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SHELBYVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office recently obtained a pair of arrest warrants for two people suspected of burglary.
Deputies had previously identified Nick Wilson as a suspect in a burglary that happened in April. Now, thanks to the community, deputies identified Jeffery Pettyjohn as the other suspect.
Both are said to live in Decatur, with Mt. Zion listed as another possible city of residence for Wilson.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of these men are asked to contact their local police department or Crime Stoppers. Tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers by calling 800-528-8477 or visiting their website. Tips that lead to an arrest can be rewarded with up to $1000 in cash. | 2022-05-26T00:28:19Z | www.wcia.com | Arrest warrants issued for burglary suspects | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/arrest-warrants-issued-for-burglary-suspects/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/arrest-warrants-issued-for-burglary-suspects/ |
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The Illinois Department of Health said on Wednesday that it is now aware of nine potential cases of hepatitis in Illinois children under the age of 10, up from three in April.
The cases date back to January; five were detected in northern Illinois, two in western Illinois and one each in central and southern Illinois. All of these patients were hospitalized and one needed a liver transplant. No deaths have been reported.
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, with symptoms including fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, light-colored stools, joint pain, and jaundice. Cases nationwide – there have been 180 of them – appear to be linked with adenovirus type 41, a common virus that typically causes cold- or flu-like symptoms and can spread from person to person. Two-thirds of patients in Illinois have tested positive for adenovirus.
The CDC believes adenovirus is the cause for the cases, but investigators are still trying to learn more, including ruling out other possible causes and identifying other contributing factors. IDPH is working with Illinois healthcare providers to identify other suspected cases in the state and is working with local health departments to collect and send available specimens to the CDC for further laboratory testing to look more closely at the virus genome and other potential pathogens.
The CDC is encouraging parents and caregivers to be aware of the symptoms of hepatitis and to contact their healthcare provider with any concerns. The CDC is also recommending that children be up to date on all their vaccinations and that parents and caregivers take the same everyday preemptive actions it recommends for everyone: washing hands, avoiding people who are sick, covering coughs and sneezes and avoiding touching the eyes, moth or nose. | 2022-05-26T00:29:19Z | www.wcia.com | IDPH releases update on child hepatitis cases in Illinois | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/state-news/idph-releases-update-on-child-hepatitis-cases-in-illinois/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/state-news/idph-releases-update-on-child-hepatitis-cases-in-illinois/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Construction crews will be closing an intersection in a Champaign residential neighborhood this week in order to replace a water main and reconstruct the pavement.
A and R Services will be closing the intersection of Princeton Drive and Western Avenue at 7 a.m. on Thursday, weather permitting. Work will continue until 5 p.m. on Friday, at which point the intersection will reopen.
Drivers in the area are advised to pay close attention to construction signs, traffic control devices and marked detours. They are also asked not to park on the street near the intersection or in areas that are marked “No Parking.” | 2022-05-26T00:29:25Z | www.wcia.com | Champaign intersection closing for water main replacement | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/traffic/champaign-intersection-closing-for-water-main-replacement/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/traffic/champaign-intersection-closing-for-water-main-replacement/ |
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Cunningham Children’s Home is getting a nearly $500,000 grant for its job training and economic development programs.
The grant will help provide the necessary training for people to get and keep a job through apprenticeships and work-based learning. The program is for people who are either in another program with Cunningham Children’s Home or part of their CIRCLE Academy.
Director of Advancement Ginger Mills said the grant will help kids take the next step in life.
“Our mission is to see that all children thrive,” Mills said. “Once youth leave Cunningham, we want them to be successful. We want them to be able to thrive in employment. We want them to be able to be independent.”
The program will help up to 40 people and the goal is for businesses to take participants in an employees after the program is over.
Another part of the grant will help other people who may only need help getting a certification. | 2022-05-26T04:40:38Z | www.wcia.com | Urbana program uses grant to help teens enter workforce | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/urbana-program-uses-grant-to-help-teens-enter-workforce/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/urbana-program-uses-grant-to-help-teens-enter-workforce/ |
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — As she prepares to compete for the title of Miss Illinois in early June, Darlene Steinkamp, a registered nurse in one of Springfield Memorial Hospital’s intensive care units, wants you to know it is OK not to be OK.
Steinkamp has faced more than her share of pressure and anguish in her 25 years – a broken home, a high school breakdown and overwhelming on-the-job stress during the pandemic. When she was 17 years old, she was diagnosed with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.
Steinkamp has been using her platform to speak out about the dangers of mental health stigma, which can keep people from seeking help when they experience a mental health crisis. Steinkamp has benefited from therapy, and she wants others to know it is all right to seek help.
“I want to help people understand that the struggles they face are OK to feel,” Steinkamp said. “It does not make you less of a person to feel. It makes you human.”
Steinkamp, who lives in Chatham, is among more than two dozen women who will seek to be crowned Miss Illinois from June 8-11 at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center in southern Illinois. She was named Miss Capital City last October.
Serving as a nurse “has been heartbreaking and grueling, but I learned I can do my job and do it well,” she said.
Steinkamp is a charge nurse in the trauma and burn intensive care unit, part of the nonprofit hospital’s Memorial Burn Care. She began her career in an intermediate care unit at the hospital in 2019, starting just ahead of the global COVID-19 pandemic that pushed many frontline health care workers to the brink. Steinkamp was among those who struggled with the intense emotions surrounding the suffering and loss that she witnessed in her unit.
“I fought a battle for so long in silence,” said Steinkamp, who struggled to get out of bed and experienced unusual irritability and bouts of crying during the height of the pandemic. “I thought admitting that I was struggling mentally would make people look at me like I was weak and could not handle tough situations. But the opposite is true. My battle with mental illness makes me who I am. It makes me an empathetic nurse.”
Steinkamp was persuaded by her nurse manager to talk openly about the mental and emotional struggles that she was experiencing.
“He told me ‘It is OK not to be OK,’ and that really clicked in my head,” she said.
“Nursing is a tough job,” said Tadd Schroeder, Steinkamp’s supervisor and nurse manager of the intensive care unit for trauma and burn patients at Springfield Memorial Hospital, “yet Darlene is very level-headed and helps keep an even keel on our unit.”
Steinkamp was not sure what she wanted to do when she entered college, but she quickly discovered nursing was her passion.
“I knew I liked helping people,” she said. “During nursing school, I fell in love with being an advocate for others. Within my first semester of nursing school, I knew I had chosen the right career.” | 2022-05-26T15:25:44Z | www.wcia.com | Nurse strives for Miss Illinois title, seeks end to mental health stigma | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/nurse-strives-for-miss-illinois-title-seeks-end-to-mental-health-stigma/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/nurse-strives-for-miss-illinois-title-seeks-end-to-mental-health-stigma/ |
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — A man is dead after he was hit by a car Wednesday night.
It happened near Park Street and Cunningham Avenue shortly before 9 p.m.
Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup said 50-year-old Christopher Bowen was crossing the street at the time. Bowen was pronounced dead at the hospital.
According to police officers, the driver of the vehicle involved, a 27-year-old, Urbana woman was cited for operation of an uninsured motor vehicle for failing to provide valid insurance at the time of the crash. She submitted to chemical testing and was released.
Anyone who has additional information about the incident is encouraged to call Urbana Police at 217-384-2320. Arrangements can be made for information to be shared privately. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may also submit tips to Crime Stoppers by phone at 217-373-8477 (TIPS), online at 373tips.com or the “P3 Tips” mobile app.
Information submitted to Crime Stoppers is completely anonymous. Calls are routed to a third-party national call center that receives your information, completes a tips information form and then passes the information to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Caller ID tracking is not utilized by Crime Stoppers and conversations are not recorded. Crime Stoppers will pay cash rewards of $5,000 for tips that lead to an arrest in any homicide case, $2,500 for tips leading to an arrest in a felony crime involving a firearm and up to $1,000 for tips leading to the arrest of the person(s) responsible for any other crime.
The coroner’s office and Urbana Police Department are investigating the incident. | 2022-05-26T15:25:50Z | www.wcia.com | Coroner: Pedestrian dies after being hit by car in Urbana | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/pedestrian-dies-after-being-hit-by-car/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/pedestrian-dies-after-being-hit-by-car/ |
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The Millikin University Board of Trustees recently approved construction plans for a new campus facility to support student-athletes at Millikin University.
Construction is scheduled to begin in 2023 once funding has been secured.
According to officials, the estimated $6.7 million building will be located at the current site of the Old Gym on Millikin University’s campus, which will be razed to allow for new construction. The 10,870 square foot facility will include:
A weight room/performance center
Locker rooms to accommodate football, and men’s and women’s track and field
A training room and a team meeting room for multi-purpose use
Officials said the new athletic facility will feature 120 lockers and the ability to convert into two separate locker rooms with 60-locker spaces. This project serves as the first phase of Millikin University’s Athletic Facilities Expansion and Renovation capital initiative.
“This initiative continues Millikin’s forward-thinking momentum and adds to the outstanding physical transformation we have seen on campus over the last few years, including the Workman Family Baseball Field and the Center for Theatre & Dance,” said Millikin President Dr. Jim Reynolds. “Millikin Athletics programs serve as a great source of pride for the University, the surrounding communities and beyond. The support we have seen from alumni and friends of the University for this initiative not only shapes the future of Millikin Athletics but will also benefit the University’s enrollment efforts and the entire community.”
Millikin Director of Athletics Dr. Craig White stated, “There is no doubt that additional locker room space is needed for our athletic programs to continue to grow and thrive. The construction of this new facility will solve several existing issues while also allowing Millikin to host College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) and NCAA competitions.”
The new athletic facility will alleviate congestion in the Griswold Physical Education Center while meeting the needs of Big Blue football and men’s and women’s track and field teams.
“Facilities are an important part of Division III athletics. Competing on an athletic team is a passion for many students in higher education throughout the country,” said White. “Millikin is fortunate to be a part of one of the most respected Division III conferences in the country with membership in the CCIW. The improvements to athletic facilities will allow Millikin Athletics to experience facilities equal to that of other members in this great conference, which will be more attractive to both incoming and current students and ultimately lead to more success on the field and in the classroom.”
This project is made possible from paid gift funds, including a generous leading gift from David and Debbie Rathje. To date, $3.7 million has been committed to the $6.7 million project.
“We very much believe in giving back to your community, which is one of the reasons why we chose to support this building project,” Rathje said. “As someone that was born and raised in Decatur, we want to see the community and Millikin University thrive. We believe that the addition of on-campus athletic facilities aids in the recruitment of student-athletes and also increases the enjoyment of campus life for all students.” | 2022-05-26T17:01:15Z | www.wcia.com | Millikin University plans $6.7 million facility for athletes | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/millikin-university-plans-6-7-million-facility-for-athletes/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/millikin-university-plans-6-7-million-facility-for-athletes/ |
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — With Memorial Day marking the “unofficial” start of summer, HSHS St. John’s Hospital is encouraging sun safety awareness and reminding everyone to protect their skin while enjoying the outdoors.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage skin in as little as 15 minutes.
Following guidance from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and the CDC, HSHS St. John’s Hospital offers the following answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the use of sunscreen.
Who should wear sunscreen?
Everyone older than six months of age who will be spending any time outside. Children younger than six months old should not be exposed to the sun’s rays for any length of time.
Do I only need to put on sunscreen when it is sunny outside?
You should apply sunscreen every day if you will be outside. The sun emits UV rays year-round, and even on cloudy days up to 80% of the sun’s harmful UV rays can penetrate your skin.
What are ultraviolet-A (UVA) and ultraviolet-B (UVB) rays, and which are more harmful?
The sun’s UVB rays are the most harmful to skin, contributing to skin cancer and premature aging. All sunscreens contain protection against UVB rays, but not all provide protection from damaging UVA rays.
What sunscreen should I use?
To protect your skin from sunburn, early skin aging and skin cancer, everyone should use sunscreen that offers:
Broad-spectrum protection that protects against sunlight’s ultraviolet A- and B-rays (UVA and UVB)
Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 30 or higher
Water-resistant (effective for up to 40 minutes in water) or very water-resistant (effective for up to 80 minutes in water). Reapply after getting out of the water or sweating
Is a higher SPF sunscreen better than a lower SPF sunscreen?
Dermatologists recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, which blocks 97% of the sun’s UVB rays. Higher-number SPFs block slightly more of the sun’s UVB rays, but no sunscreen can block 100% of the sun’s UVB rays. A higher-number SPF does not mean you can spend additional time outdoors without reapplying.
How much sunscreen should I use and how often should I apply it?
The AAD recommends that you apply enough sunscreen to cover all skin that clothing will not cover. Don’t forget to:
Apply to the tops of your feet, your neck, your ears and the top of your head
Apply to dry skin 15 minutes before going outdoors
Protect your lips by applying a lip balm or lipstick that contains sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher
Reapply sunscreen approximately every two hours, or after swimming, sweating or toweling off
Does sunscreen expire?
Yes. If you find a bottle of sunscreen that you have not used for some time, here are the AAD guidelines:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that all sunscreens retain their original strength for at least three years
If the expiration date has passed, throw the sunscreen out
If you buy a sunscreen that does not have an expiration date, write the purchase date on the bottle
Look for visible signs the sunscreen may no longer be effective – discoloration or change in the product’s consistency
You can also protect yourself from the sun’s rays by limiting time in direct sunlight, using an umbrella for shade, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and wearing long sleeves and pants.
Apply face sunscreen 30 minutes before you go outside and make sure to reapply every 2 hours after swimming or excessive sweating. | 2022-05-26T18:37:48Z | www.wcia.com | Tips to prevent damage from harmful UV rays | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/tips-to-prevent-damage-from-harmful-uv-rays/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/tips-to-prevent-damage-from-harmful-uv-rays/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Drivers on the University of Illinois campus will need to adjust their routes next week to avoid a section of Chalmers Street that is closing for repairs.
Chalmers will close between Fifth and Sixth Streets on Tuesday in order to allow for pavement failures to be repaired. This closure is expected to last for five days, weather permitting.
Drivers are asked not to park on the street near the construction site or in areas that are marked “No Parking.” | 2022-05-26T21:49:01Z | www.wcia.com | Street on U of I campus closing for repairs | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/traffic/street-on-u-of-i-campus-closing-for-repairs/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/traffic/street-on-u-of-i-campus-closing-for-repairs/ |
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Urbana School District #116 will be offering free meals to children and teens under the age of 18 this summer at its schools located throughout the city.
Meal service begins on June 6 at the following locations and at the listed times of day:
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School
Breakfast between 8:50 and 9:05 a.m.
Lunch between 12:05 and 12:25 p.m.
Leal Elementary School
Lunch between 12:45 and 1:30 p.m.
Dr. Preston L. Williams Jr. Elementary School
Breakfast between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m.
Wiley Elementary School
Yankee Ridge Elementary School
Urbana Middle School
Meals will be served at these locations Mondays through Thursdays between June 6 and June 30. No meals will be served on June 20.
Urbana High School will also start serving meals on June 6, but will continue past June 30 and up to July 14. Breakfast will be served Mondays through Thursdays between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. and lunch will be served on the same days between 12:00 and 12:30 p.m. No meals will be served on July 4.
Leal Elementary will serve meals again the entire week of July 11, with breakfast being served between 9:00 and 9:30 a.m. and lunch being served between 12:10 and 12:50 p.m.
All meals must be consumed onsite. | 2022-05-26T21:49:06Z | www.wcia.com | Urbana Schools offering free summer meals for kids | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/urbana-schools-offering-free-summer-meals-for-kids/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/urbana-schools-offering-free-summer-meals-for-kids/ |
Mamma Mia! and Pinkalicious coming to The Little Theatre on the Square
Sullivan, Ill. (WCIA)
The only Actors’ Equity Association (the union of Actors and stage managers) affiliated theatre between Chicago and St. Louis is celebrating 65 years.
