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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - A person was taken to the hospital Tuesday following an accident in Charleston, according to 911 dispatchers.
Metro 911 tells WSAZ.com a single-vehicle accident happened Tuesday morning along I-64 West at the Washington Street/Civic Center exit .
Further information regarding the accident has not been released. | 2022-11-15T14:24:52Z | www.wsaz.com | One taken to hospital after accident | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/15/one-taken-hospital-after-accident/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/15/one-taken-hospital-after-accident/ |
(Congressman Alex Mooney - Facebook)
West Virginia (WSAZ) – West Virginia 2nd District Congressman Alex Mooney announced a 2024 bid for the U.S. Senate Tuesday morning.
In a two-minute video, the Republican Congressman outlined his plan to flip the U.S. Senate seat currently held by incumbent Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.)
In a statement released by Mooney’s campaign, Mooney calls Manchin President Joe Biden’s ‘chief enabler.’
Following the announcement, Mooney Campaign Manager John Findlay commented, “Alex Mooney has already built a strong foundation with West Virginia voters, shown by his strong 2022 victories. Mooney’s proven conservative voting record and past support from President Trump make him the strongest candidate to defeat Democrat Joe Manchin, who has become far too liberal for West Virginia.” | 2022-11-15T15:56:20Z | www.wsaz.com | Congressman Alex Mooney announces 2024 Senate run | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/15/congressman-alex-mooney-announces-2024-senate-run/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/15/congressman-alex-mooney-announces-2024-senate-run/ |
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Following a school bus crash along Route 40 Monday morning, Magoffin County Schools reports 11 students have been treated and released from the hospital.
School officials say 18 students were onboard the bus when it went over a steep embankment and landed on its side near Mine Fork Road.
According to Magoffin County Schools, the remaining students and bus driver are still hospitalized with injuries ranging from minor to severe.
“We are doing our best to support and communicate with each of these families during this time,” Magoffin County Schools posted on its Facebook page Tuesday.
The accident is still under investigation by Kentucky State Police.
At least three people, the driver and two students, were taken from the scene Monday by helicopter.
According to Magoffin County Sheriff Carson Montgomery, the accident happened about three miles east of Salyersville and only involved the school bus. | 2022-11-15T16:57:18Z | www.wsaz.com | 11 students released from hospital following Magoffin school bus crash | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/15/11-students-released-hospital-following-magoffin-school-bus-crash/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/15/11-students-released-hospital-following-magoffin-school-bus-crash/ |
Mooney’s announcement comes days after he won 66% of the vote in his campaign for the 2nd district seat, defeating Democrat Barry Wendell. In the primary, Mooney also defeated fellow Republican Rep. David McKinley (R. W.Va.)( after redistricting in the state forced the two incumbents to run against each other.
Mooney has perviously supported former president Donald Trump. He’s anti-abortion. He also describes himself as the candidate who is fighting for personal freedoms, including the Second Amendment.
However, Manchin voted with every single Republican in the Senate (51-49) to strike down the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would have codified Roe v. Wade into federal law in May. Manchin also stood key pieces of the President’s agenda including the extending the child tax credit and Build Back Better program.
Republicans did not pick up as many seats as the party had expected in the 2022 election for the U.S. House and did not flip control of the Senate. The results urged Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) to state “the Republican Party, as we have known it, is dead.” The Washington News Bureau asked Rep. Mooney about the political climate he believes he will face in 2024.
He said in part, “we need to certainly strengthen our party. I’m the proud son of a of an Irish man who served in Vietnam, and my mother fled communist Cuba when she was 20 years old. She fled to this country to live in freedom and those freedoms under attack. I speak Spanish, and I do think Hispanic voters around America are embracing the Republican Party more and they certainly need to. Hispanics are conservative, as are other ethnic groups. So, I think the Republican Party needs to make sure we’re speaking to all Americans of all races and ethnicities, because our conservative message is what’s going to save this country from socialism.” | 2022-11-15T18:29:33Z | www.wsaz.com | West Virginia Rep. Alex Mooney announces he’ll run against Sen. Joe Manchin in 2024 | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/15/west-virginia-rep-alex-mooney-announces-hell-run-against-sen-joe-manchin-2024/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/15/west-virginia-rep-alex-mooney-announces-hell-run-against-sen-joe-manchin-2024/ |
(Office of Gov. Andy Beshear)
FRANKFORT, Ky (WSAZ) – Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear signed two executive orders Tuesday afternoon regarding medical marijuana that will take effect January 1, 2023.
