Oct. 18, 2005
 
UPLAND NEWS BRIEFS: Drug Testing to Cost in Excess of $40,000 for Mercer Schools; Centennial Fountain Re-Dedicated in Bluefield, WV
 
Compiled By William Paine
Bluefield News Network Writer
 
Mercer County, WV (BNN) -- Officials for the Mercer County School Board estimate that it will cost upwards of $40,000 to begin drug testing high school students who are involved in any form of extra curricular activity. If the new policy goes into effect, students involved in activities ranging from the tennis team to the Glee Club or any student wishing to use the school’s parking lot would be forced to submit a urine sample upon request.
 
If the policy passes, the school nurse would be given the assignment of accompanying students to the restroom and listening for sounds of urination before collecting the specimen. As it’s now written, any student refusing to take part in this drug testing would be prohibited from participating in extra curricular activities. Students who fail the drug tests will be sent to a doctor for examination and must attend at least six sessions with a drug abuse counselor.
 
A second reading of the policy and possibly a vote will take place at the next meeting of the Mercer County Board of Education which will take place at 7 p.m. on Oct. 25, 2005. The public is invited to attend or call the Board of Education with comments.
 
Centennial Fountain, Relocated, Re-Dedicated
 
Bluefield, WV (BNN) -- The Centennial Fountain was first purchased by the city of Bluefield to mark Bluefield West Virginia’s 100th anniversary in 1989. Since 1993, the Fountain has lifted waters in Chickory Square and The Old City Hall but had of late been buried under debris in the city garage. Enter the Men’s Boxwood Garden Club which put forth considerable effort to relocate the Centennial Fountain in a patch of earth at the intersection of Edgewood, Groveland and Mountain View Avenues in South East Bluefield.
 
Former Vice Mayor Bea Paine, who first conceived of the Centennial fountain was on hand for the rededication marking its new home.
 
“People of Bluefield, this is your fountain. Please come often to see it and admire it and come at night because it’s especially pretty at night,” Paine said.