Mamma Mia! – June 2-19
Pinkalicious – June 10, 11, 14, 16-18
The Little Theatre On The Square
16 E. Harrison St.
Sullivan, IL 61951 | 2022-05-26T23:20:28Z | www.wcia.com | Mamma Mia! and Pinkalicious coming to The Little Theatre on the Square | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/ciliving-tv/mamma-mia-and-pinkalicious-coming-to-the-little-theatre-on-the-square/ | https://www.wcia.com/ciliving-tv/mamma-mia-and-pinkalicious-coming-to-the-little-theatre-on-the-square/ |
Arts and Gardens Ready for Summer at Newfields
By Marcia Frost
A lot of the buzz around Newfields in Indianapolis this year has been around the Van Gogh Immersive Exhibition, but that was just the beginning of a special time at this one-of-a-kind cultural destination.
From Museum to Campus
The last time I visited, this location was called the Indianapolis Museum of Art. It was fitting for the museum building, but the property housed so much more, including the Madeline F. Elder Greenhouse, the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park, and the Old Fields Lily House. It’s from the latter that Newfields was decided as the name for the entire campus.
Seasonal programs have always been a staple here, with Winter Lights at the Lily House, Harvest, and Spring Blooms, which leads to the time of year when the grounds are filled with visitors enjoying the 100-acre nature park and a visit for the entire day and into the night. Programs keep children and adults busy and movie nights allow the entire family to get together for a night under the stars.
The world-renowned exhibits were not lost in the rebranding of the museum. We wondered through the Egyptian Art, Interior Design, Indiana artists, and galleries that included interactive activities, such as the Design Lab.
We also heard about all the exciting things to come in the next few months, the most notable a Stephen Sprouse Fashion & Art Exhibit. Tours, including those for the visually impaired, are available daily for those who wish to learn about the latest collections.
Van Gogh at The Lume
Everyone who had seen it told me how wonderful Van Gogh at The Lume was, but no one told me exactly why. They all just said “you must experience it.” I think that was the point. It wasn’t a matter of looking at art, it was a matter of experiencing it.
There is still one more week left to see the Van Gogh exhibit, but it’s not the end of The Lume. Starting July 3rd, another immersive exhibition will be making Newfields its home through May 23, 2023. It will be another opportunity to experience art and those who create it in an exciting and unusual way.
Monet & Friends Alive will include Impressionism in 19th Century Paris. In addition to the art and story of Claude Monet, works by Paul Cezanne, Camille Pissarro, Edgar Degas, and more will be featured.
Eat & Imbibe
In addition to the Grab & Gogh and Café Terrace 1888 in The Lume (which will be rebranded to match the new exhibit), you’ll find plenty of food and drink to enjoy at Newfields.
The Café in the museum is anything but your usual cafeteria. There is a full coffee bar, as well as wine and beer. The menu includes sandwiches, salad and soups with unusual offerings such as an Open-Faced Spinach Artichoke Melt on sourdough, and a Shrimp Bahn Mi on a French Baguette. Desserts include freshly made chocolate chip cookies and specialty cheesecakes.
The Beer Garden started as an experiment and became so popular it was expanded to a permanent outlet for this spring and summer season. The patio location includes beer and wine on tap, with interesting flights from rare imports. There is food grown in the garden and everything is presented with sustainability in mind.
Parking at Newfields is free of charge. For more information on programs and admission, visit their website.
Be sure to Like Midwest Travel with Marcia Frost on Facebook for more travel ideas, follow @Spiritstraveler on Instagram or Twitter, and read travel stories at my Wine And Spirits Travel blog.
Sundara photos by Joseph Leute. | 2022-05-26T23:20:34Z | www.wcia.com | Plan a trip this summer to Newfields | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/ciliving-tv/plan-a-trip-this-summer-to-newfields/ | https://www.wcia.com/ciliving-tv/plan-a-trip-this-summer-to-newfields/ |
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — Aqua Illinois and the Lake Vermilion Water Quality Coalition’s annual “Lake Vermilion Clean-Up Day” is set to take place this Friday.
An Aqua Illinois spokesperson said that, over the past few years, the annual event has helped to enhance the natural beauty and overall cleanliness of the lake and that it is the company’s mission to keep it in a state of natural beauty. The event will focus on collecting debris from in and around the lake and along the lakeshore.
People who live along the lake and would like to see debris removed from their shoreline should have the debris visibly bagged, boxed or neatly piled for removal.
Anyone or any organization wishing to volunteer their services for this event should contact David Cronk, Aqua Illinois Plant Manager, at 217-442-8541 ext. 58123. Participants will meet at the Vermilion County Conservation District’s boat-trailer parking lot no later than 8 a.m. on Friday; they should wear clothing appropriate for the job with gloves provided by event staff.
Donuts and refreshments will be served before the event begins with lunch being served upon completion of the event at noon. | 2022-05-26T23:20:56Z | www.wcia.com | Annual Lake Vermilion clean-up event scheduled for Friday | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/annual-lake-vermilion-clean-up-event-scheduled-for-friday/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/annual-lake-vermilion-clean-up-event-scheduled-for-friday/ |
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA)– The tallest building in Vermilion County now belongs to the City of Danville per a judge’s order Thursday morning, moving the 100-year-old Collins “Bresee” Tower one step closer to a proposed demolition.
Previous owners Chris and Jeri Collins plan to appeal the order, insisting there’s an investor-backed plan to refurbish the 12-story structure. Danville Mayor Rickey Williams Jr. said “no one has ever come through with a viable plan” and he’s ready to spend the millions necessary to tear it down.
The building at the corner of Vermilion and Main Streets in downtown Danville was constructed for First National Bank in 1918 and remains on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s been vacant for more than 15 years and its terra cotta façade started to deteriorate in the last decade posing concern that pieces could separate from the building and fall. The city put up a wide-perimeter wire fence three years ago to mitigate any harm to pedestrians and motorists, blocking a lane on Main Street in the process.
A condemned sign is tacked to the door these days and the building is inaccessible to the public and even the Collins who owned the building up until around 9 a.m. Thursday morning.
The Collinses live in Columbia, Missouri but “Danville is my hometown,” Chris Collins said. “My family has been here since the 1840s.”
The building was renamed for the couple when they purchased it in 2018.
“This building is going to be back to its former glory. And we are going to change the entire face of downtown Danville,” Collins said directly following the judicial deed hearing brought forth by a petition from the city.
Despite the owner’s verbal commitment, Vermilion County Judge Derek Girton declared the tower abandoned in February giving the owners about a month to come up with a plan to reconstruct or tear down the building. Judge Girton said that never happened before ordering the deed be transferred to the city.
“We are definitely going to win on the appeal,” Collins asserted confidently.
He represented himself in court Thursday citing an inability to afford ongoing attorney fees. He assured reporters the lawyer who previously handled his case — Neal Smith of Robbins Schwartz law firm headquartered in Chicago — would be back for the appeal.
In an argument that Smith provided Collins ahead of Thursday’s hearing, he argued the building did not meet the legal requirements necessary for the property to be deemed abandoned, citing the fact that the property has not been tax delinquent for two or more years, nor have bills for water service for the property been outstanding for two or more years, “but the judge declared the property abandoned anyway.”
Girton dismissed the argument as moot given the abandonment order was entered months ago and the hearing at hand was over the deed. He did make the latter order appealable at Collins’s request.
“In the interim, as I said, we are making sure that we secure the building, and we are doing everything that we can to be prepared when we’re fully authorized to demolish the building,” said Danville Mayor Rickey Williams Jr.
An appraisal referenced in February court documents shows the city will have to fork over about $8 to $11 million to get the job done.
Collins said he still has plans to transform the building into a “1920s-themed hotel” first discussed years ago. The former owner estimated the price tag of the renovation to be in the neighborhood of $5 million, although there was no formal proposal available. Collins said he’s “absolutely” confident investors would cover the cost.
Renderings provided by Chris Collins
“We actually have somebody ready to go. We have one of the largest construction companies,” he claimed.
“I want to be very, very clear: There are not investors, there is no money to secure this building,” the mayor said when asked why the city would rather spend money to tear the historic building down rather than invest in keeping it.
“I have met with probably six potential investors, I couldn’t tell you. I’ve talked to, there’s probably a dozen or more on the phone over the years,” Williams continued. “No one has ever had the financial resources, nor has anyone ever given me an actual plan with a timeline with any kind of architectural drawings.”
Non-profit Landmarks Illinois put the building on its 2012 list of most endangered historic places in the state meaning, “we believe it has historic significance and there is a solution to solve what made it endangered in the first place,” said Quinn Adamowski, the regional advocacy manager for the non-profit’s Springfield-based office.
Adamowski said at least two investors have expressed interest in the tower in years past, one seriously, and another inquired with the non-profit in the last week. Nothing formal has been put to paper at any point as far as Adamowski could tell.
“There is no possibility for this to be reimagined at this point,” Williams said when asked if there’s any world where redevelopment conversations continue.
Adamowski said Bresee Tower “deserves a hearing in the developer world” and it “doesn’t make economic sense” to tear it down.
The mayor said the city “hopes to save some items of historical significance,” including a beloved clock and the chandeliers still inside the building.
Williams said there are no plans at this point for the empty lot that would be left after the proposed demolition.
Collins said he plans to approach city council with a proposal for reconstruction in the coming weeks. | 2022-05-27T02:23:16Z | www.wcia.com | Ownership of historic Bresee Tower transferred to City after years-long lawsuit, former owner plans to appeal | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/ownership-of-historic-bresee-tower-transferred-to-city-after-years-long-lawsuit-former-owner-plans-to-appeal/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/ownership-of-historic-bresee-tower-transferred-to-city-after-years-long-lawsuit-former-owner-plans-to-appeal/ |
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — The CDC said on Thursday that 44 of Illinois 102 counties are now at a medium or high community risk level for COVID-19 transmission, according to its latest map of the country.
This number is up from the 23 the CDC listed on May 16. Several counties listed on that date have also been upgraded from a medium level to a high level of transmission.
58 Illinois counties are still listed as having a low transmission level, including Iroquois, Vermilion, Piatt, Moultrie, Douglas, Coles, Effingham, Cumberland, Shelby and Christian Counties. People living in these counties are advised to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and get tested if they have symptoms.
30 counties are listed in the medium level, including Edgar, Champaign, Ford, McLean, DeWitt, Macon, Logan, Menard and Sangamon Counties. People living in these counties who are at high risk for severe illness are advised to talk to their healthcare provider about whether they need to wear a mask and take other precautions, in addition to taking the recommended actions for the low-level classification.
14 counties are listed in the high level; all of these counties are clustered around Chicago and around Peoria. People in these counties are advised to wear a mask indoors and take the recommended actions for medium- and low-level classifications.
A rendering of coronavirus via the CDC. | 2022-05-27T02:23:28Z | www.wcia.com | CDC updates county COVID-19 transmission levels | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/state-news/cdc-updates-county-covid-19-transmission-levels/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/state-news/cdc-updates-county-covid-19-transmission-levels/ |
TUSCOLA (WCIA) — Alyssa Williams is the WCIA 3 Athlete of the Week after taking home four state championship medals at the Class 1A track and field meet last weekend. Williams defended her state titles in the 100 and 200-meter dashes, adding a 4×200 meter relay gold, to go along with a third place showing in the long jump. It all added up to Tuscola’s first team state championship in program history, capping an illustrious career for Williams, who is heading to Murray State on a track scholarship.
“I would like to think that I left a legacy that if you put in hard work, it will pay off in the end,” Williams said. “Honestly, it really hasn’t sunk in. A little bit at the awards ceremony, coach started crying during his speech and it almost felt real but coming to school and realizing this is my last day, it really hasn’t registered with me yet, I’m still very much on cloud nine right now.”
Williams is now eligible for a $500 scholarship we’ll give to one boy and one girl this summer. If you know a deserving high school student who should be our next weekly winner, fill out the nomination form here: https://www.wcia.com/athlete-of-the-week/#// | 2022-05-27T02:23:41Z | www.wcia.com | Williams wins Athlete of the Week | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/local-sports/williams-wins-athlete-of-the-week/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/local-sports/williams-wins-athlete-of-the-week/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Emergency service agencies in Champaign County are looking to add to their ranks.
Several police and fire departments and other first responder groups will be hosting a recruitment fair on Saturday, July 9 at Parkland College. The fair will take place between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Champaign County Sheriff Dustin Heuerman said its not just a law enforcement career fair, saying “We had this idea to come together. Not only so we’re recruiting for each of our agencies, but so we’re recruiting as a whole as Champaign County first responders.”
Open positions include firefighters, police officers, paramedics, dispatchers and several others. The event is free for anyone to be there and speak with representatives of these emergency services. | 2022-05-27T03:54:45Z | www.wcia.com | Champaign Co. first responders to host career, recruitment fair | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/champaign-co-first-responders-to-host-career-recruitment-fair/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/champaign-co-first-responders-to-host-career-recruitment-fair/ |
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The Sangamon Mass Transit District’s Board of Trustees approved on Monday a plan to integrate zero-emission busses into its fleet to replace the fleet’s aging diesel busses.
The SMTD currently operates 34 diesel-fueled busses and 22 compressed natural gas busses. The plan calls for the gradual replacement of diesel busses with hybrids and then the introduction of busses powered by hydrogen fuel cells.
“Since adding compressed natural gas buses to our fleet in the mid-90s, SMTD has been a leader in Illinois in running low-emissions buses,” said SMTD Managing Director Steve Schoeffel. “With 40 percent of our fleet CNG, we’re moving to change out our diesel fleet with diesel-electric hybrids, making our fleet fully low-emissions in the next ten years.”
For redundancy, the SMTD plans to always use at least two different types of fuel in the event a disaster or emergency eliminates one fuel source. The district said that unless a good alternative for CNG emerges, a portion of the fleet will remain fueled by GNG well into the future.
“We’re still planning studies to determine our next alternative fuel, but early research shows hydrogen fuel cell buses (HFCB) may be a better fit for our fleet, our operations, and our local climate,” Schoeffel said. “Any alternative fuel vehicle we decide to go with will be more expensive than diesel or CNG buses, and they will require fueling infrastructure. Right now, we’re leaning toward HFCBs, and we should be able to come to a more concrete decision in the next few years.”
The SMTD said that cost estimates for HFCBs exceed more than $1 million per vehicle, nearby double the current cost of a diesel vehicle. However, the district believes the reduced impact on the environment in local neighborhoods will be a benefit. The high cost is also why the district is moving in a “measured, deliberate manner.”
“We anticipate growing service needs and higher operational costs in the future, so we want to avoid saddling our successors with an unsustainable fleet replacement plan,” Schoeffel said. These decisions are quarter-century or longer decisions, and we will be as efficient as we possibly can be with the tax dollars we are responsible for.”
Much of the funding for the fleet’s transition is expected to come from federal grant funds. | 2022-05-27T03:54:48Z | www.wcia.com | SMTD approves plan for reduced-emission fleet | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/smtd-approves-plan-for-reduced-emission-fleet/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/smtd-approves-plan-for-reduced-emission-fleet/ |
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Springfield drivers had the opportunity to take advantage of cheaper gas on Thursday when a local station lowered the price of of gas more than $2 per gallon.
The line of cars stretched around the block and for several football field lengths away from the Moto Mart located at 610 South Grand Avenue. The group Americans for Prosperity paid to reduce the price from $4.69 per gallon to $2.38 per gallon. $2.38 because that was the national average cost of a gallon of gas on the day President Biden took office.
People we talked to at the pump said the money they saved was a nice bit of relief.
“Oh, my God. It’s a huge difference,” Sherry Jefferson of Springfield said. “I mean, gas is at $2.38. It’s like it was almost 30 years ago. And that’s a big, huge difference on the pocketbook.”
