History of West Virginia West Virginia continued well into the 20th century. In 1991, both state legislatures appropriated money for a boundary commission to look into of the border area. In recent years, there has been serious talk about the possibility of certain counties in the Eastern Panhandle rejoining the Commonwealth of Virginia. Frustrated by bad economic conditions and what they perceive to be neglect from the Charleston government, this movement has gained at least some momentum. In 2011, West Virginia state delegate Larry Kump sponsored legislation to allow Morgan, Berkeley, and Jefferson counties to rejoin Virginia by popular vote. The new state benefited
West Virginia State Police Academy West Virginia State Police Academy The West Virginia State Police Academy is a law enforcement training institution, operated by the West Virginia State Police, located in Institute, West Virginia. The academy trains West Virginia troopers for the State Police force and all newly hired municipal, university police officers, sheriff deputies, motor carrier enforcement and conservation officers from across the state. It is the only law enforcement training school in West Virginia. The State Police Academy, founded by (Ret.) Captain Charles Ray, held its first training class in 1953. The school sits on of land. The academy has four 50-seat audiovisual