are monitoring your project, and you have to build it according to the grant specifications that you applied for.”

Recreation for children and teens is important to the community, he said, something he heard frequently from Othello residents.

“There were some attempts to do things, but there just never seemed to be anything of substance that was done,” he said.

With some effort, things started to happen, he said. City officials found some opportunities and were able to access them, he said.

“What came together is that we could make improvements. We received money. We fell into certain categories when we applied for state money because of our demographic, and we were able to do some tremendous projects over the last number of years,” Logan said. “The playground and the four court outdoor basketball courts, futsal court, the new baseball playfield and concession stand and announcer stand, the splash park that’s going to be built by this summer. There’s still hope that we might even get the money we had applied for (to build) a playground at Kiwanis Park, and we’re putting basketball courts up there for others to play basketball. And youth soccer. Soccer has overtaken (other sports) as the biggest sports in Othello, both youth and adult.”

Logan said the improvements wouldn’t have been possible without the support of city employees and Othello City Council members.

“I am proud of what we’ve done. I couldn’t have done all this without the people that work with me. And the city council that I’ve had – they are excellent. My department heads are excellent people. They understand government, they understand their role, and it has just been a pleasure to work with people like that,” Logan said.

City employees are willing to ask questions, he said, brainstorm with him when it comes to solving problems – and were willing to work with him when he came up with new projects.

“Really, it’s been a lot of fun to work here. It was fun to come to work every day,” he said. “We had a lot of fun, and we got a lot of work done, because people came here and they wanted to work.”

    Shawn Logan and helpers cut the ribbon at the new Iron Horse Playground in Lions Park in 2024. Logan said one of his areas of focus was expanding activities for young people.
  

    Shawn Logan shakes hands with former Othello Police Chief Dave Rehaume.