The first allows Kentuckians diagnosed with certain conditions to possess and use small amounts of medical cannabis legally purchased in another state.
Gov. Beshear listed the following conditions for purchase and possession of medical cannabis:
The cannabis must be lawfully purchased in the US from a state where the purchase is legal. You must keep your receipt.
The amount purchased and used must not exceed 8 ounces. That is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony in Kentucky.
Each person must also have a certification from a licensed health care provider, showing the individual has been diagnosed with at least one of 21 medical conditions. You will need a copy of the certication.
The second executive order dealt with regulating the sale of Delta 8, which contains THC.
Medical or recreational marijuana is already legal in 37 states. | 2022-11-15T20:00:39Z | www.wsaz.com | Gov. Beshear signs executive orders regarding medical marijuana | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/15/gov-beshear-signs-executive-orders-regarding-medical-marijuana/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/15/gov-beshear-signs-executive-orders-regarding-medical-marijuana/ |
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - The state’s Professional Charter School Board deadlocked Tuesday about whether to approve the Kanawha Valley’s latest charter school proposal.
The proposed charter school would be operated by BridgeValley Community and Technical College. Those accepted would complete year one of BridgeValley’s two-year, nursing program in 12th grade.
Kissel joined Board Member Dewayne Duncan in voting Tuesday to approve WIN Academy.
Two others, Karen Bailey-Chapman and Brian Helton, abstained. Bailey-Chapman urged BridgeValley to accept 9th, 10th and 11th grade students.
“I’m not saying ‘no,’ to the concept,” she said. “I’m saying let’s go back to the drawing board and let’s come up with something that better meets the needs of creating a pipeline of education.”
Karen Bailey-Chapman said accepting younger grades would bolster math, science and other fundamentals of education -- all while making for stronger nurses.
“This can be a good program, that can actually become a really great program,” she said. “Let’s shoot for the stars and let’s make it a great program.”
BridgeValley President Casey Sacks said her team is encouraged to hear that board members want to expand the program before it even opens. However, her administration is assessing expansion with caution.
Sacks said any expansion must be balanced with the needs of BridgeValley’s industry partners, explaining that some aspects of the BridgeValley program require students to be at least 16 years old.
Sacks said her team is considering an update to its application, but that is not a guarantee.
Without a third vote for or against the proposal, Kissel said by law WIN Academy could receive state approval by default once 90 days pass since the filing of its application.
“I would rather there be three ‘yes’ votes, so that there’s an action of the board. But since I approve of the school as it is, I’m still excited that the school would be able to start and serve the students,” he said.
Kissel said the board will meet again next Wednesday. That’s when members could consider any update from BridgeValley and determine the fate of WIN Academy.
If approved, WIN Academy could open as early as next fall. | 2022-11-15T23:03:24Z | www.wsaz.com | Board deadlocks on new charter school | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/15/board-deadlocks-new-charter-school/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/15/board-deadlocks-new-charter-school/ |
MAGOFFIN COUNTY, Ky. (WSAZ) - A community grappled with shock after more than a dozen students and a bus driver were injured in a school bus crash.
As of Monday evening, 11 students were released from the hospital after the crash earlier in the day, according to Magoffin County Schools.
But there’s still a long way to recover physically and emotionally.
Amber Koch’s children go to Magoffin County Schools.
She said she was shocked when she heard about the crash.
Koch, who works as a pediatric counselor with Frontier Behavioral Health, provided crisis counseling to students and staff.
Amber Koch works as a pediatric counselor with Frontier Behavioral Health and provided crisis counseling to students and staff.(WSAZ)
“Parents and kids are struggling emotionally, and the outcome could have looked a lot different,” Koch said.
Koch said each student processes trauma differently.
She encourages parents to keep an eye on their children’s mental well-being and recognize the signs of dealing with trauma. But she also reminds them to practice extra patience.