The rise in price gasses can be attributed to a number of things, largely the Russian invasion of Ukraine. But the political motives behind this effort did not deter the people of Springfield from coming out and capitalizing on this opportunity to save some money before Memorial Day. | 2022-05-27T03:54:48Z | www.wcia.com | Springfield drivers take advantage of reduced gas price | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/springfield-drivers-take-advantage-of-reduced-gas-price/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/springfield-drivers-take-advantage-of-reduced-gas-price/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The City of Champaign introduced its new Neighborhood Ambassadors team on Thursday at its first block party of the year.
The program aims to connect the citizens with city officials and programs that can help the community thrive.
“We’re building relationships. The thing that we really want to focus on this time around is we want to focus on follow-ups,” said Neighborhood Ambassador Supervisor Jacqueline Kalipeni. “We want to make sure that what we’re promising, we’re delivering and that the residents asking for those promises are understanding that we are working our hardest to get those things done for them.”
Kalipeni said the team plans to achieve that goal by partnering with the Champaign Police Department.
“We are going to be continually communicating with the police department on issues that are around the city of Champaign,” Kalipeni said.
She also said they plan to help the community by making sure everything is up to code.
“We’re also working with the code compliance team at the City of Champaign to see how we can be of better service,” Kalipeni said. “We want to make sure neighborhoods like country brook has all their lights on in the parking lot.”
She encouraged people to walk up and have a conversation with an ambassador if they see them in their bright orange uniforms. | 2022-05-27T05:26:14Z | www.wcia.com | Champaign holds first block party at Country Brook | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/champaign-holds-first-block-party-at-country-brook/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/champaign-holds-first-block-party-at-country-brook/ |
CHRISTIAN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — A 22-year-old man was recently sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to shooting a minor.
Christian County State’s Attorney Wes Poggenpohl announced Thursday that Jacob R. Mariacher was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Mariacher pleaded guilty to the Class X offense of aggravated battery with a firearm on April 8. The charge stemmed from an incident that happened near 200 North Road and 2350 East Road in Pana in 2021. Mariacher shot a minor in the face and the bullet struck the victim just about the corner of the mouth and traveled along the jaw where it became lodged, according to officials.
Mariacher must serve 85% of his sentence. | 2022-05-27T18:22:03Z | www.wcia.com | Man sentenced to prison for shooting a minor in face | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/man-sentenced-to-prison-for-shooting-a-minor-in-face/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/man-sentenced-to-prison-for-shooting-a-minor-in-face/ |
CHRISTIAN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — A 33-year-old man was recently sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to two counts of aggravated battery to a police officer.
Officials said Michael Emery of Taylorville was sentenced to seven years in prison. The charges stemmed from an incident on April 19 where Emery bit two Taylorville officers while they were placing him under arrest.
Christian County State’s Attorney Poggenpohl stated, “The safety of officers is a priority of this office, and any defendant who makes an officer’s job more dangerous by resisting, fighting or fleeing will be looking at harsher penalties and additional charges for their actions.”
The defendant requested and was ordered to complete substance abuse treatment while incarcerated. | 2022-05-27T20:30:57Z | www.wcia.com | Taylorville man sentenced to prison for hurting police | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/taylorville-man-sentenced-to-prison-for-hurting-police-officer/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/taylorville-man-sentenced-to-prison-for-hurting-police-officer/ |
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Springfield School District 186 received a message about a possible threat to Jefferson Middle School on Friday.
According to officials, just before 2 p.m., the district received a message from a community member who overheard anonymous sources talking about a possible threat to Jefferson Middle School at the end of the school day.
Officials stated, “No specific details were provided but we take all threats seriously.”
They said the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office was notified and immediately dispatched to the school. District staff also reported to the school to establish the safety of all students and staff.
Students at Jefferson Middle School were dismissed in an orderly and smooth dismissal with no incident.
Out of an abundance of caution, several Sheriff’s cars were in the area and remained present until all students were dismissed and staff could leave the building safely.
Photo courtesy: Facebook page of Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office. | 2022-05-27T23:06:01Z | www.wcia.com | School officials: Possible threat at middle school in Springfield | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/school-officials-possible-threat-at-middle-school-in-springfield/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/school-officials-possible-threat-at-middle-school-in-springfield/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – Applying to college can be a daunting task. If you’re a first-generation college student, it can be overwhelming. U of I students said they want to help make it easier.
It’s called Uchange scholars. It’s a mentoring organization that specifically helps high school students from under-represented backgrounds.
That includes first-generation college students, minority groups, and those from low-socioeconomic backgrounds.
They’re partnered with current college students for one-on-one assistance when it comes to the application and decision-making process.
We talked to a mentor and their mentee today. They said the program has changed their lives.
“This program really, I want to say changed my academic future. This program really gave me so many opportunities I would not have had college wise,” Sharon Mendoza, the mentee, said.
“Seeing the growth that the mentees experience. Seeing Sharon at the beginning of the mentorship, all the way to now, it’s just amazing and astonishing,” Jameel Kaddo, her mentor, said.
The program was founded in 2019, but one co-founder said the students who have been involved have been accepted to more than 75 colleges.
Leaders are recruiting students right now. If you are or you know of a high school junior who is about to start the college application process, you could get help. You can visit their website here or fill out the interest form here. | 2022-05-27T23:06:07Z | www.wcia.com | Uchange scholars want to help high schoolers apply to college | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/uchange-scholars-want-to-help-high-schoolers-apply-to-college/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/uchange-scholars-want-to-help-high-schoolers-apply-to-college/ |
CHARLESTON (WCIA) — Coming into the prelims ranked as the 13th seed, the Rantoul 4×400 team pulled the upset placing fifth and qualifying for the state finals. But as excited as they were, they didn’t have much time to celebrate in Charleston. They needed to get to Rantoul for graduation.
“I think it was more of a time thing, like would we make it back in time or walk the stage and stuff,” Rantoul senior runner Avontay Anderson said. “But we made it happen, glad we get to do this and go get our diploma today. In general it’s just a great day today.”
“After this, big, big boost of confidence,” Rantoul senior runner Nathan Kelley said. “We hit our goal, I think that’s all we need.”
The Eagles are only entered in one other event, so individual pride and medals is what they’ll be competing for on Saturday. At another Champaign County school, Urbana’s Jackson Gilbert has his eyes on first place as well. The junior finished the prelims second in the 400 meters, and fourth in the 200 meters. After helping the Tigers bring home their first team trophy in 79 years last season, he’s looking to lock up the gold medal.
“My body feels good, I know all my competitors they’re all good, they feel good too,” Gilbert said. “But I feel like if I believe I won’t lose, I won’t lose. That’s what I believe right now, I’m good.”
The IHSA state finals for all three classes start at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning at Eastern Illinois University. | 2022-05-27T23:06:32Z | www.wcia.com | IHSA Boys’ State Track and Field Finals Day 2 | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/ihsa-boys-state-track-and-field-finals-day-2/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/ihsa-boys-state-track-and-field-finals-day-2/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – Memorial Stadium is getting a facelift. Crews are working right now, tearing out the old turf. There will be a new one in place for the upcoming football season.
But some of that old turf is going to be put to good use. The city is using it in their pop-up park in the Garden Hills neighborhood
“We’re gonna flatten it out, we’re gonna clean it up and hopefully create a kind of little soccer goal area that kids can run around this summer,” Rob Kowalski, Assistant Planning and Development Director, said. “So, it still needs more work, but it should be a nice little feature to what we’re trying to build here.”
That’s not the only thing going in there. They also have a basketball hoop and they plan on putting some playgrounds in.
The pop up park is still under construction, but he said they’ll have a ribbon cutting this summer. | 2022-05-28T01:11:35Z | www.wcia.com | Memorial stadium turf being reused in city park | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/memorial-stadium-turf-being-reused-in-city-park/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/memorial-stadium-turf-being-reused-in-city-park/ |
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — The Dads Association at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the Illini Dads Centennial Plaza on June 11.
The ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. at the corner of Illinois Street and Lincoln Avenue, just west of the Hallene Gateway.
Officials said the ceremony marks the start of the construction that is set to begin this summer and to be finished by Illini Dads Weekend on November 4.
According to officials, the University of Illinois, in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the Dads Association and the contribution the organization has endowed upon the student body and campus community over the years, has allocated this land for the development of the Illini Dads Centennial Plaza.
Officials stated, “Uplifting and evoking memories of fathers and father figures, the plaza will reflect the love, acceptance and support we all need from each other. This will be a cherished location where students, families, alumni and visitors come to reflect, relax and create lasting memories for generations.”
The central lawn houses massive 4’-6’ tall 10-ton native split boulders, representing how fathers and father figures and their students are separate, but always part of one another. The centerpiece of the plaza is a 7’x70’ curved wall that cuts through the existing hill embracing and defining the central lawn plaza.
The ceremony will include remarks from the Illini Dads Association, Director and Chief Advancement Officer Mindy Spencer, Director Illini Union Becki Salzman and a short tour of the site by Ryan Kettelkamp, Landscape Architect.
Anyone with questions can contact Gary Johnson, Dads Association Board Member, at 217-369-1012. | 2022-05-28T16:26:33Z | www.wcia.com | Illini Dads Centennial Plaza Groundbreaking Ceremony | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/illini-dads-centennial-plaza-groundbreaking-ceremony/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/illini-dads-centennial-plaza-groundbreaking-ceremony/ |
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — To celebrate wedding season this year, the Vermilion County Museum Society will hold the Linens & Lace Brunch on June 21 at 11 a.m..
Anyone interested can come and eat a special brunch made by Applewood Food Catering with a lemon wine slushie and mimosa bar provided by the Vermilion County Museum Society. The menu includes classic quiche, sour cream coffee cake, a fruit tray, orange juice and coffee.
The Linens & Lace Brunch will include the Wedding Dresses Through the Decades program given by Nalissa Dace. The program complements the Weddings through the Decades exhibit that will open on June 21 in the Second Floor Gallery of the Vermilion County Museum. The Exhibit will feature wedding dresses, veils, shoes and accessories from the 1890s to the 1960s.
Officials said there is limited seating for the Linens & Lace Brunch, therefore reservations are required. Reservations can be made by coming to the Vermilion County Museum or calling (217) 442-2922, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m..
The Linens & Lace Brunch costs $35. Payment must be made in advance (VISA and Mastercard). There is a $1 service fee for credit card charges. Reservations will be taken until June 14.
The Vermilion County Museum Society is located at 116 North Gilbert Street in Danville. | 2022-05-28T16:26:39Z | www.wcia.com | Linens & Lace Brunch to be held in Danville | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/linens-lace-brunch-to-be-held-in-danville/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/linens-lace-brunch-to-be-held-in-danville/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that Market Street over Interstate 74 will be closed overnight for four nights beginning May 31.
The closures are necessary to remove the Market Street bridge and will take place from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night. Work will begin with the removal of the bridge deck and then move on to the removal of the beams.
I-74 traffic will not be affected beyond the crossover already in place.
People can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area.
To avoid the work area, when feasible, the use of alternate routes should be considered. | 2022-05-28T16:27:09Z | www.wcia.com | Overnight closures of Market over I-74 begin May 31 | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/overnight-closures-of-market-over-i-74-begin-may-31/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/overnight-closures-of-market-over-i-74-begin-may-31/ |
JACKSONVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — A 19-year-old was hit by a bullet after a shooting occurred in Jacksonville Saturday morning.
At around 10:30 a.m., a police officer received a report of shots being fired in an area on East Wolcott Street.
When officers arrived at the scene, they learned that there were several shots fired and a 19-year-old was hit by a bullet during the incident. The victim was taken to an area hospital by personal vehicle and was later taken to an area trauma center, where staff said he was in stable condition.
Jacksonville Police believe this is an isolated incident.
They have developed a person of interest.
Anyone with information, regarding this case, is encouraged to contact the Jacksonville Police Department at (217) 479-4630 or Crime Stoppers at (217) 243-7300. | 2022-05-28T20:21:51Z | www.wcia.com | 19-year-old hurt in Jacksonville shooting | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/19-year-old-hurt-in-jacksonville-shooting/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/19-year-old-hurt-in-jacksonville-shooting/ |
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — The Urbana Free Library, Cunningham Township and Solidarity Gardens CU hosted a School’s Out Garden Party in Urbana on Saturday.
There were free food, music, services and fun activities for all ages as everyone celebrated the end of another school year.
Singer and songwriter Brandon T. Washington performed live at the event.
People could pick up seeds and plants to get started on their gardens. They could also sign up for free smartphones and internet help and learn how to access rent, income and food assistance.
The event was held at the Cunningham Township Garden, which is located at 205 West Green Street. It is directly across the street from the Urbana Free Library. | 2022-05-28T22:10:59Z | www.wcia.com | PHOTOS: School’s Out Garden Party in Urbana | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/photos-schools-out-garden-party-in-urbana/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/photos-schools-out-garden-party-in-urbana/ |
CHARLESTON (WCIA) — Lincoln’s Garrett Slack knew losing wasn’t an option when he came from behind to win the 800 meter race. Now, his name go down in the history books after setting an unofficial state record at 1:51:42 taking home two gold medals.
“I was just thinking that I trained way to hard to come into second,” Slack said. “I’ve been training for so hard, sacrificing time with my friends and family and everything to get out to the track for workouts just for this day so it kind of paid off.”
Bismarck’s Eli Mojonner also made the top of the podium. He goes back to back winning the 800 in 1A again.
“I just came in here, I had one race. I had one goal that’s all I had to think about,” Mojonner said. “It worked out for me.”
Cowden-Herrick seniors Daniel Lucas and Jaden Robertson wrapped up their careers in the perfect way. The two have been friends since they were little, and now are high school state champions. Lucas finished first in the shot put, Robertson finished first in the 110 meter hurdles.
“Jaden’s one of my childhood friends, we’ve been growing up together, working hard,” Lucas said. “We came out, done our best and I’m really excited what we can do today.”
“Growing up together we have a lot of chemistry together,” Robertson said. “We played basketball, every sport we could. Coming here representing our school just the two of us is pretty amazing.”
For the 400 meter, Pleasant Plains’ Zach Powell finished first in 1A. Urbana’s Jackson Gilbert finished first in 2A. For field events, Centennial senior Kemoni McCullough finished first in the long jump, and Salt Fork junior Garrett Taylor took home the bronze in shot put and gold in discus.
“I put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into it,” McCulloguh said. “I just wanted it all to workout and it finally has.”
“I was really hungry,” Taylor said. “I wanted to come home with a state championship and I was able to do that and I’m very thankful for it.”
The Storm took home the team title in 1A in a tie with Cowden-Herrick. Pleasant Plains took home third place as a team. In 2A, Mt. Zion led by Christian Keyhea was able to grab second. | 2022-05-29T01:35:44Z | www.wcia.com | IHSA Boys’ Track and Field Finals Day Three | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/high-school-sports/ihsa-boys-track-and-field-finals-day-three/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/high-school-sports/ihsa-boys-track-and-field-finals-day-three/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – Over in Champaign, there’s an all-adult summer celebration. It’s the first “Summer Soul Festival.”
The partnership between Pour Bros. Taproom and TableFunk Muzik Group brought out DJs, a food truck and more. TableFunk Muzik Group manager Jamar Brown said about a hundred people showed up early in the day, but the festival will go on until nighttime.
He said it was an opportunity to serve good food, good music and bring the community together.
“We got great DJs. We started with some techno, house music to get the energy up. People are having a really good time. Pour Bros – their staff is good. Brother George, their staff is good. So our energy is really high right now,” Brown said.
He said he expects the turnout to get even better as the night goes on. Even though this is their first “Summer Soul Festival,” The taproom and music group have been partnering for other events throughout the year.
