Good morning, Morgantown.

Robert H. Johnson, known as Big Bob, passed peacefully on Monday, Feb.

23 at Mon General Hospital after a short illness. He served as a dedicated volunteer firefighter & ambulance driver and is survived by his daughter, son, and many community family members.

A coalition of parents, educators & business leaders launched a campaign to renew Monongalia County Schools Excess Levy on Thursday evening in downtown Morgantown.

They urged local community support to maintain vital school funding.

Focus Forward: Minds and Machines is a conference with over 500 local leaders and educators that will take place on April 1 at the Morgantown Marriott at Waterfront Place.

Attendees can apply for one of two grants of up to $10,000 to turn ideas into reality.

WVU hosts two dean candidates for the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.

Clayton Thyne will speak Monday, March 2, at 2:15-3:15 p.m. at Mountainlair Gluck Theatre, and Scott Tanona will present on Wednesday, March 4, at 1:30-2:30 p.m. Both events allow in-person and Zoom attendance.

WVU professor Yu Gu uses curiosity to drive robotics innovation in Morgantown — designing robots that range from lightweight autonomous devices to heavier swarm units.

His work with students has led to three wins in the NASA Sample Return Robot Centennial Challenge.

The West Virginia Division of Forestry announced that the spring fire season starts Sunday, Mar.

1 and runs through May with burning allowed only from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Residents must follow strict safety rules + face fines for violations.

WVU Innovation Corporation is being reviewed for a $160 million NSF investment to improve grid resilience and energy innovation in Central Appalachia.

Review is set for March 11, and if approved, the project will pair matching venture capital funds to create over 21,000 jobs + $1 billion in economic impact.

County officials announced that a lane on Meadowbrook Road near the USMC Stephen E.

Drummond Memorial Bridge will close next Monday for road work and remain closed through the summer—drivers are advised to plan alternate routes.

Officials warn that a synthetic opioid—10 times stronger than fentanyl—has been seen in parts of Appalachia and may soon reach Morgantown, prompting health agencies to boost monitoring efforts.

WVU will announce its 72nd Mountaineer mascot during the basketball game against BYU at Hope Coliseum today, choosing one finalist (Reese Allen, Amelia Bolden, Tanner Figgatt or Joel Hershman) to carry the title forward.

On Sunday at 2 p.m., WVU hosts Cincinnati at Hope Coliseum (Senior Day) as five seniors play their final regular season home game.

The Mountaineers aim to share the Big 12 title if Baylor knocks off TCU later.

WVU head coach Ross Hodge is planning a new defense for today’s game at Hope Coliseum at 5:30 p.m. — the team aims to limit BYU star A.J.

Dybantsa after a recent poor defensive showing.

West Virginia Mountaineers vs. UCF Knights

8-10 p.m. — Mountainlair Student Union — Ticket prices vary — Charge or defend? It's Mountaineers vs UCF tonight!