“They [the kids] are dealing with big emotions. During that, you might see some irritability with your children, sleep regression and disturbances of sleep, and intrusion thoughts and asking questions about what if?” Koch said.
Although, there’s no guidebook, Koch said the best way to start is by finding out how they’re doing -- even if your child does not show any signs of something wrong.
“Start anywhere, especially if you have kids who are quiet nature or kids who tend to play off their emotions and feelings and offer something to lean on. You know, they must know I see you, I hear you, and we’re having these same emotions, Koch said.
Magoffin County Schools will continue to offer counseling services to impacted families. | 2022-11-16T00:35:03Z | www.wsaz.com | Navigating conversations with children after trauma | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/15/navigating-conversations-with-children-after-trauma/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/15/navigating-conversations-with-children-after-trauma/ |
LAWRENCE COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) - A former teacher at Symmes Valley High School was found guilty Tuesday on charges of voyeurism and tampering with evidence.
The Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office said Russell “Rusty” Webb was found guilty after a two-day jury trial.
Webb was accused of filming a juvenile while changing clothes in his office. The prosecutor said Webb destroyed the recording device after he was caught.
Webb faces a maximum of 3 years in prison and will be required to register as a sex offender. He will remain in the Lawrence County Jail as he awaits sentencing.
Former teacher pleads not guilty to voyeurism | 2022-11-16T02:06:28Z | www.wsaz.com | Former teacher found guilty of voyeurism | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/16/former-teacher-found-guilty-voyeurism/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/16/former-teacher-found-guilty-voyeurism/ |
Victim identified in Rowan County crash
ROWAN Co., Ky. (WKYT) - The victim in a Rowan County crash has been identified.
The Rowan County Coroner identified the victim as 74-year-old Rose Malone of Grayson, Kentucky. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The other person involved in the crash, a male driver had to be extracted from the car by firefighters and was flown to UK Medical Center.
The Rowan County Coroner’s Office says that it was a single-vehicle accident, involving a driver and a passenger in a pickup truck.
We do not know the current condition of the driver. | 2022-11-16T21:56:31Z | www.wsaz.com | Victim identified in Rowan County crash | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/16/least-one-person-killed-rowan-county-crash/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/16/least-one-person-killed-rowan-county-crash/ |
WELLSTON, Ohio (WSAZ) - Multiple crews are on the scene Wednesday afternoon of a house fire in Wellston, Jackson County 911 dispatchers say.
Pennsylvania Avenue is closed between D and B streets, and drivers are asked to avoid that area.
As of 4 p.m., the fire was contained. It was reported around 3 p.m.
Other details are unavailable now, including the cause and if injuries are involved. | 2022-11-16T21:56:37Z | www.wsaz.com | Multiple crews fighting house fire in southeastern Ohio | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/16/multiple-crews-fighting-house-fire-southeastern-ohio/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/16/multiple-crews-fighting-house-fire-southeastern-ohio/ |
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -Ramey George didn’t have to consider her college choice for very long. The Huntington St. Joseph’s student grew up in the shadow of Marshall University and when it came time to decide on where she wanted to play college softball, the Herd won the day.
Ironically, St. Joseph’s doesn’t have a girls softball program but George made her name and reputation on the travel ball circuit. George led her team in home runs for 3 consecutive years and was team captain./
She plans to play catcher or a utility player for the Thundering Herd. | 2022-11-17T03:00:35Z | www.wsaz.com | Local standout signs with Marshall Softball | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/17/local-standout-signs-with-marshall-softball/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/17/local-standout-signs-with-marshall-softball/ |
KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Imagine every time it rains for as little as an hour, water fills your home.
That’s the reality John William Smith and Bryan William Smith said they’ve dealt with for decades.
“I’ll bet you in the last 25 or 30 years, I have personally thrown away and lost over $40,000 worth of stuff,” John said.
“If it rains more than an hour, hard, then you’re going to have water ankle-deep,” Bryan said. “If it rains all night, you’re going to have a two to four-block high.”
At Rand Community Center, locals gathered Wednesday evening for a second time to discuss a plan.
