Good morning, Morgantown.

Drop off new or gently used coats Nov.

1 through Nov. 30 at Wilson Martino Dental (Morgantown and other north-central locations), The Smile Defenders (Nutter Fort) and TLC Dental (Clarksburg, Sabraton); donations will go to local Salvation Army units, church teams and shelters for distribution.

Morgantown Ice Theatre held its first Trunk or Twizzle Sunday at the Hope Gas Ice Pavilion, combining a Halloween-themed figure skating exhibition, trunk-or-treat and public skating; about 25 skaters performed as organizers said the event was meant to introduce more kids + families to skating.

WVU will treat the Oct.

30 paycheck as a deduction holiday for 12 month, benefits-eligible employees; benefit deductions won't be withheld, but federal, state, Social Security, Medicare, and retirement deductions will. Employees on shorter contracts will get the deduction holiday on their first and last pay during the contract.

WVU was awarded a $1 million PROSPECT Planning Prize from the U.S. Department of Energy to expand mining engineering and critical minerals programs, funding scholarships, upgraded labs, augmented-reality training, and partnerships + hands-on learning on the Morgantown campus.

WVU launched a Global Sport and Performance Center to connect students and researchers with international sports organizations through education, research, and global partnerships.

WVU faculty and staff will be able to attend the Frontline Professionals meeting from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov.

12 (on Zoom) where Strategic Communications and Marketing leaders will outline new university brand, marketing, communications, and storytelling initiatives.

The Linda Butler Insect Zoo will open for tours and interactive activities from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct.

28 in the Agricultural Sciences Building (Room G110). The free event is open to the public; reserve a time slot or contact Yong-Lak Park at [email protected].

Governor Patrick Morrisey announced today a $1.3 million Rural Health Transformation award to WVU Cancer Institute to replace Morgantown-based Bonnie's Bus (mobile mammography) and expand breast and lung screenings in rural communities.

The project plans up to 168 screening events and service for more than 5,300 patients a year.

Flu cases are rising earlier than usual, with patients showing up at area clinics and the CDC reporting higher-than-normal hospitalization rates for this time of year.

If you get symptoms, seek treatment quickly; antiviral meds work best within (48 hours) and flu shots take about two weeks to protect.

Morgantown High's boys and girls won the Class AAAA North Region cross country titles Saturday in Grafton, while Trinity Christian swept Class A; University junior Micah Gainer and TCS's Jake Stevens and Bri Blake were individual winners.

Morgantown, University, Preston, Clay-Battelle, and Trinity Christian qualified for the state meet, which will be held Saturday morning at Cabell Midland in Ona.

WVU quarterback Michael Hawkins will use the bye week to work on his passing and cut mental errors after a mixed game at TCU, where he rushed for two touchdowns (16 rushing TDs this season), and WVU will resume at No. 13 Texas Tech in the coming weeks.