Saturday was only one of several events they have lined up for their patio series. The next one will happen June 4, at 8:30 p.m. If you’d like to go listen to some live music, you can keep up with them on social media. | 2022-05-29T03:15:43Z | www.wcia.com | Champaign welcomes first ‘Summer Soul Festival’ | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/champaign-welcomes-first-summer-soul-festival/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/champaign-welcomes-first-summer-soul-festival/ |
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) – Many people celebrate this weekend as the unofficial start of summer. With opening day at the Crystal Lake Park pool, that’s exactly what it feels like to the community.
“This place has a lot more things to do and my house doesn’t have waterslides and stuff,” Brynlee, one of the many kids who attended opening day said.
As summer approaches, those waterslides are finally ready to be enjoyed.
“Things are going great. Everybody’s having a great time, we’ve had a decent crowd coming out even though it’s only 70 degree weather. Water’s on, dump buckets on. All the slides are on; it’s great,” Aquatics Manager Leslie Radice said.
She said last year’s opening weekend was special, but this one is even better. She said it finally feels like things are going back to normal.
“I absolutely love opening weekend every single year. This facility has been open for nine years, and every single opening weekend is fantastic. The sun hits you, you smell the sunscreen, you’re just ready for another whole summer season of fun in the sun and in the water,” Radice said.
For one swimmer, there’s another reason why opening day felt special this year.
“Probably because the school year just ended, so we can see each other again and still have fun,” Lilly said.
Radice said it’s great to see families come back out and enjoy the pool again. It’s the place summer memories are made for many kids.
“It’s my friend Genievieve’s birthday party and I’m really excited to be celebrating with her,” Reagan said.
“My sister is a swimmer and my brother is a lifeguard in training here. We thought he was going to be lifeguarding here so he decided that we were going to come here,” Genevieve, who celebrated her 10th birthday Saturday said.
While Radice said things are going great, this is the first year they’ve had to close the indoor pool during the summer season, and that’s because of a staffing shortage that may other centers are dealing with.
If you’d like to help them out and become a lifeguard, they offer free training classes. And if you missed your chance to get out to the pool, don’t worry. They’ll be open until 7 p.m. throughout the summer. You can find more information on the pool’s hours and lifeguard classes on the Urbana Park District’s website. | 2022-05-29T03:15:49Z | www.wcia.com | Crystal Lake Park Aquatic Center opens for the season | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/crystal-lake-park-aquatic-center-opens-for-the-season/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/crystal-lake-park-aquatic-center-opens-for-the-season/ |
KDMC to expand into UK Healthcare system(WSAZ)
ASHLAND, Ky. (WSAZ) - Later this year, Ashland-based King’s Daughters Medical Center will expand into the University of Kentucky HealthCare system.
The UK Board of Trustees on Thursday approved proceeding with plans to move forward.
Later this year, KDMC will become part of UK HealthCare – a move that will create greater for access to high-quality care for more Kentuckians, according to UK HealthCare.
KDMC has been serving the eastern Kentucky, southern Ohio, and western West Virginia area for more than 120 years and hopes being a part of UK will expand access to high-quality care.
Now, UK and KDMC will seek regulatory approvals and finalize transition documents.
UK HealthCare, KDMC announce partnership to improve healthcare in tri-state area | 2022-10-29T02:25:48Z | www.wsaz.com | KDMC to expand into UK HealthCare system | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/10/29/kdmc-expand-into-uk-healthcare-system/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/10/29/kdmc-expand-into-uk-healthcare-system/ |
KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - A welcome traffic update for Interstate 64 drivers, a ribbon cutting marked a big step toward the completion of the Nitro-St. Albans bridge.
The Nitro World War I Memorial Bridge is part of a $224 million Roads to Prosperity project to help ease the bottleneck between Nitro and the U.S. 35 exchange.
“Today is a monumental day. This bottleneck has got to go, and today is the start,” West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice said.
For St. Albans resident Brandon Troy, this was a long time coming.
He said he’s hoping the bridge opening will ease some of the congestion in the area.
“That’s gonna be great to get rid of all the traffic, hopefully, but I know it’s gonna be a while to get the other one opened up,” he said.
In the next two weeks, all traffic will be moved onto the new bridge so the demolition of the current bridge (Donald M. Legg Memorial Bridge) can start.
The project won’t end with that demolition. Once torn down, the construction of a new Donald M. Legg Memorial Bridge will be built on the site.
Justice said it’s the completion of projects like this that will keep and attract people to West Virginia.
“The two things that are the standards of life to get people to come to your state -- schools, and roads are right at the top of the list,” he said.
After both bridges are completed, there will be four lanes of traffic open on each side.
It’s expected that will be happen by the summer of 2024. | 2022-10-29T02:47:34Z | www.wsaz.com | Ceremony marks opening of Nitro-St. Albans bridge | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/10/29/ceremony-marks-opening-nitro-st-albans-bridge/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/10/29/ceremony-marks-opening-nitro-st-albans-bridge/ |
This marks the second largest group of officers hired in the last 20 years and will take the Charleston Police Department to 168 of their 173 officers allotted.(City of Charleston)
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Eight new officers are preparing to service the city of Charleston.
Mayor Amy Goodwin and Police Chief Tyke Hunt swore in the new officers Monday at City Hall.
These eight officers will start their training on Tuesday morning with the Charleston Police Department Training Division.
Then, in January, the officers will train at the West Virginia State Police Academy, where they will receive 15 weeks of law enforcement training.
The officers must successfully complete over 850 academic hours, followed by a 20-week Field Training Program where they will be directly supervised, trained and observed by the leaders of the Police Department.
This marks the second largest group of officers hired in the last 20 years and will bring the Charleston Police Department to 168 of their 173 officers allotted.
“Swearing in eight new officers today is a credit to all the hard work the Charleston Police Department has on recruitment,” said Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin. “These men and women will be the future of our Police Department and our City and we are proud they have chosen to become a member of the best police department in the state.”
“Our recruitment officers have been hard to work finding the best possible candidates to join the Charleston Police Department,” said Police Chief Tyke Hunt. “We view every single one of our officers, from these eight new officers to our most senior officers, as family and we are thrilled these eight individuals have chosen to make public safety in Charleston their life mission. We will provide them with everything they need to be successful.”
One additional officer will take their oath of office in mid-December. | 2022-10-31T15:22:30Z | www.wsaz.com | Charleston Police Department swears in 8 new officers | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/10/31/charleston-police-department-swears-8-new-officers/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/10/31/charleston-police-department-swears-8-new-officers/ |
The resignation is effective November 1.(mgn)
PUTNAM COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) – A Putnam County Commissioner has submitted his letter of resignation.
Putnam County Commissioner Ron Foster sent a letter of resignation to commissioners Ellis and Skidmore along with County Attorney Larry Frye on Friday, October 28 following a meeting with the Secretary of State’s Office.
Foster’s resignation is effective November 1.
Records show on the same day, Friday, October 28, Prosecuting Attorney for Putnam county Mark A. Sorsaia filed a petition for Foster’s removal from office.
In the petition, the prosecuting attorney claims Foster has not been a resident of Putnam County since he established residency in the State of Tennessee and registered to vote in Bedford County on September 7 of 2022.
The petition reads, “Foster has continued to vote on issues put before the Putnam County Commission and to collect the statutory salary of a duly elected Putnam County Commissioner since moving outside of Putnam County.”
Foster responded on Monday to the Putnam County Prosecuting Attorney’s motion for removal by saying, “It is interesting, the Prosecuting Attorney, who refuses to prosecute people for signage violations of County Ordinances and what I believe are unlawful gun sales and presents issued by County officials along with inappropriate use of County positions to acquire County property at reduced rates is now so interested in filing a motion to remove someone from office who has already resigned.” | 2022-10-31T20:53:40Z | www.wsaz.com | Putnam County Commissioner resigns | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/10/31/putnam-county-commissioner-resigns/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/10/31/putnam-county-commissioner-resigns/ |
Man sentenced to more than eight years in prison for federal gun crime(MGN)
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - A man from Huntington was sentenced Monday to more than eight years in prison in connection with a shooting that happened last year in the city.
Brendon Tyre Garner, 34, received an eight-year, four-month prison sentence for the incident that happened in June 2021 on Charleston Avenue, according to a U.S. Department of Justice news release.
Federal investigators say Garner had .380-caliber ammunition in his possession and shot a person before fleeing the scene. He was found guilty last May after a three-day jury trial.
Investigators also say Garner had several previous felony convictions, including for drug trafficking/possession and wanton endangerment in the Tri-State. He was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition due to those charges.
According to the release, Garner must serve three years of supervised release after his release from prison.
Man charged in connection with shooting
New details released in Huntington shooting | 2022-10-31T21:28:31Z | www.wsaz.com | Man sentenced to more than eight years in prison for federal gun crime | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/10/31/man-sentenced-more-than-eight-years-prison-federal-gun-crime/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/10/31/man-sentenced-more-than-eight-years-prison-federal-gun-crime/ |
Huntington City Mission to open for cold weather sheltering this season despite rumors(WSAZ)
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Huntington City Mission officials want the public to know that despite some rumors about winter weather closures, they will be having their cold weather shelters open this season.
“Huntington City Mission has been here for 83 years and we have never been closed,” said executive director Mitchell Webb. “We’ve got 140 people sleeping here right now. One hundred forty!
The past couple of years, the City Mission has used COVID funding to staff and house people in their chapel. Now that the funding is gone, housing has to go back to normal in the shelter.
“On top of all that, we’ve gone from serving 119,000 meals a year, we’re going to do around 220-230,000 this year, so we’ve got to watch our funding,” Webb said.
Rest assured, those who need a roof over their heads during the cold winter months, will have one.
“When the weather gets below 40, we put the white flag up, anyone can come in to the men’s shelter or the women and family’s shelter,” Webb said. “If there’s a bed, they can get into it, if not, they can at least stay in the lobby.”
Officials from both Huntington City Mission and Harmony House say they are overwhelmed with an influx of people who need help and shelter.
Harmony House is currently doing a drive for winter clothes. If you have any to donate, you can contact them directly. | 2022-11-01T21:17:06Z | www.wsaz.com | City Mission to open as cold weather shelter this season despite rumors | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/01/city-mission-open-cold-weather-shelter-this-season-despite-rumors/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/01/city-mission-open-cold-weather-shelter-this-season-despite-rumors/ |
Kace Pleasant, 22, is charged with the murder of his grandfather, Harold Pleasant, 73, whose body was found outside a home in Ironton, Ohio.(Lawrence County Sheriff's Office)
LAWRENCE COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) - A man was indicted Tuesday on multiple charges, including murder, in connection with his grandfather’s death in Ironton, the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office said.
A special grand jury session was held in the case involving Kace Pleasant, 22.
On Wednesday, Oct. 26, the body of Harold Pleasant, 73, was found outside a home along South 9th Street in Ironton.
According to the prosecutor’s office, Kace Pleasant was indicted on one count of aggravated murder, one count of murder, one count of an abuse of a corpse, one count of tampering with evidence and one count of failing to comply with a signal or order of a police officer.
Police found the body of Harold Pleasant wrapped in a rug underneath a deck in the backyard of the home. Kace Pleasant was arrested in the Lucasville area of Scioto County after police say he left the home in Ironton during a well-being check for his grandfather.
His arraignment is scheduled at 8 a.m. Nov. 9.
Man accused of killing grandfather; body found wrapped in rug | 2022-11-01T21:17:12Z | www.wsaz.com | Man indicted in his grandfather’s death | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/01/man-indicted-his-grandfathers-death/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/01/man-indicted-his-grandfathers-death/ |
CABELL COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Emergency crews are on the scene of a head-on crash Tuesday night on state Route 10 in the Barboursville area, Cabell County 911 dispatchers say.
The accident was reported just after 7:15 p.m. in the 5100 block of Route 10 near the intersection of Heath Creek Road.
The road is temporarily closed in that area.
Details about the extent of injuries are available now, but we have a crew headed to the scene.
The Cabell County Sheriff’s Department is among agencies on the scene. | 2022-11-02T00:02:37Z | www.wsaz.com | Crews respond to head-on crash | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/01/crews-respond-head-on-crash/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/01/crews-respond-head-on-crash/ |
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - The fifth ranked Marshall men’s soccer team ended the regular season in style with a 2-0 shutout over James Madison. The Herd struck first in the first half with a goal by Matthew Bell in the 44th minute and he was assisted by Ryan Holmes. The only other goal came early in the second half when Adam Aoumaich curled a ball over the net to a waiting Joao Souza who headed it in.
The Herd begins the 2022 post-season with a 10-2-3 record and are the number two seed in the upcoming Sun Belt Conference soccer tournament. They host James Madison Sunday at 3 p.m. and if they win would play the winner of Georgia State and Old Dominion on Wednesday November 9th.
Coastal Carolina beats Herd
MU loses to Coastal Carolina | 2022-11-02T04:54:34Z | www.wsaz.com | Herd soccer blanks the Dukes | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/02/herd-soccer-blanks-dukes/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/02/herd-soccer-blanks-dukes/ |
Grace Christian School Theater Presents "The Sound Of Music"
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Grace Christian School is bringing a classic musical to the local stage.
Ellie Stoll, Madison Powell, and Hannah Gandy stopped by First Look at Four to talk about their roles in their upcoming musical, “The Sound of Music.” | 2022-11-02T14:03:26Z | www.wsaz.com | Grace Christian School presents “The Sound of Music” | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/02/grace-christian-school-presents-sound-music/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/02/grace-christian-school-presents-sound-music/ |
SCIOTO COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) – A man living in a home along with several small children has been arrested on rape charges, according to Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman.
Sheriff Thoroughman says his office was contacted on Tuesday, Nov. 1 by Scioto County Children Services stating the agency had received information that a child had been sexually assaulted.
Detectives established the victim would have been eight on the date of the alleged assaults.
Detectives and Scioto County Children Services responded to the home of John W. Smith after learning several small children were still living inside the home.
When detectives arrived at the home, they also discovered a woman inside had a protection order against Smith, 40, of Lucasville, Ohio.
According to the sheriff’s office, Smith was arrested and charged with two counts of rape, 1 count of violation of a protection order.
Law enforcement also served a warrant for failure to appear for a diversion hearing.
Smith is being held without bond and is set to appear in Portsmouth Municipal Court.
Sheriff Thoroughman says this case could involve more victims and Smith could face additional charges.
Sheriff Thoroughman says the arrest was the result of the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office and Scioto County Children Services working jointly with the Scioto County Prosecutors Office Special Victim’s Unit. | 2022-11-02T14:03:32Z | www.wsaz.com | Man arrested on rape charges | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/02/man-arrested-rape-charges/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/02/man-arrested-rape-charges/ |
There are endless benefits to adopting a pet, especially senior pets. They are often already well-trained, well-behaved, and have a wealth of knowledge from their years of experience. However, research shows that senior dogs only have a 25-percent adoption rate compared to younger animals.
November is National Adopt a Senior Pet Month. Marie Moody, the founder of Stella & Chewy’s pet food, shares more about this special month and the company’s mission to make it easy to adopt senior pets. | 2022-11-02T20:09:47Z | www.wsaz.com | National Adopt a Senior Pet Month | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/02/national-adopt-senior-pet-month/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/02/national-adopt-senior-pet-month/ |
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Marshall’s men’s basketball team built up a 20 point halftime lead on the UPike Bears and cruised to an 83-69 win in the final tuneup before the regular season begins Monday.
Andrew Taylor led the Herd with 24 points and Taevion Kinsey added 15 in the win.
“Overall, I thought up until the seven-min’s meute mark we had about a 24-point lead. If I had kept them (our starters in) we probably could have gotten to 30, but they (UPIKE) shoot the ball well,” Herd men’s basketball head coach Dan D’Antoni said.
Freshman Micah Handlogten had 9 rebounds and scored 6 points in the contest.