On Oct. 18, the Division of Highways came to share what they are working on.
At Wednesday’s meeting, they were joined by the Malden Public Service District.
State Del. Larry Rowe, D-Kanawha, said the latest meeting was so that everyone from the community to the DOH to the Malden Public Service District could be on the same page.
“”People have talked about it, and it’s just kind of fallen off the table each time,” Rowe said. “So there’s a good reason for people to be skeptical, but I think this time, with this Department of Transportation, we will see the job done.”
Rowe said with a $12 million plan from the DOH in place to begin in January 2024 and assistance from the Malden PSC, he’s confident progress will be made.
However, others like the Smiths, are still skeptical the plan will come to fruition.
“The entire town of Rand needs help, not just me,” John said. And I’m not selfishly just trying to make it better for me; we need better for the entire population.”
For related coverage:
WSAZ Investigates | Flooded and Frustrated | 2022-11-17T05:02:32Z | www.wsaz.com | Second public meeting held about Rand drainage system | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/17/second-public-meeting-held-about-rand-drainage-system/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/17/second-public-meeting-held-about-rand-drainage-system/ |
CINCINNATI (WXIX) - George Wagner IV is testifying for the second day at his murder trial for the 2016 Pike County massacre that killed eight members of the Rhoden and Gilley families.
In a surprise move Wednesday, Wagner IV, 31, took the stand and testified for more than seven hours. His attorney, John Parker, questioned him for another hour Thursday morning.
George responded “No” to several questions including “Are you guilty of any of these murders?”
Then Special Prosecutor Angela Canepa began her cross-examination of George which is expected to last through Thursday if not longer.
George insisted under cross his mother and brother lied during their testimony and confessions to prosecutors, prompting Canepa to sarcastically tell him: “Everybody is lying except you.”
She succeeded in getting several admissions from George including:
Using an inaccurate (former) address to obtain his Ohio commercial driver’s license
Listing an inaccurate (former) address on forms related to his gun ownership, a federal offense punishable by up to 10 years in prison. He told her he was advised to do this because his driver’s license still listed his former address)
He responded “We paid off our debts with it” when she asked him about a purposely set fire (arson) at one of the Wagner’s former homes, on Bethel Hill Road in Peebles. At first, George told her he didn’t really profit from it (the insurance payout)
Not reporting his mother for creating fake receipts to turn in these bogus fire loss claims
Hunting at night “thousands of times.” Deer hunting hours in Ohio are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Calling his toddler niece (Jake Wagner’s daughter Sophie) a “b----.” But, George explained on the stand: “After five or six days on caffeine, you say a lot of things you don’t mean.”
Failing to notify the mother of his young child know they moved back to Pike County from Alaska in 2018 before the waiting period was up to get an abandonment ruling against her
On Wednesday, George testified his family never approached him about the murder plot and he was asleep the night of the slayings.
Jurors paid close attention to him then and are again Thursday.
Canepa also exposed differences between George’s testimony Wednesday and what he told state law enforcement agents during a 2017 interview. He told them he went to bed the night of the slayings at 12:30 p.m. after watching a “fairy movie” with his entire family and his mother made cheeseburgers.
During his testimony this week, he said he went to bed at 10:30 p.m. Special Prosecutor Canepa also wanted to know how his brother and father could have been “up on Union Hill Road” where the victims lived, killing them less than an hour after he claimed on the stand everybody went to bed the night of the slayings. | 2022-11-17T19:47:00Z | www.wsaz.com | WATCH LIVE: State cross-examines George Wagner IV | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/17/watch-live-state-cross-examines-george-wagner-iv/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/17/watch-live-state-cross-examines-george-wagner-iv/ |
“I want to thank Sheriff Joe Smith for his investment of Task Force Officers assigned to the USMS CUFFED Task Force. This operation in memory of Sgt. Terry Toney was a perfect example operation was a perfect example of how a Task Force can be used as a force multiplier to take drugs, guns, and dangerous fugitives off the streets,” stated Southern District of West Virginia U.S. Marshal Michael Baylous. | 2022-11-17T20:38:53Z | www.wsaz.com | Drug trafficking organization dismantled in Mingo County | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/17/drug-trafficking-organization-dismantled-mingo-county/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/17/drug-trafficking-organization-dismantled-mingo-county/ |
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Help is on the way for more than 200 ambulance providers across West Virginia, thanks to a 10% increase in state Medicaid reimbursements.
