UP: To news that hiring for work funded through the West Virginia Roads to Prosperity plan will begin next month. The jobs — and the infrastructure improvement — will be a welcome economic injection for the Mountain State.

UP: To a local project, a roundabout at the intersection of West Virginia 14 and 31, near the Williamstown Welcome Center, which will improve safety and enhance traffic flow in the area. “You won’t have all the stopping and starting, which produces more pollution and congestion,” said Rusty Roten, West Virginia Division of Highways District Three engineer. “We looked at this area for a traffic signal and it did not lend itself to that. Based on cost estimates we did, which included the future maintenance and upkeep, this was the best option.”

UP: To efforts such as the one at Martin Elementary School that encourage and reward student attendance. Wood County Board of Education member Ron Tice and Principal Julie Gibson have developed a program in which students are encouraged not only to come to school on time, but to stay a full day. Those who do are entered each week into a drawing for prizes. “I think it has definitely helped with the students,” Gibson said. “I’ve seen them asking about missing school. We’ve also had problems with early pick-ups, and we’ve had students ask parents to stay so they can still have that perfect attendance. So I think it has put some positive pressure on the parents as well.”