The Herd opens up the 2022-23 regular season in Charlotte, North Carolina, against Queens on Monday at 7 p.m. | 2022-11-03T05:18:07Z | www.wsaz.com | Herd beats UPike in exhibition hoops | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/03/herd-beats-upike-exhibition-hoops/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/03/herd-beats-upike-exhibition-hoops/ |
The incident occurred at a school in Middleton, ID.(Pexels (custom credit) | (Source: Pexels))
CLAY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - The Clay County Board of Education will soon begin the search for a new superintendent.
The board and Joe Paxton came to a mutual agreement during Wednesday night’s meeting to change the length of Paxton’s contract, according to board officials.
Effective immediately, Paxton is no longer serving as superintendent of Clay County schools.
The board will meet on Monday, November 7 to name an interim superintendent.
That person will serve until June 30, 2023, which is the original end date of Paxton’s contract.
A permanent superintendent will be appointed after that time.
Paxton served as Clay County superintendent since 2017 and had been employed by Clay County schools since 1999. | 2022-11-03T15:59:12Z | www.wsaz.com | Clay County board of education ends contract of superintendent | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/03/clay-county-board-education-ends-contract-superintendent/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/03/clay-county-board-education-ends-contract-superintendent/ |
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Hyundai’s Hope on Wheels program presented a $100,000 grant to support pediatric cancer patients at the Hoops Family Children’s Hospital.
“Through no fault of their own, over 44 children every day are stricken by this disease,” said Hyundai District Operations Manager Liz Wallis. “They have to deal with some very grown-up issues right away in their early lives. It drastically changes their lives and the lives of their family and friends, during a time when they should be experiencing just the joys of childhood and that worry-free life.”
Since 1998, Hyundai Hope on Wheels has worked to support families and children impacted by childhood cancer. The program has contributed more than $200 million to researchers working to find a cure.
After Wednesday’s check presentation, former and current pediatric cancer patients got the chance to leave their mark on a car with their own hand print. | 2022-11-03T15:59:18Z | www.wsaz.com | Hyundai Hope on Wheels donates to Hoops Family Children’s Hospital | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/03/hyundai-hope-wheels-donates-hoops-family-childrens-hospital/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/03/hyundai-hope-wheels-donates-hoops-family-childrens-hospital/ |
The crash happened around 12:15 p.m.(wsaz)
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - A crash involving a motorcycle has shut down a portion of I-64 E in South Charleston.
The crash happened Thursday around 12:15 p.m. just past the Kanawha Turnpike entrance ramp.
Traffic is down to one lane. The fast lane is open.
According to South Charleston Police, the crash involved a motorcycle and a pickup truck.
The man and woman on the motorcycle have been taken to the hospital.
South Charleston Police tell WSAZ.com the driver of the pickup truck was arrested on drug charges. | 2022-11-03T17:13:01Z | www.wsaz.com | Pickup truck driver arrested after crash involving motorcycle | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/03/crash-shutting-down-i-64eb-south-charleston/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/03/crash-shutting-down-i-64eb-south-charleston/ |
Grant program helps West Virginians pay their property taxes(MGN)
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - If you live in West Virginia and are unable to pay your property taxes, the West Virginia Housing Development fund has a program designed to help you pay for some of the costs of being a homeowner.
“We have about 30 million dollars to spend on West Virginia homeowners who have had a COVID hardship or a financial hardship get caught up on everything from their mortgage payments, property taxes,” said Jessica Greathouse with West Virginia Housing Development.
It can even cover utility bills. It’s pandemic funding provided by Congress and given through the U.S. Treasury Department.
“We’ve already spent 8.5 million dollars helping West Virginia homeowners,” Greathouse said. “The money is here until the money is spent.”
You have to go through an application and get approved, showing documentation of a financial hardship.
“Those income limits are fairly liberal, so a four-person household in Cabell County, for instance, could make upwards of $90,000 and still qualify for the program if they’ve had a COVID hardship and are behind on their home payments in some way,” Greathouse said.
The program was created to keep people safe in their homes with a roof over their heads.
You can sign up for the program here. | 2022-11-03T20:33:49Z | www.wsaz.com | Grant program helps West Virginians pay their property taxes | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/03/grant-program-helps-west-virginians-pay-their-property-taxes/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/03/grant-program-helps-west-virginians-pay-their-property-taxes/ |
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - The West Virginia State Treasurer’s relaunched a website Thursday designed to help those applying for and receiving the Hope Scholarship.
The program provides helps pay tuition for families who choose private school, charter school or home schooling to educate their children.
A website designed to help families apply for the program and manage their account was taken offline this summer, when a circuit court decision halted the program.
The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals lifted that injunction in October. That cleared the way for Thursday’s relaunch of the updated website.
“We had to stop all work on the website, take it down,” said State Treasurer Riley Moore, R-West Virginia. “We had to stop the entire program when the injunction was put in place.”
And with that, the families of 3,163 students were stuck.
“They lost total access to their information and obviously that’s where the money was going to go,” Moore said. “This is all done digitally, so the money goes to their digital wallet on this website, and that’s how they pay for tuition.”
The injunction also affected those teaching scholarship recipients, such as religious schools, charter schools and home schools. The Treasurer said they didn’t have time to get everything finalized before the injunction.
“They were not able to get into this website, so this is a very big deal, particularly for the education service providers, for them to be approved and be able to receive payment when we get into the next semester,” Moore said.
Those approved for the Hope Scholarship are set to receive nearly $4,298.60 for the full academic year.
The portal is the place where families will receive that money, pay tuition and manage their account.
“We’re back online, and so this is the next step in the process to making all of the families whole,” Moore said.
That’s the commitment for everyone approved prior to the injunction.
That includes those who tried private school but returned to public school when the cost became too much. Moore said they will receive a pro-rated amount. He expects payments will be distributed in January.
Moore says there is no need to reapply for those already approved.
Those families, as well as anyone looking to apply for the next school year, can do so through the online portal. | 2022-11-03T22:22:24Z | www.wsaz.com | W.Va. relaunches Hope Scholarship portal | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/03/wva-relaunches-hope-scholarship-portal/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/03/wva-relaunches-hope-scholarship-portal/ |
Man convicted of murder for neighbor's shooting death(Fayette County Prosecutor's Office)
FAYETTE COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - A sentencing date has been set for a man convicted of shooting a neighbor to death early last year in Fayette County.
Douglas J. Greene, 43, of Robson, West Virginia, will be sentenced at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 7, according to the Fayette County Prosecutor’s Office.
In late August, Greene was convicted of first-degree murder after a three-day jury trial in Fayette County.
Investigators say Craig Anthony Cottle died after the shooting along Carver Street in Robson. It happened Feb. 18, 2021.
Greene told investigators he and the victim had been arguing and the shooting was in self-defense. Investigators found inconsistencies in that statement and determined Cottle had died from two gunshot wounds. The victim was found in a camper where he had been living.
Fayette County man arrested on murder charge | 2022-11-03T23:36:59Z | www.wsaz.com | Sentencing set for convicted murderer | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/03/sentencing-set-convicted-murderer/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/03/sentencing-set-convicted-murderer/ |
Man faces DUI charges in crash that injured motorcyclists(WSAZ/Matt Lackritz)
By Brenda Bryan, Eric Fossell and Matt Lackritz
UPDATE 11/3/22 @ 8:20 p.m.
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - A man faces DUI charges after a crash Thursday on Interstate 64 in South Charleston that seriously injured two people on a motorcycle, Kanawha County court records show.
Logan Tighe, 28, was arrested after the crash, which was reported around 12:15 p.m., about three-quarters of a mile before the Montrose interchange on I-64 East near mile-marker 55.
According to a criminal complaint, Tighe was headed east on I-64 in a Chevrolet Silverado in the middle lane when he swerved and hit a motorcycle carrying two riders.
The complaint indicates that both riders suffered serious injuries including broken bones, severe road rash, and a large head gash on the operator of the motorcycle.
Investigators say Tighe could not stand still, was moving his arms erratically and sweating profusely when first responders spoke with him.
According to the complaint, Tighe denied consent to search the pickup truck. A K-9 unit alerted officers to the odor of illegal drugs in the truck. Investigators found a water bong, along with .22 grams of meth with a straw. They also found a small blue pill.
Tighe was taken to the South Central Regional Jail. His bond is $50,000.
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - A crash involving a motorcycle is shutting down all of the eastbound lanes of I-64 in South Charleston.
The crash happened around 12:15 p.m. at mile-marker 55.
A Metro supervisor told WSAZ.com the accident happened about 3/4 of a mile before the Montrose Interchange.
Injuries have been reported. | 2022-11-04T00:37:18Z | www.wsaz.com | Man faces DUI charges in crash that injured motorcyclists | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/03/pickup-truck-driver-arrested-after-crash-involving-motorcycle/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/03/pickup-truck-driver-arrested-after-crash-involving-motorcycle/ |
Amendments 2 & 4 in West Virginia
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Election day is less than a week away, and there has been a lot of buzz about a couple items on the ballot in West Virginia.
Seth DiStafano with the West Virginia Office of Budget Control stopped by First Look at Four to talk about Amendments 2 & 4. | 2022-11-04T13:19:49Z | www.wsaz.com | West Virginia Office of Budget Control talks Amendments 2 & 4 | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/04/west-virginia-office-budget-control-talks-amendments-2-4/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/04/west-virginia-office-budget-control-talks-amendments-2-4/ |
The accident happened Friday just before 9 a.m. at 5222 US Route 60.(wsaz)
CABELL COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) – Two people were sent to the hospital Friday morning following a rear-end crash involving a van and a TTA bus.
The accident happened Friday just before 9 a.m. at 5222 US Route 60.
According to the Barboursville Police Department, the TTA bus driver was stopping to pick a passenger up when the driver of the van rear-ended the bus.
The impact sent the van down a small embankment into the parking lot of a business.
The driver of the van was taken to the hospital, but appears to have suffered non-life-threatening injuries, officials say.
The driver of the TTA bus was also taken to the hospital.
The Barboursville Police Department, Barboursville Fire Department, Cabell County Sheriff’s Office, and Cabell EMS all responded to the scene. | 2022-11-04T14:51:07Z | www.wsaz.com | Rear-end crash involving TTA bus sends van down embankment | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/04/rear-end-crash-involving-tta-bus-sends-van-down-embankment/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/04/rear-end-crash-involving-tta-bus-sends-van-down-embankment/ |
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Ear infections and strep throat.
It was in stock Friday at Thomas Health in South Charleston.
That was not the case a week and a half ago. That’s when a pharmacy at the hospital was without it for two to three days, said Scott Brown, outpatient pharmacy director for Thomas Health.
Despite shortage there and elsewhere, Brown said there is no reason to panic. He offered this advice for parents who find themselves at a pharmacy with no Amoxicillin.
“The pharmacist should be able to contact the prescriber almost immediately and suggest an alternative product,” he said. “There are numerous alternative products available that are not in short supply that almost every pharmacy carries that will still treat the ear infection, the sore throat, the sinus infection, etc.”
The idea of a prescription drug shortage is relatively new for Brown -- a pharmacist for nearly 30 years. During the last decade or so, he recalled having had more and more difficulty keeping prescription drugs in stock.
And it’s an ever-changing list.
“It’s kind of hit and miss,” he said. “It’s not a steady stream of shortages. Some things will be backordered for a week. Then they show up the next day. Or they may be backordered for several months with no release date in sight. It’s kind of a mixed bag.”
Brown believes the Amoxicillin shortage will work itself out, but another supply issue will take its place.
“It keeps us on our toes,” Brown said. “We have to be very diligent about what we buy and how we buy it. We have to stay on the lookout and stay very vigilant, as well as diligent for other alternative sources that we can purchase from.”
All of that to make sure patients get the help they need.
While there has been an uptick in RSV and flu, Brown and other pharmacists said that has no impact on the supply of Amoxicillin. It’s because that specific drug is used to treat bacterial infections; RSV and flu are viruses. | 2022-11-04T22:27:30Z | www.wsaz.com | The Amoxicillin shortage: What you should know | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/04/amoxicillin-shortage-what-you-should-know/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/04/amoxicillin-shortage-what-you-should-know/ |
ONA, W.Va. (WSAZ) - It was a somber atmosphere Friday at Cabell Midland High School as senior night took on a heavier weight.
Tribute was paid to senior football player Caige Rider, who died only the day before, hit by traffic on Interstate 64 just behind the stadium.
Thirty five seconds of silence were held before kickoff -- the number Caige wore. Players carried his jersey onto the field, placing it on a memorial table on the sideline with flowers and his senior picture. Then, members of the team embraced Caige’s relatives.
Barboursville Mayor Chris Tatum does play-by-play for the Knights on the radio. His daughter is a senior cheerleader for Midland. He says the two had known each other since pre-school.
“All his friends thought so much of him, just an all around good kid,” Tatum said. “It’s terrible, a terrible tragedy. You don’t want to see kids have to deal with death.”
After learning of the sudden loss of their teammate, the team decided to press on and play the game against Riverside and make it a tribute to their friend.
“Everyone involved is just hurting right now,” Tatum said, “so I think the community and these kids, not that they’re trying to get past it, but they wanted to do something where they felt normal and were doing to honor Caige, and I think getting back on the field is what is going to help them do that.”
At the opening coin toss, Riverside’s captains carried their No. 35 jersey to midfield to show their respects.
Midland’s rival Hurricane collected donations at their game for the Rider family. | 2022-11-05T04:33:03Z | www.wsaz.com | Cabell Midland student memorialized on senior night | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/05/cabell-midland-student-memorialized-senior-night/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/05/cabell-midland-student-memorialized-senior-night/ |
Firefighters are on scene of a fire in Wayne County, West Virginia.(wsaz)
LAVALETTE, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Firefighters are on scene of a fire in Wayne County, West Virginia.
Dispatchers tell WSAZ.com the fire was first reported to the 911 center just after 11 a.m. Saturday morning.
As of Saturday evening, the fire was still burning.
Lavalette Volunteer Fire Department, Ceredo Fire Department, and the Forestry Department are on scene. | 2022-11-06T05:12:26Z | www.wsaz.com | Firefighters battle fire for more than 12 hours | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/06/firefighters-battle-fire-more-than-12-hours/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/06/firefighters-battle-fire-more-than-12-hours/ |
MAGOFFIN COUNTY, Ky. (WSAZ) -Kentucky State Police Pikeville Post is investigating a single vehicle collision in Magoffin County.
Troopers say the crash happened just after 7 p.m. Saturday along KY Route 7 in Salyersville.
According to KSP, a 2018 Polaris UTV exited the roadway, went over an embankment, and struck a tree. The 15-year-old juvenile driver was taken to a medical facility and is listed as critical condition.
Additionally, another 15-year-old juvenile passenger was pronounced deceased on scene by the Magoffin County Coroner’s Office.
A 4-year-old juvenile was transported to a nearby hospital where he later succumbed to injuries sustained during the collision. The investigation is ongoing by KSP Accident Reconstructionist, Trooper Ryan Hale. | 2022-11-06T21:27:09Z | www.wsaz.com | Two children killed in UTV crash | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/06/two-children-killed-utv-crash/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/06/two-children-killed-utv-crash/ |
Man sentenced to 20 years in prison for key role in meth trafficking ring(U.S. Department of Justice)
By Curtis Johnson and Eric Fossell
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - A man from Detroit was sentenced Monday to 20 years in prison for playing a key role in a methamphetamine trafficking ring, according to a U.S. Department of Justice news release.
Myreo Dixon, 33, must serve eight years of supervised release when his prison sentence is complete. He also was fined $25,000.
Investigators say Dixon’s prison sentence marks “a major milestone” in the Woo Boyz investigation, which has involved large quantities of meth being trafficked from Los Angeles to Detroit and then to West Virginia.