The move will inject nearly $250,000 a year into the Kanawha County system. That’s extra money for hiring, training, equipment and medications, according to Monica Mason, executive director of the Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority.
“We’re in a readiness state all the time,” she said. “Twenty-four seven, 365 days a year, we have to have staff and equipment that is ready to answer that next call and these funds for us, at Kanawha County Ambulance, will be very helpful.”
Gov. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., and his administration announced the move Wednesday.
Mason said it marks the first Medicaid reimbursement increase since 2020. She recalled that was a 10% adjustment, as well, and it was the first increase in many years.
This year’s increase is retroactive to July 1. It will provide nearly $12 million a year to ambulance operators statewide.
“That’s an $11.8 million influx into the industry,” said Secretary Bill Crouch of the state Department of Health and Human Resources. “We really support those folks and what they do. They’re some of our local heroes throughout the state.”
The Secretary acknowledged EMS providers face many issues, and he said the new rate is the highest allowed by law.
Cabell County EMS Director Gordon Merry estimates his agency will receive an additional $300,000, but he joined his Kanawha County counterpart in putting the extra money in perspective.
“The cost of readiness to have staff available, to have equipment and medications available, those costs continue to rise,” Mason said. “So we have to keep up with that pace.”
Mason and Merry report a significant increase in those costs since the pandemic, and both said the increased costs eclipse what the agencies will receive from the Medicaid adjustment.
Given that Medicaid is a form of public assistance, Merry said the change should have no impact on how much the patient pays for an ambulance. Instead, it will affect how much the ambulance operator can bill Medicaid. | 2022-11-17T22:49:37Z | www.wsaz.com | Increased funds on the way for W.Va. ambulance providers | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/17/increased-funds-way-wva-ambulance-providers/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/17/increased-funds-way-wva-ambulance-providers/ |
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - New, modern travel plazas are coming to the West Virginia Turnpike, according to the West Virginia Parkways Authority.
During a press conference Friday, the executive director of the Parkways Authority alongside West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, unveiled a major redevelopment plan for the Beckley, Bluestone and Morton travel plazas | 2022-11-18T17:06:49Z | www.wsaz.com | New, modern travel plazas coming to W.Va. turnpike | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/18/new-modern-travel-plazas-coming-wva-turnpike/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/18/new-modern-travel-plazas-coming-wva-turnpike/ |
Hayden was taken into custody Thursday on the 1000 block of 12th Street.(Huntington Police Department)
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - The Huntington Police Department has taken a man into custody after his bond was revoked for a burglary incident in October of 2021, as well as warrants in connection with two incidents in October and November of 2022.
According to court documents, Granville James Hayden, 57, was indicted by a grand jury on multiple charges after incidents on October 17, 2021 in the 2900 block of 3rd Ave, where he was accused of unlawfully entering a home and then tampering with vehicles in a church parking lot on 30th street.
Huntington police say Hayden was out on bond for those charges when he allegedly trespassed onto a property on Kanawha Terrace in Huntington and indecently exposed himself on October 7, 2022. Hayden allegedly returned to the property on Nov. 11, 2022 and trespassed once again.
He is facing charges of trespassing and indecent exposure for the Oct. 7 incident and charges of trespassing and harassment for the incident on Nov. 7. | 2022-11-18T19:39:26Z | www.wsaz.com | Man arrested on warrants after harassment, indecent exposure incident | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/18/man-arrested-warrants-after-harassment-indecent-exposure-incident/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/18/man-arrested-warrants-after-harassment-indecent-exposure-incident/ |
MASONS COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A verdict was reached Friday in the trial against a man charged with killing another man and attempting to conceal the body in the bed of a truck.
According to Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Seth Gaskins, Anthony Yester, of Leon, was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter and concealment of a deceased human body.
The gruesome discovery was made along Gill Ridge Road around 1 p.m. Oct. 28, 2021.
