'Reconnecting McDowell' rescue plan building steam - WVVA TV Bluefield Beckley WV News, Weather and Sports

'Reconnecting McDowell' rescue plan building steam

Posted:

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- A partnership trying to rescue an impoverished West Virginia county and its troubled schools has more than doubled in size.

Lawmakers received an update Monday as the Reconnecting McDowell coalition continues to plan its strategy.

Reconnecting McDowell launched late last year with 40 partners. It now has 87 businesses, labor unions, religious groups, nonprofit foundations and other organizations and individuals.

Progress includes the first new homes built in the county in 20 years. Other partner contributions vary. Music channel VH-1, for instance, has pledged $30,000 for a middle school's band instruments

But lawmakers also learned that rampant prescription drug abuse remains a major challenge. A coalition partner, War Mayor Tom Hatcher, was murdered last week. Police say Hatcher's daughter-in-law and her brother killed him for $1,100 to buy prescription drugs.

Powered by WorldNow
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and WVVA.
All Rights Reserved. For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

Persons with disabilities who need assistance with issues relating to the content of this station's public inspection file should contact Administrative Assistant Audrey Sluss at (304) 324-0659. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, at 888-835-5322 (TTY) or at fccinfo@fcc.gov.