U.S. Attorney Will Thompson said, “I think it sends a strong, deterrent message that if you’re going to deal in these types of drugs, in this type of poison, bringing firearms, maybe I’m focusing too much on the submachine gun, but we had a submachine gun on the West Side. That’s bad. And I think this sends a message that those types of crimes will be prosecuted.”
Despite Dixon being behind bars, investigators say two defendants in the case remain at large. They are identified as Tyjaha Watson, 27, of Charleston, and Elijah Figg, 23, of Huntington.
“With Monday’s sentencing, all defendants charged in the original indictment have been convicted except for two who remain at large,” the news release states.
According to the release, the drug trafficking organization (DTO) had ties to the Bloods and Gangster Disciples criminal gangs. Investigators say the DTO funneled and distributed “large quantities of methamphetamine in the Charleston area.”
Investigators say Dixon participated in the DTO from July 2020 to February 2021.
“During the course of the nearly year-long investigation, law enforcement seized approximately 15 pounds of methamphetamine, 45 firearms, including an IMI Industries Uzi fully automatic 9mm submachine gun, and more than $375,000 in cash,” the U.S. Department of Justice said in the release.
Investigators say the use of firearms was another concerning byproduct of the DTO.
“Members of this DTO were involved in or suspected of numerous shootings around Charleston but particularly on the West Side,” Thompson said in the release. “This investigation removed a massive amount of drugs and firearms from our streets and eliminated them as a source of harm and violence.”
He went on to say, “I commend the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Charleston Police Department, and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) for their investigative work. I also commend and the U.S. Marshals Service, the West Virginia State Police, and the Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) for providing assistance in this case. Finally, I commend Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman for the successful prosecution of this case.”
- Maylik Watson, also known as Leak, 29, of Charleston, to 20 years and one month for distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine;
- Dante Williams, also known as Donz, 25, of Charleston, to 10 years for distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine;
- Jermaine Williams, also known as Maineo Duckieoo, 22, of Charleston, to seven years and three months for distribution of methamphetamine;
- Darius Coles, also known as D-Boy, to six years and six months for distribution of methamphetamine;
- Erica Ratliff, 38, of Charleston, to six years for possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine;
- Joshua Lawson, 31, of Charleston, to five years for possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine;
- Jaquan Jeremiah Wright, 23, of New York, to five years for being a person subject to a domestic violence protective order in possession of a firearm;
- Memphis Ross, 21, of Charleston, to three years and 10 months for possession of a fully automatic machine gun that was not registered to him;
- Devonte Lavauhn Andrews, 30, of Charleston, to three years and one month for being a felon in possession of a firearm;
- William Edward Byers II, 46, of Charleston, to three years for being a felon in possession of a firearm;
- Kassie McNeeley, 23, of Lesage, to two years for use of a telephone to facilitate drug trafficking. | 2022-11-08T01:27:07Z | www.wsaz.com | Man sentenced to 20 years in prison for key role in meth trafficking ring | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/08/man-sentenced-20-years-prison-key-role-meth-trafficking-ring/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/08/man-sentenced-20-years-prison-key-role-meth-trafficking-ring/ |
Bar owner speaks about fatal shooting
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - A restaurant employee died after being hit by a bullet because of an argument that started inside a nearby bar in the 1500 block of 4th Avenue in Huntington.
The victim, Joseph Bryan, died Sunday after police say Bryan was hit by gunfire aimed at Premiere Pub and Grill, which has been the scene of three shootings this year.
Ronnie Davis, owner of Premiere Pub and Grill, was at the bar when the shooting happened. He describes what he saw.
It was the end of the night. Lights had just come on. We were actually running people out of the building and over my shoulder I saw an altercation. One of the shooters hit one of his friends, knocked him to the ground. We immediately threw all three guys out of the club once we saw this. The problem escalated from there out on the sidewalk. We just tried to de-escalate, get everybody home, and they just weren’t having it, you know. They continued to cause a scene for the next five minutes out here and then they made a threat on the business and I got all of my customers and all the staff back in the building safely. I go back to the door real quick to lock the door and that is when the guy opened fire on the business. Unfortunately, struck an innocent restaurant worker next door in the process.
Ronnie Davis
That restaurant worker, Joseph Bryan, was taken to the hospital but died Sunday. He was just 28 years old and he had only been working at D.P. Dough for a few days before he was shot.
The suspect police have identified as Kristopher Brown was arrested Friday. He faces multiple charges and the getaway driver, Gavin Bailey, was also arrested.
The shooting was not the first to happen outside Premier Pub and Grill this year.
“Three this year, that’s a lot?” said WSAZ reporter Kim Rafferty.
“It is,” Davis said.
“What do you think or have to say about that?” Rafferty asked.
“You know, obviously we are slightly responsible for everything that happens, even if it is outside the premises,” Davis said.
On March 20, the first shooting happened and police said two people were shot after an argument inside the bar.
Less than a week later, two more people were shot while they were standing in line waiting to get inside the bar.
After the second shooting, the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration (ABCA) temporarily suspended the bar’s liquor license.
The ABCA cleared the bar to reopen in April but Davis said he waited until September to return to business.
WSAZ reached out the Davis after the second shooting in March but he did not respond to our request.
Following the most recent shooting Friday, Davis spoke with WSAZ.
WSAZ asked Davis about a set of rules that were posted on the bar’s door back in March, because those rules had since been taken down.
“We know that you all put up a sign, even saying back then no this, that color whatever. Why was it up then and why is it down now?” Rafferty asked.
“That is pretty common in the city of Huntington for bars to do that. We had certain people that would come in all dressed alike and we know what that is.”
“Why was it taken down?” Rafferty asked.
“We are trying to give the people the freedom. You know, I think this is a much bigger problem than what our customers are wearing or what music we are playing or the atmosphere of the club, you know, I mean,” Davis said.
The ABCA has once again suspended the bars liquor license for a ‘cooling off period’ of ten days.
What do you think is the right thing to do now?
Kim Rafferty, WSAZ
“We want to keep everyone safe. That is obviously goal number one, but we have a vision for this business and we are not giving up on that because the streets aren’t being controlled properly,” Davis said. “Give it a couple weeks, let the families mourn what happened, you know. We do have a vision and we want the Marshall students to have a place to come out and have a good time, but they shouldn’t have to worry about this.”
Marshall University tells WSAZ the suspected shooter, Kristopher Brown, and accused getaway driver, Gavin Bailey are not Marshall students.
WSAZ spoke with Huntington Mayor Steve Williams, about the bar and the violence.
If we had this problem in the spring and now in the fall having the same problem then we need to shut this down -- if nothing else, if for nothing else sending a message to every other bar, we are not putting up with it.
Mayor Steve Williams
Davis said closing the bar will not solve the problem.
“I just want people to realize this is a much bigger issue than this club. You shut this one down. Another one is going to pop up three blocks down the road and the same thing is going to happen,” Davis said. “This is a city problem, a national problem. We have got to figure out a way to put a stop to this gun violence.”
After the ABCA suspended the bar’s liquor license in March, the owner had to submit an improvement and safety plan before the suspension would be lifted.
Since the shooting Friday, WSAZ has asked the ABCA for a copy of the plan but we have not received it.
In the latest suspension order, the ABCA is again requiring another safety plan be submitted. WSAZ will ask for a copy of that plan. | 2022-11-08T01:27:20Z | www.wsaz.com | WSAZ Investigates l Huntington bar owner speaks about deadly shooting, string of violence | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/08/wsaz-investigates-l-huntington-bar-owner-speaks-about-deadly-shooting-rash-violence/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/08/wsaz-investigates-l-huntington-bar-owner-speaks-about-deadly-shooting-rash-violence/ |
Array of races to be decided
Voters head to the polls for Decision 2022(Charlie Riedel | AP)
HUNTINGTON/CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Voters throughout the Tri-State are headed to the polls to make their voices heard in Tuesday’s 2022 midterm election.
Polls for the general election are now open in all three states in our region, with Kentucky taking the lead at 6 a.m. local time. Polls in West Virginia and Ohio both opened at 6:30 a.m.
They will remain open until 6 p.m. in Kentucky and until 7:30 p.m. in both Ohio and West Virginia.
Voters will be casting their ballots on an array of issues, including who will represent them in Washington and closer to home, abortion rights (Amendment 2 in Kentucky) and the future of vehicle/personal property taxes (Amendment 2 in West Virginia).
WSAZ NewsChannel 3 will be following all of the important local and regional races, as well as key races on the national front. Tune into NewsChannel 3, the Tri-State’s CW and keep checking the WSAZ app for the latest. | 2022-11-08T12:06:55Z | www.wsaz.com | Voters head to the polls for Decision 2022 | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/08/voters-head-polls-decision-2022/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/08/voters-head-polls-decision-2022/ |
One person was taken to the hospital after a truck crashed into a tree.(Tim Irr)
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - One person was taken to the hospital after a vehicle crashed into a tree.
According to a supervisor with Cabell County 911, the crash occurred at 11:35 a.m. Tuesday.
It happened on 5th Street near 12th Avenue in Huntington.
The supervisor told WSAZ a Chevrolet pickup truck left 5th Street and hit a tree on the side of the road.
The crash has been cleared and the roadway reopened. | 2022-11-08T17:59:34Z | www.wsaz.com | Person sent to the hospital after a truck crashes into a tree | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/08/person-sent-hospital-after-truck-crashes-into-tree/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/08/person-sent-hospital-after-truck-crashes-into-tree/ |
POMEROY, OH (WSAZ) - The sheriff of Meigs County, Ohio announced his resignation in a press release on November 8, 2022.
Sheriff Keith Wood said in the release the resignation will be effective November 11, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.
Elected in November 2012, Sheriff Wood said the decision to resign was not an easy one to make and he made it with “my health and family as the top priority.”
Sheriff Wood previously worked as a deputy for the Meigs County Sheriff’s office and with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. | 2022-11-08T19:48:10Z | www.wsaz.com | Sheriff announces resignation | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/08/sheriff-announces-resignation/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/08/sheriff-announces-resignation/ |
Republican Rand Paul wins reelection to U.S. Senate from Kentucky.(Rand Paul)
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WSAZ/AP) - U.S. Senator Rand Paul will return to Washington to represent Kentucky for a third term, defeating Charles Booker, the first Black Democratic nominee for the Senate in the Bluegrass State.
Tuesday’s election outcome marked the second time Booker was rebuffed in a Senate bid.
He barely lost the Democratic primary in a bid to unseat Sen. Mitch McConnell in 2020. | 2022-11-09T01:27:49Z | www.wsaz.com | Incumbent Rand Paul defeats Booker in Ky Senate race | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/09/incumbent-rand-paul-defeats-booker-ky-senate-race/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/09/incumbent-rand-paul-defeats-booker-ky-senate-race/ |
Republican Alexander Mooney wins reelection to U.S. House in West Virginia's 2nd Congressional District.(WSAZ)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WSAZ) - U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney has won re-election to the U.S. House, winning the newly redrawn 2nd District seat.
Mooney defeated Democrat Barry Wendell.
Mooney has served in the U.S. House since 2015, and defeated U.S. Rep. David McKinley last May for the nomination to the redrawn districts. | 2022-11-09T02:50:18Z | www.wsaz.com | Alex Mooney wins re-election to the U.S. House | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/09/alex-mooney-wins-re-election-us-house/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/09/alex-mooney-wins-re-election-us-house/ |
Republican Carol Miller wins reelection to U.S. House in West Virginia's 1st Congressional District.(Office of Carol Miller)
WASHINGTON (WSAZ/AP) - Republican Carol Miller has won reelection to the U.S. House in West Virginia’s 1st Congressional District, the Associated Press reports Tuesday night.
She was victorious for the newly redrawn 1st District seat, defeating Democrat Lacy Watson.
“I mean, I’m so motivated. The important thing is that the people understand that I represent their values. I represent the way they live, who they are, and what they need in order to thrive,” Miller said after her win.
Miller was first elected in 2018 and then reelected in 2020 to the 3rd District seat. | 2022-11-09T02:50:30Z | www.wsaz.com | Carol Miller wins re-election to the U.S. House | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/09/carol-miller-wins-re-election-us-house/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/09/carol-miller-wins-re-election-us-house/ |
Republican Thomas Massie wins reelection to U.S. House in Kentucky's 4th Congressional District.(Office of Thomas Massie)
(WSAZ) - Rep. Thomas Massie (R) has won another term to represent Kentucky’s 4th congressional district in the U.S. House.
He defeated democrat Matthew Lehman Tuesday night.
Massie has held the seat since 2012. | 2022-11-09T02:50:36Z | www.wsaz.com | Rep. Thomas Massie wins reelection to U.S. House | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/09/rep-thomas-massie-wins-reelection-us-house/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/09/rep-thomas-massie-wins-reelection-us-house/ |
Brad Wenstrup(WSAZ archives)
WASHINGTON (AP) - Republican Brad Wenstrup has won re-election to the U.S. House in Ohio’s 2nd Congressional District, the Associated Press reports Tuesday night.
He defeated Democrat Samantha Meadows.
Incumbent Wenstrup, a medical doctor from Cincinnati, served as a combat surgeon in Iraq during the war. He has been in Congress since 2012. | 2022-11-09T03:25:07Z | www.wsaz.com | Incumbent Ohio U.S. Rep. wins reelection to 2nd District seat | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/09/incumbent-ohio-us-rep-wins-reelection-2nd-district-seat/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/09/incumbent-ohio-us-rep-wins-reelection-2nd-district-seat/ |
Amy Shuler Goodwin was elected November 7, 2018, as the first female Mayor of Charleston, West Virginia.(Office of Amy Shuler Goodwin)
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Charleston Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin will serve a second term in office.
Goodwin, a Democrat, defeated Republican Lance Wolfe in Tuesday night’s general election. According to unofficial results with all 193 precincts reporting, Goodwin received 9,265 votes while Wolfe received 5,781.
First elected in 2018, Goodwin is Charleston’s first female mayor. | 2022-11-09T04:56:33Z | www.wsaz.com | Amy Shuler Goodwin wins second term as Charleston mayor | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/09/amy-shuler-goodwin-wins-second-term-charleston-mayor/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/09/amy-shuler-goodwin-wins-second-term-charleston-mayor/ |
JD Vance(WSAZ)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WSAZ) - Trump-endorsed “Hillbilly Elegy” author J.D. Vance has won the Senate seat currently held by retiring Senator Rob Portman.
Vance defeated democrat Tim Ryan.
The race became an unexpected and expensive battleground in the fight for partisan control of the Senate. Portman’s previous success and Trump’s two comfortable Ohio victories made Ryan, 49, a heavy underdog. But Ryan tailored his campaign to independents and moderate Republicans, presenting himself as a champion of the working class. | 2022-11-09T04:56:52Z | www.wsaz.com | Republican J.D. Vance wins Ohio Senate race | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/09/republican-jd-vance-wins-ohio-senate-race/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/09/republican-jd-vance-wins-ohio-senate-race/ |
SCIOTO COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) - Crews were fighting a large brush fire Tuesday night in the Lucasville area of Scioto County, according to our crew at the scene.
Neighbors tell WSAZ the fire broke out around 6 p.m.
There was thick smoke in the air as cars drove by Duck Run Road in Lucasville, but it was still open to traffic just after 11 p.m. Our crew reported the fire was extremely close to the roadway.
It was unclear how many acres were involved. | 2022-11-09T05:13:57Z | www.wsaz.com | Crews fight large brush fire in southeastern Ohio | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/09/crews-fight-large-brush-fire-southeastern-ohio/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/09/crews-fight-large-brush-fire-southeastern-ohio/ |
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Night work and lane closures are scheduled on eastbound Interstate 64 between mile markers 43 and 45 Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022, through Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022.
The lane closures will take place between 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. and will allow eastbound traffic on I-64 to be shifted onto the new Nitro WW I Memorial Bridge.