Man facing murder charges after body found in bed of truck
According to court documents, members of a tree service noticed a truck parked under a power tower with a burn trail beside it. Upon further investigation, a volunteer firefighter working with the team discovered a man who appeared to be dead in the bed of the truck.
A criminal complaint states most of the man’s head was covered with a black trash bag and multiple bloody fingerprints were located on the tailgate of the truck.
On the driver side of the truck and continuing past the rear of the vehicle was a trail of burnt grass, officials say.
When the West Virginia State Police Crime Scene Unit arrived, they made the determination that the victim was not killed at the location, rather transported to the spot.
On October 29, the victim was positively identified by the West Virginia State Medical Examiner’s Office as Paul Wesley Matheny, 41, formerly of Leon.
An autopsy confirmed Matheny was shot in the head. | 2022-11-18T21:10:28Z | www.wsaz.com | Jury returns guilty verdict for man charged with voluntary manslaughter | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/18/jury-returns-guilty-verdict-man-charged-with-voluntary-manslaughter/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/18/jury-returns-guilty-verdict-man-charged-with-voluntary-manslaughter/ |
The Huntington Fire Marshal’s Office say the person is connected to an October 24 fire
Fire Marshal seeks help identifying person of interest(WSAZ)
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - The City of Huntington Fire Marshal’s Office is asking for any information to help identify a person of interest connected to a fire in Huntington. The fire occurred on October 24 in the 1100 block of 6th Avenue.
The person of interest is seen on security camera and appears to be a bearded man wearing a red hat, tan jacket, camouflage pants, and black boots.
Anyone with information can call the Fire Marshal’s Office at 304-696-5960. | 2022-11-18T22:42:04Z | www.wsaz.com | Person of interest wanted in connection to fire | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/18/fire-marshal-seeks-public-help-find-person-interest-connected-fire/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/18/fire-marshal-seeks-public-help-find-person-interest-connected-fire/ |
Hometown Hero: Nila Beckett(WSAZ)
BARBOURSVILLE, W.Va. (WSAZ) - One woman in Cabell County has dedicated more than a year of her life to honoring veterans.
85 year-old Nila Beckett from Barbousville crochets prayer shawls for veterans in the Hospice House in Huntington.
“It’s good to have someone in our community that has a servant’s heart,” said Barboursville Mayor Chris Tatum.
She’s spent more than two decades crocheting blankets for newborns and organizations that needed them, but in the last few years she dedicated her work to the veterans, making more than 400 of the shawls.
“I feel like they (veterans) have done a lot for me and they are very special to me,” said Nila Beckett.
She has a special place in her heart for veterans as her family has a long tradition of service.
“Her youngest brother served in Vietnam. She had a brother that was in the navy. My dad was in the army I served,” said her eldest son, Jerry Beckett.
The hospice house places the prayer shawls over veterans’ laps and some families use them during their funerals.
“I’ve had people come to me and say we used your mother’s prayer shawl at my dad’s funeral or my brother’s funeral,” said Jerry. “It means so much to those families that she would care enough to do that to put the time, in that it takes to do that but she truly has a servant’s heart.”
Her name is on each one, so the families know who made the prayer shawl.
“Quite a few of the veterans families send me a thank you note and how much they appreciate it,” said Nila.
Nila, not putting in the work for praise, just doing what she’s always done, putting everyone before herself.
“I can’t say enough about your community service and to Barboursville and the over 400 people that you have done prayer shawls for the hospice house in Huntington, for Lily’s Place and so many others. We love you for being a part of our community, so I’m so honored to be able to present you on behalf of WSAZ the Hometown Hero award. I love you,” said Tatum.
Nila says she has no plans on slowing down and will continue to make the shawls until she physically cannot. | 2022-11-18T22:42:10Z | www.wsaz.com | Hometown Hero | Nila Beckett | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/18/hometown-hero-nila-beckett/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/18/hometown-hero-nila-beckett/ |
The Mission is prepared to serve 1,000 meals
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - With Thanksgiving less than a week away, Huntington City Mission is getting everything in order.
Kyle Newman, who is the food service coordinator, says his team is making sure they’re prepared to serve upwards of 1,000 meals to those in need. Executive Director Mitchell Webb says for the first time in years, everyone can enjoy their meal under one roof.
“It will be the first day since covid that our dining hall will be open to the community and not just to people who are staying here at the mission,” Webb said.
Thanksgiving meals will be served in the Huntington City Mission dining hall from 1:00 to 4:00 on Thursday afternoon. If they have any leftovers, they’ll be given away after. | 2022-11-18T23:12:27Z | www.wsaz.com | Huntington City Mission to serve Thanksgiving meals to those in need | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/18/huntington-city-mission-serve-thanksgiving-meals-those-need/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/18/huntington-city-mission-serve-thanksgiving-meals-those-need/ |
“Coonskin Park is a place that has been part of the fabric of our community for over 50 years,” he said. “This is a place where we come for our kids’ birthday parties for family gatherings for church picnics, this is an asset to our community in a lot of really important ways.”
However, neighboring CRW has been the cause of recent concern for Cordell, the administrator of the Facebook group, Friends of Coonskin Park.
The airport’s proposed expansion project is undergoing an environmental impact review from the FAA. The proposed plan involves expanding the airport’s runway by 300 feet and a fill area for safety. The fill area would cut into a portion of Coonskin Park and be used instead of the airport’s current Engineered Material Arresting System, known as EMAS. The proposed plan involves the removal of the EMAS.
“What I do know is that we’re talking about destroying, literally coming in and clear-cutting and bulldozing a huge area of Coonskin Park,” Cordell said.
However, CRW’s Airport and CEO Dominique Ranieri said years of careful consideration went into the proposed project even before the final version had been submitted for FAA approval saying the expansion is a necessary part to keep everyone who uses the airport safe for years to come.
“The Federal Aviation Administration set safety standards for airports throughout the country, and it is the airport operators’ job to make sure that they are planning for the future of aviation and up keeping our facilities to the highest safety standards,” she said. “The proposed project is looking to the future to make sure that we can meet the ever-increasing safety standards as they are developed. And also be prepared to serve the future aircraft that will be coming to our market.”
Cordell said the section of the park is filled with a beauty that should be passed down for several generations and should not be touched by the airport. Ranieri, however, said if the proposal is approved, Coonskin Park could improve in many ways for years to come.
“We will use some of the parklands for borrow material to fill in that valley and then we’ll be able to return that land to the park as flatland for recreational development,” Ranieri explained. “Any impacts to the park will have to be mitigated, and they’ll be mitigated with the assistance of federal monies so that means that there’s a great opportunity for recreation in Kanawha County, to be improved, whether it’s right there in Coonskin Park, which will be a majority of it, or even elsewhere with new parklands that are purchased as part of the project.”
“I think it’s great that the airport wants to make improvements, they need to do so in a way that doesn’t destroy our public parks and, and that’s all we’re asking coonskin needs to be protected,” he said. “Really what people need to do right now is, is make those comments to the FAA, this is a place that’s important to our community.”
View the plan here.
Submit comments here by November 29th at 5:00 pm. | 2022-11-19T00:43:52Z | www.wsaz.com | Coonskin Park visitors concerned about proposed CRW expansion plan, officials clarify | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/19/coonskin-park-visitors-concerned-about-proposed-crw-expansion-plan-officials-clarify/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/19/coonskin-park-visitors-concerned-about-proposed-crw-expansion-plan-officials-clarify/ |
At a special meeting Friday night, Huntington city council members voted to file a complaint to the West Virginia Ethics Commission.(Willard Ferguson)
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - A Huntington city council member has resigned amid a controversy that surfaced at a council meeting Monday.
The city announced Dale Anderson, who has represented District 9 since January 2020, resigned Friday morning.
At a special meeting Friday night, that had been scheduled prior to Anderson’s resignation, council members voted to file a complaint with the West Virginia Ethics Commission regarding an accusation made against him.
At Monday night’s Huntington city council meeting, Guyandotte Neighborhood Association president Billy Wray said Anderson had encouraged the association to apply for his microgrants to purchase signs for the neighborhood in June, but he said those signs were never delivered.
“I believe we’ve been the alleged victim of theft,” Wray told council members.