Once complete, the Nitro WW I Memorial Bridge will carry only westbound traffic and the new Donald M. Legg Memorial Bridge will carry only eastbound traffic. | 2022-11-09T21:20:42Z | www.wsaz.com | Lane shift scheduled for new I-64 bridge | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/09/lane-shift-scheduled-new-i-64-bridge/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/09/lane-shift-scheduled-new-i-64-bridge/ |
Brush fire season is in full swing in the tri-state region, keeping crews especially busy.(MGN)
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Brush fire season is in full swing in the tri-state region, keeping crews especially busy.
Charlie Spencer with West Virginia’s Division of Forestry says his region from Mason County all the way through Mingo has been bombarded since July.
“That nine-county region we’ve had 48 or 49 fires,” Spencer said.
He estimates around 20 of those have hit in the last week or so. He says seven or eight are still currently burning.
“All it takes is just a little bit of wind and dry conditions,” Spencer said. “I think the humidity is supposed to be in the 20s. When the humidity gets below 30, especially in West Virginia, that’s when we get really dry conditions. Leaves get really tender.”
The area is desperately waiting for rainfall forecasted to come later in the week.
“From now until Friday when it rains, I recommend no one does any outside burning whatsoever,” Spencer said.
A blaze could spark at any moment in these conditions, and Spencer says they don’t have the manpower to keep up.
“When I started working for the Division of Forestry 29 years ago, we had nearly 30 people in this region. Now we have only nine field people,” he said.
For the forest’s sake and those who go fight the fires that start in them, Spencer hopes no more outdoor burns get out of hand.
“There shouldn’t be any situation where anyone’s burning really,” he said.
If you have something to burn and think outdoor burning is the only solution, experts recommend taking it to a local landfill for them to safely dispose of it. | 2022-11-09T21:20:50Z | www.wsaz.com | Red flag fire warning issued for most of the tri-state region | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/09/red-flag-fire-warning-issued-most-tri-state-region/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/09/red-flag-fire-warning-issued-most-tri-state-region/ |
Fire chief speaks after levy fails in Putnam County
TEAYS VALLEY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - With 48 years of firefighting and answering critical medical emergencies, Chief John Smoot walked out of the Teays Valley fire station a disappointed man after Election Day -- all after a levy failed in Putnam County.
“It really disappoints me,” Smoot said. ”If the voters don’t want to pay, we have to figure out a way to get money into the system.”
The fire and ambulance levy on the ballot would have had home and business owners pay a fee based on their property’s value. Currently, Putnam County property owners pay a fee based on the square footage.
Smoot said with the proposed levy, property owners with an assessed value of around $175,000 would see an increase in the fee they pay. He said response times for significant fires are not fast enough because departments have to travel from all over the county to cover the necessary manpower.
“Until you have to receive what we have to offer, which is more than likely a bad day for you, you don’t know what we do for you,” Smoot said.
Enough firefighters have to show up for structure fires, as well as other big fires, for their own safety -- so departments that are farther away have to also respond. That, in turn, slows down the whole process.
“Building fires have changed. They are burning hotter, they are burning faster, and we want to get there quicker, but we are arriving about at the wrong time,” Smoot said.
He said the levy would allow the department and the other seven departments in Putnam County to cover costs to hire more firefighters, buy equipment and keep up with maintenance.
The Teays Valley Department has just under 40 firefighters on the roster; some are full-time, others are part-time, and there’s one volunteer.
Smoot said because the department is able to bring in more revenue through ambulance transports, that helps. But he said not every department has that capability, and it’s just not enough.
Thankful for the support the levy did receive, Smoot said he is not giving up -- saying he hopes it is up for another vote in 2024. This year marks the first time a fire levy has been voted on in Putnam County.
The levy garnered more than 50% of voter’s approval during this year’s election, but under state code the levy would need 60% percent support. | 2022-11-10T03:48:16Z | www.wsaz.com | Fire chief shares disappointment after proposed county levy fails | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/10/fire-chief-speaks-after-proposed-levy-fails-putnam-county/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/10/fire-chief-speaks-after-proposed-levy-fails-putnam-county/ |
FILE - These booking photos released Oct. 9, 2021, by the West Virginia Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority show Diana Toebbe, left, and Jonathan Toebbe. A U.S. Navy nuclear engineer and his wife entered new guilty pleas Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, in a case involving an alleged plot to sell secrets about nuclear-powered warships a month after their previous plea agreements that had called for specific sentencing guidelines were rejected.(AP) | 2022-11-10T06:38:00Z | www.wsaz.com | ‘Great danger’: Couple sentenced in submarine secrets case | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/10/great-danger-couple-sentenced-submarine-secrets-case/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/10/great-danger-couple-sentenced-submarine-secrets-case/ |
ATHENS COUNTY, Oh. (WSAZ) - The Athens County Sheriff’s office special response team arrested a man on fentanyl and meth charges.
On November 9, investigators conducted a search warrant at a home in Glouster.
Aaron Smith, 28, from Jacksonville, Ohio, is facing drug charges and tempering with evidence, according to a press release.
Daniel Spears Jr., 41, from Malta, Ohio, was arrested on a warrant for failure to report to a parole officer.
“Each new arrest and seizure of illicit drugs is a success for Athens County. By all law enforcement agencies and community partners working together, we can combat the drug trade in our communities and work toward the collective goal of safety for our citizens,” said Sheriff Rodney Smith.
Both suspects were taken to the Southeastern Ohio Regional jail. | 2022-11-10T17:27:00Z | www.wsaz.com | Ohio man facing drug charges | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/10/ohio-man-facing-drug-charges/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/10/ohio-man-facing-drug-charges/ |
Local Kroger store to remain open despite closure announcement(U.S. Senator Joe Manchin)
BRAXTON COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - A Kroger store in Gassaway that was expected to close in January will remain open, according to U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., who said Thursday that the decision is most welcome.
Lori Raya, president of Kroger’s Mid-Atlantic Division, said “We are pleased to have reached an agreement for a new lease to continue operating for the next year. We are grateful to our customers and community for their continued support and patronage of our store and look forward to working together to improve the economic viability of this store location.”
Throughout West Virginia, Kroger employs about 2,900 associates in its 29 stores statewide, according to the release from Manchin’s office. | 2022-11-10T21:30:28Z | www.wsaz.com | Local Kroger store to remain open despite closure announcement | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/10/local-kroger-store-remain-open-despite-closure-announcement/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/10/local-kroger-store-remain-open-despite-closure-announcement/ |
The shooting happened in the 2200 block of Eck Court in Oct. 2021.(wsaz)
SCIOTO COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) - A man has been indicted on several charges, including murder, in a deadly shooting in Portsmouth in October 2021.
The Scioto County Prosecutor’s Office says a grand jury returned an indictment on Tariq Barkley Taylor, 21.
Taylor is charged with one count of aggravated murder, two counts of murder, two counts of felonious assault and having weapons while under disability.
According to the Portsmouth Police Department, Taylor was arrested in Columbus back in December 2021 in connection with the October 1, 2021 shooting death of Timothy Perkins.
The shooting happened in the 2200 block of Eck Court.
Keep checking the WSAZ App for more details. | 2022-11-10T21:30:29Z | www.wsaz.com | Man indicted on murder charges in deadly shooting | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/10/man-indicted-murder-charges-deadly-shooting/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/10/man-indicted-murder-charges-deadly-shooting/ |
Chick-fil-A at Melody Farms(WSAZ)
BARBOURSVILLE, W.Va. (WSAZ) - The only free-standing Chick-fil-A in Cabell County will be closing for renovations.
The Chick-fil-A at Melody Farms, high on the hill near the Huntington Mall, will be closing beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday, November 10.
Franchisee president Larry Pittman said it’s been 18 years since the location opened and it’s time to make major changes including a permanent two-lane drive-thru which will allow them to serve up to 200 cars in an hour.
Additional parking spaces will be added, as well as a completely rebuilt kitchen and expanded dining area.
The children’s play area will be removed to allow additional seating.
The restaurant is expected to be closed for at least 10 to 14 weeks, and should be finished by late February or early March.
A second phase of renovations will take place in the spring. Pittman said the restaurant will remain open during phase two.
The renovations will allow Pittman to hire more than 75 additional employees.
The Chick-fil-A in the Food Court at the Huntington Mall will remain open. | 2022-11-10T22:18:22Z | www.wsaz.com | Cabell County Chick-fil-A to close for renovations | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/10/cabell-county-chick-fil-a-close-renovations/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/10/cabell-county-chick-fil-a-close-renovations/ |
Shooting generic(WALB)
FAYETTE COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - A “dangerous fugitive” from outside the region was shot Thursday in an officer-involved incident near Pax in Fayette County, the U.S. Marshals Service said.
Investigators say the shooting happened after two fugitives, one from Chicago and the other from western Virginia, barricaded themselves inside a bedroom of a home in the 200 block of Horse Creek Road. The incident happened around 1:30 p.m.
According to a news release from the U.S. Marshals Service, officers were attempting to serve a warrant at the time.
Before a SWAT team could arrive, one of the fugitives came out of the bedroom with a firearm and pointed it toward officers, the release states.
A Deputy U.S. Marshal responded, shooting the suspect. First aid was provided on the scene, and he was taken to a hospital. The other fugitive was arrested after a brief struggle.
The names of the fugitives have not been released yet. | 2022-11-11T01:21:12Z | www.wsaz.com | ‘Dangerous fugitive’ shot in officer-involved incident | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/11/dangerous-fugitive-shot-officer-involved-incident/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/11/dangerous-fugitive-shot-officer-involved-incident/ |
According to Huntington’s Police Chief, around 3:15 a.m. Nov. 4, police officers responded to Permier Pub and Grill located along 4th Avenue after reports of an argument.(wsaz)
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - The City of Huntington filed a formal complaint against Premier Food and Beverage, and the owners of the bar, one week after a shooting killed a man working inside a nearby restaurant.
The complaint states four people have been shot near the bar in the past eight months. The city is asking the court to declare the bar a public nuisance and shut it down for good.
City of Huntington attorney Scott Damron released the following statement regarding the complaint:
Today, the City of Huntington filed a lawsuit against the Premier Pub and Grill, the purported owners of the limited liability company that operates the bar, and the property owner. The City will be seeking a declaration from the Court holding the operation of the bar to be a public nuisance. We are seeking this ruling because the bar and its patrons have been involved in three shootings, with one resulting in the murder of an innocent person, in the last eight months. This simply does not occur with bars that are properly managed. We acknowledge that one of the bar owners accepted responsibility on a recent television news broadcast, and we hope that the owners do the right thing and close the bar permanently. If not, we stand prepared to pursue closure through the public nuisance process. Concurrent with the lawsuit, a resolution is pending before the Huntington City Council to declare the bar a public nuisance under applicable state law. The actions being taken at this time are consistent with Mayor Williams’ statements regarding the necessity of having the bar closed.
Scott Damron, City of Huntington attorney | 2022-11-11T16:35:30Z | www.wsaz.com | City files formal complaint seeking closure of club after fatal shooting | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/11/city-files-formal-complaint-seeking-closure-club-after-fatal-shooting/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/11/city-files-formal-complaint-seeking-closure-club-after-fatal-shooting/ |
Amateur models and designers from throughout West Virginia are invited to highlight their unique outfits made from recyclable materials during the 20th annual ReFashion Show, sponsored by the Recycling Coalition of West Virginia. This year’s ReFashion Show is scheduled for 1 p.m. on November 19, near Macy’s inside the Huntington Mall.
ReFashion Show outfits can be made from a wide range of materials, including: newspaper, aluminum cans, cardboard, plastic water bottles, paper products and other waste products destined for the recycling center or a landfill.
The show is open to any age. Participants are divided into two age categories – 13 and under; 14 and over – based on the age of the designer, not the model. Themed categories include the Shopping Challenge, Newspaper Challenge, Cosplay Comic-Con and General.
Each age category winner receives $250 for first place, $100 for second, and $50 for third. The themed category winners receive a $50 gift card.
Registration is conducted the day of the event, beginning at 11 a.m. Models under 18 must have parental consent. To obtain a ReFashion Show release form or for more information call 304-414-1122, email ReFashion@wvrecycles.org, or visit www.wvrecycles.com. | 2022-11-11T19:39:07Z | www.wsaz.com | ReFashion Show at Huntington Mall | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/11/refashion-show-huntington-mall/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/11/refashion-show-huntington-mall/ |
UPDATE 11/11/22 @ 4:50 p.m.
JACKSON COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Interstate 77 is back open late Friday afternoon after an accident involving two tractor-trailers in the Ripley area, Jackson County 911 dispatchers say.
The accident happened just after 3 p.m. near mile-marker 139.
It’s unclear if any injuries were involved, but all lanes have since reopened.
JACKSON COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Emergency crews in Jackson County are on the scene Friday afternoon of an accident involving two tractor-trailers. | 2022-11-11T22:02:22Z | www.wsaz.com | I-77 back open after tractor-trailer crash | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/11/tractor-trailer-accident-shuts-down-interstate-jackson-county/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/11/tractor-trailer-accident-shuts-down-interstate-jackson-county/ |
West Virginia elections(MGN)
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - West Virginia voters rejected constitutional amendment four on Election Day.
The Education Accountability Amendment would have made rules and policies issued by the state Board of Education subject to review by the Legislature.
Because the amendment did not pass, the current procedure stands -- a relief to those against the measure.
“It showed that the voters want control of education to be by the experts, the educators and their local boards, not the Legislature,” said West Virginia Education Association President Dale Lee. “I think they saw this as a power grab by the Legislature.”
Supporters of the measure, however, like state Sen. Patricia Rucker, a Jefferson County Republican, believes parents voices will not be considered when it comes to their child’s education.
“The State Board of Education is not an elected body; they are appointed by the governor,” she explained. “Those appointed members sit there for nine years, so if you have a disagreement with the State Board of Education, you’re not going to have a say.”
Both sides of the issue agree the one thing they want is whatever is best for West Virginia students.
“I certainly don’t want to be suing our own state Board of Education and having legal battles, within what should be with all of us working together as a team,” Sen. Rucker said. “I hope that we will be able to pass this amendment, maybe in the future, we can certainly try again.”
“We’re doing a good job,” Lee said. “We have to bring the educators to the table to figure out what they need to do an even better job. We’re all now West Virginians, not a party or not supporting or against an amendment. And then we figured out ways to improve West Virginia together.”
Rucker said she will effort getting a similar measure on future ballots. | 2022-11-11T22:02:28Z | www.wsaz.com | What Amendment Four’s failure to pass means for West Virginia | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/11/what-amendment-fours-failure-pass-means-west-virginia/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/11/what-amendment-fours-failure-pass-means-west-virginia/ |
Crash involving tractor-trailer closes I-64 West(WECT)
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - All lanes of Interstate 64 West are closed early Wednesday evening in Charleston due to a crash involving a tractor-trailer and another vehicle, Metro 911 dispatchers say.
The accident was reported just before 4:30 p.m. near the Washington Street exit (Exit 58C).
Traffic headed north toward the I-64 split at I-77 and I-79 is also affected.
Dispatchers say one person has been transported, and another is being evaluated at the scene.
It is unknown how long the lanes will be closed. | 2022-11-11T22:41:32Z | www.wsaz.com | Crash involving tractor-trailer closes I-64 West | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/11/crash-involving-tractor-trailer-closes-i-64-west/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/11/crash-involving-tractor-trailer-closes-i-64-west/ |
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - The Rev. Matthew Watts has been crying out for help since August, pleading with the West Virginia Board of Education to help students on Charleston’s West Side.
“This community is overstressed,” Watts explained Friday. “The families are overwhelmed, and we have a long history of low academic performance of the students and of the schools.”
This week, Watts got results.
The Board of Education voted Wednesday to invest nearly $380,000 into bolstering staff at five schools serving the West Side -- Mary C. Snow, Edgewood and Grandview elementaries, West Side Middle and Capital High.
Education officials touted the investment as a Special Community Development Project, an expansion the state’s Communities in Schools (CIS) initiative.
Each school will receive a CIS coordinator, who will be tasked with helping address the academic and expanded needs of children in one of the state’s most challenged areas.
West Virginia State Superintendent David Roach acknowledged the reverend’s mission and persistence in moving education officials to act.
“These coordinators reach out to the community,” he told board members Wednesday. “They break down barriers. They work with the parents. So, I feel good.”
“We’re very excited,” Watts said Friday. “We felt like this state school board has heard us.”
First-year funding for the project totals $380,000.
In praising the move, one board member said coordinators work on a school-wide, small group and individual level, while also staying in contact with community organizations.
West Side coordinators will work in concert with Watts’ organization -- HOPE Community Development Corporation of Charleston. He called it a strategic connection that he believes can yield big results.
“We believe that we can create an education renaissance on the West Side of Charleston,” he said. “When people realize what some of these nonprofit organizations have been doing for years, they’re going to be incredibly surprised and amazed, and it’s not because of a lack of effort. What we’ve not had is the right investment.”
Watts, who serves as president for HOPE Community Development Corporation, said he hopes that begins to change with this investment -- momentum he hopes will attract business to bring about lasting change.
“I hope the children will have a sense that there are people who care about me, and there’s more than one person that cares about me,” he said. “There’s a caring community of adults that care about me and they’re invested in me.”
The Communities in Schools is a successful program championed by first lady Cathy Justice. It currently serves 84,000 at 194 schools across West Virginia.
Hometown Hero | Don Murnahan | 2022-11-11T23:33:47Z | www.wsaz.com | A $380K boost to help Charleston’s West Side | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/11/380k-boost-help-charlestons-west-side/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/11/380k-boost-help-charlestons-west-side/ |
Sponsored - The following content is created on behalf of Appalachian Regional Healthcare and does not reflect the opinions of Gray Media or its editorial staff. To learn more about Appalachian Regional Healthcare, visit https://www.arhcareers.org/
Linda Massey was just looking for something temporary when she walked through the doors of Beckley ARH Hospital in 1973. | 2022-11-11T23:34:48Z | www.wsaz.com | Appalachian Regional Healthcare: Beckley ARH employee enjoying job after 49 years | https://www.wsaz.com/sponsored/arh/appalachian-regional-healthcare-beckley-arh-employee-enjoying-job-after-years/ | https://www.wsaz.com/sponsored/arh/appalachian-regional-healthcare-beckley-arh-employee-enjoying-job-after-years/ |
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - The Charleston Business Improvement District was created a little more than a year ago to promote, beautify and improve facilities in Charleston.
With a nearly $100,000 commitment from property owners between Virginia, Court, Washington, and Summers Street and $50,000 from the city of Charleston, Lewis Payne, president of the Business Improvement District Lewis Payne said that investment has turned into much more.
“We’ve turned that into over $700,000 in applying for grants,” he said.
Payne said the grant money has allowed them to bring on staff to begin working toward bigger plans.
A plan Payne and Susie Salisbury with the Charleston Area Alliance said will change the way downtown looks.
“If we can get some of these concepts down in a nice color picture, people start to see the vision and it’s much easier to buy into that vision and really understand what the whole purpose of even doing the business improvement district is,” Salisbury said.
Payne said the estimated cost of the plan is around $14 million, and both he and Salisbury are confident it can happen within 10 years.
“We want new businesses downtown, we want it to be cleaner, we want property values to go up,” he said. “We don’t want for rent signs on the side of a building. We want to see everybody’s building full.”
Payne said, in the next year, improvements to the district will be coming in the form of new public art and new street lighting. | 2022-11-12T04:08:01Z | www.wsaz.com | Business Improvement District making strides toward goals | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/12/business-improvement-district-making-strides-toward-goals/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/12/business-improvement-district-making-strides-toward-goals/ |
“Tough loss there. You know, bottom line is we didn’t do the things that we talked about all week. Really just the intensity that we played with a week ago, just thought it was average at best. The execution in playing clean, once again, just didn’t happen. We’re leaving points on the field. You know, missed-kicks, two-point conversions and driving the ball and not converting in the red zone. Defensively inconsistent,” said Head Coach Mark Stoops following the loss. “Our team has to -- we’ve got to look ourselves in the mirror and address the situation and address the things that are going on and respond one way or the other. I anticipate our team will. It’s been a hard year and challenging times. There are things that everybody can do better. I’m sure the team is very hurt and embarrassed with the way they played. We all are.” | 2022-11-13T00:44:18Z | www.wsaz.com | Kentucky football falls to Vanderbilt at home, 24-21 | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/12/kentucky-football-falls-vanderbilt-home-24-21/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/12/kentucky-football-falls-vanderbilt-home-24-21/ |
Marshall beats Appalachian State 28-21(WSAZ)
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Marshall defeated Appalachian State 28-21 Saturday night at Edwards Stadium in the annual game honoring the 75 lives lost in the 1970 plane crash. The Herd improves to 6-4 overall and 3-3 in Sun Belt play with two games remaining. This story will be updated. | 2022-11-13T00:44:31Z | www.wsaz.com | Herd wins the ‘75′ game | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/13/herd-wins-75-game/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/13/herd-wins-75-game/ |
MAGOFFIN COUNTY, Ky. (WSAZ) - An accident involving a school bus was reported Monday morning along Route 40, according to Magoffin County Sheriff Carson Montgomery.
According to Sheriff Montgomery, several students were injured during the crash that happened about three miles east of Salyersville.
Some students were seriously injured, according to Sheriff Montgomery.
At least one student was flown from the scene of the crash to the hospital.
The sheriff says the crash happened on Route 40 near Mine Fork Road. He says the school bus went over an embankment.
The bus driver was also injured during the crash.
Officials tell WSAZ.com Route 40 is shut down.
EMS and rescue crews are currently on scene.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear tweeted the following statement Monday morning, “Kentucky, we have some tough news. There has been a serious bus accident in Magoffin County involving children. Kentucky State Police is on the scene and we are responding swiftly. Please join me in praying for all those involved. We will continue to share updates as available.” | 2022-11-14T15:03:33Z | www.wsaz.com | School bus goes over embankment; several students injured | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/14/school-bus-goes-over-embankment-several-students-injured/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/14/school-bus-goes-over-embankment-several-students-injured/ |
(Charleston Dirty Birds)
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - The home of the Charleston Dirty Birds is now - GoMart Ballpark.
GoMart Inc. and the Charleston Dirty Birds have agreed to a 10-year deal that will change the name of the Dirty Birds’ home venue to GoMart Ballpark.
The stadium has been named Appalachian Power Park since its inception in 2005. It was home to the South Atlantic League’s West Virginia Power from 2005 to 2020 and the Atlantic League’s Charleston Dirty Birds for the past two seasons. The stadium has also hosted the South Atlantic League All-Star games in 2009 and 2019, in addition to the annual West Virginia State High School Tournament.
“We are excited for GoMart Ballpark to make its own history as it coincides with the installation of a beautiful synthetic turf field that will showcase Dirty Birds’ games and so much more,” said Charleston Mayor Amy Goodwin.
“As a West Virginia-based company, we love supporting other organizations across the state,” said GoMart President Phil Shuman. “We look forward to this partnership with the Charleston Dirty Birds.”
The Dirty Birds start their season in April 2023 and will play 66 home games. Before their home opener, the Dirty Birds will host the Savannah Bananas for the much-anticipated Banana Ball World Tour. The Bananas will be playing the Charleston Dirty Birds in an exhibition game during the spring training session.
The Charleston Dirty Birds are a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. | 2022-11-14T15:33:23Z | www.wsaz.com | Dirty Birds’ home venue to be renamed GoMart Ballpark | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/14/dirty-birds-home-venue-be-renamed-gomart-ballpark/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/14/dirty-birds-home-venue-be-renamed-gomart-ballpark/ |
Kentucky is the number one overall seed
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - The field is set for the 2022 NCAA men’s soccer tournament as Marshall will be heading to the Tar Heel state. The 10-3-3 Herd will play at 11-4-3 Elon Thursday evening and the winner will play at #4 Virginia on Sunday.
The Kentucky Wildcats are the number one overall seed and await the winner of South Florida and Hofstra. Also on Thursday, Ohio State plays Wake Forest.
The NCAA semi-finals and finals are December 9th and 12th at Cary, NC. | 2022-11-14T19:37:18Z | www.wsaz.com | Herd soccer to hit the road for NCAA tournament | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/14/herd-soccer-hit-road-ncaa-tournament/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/14/herd-soccer-hit-road-ncaa-tournament/ |
Tyjha Ali Watson, 27, of Charleston, WV and Elijah Tariq Figg, 23, of Huntington, WV, both are wanted in reference to a DEA lead investigation into a drug trafficking organization.(U.S. Marshals Service)
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Two men are wanted in connection to a DEA lead investigation into a drug trafficking organization with ties to the Bloods and Gangster Disciples criminal gangs, the U.S. Marshals Service announced Monday.
The U.S. Marshals Southern District of West Virginia, Cops United Felony Fugitive Enforcement Division (CUFFED) Task Force is searching for Tyjha Ali Watson, 27, of Charleston and Elijah Tariq Figg, 23, of Huntington.
According to U.S. Marshals, last week, Myreo Dixon, 33, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced to 20 years in prison, to be followed by eight years of supervised release, for his key role in a drug trafficking organization.
Eleven other defendants were charged in this investigation.
All defendants charged in the original indictment have been convicted except for Watson and Figg, who remain at large, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.
If anyone knows the whereabouts of Watson and Figg, U.S. Marshals say to call the USMS Tip Hotline at 1-877-WANTED-2 or email the CUFFED Task Force Tip Hotline at USMS88TIPS@usdoj.gov. All tips are kept confidential. | 2022-11-14T21:39:03Z | www.wsaz.com | U.S. Marshals | Two men wanted in connection with drug trafficking investigation | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/14/us-marshals-two-men-wanted-connection-with-drug-trafficking-investigation/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/14/us-marshals-two-men-wanted-connection-with-drug-trafficking-investigation/ |
Honoring Kane Roush
MEIGS COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) - Two of three men convicted in the murder of a well-known high school athlete were sentenced Monday to life without possibility of parole, according to the prosecutor’s office in Meigs County.
The sentences were handed down to both Jaquan Hall and Keontae Nelson, both of whom were convicted of aggravated murder.
Sentencing for Richard Walker, a third man who pleaded guilty to burglary and conspiracy in connection with the case, also is expected Monday.
All three men were convicted in the Easter 2021 shooting death of Kane Roush.
Roush was well known as a star athlete for the state champion Wahama (West Virginia) High School football team in 2012. Last year, police found him on Easter Sunday -- shot multiple times and lying near an apartment complex close to his home. | 2022-11-14T21:48:52Z | www.wsaz.com | 2 men convicted in murder sentenced to life without parole | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/14/2-men-convicted-murder-sentenced-life-without-parole/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/14/2-men-convicted-murder-sentenced-life-without-parole/ |
Says it should be eliminated
The shooting Friday was one of three Premier Pub and Grill has been involved in this year.
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Huntington City Council voted Monday a night on a resolution that declares Premier Pub & Grill a public nuisance and that the business should be “abated,” or eliminated.
Council members voted unanimously to pass the resolution.
The vote comes after a deadly shooting Nov. 4 outside the bar that killed an employee of a neighboring restaurant. In a formal complaint filed in Cabell County Circuit Court on Nov. 10, the city stated that four people have been shot near the bar in the past eight months.
At Monday’s council meeting, city attorney Scott Damron outlined to the members why he believes the bar should be declared a public nuisance. Damron pointed out the multiple shootings, including the most recent and deadly shooting. He also raised concerns about the bar’s proximity to Marshall University’s campus, claiming it could put students in danger.
Joe Bryan was the worker inside D.P. Dough who was hit by a stray bullet and later died. His aunt showed up at Monday’s council meeting to take part in the public hearing portion of the meeting. She said the owner of the bar has tried to reach out to her and the family, but she does not have the desire to speak with the owner.
”I feel like if you can’t control the type of scene that a bar brings out, then that’s not the business you need to have,” she said.
During the weekend, the bar surrendered its liquor license. West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration Commissioner Fred Wooton announced Premier Pub and Grill had surrendered that license. | 2022-11-15T02:13:21Z | www.wsaz.com | City declares bar that was scene of deadly shooting a public nuisance | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/15/city-declares-bar-that-was-scene-deadly-shooting-public-nuisance/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/15/city-declares-bar-that-was-scene-deadly-shooting-public-nuisance/ |
“It was great to be back in The Cam. I thought it was a good crowd for a Monday night, but it can get better just like our team,” Herd head coach Dan D’Antoni said after the game. “We want them to keep coming and our young men are going to give you everything they got.”
Marshall shot almost 50% from the floor and held the Golden Eagles to just six made three pointers as they fall to 1-2 this year. The Herd resumes a Mid-American Conference rivalry this coming Thursday when they play at Miami of Ohio and next play at home against Coppin State on Saturday night.
Here are the highlights and post-game reaction as seen on WSAZ Sports Monday night. | 2022-11-15T04:45:48Z | www.wsaz.com | Herd hoops wins home opener | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/15/herd-hoops-wins-home-opener/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/15/herd-hoops-wins-home-opener/ |
KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, Black Friday shopping and an uptick in large gatherings, Kanawha County area health officials updated the community on the challenges facing the area health care system regarding COVID-19, pediatric RSV and influenza.
Dr. Steven Eshenaur, the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department’s Health Officer, said Monday that he is seeing fewer numbers of people receiving flu shots than he has in recent years.
“I think a lot of people have been lulled by the fact that the last two years, we’ve not seen the flu ... outbreak that we are seeing this year,” he said. “It could be that people are tired of getting the messaging over and over and over about getting a COVID vaccine to get a COVID vaccine when they become fatigued to hearing the vaccine message.”
Data from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources support Eshenaur’s observations.
In Kanawha County, about 17% of people eligible for the flu shot have received it.
In Putnam County, roughly 18% of residents have received their flu shot and about 14% of people have gotten the vaccine in Braxton County.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevent show more than 6,000 people across the United States have been hospitalized for the flu this season.
Dr. Mike Robie from the Charleston Area Medical Center said there are 24 people hospitalized for the flu across their entire system.
He said while the number is manageable now, staff members are dealing with the added challenge of treating 19 children who are hospitalized with RSV.
“In life, there are wants and needs. If you want to stay out of the hospital, you need to get your flu shot,” Robie said. “Typically at Women and Children’s [Hospital], we’ll have about 20 inpatient pediatric patients at a time on our floor, [Monday] morning, we had 19 RSV patients alone. As children have difficulty breathing, you can imagine if your child has difficulty breathing, that’s a pretty scary moment, stay ahead of it, don’t wait too long before you reach out for health care advice.”
Eshenaur said to prevent another pandemic-like situation from happening, take precautions against the viruses as soon as possible.
“We can protect our population, we can protect our children, and we can protect our loved ones, especially our seniors,” he said. “They’re two vulnerable pieces of our population, but we all need to come together and get an immunization to protect them.”
The latest COVID-19 vaccine, the bivalent booster, can be received with the flu shot.
Health officials consider those ages 65 and older the most vulnerable for complications caused by COVID-19 or the flu.
CDC data shows that 21% of West Virginians, 28% of Ohio residents and 24% of Kentuckians in the 65 and up age group have received the booster.
City declares troubled bar a public nuisance | 2022-11-15T04:45:54Z | www.wsaz.com | KCHD officials discourage ‘vaccine fatigue’ as early flu season starts | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/15/kchd-officials-discourage-vaccine-fatigue-early-flu-season-starts/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/15/kchd-officials-discourage-vaccine-fatigue-early-flu-season-starts/ |
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