Anderson was not present at that meeting Monday night.
Wray said the neighborhood group was awarded a microgrant of nearly $3,000 to buy signs for an ice cream social in August, and those funds were spent at Mountain State Strategies, a business Anderson suggested.
Wray said he’s been unable to get a straight answer about why the signs haven’t materialized.
The vote at the special meeting Friday night to file a complaint with the Ethics Commission was unanimous.
“We want to turn it over to the proper authorities to make sure that not just due process is followed, but that we have accountability and transparency,” Council Chair Holly Mount told WSAZ.
Mount says moving forward, microgrants will fall under the rules and ethics committee.
“The microgrant program is so amazing,” she said. “Such wonderful things come out of it. It’s a shame this has happened. However, what we can do moving forward to make sure it doesn’t happen again is provide additional oversight.”
The prosecuting attorney’s office is investigating.
The owner of Mountain State Strategies, Michael Dillon, tells WSAZ he feels the matter has been blown out of proportion and maintains they’ve done nothing unethical or illegal.
He says they’ve reached out to the city attorney to coordinate refunding the microgrant money and donating the signs to the city. He says they’re trying to make sure everyone is happy, and the community is satisfied.
WSAZ’s message Friday to Mr. Anderson has not been returned.
Anyone wanting to be considered to fill the vacant seat on City Council can pick up an application at the city clerk’s office beginning next Monday through Tuesday, December 6th. | 2022-11-19T00:44:05Z | www.wsaz.com | Huntington councilman resigns amid microgrant controversy | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/19/huntington-councilman-resigns-amid-microgrant-controversy/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/19/huntington-councilman-resigns-amid-microgrant-controversy/ |
Friday’s court filing, the Commission says, is to enforce their August 16 emergency Public Nuisance Violation
Kanawha County Commission(Kanawha County Commission)
KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - The Kanawha County Commission has filed a lawsuit in Kanawha County Circuit Court against the parties they claim are responsible for repeated flooding near the Capitol Flea Market.
Serious flooding became a problem at the property after heavy storms on August 15, 2022. Multiple properties along the 2000 block of Greenbrier Street were flooded as a result.
“The flooding has resulted in the periodic blocking of portions of Greenbrier Street,” the complaint states. “rendering its residents with a lack of access to/from their homes/businesses and obstructing emergency fire and medical services.”
An investigation by The Kanawha County Office of Planning and Community Development found the water was being held back by a collapsed culvert system under the parking lot of the Capital Flea market. The Planning Office issued an emergency Public Nuisance Violation on August 16 against both the property owner and the lessor.
On August 19, a contractor began pumping water out of the collapsed culvert system. Then on August 24, the Kanawha County Department of Planning and Development issued a letter to the lessor requiring a building permit, and a Plan of Action to fix and repair the culverts.
Friday’s court filing, the Commission says, is to enforce their August 16 emergency Public Nuisance Violation. The complaint claims the lessor has not taken the steps to repair the collapsed culvert violating multiple sections of the County’s Public Nuisance and Property Maintenance Ordinance.
The complaint continues, claiming because of the conditions of the defendant’s property, the Commission and citizens of Kanawha County have suffered and will continue to suffer property damage, loss of access, inability to provide and/or access to emergency services, danger, and apprehension of anyone traveling in the area.
The Commission seeks among other things injunction relief, compensatory and punitive damages and all damages allowed by law, attorney fees and costs, and pre and post-judgment interests. | 2022-11-19T01:44:49Z | www.wsaz.com | Commission files lawsuit against Capitol Flea Market leaseholder following flood concerns | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/19/commission-files-lawsuit-against-capitol-flea-market-leaseholder-following-flood-concerns/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/19/commission-files-lawsuit-against-capitol-flea-market-leaseholder-following-flood-concerns/ |
STATESBORO, Ga. (WSAZ) - With a freshman quarterback gaining more confidence after each game and a defense that was stout again, Marshall became bowl eligible after beating Georgia Southern Saturday evening. The final score was 23-10 with Cam Fancher accounting for all three touchdowns with two of them passing and another on the ground. Including the Troy game, the Marshall defense is allowing just 14 points per game over their last eight contests.
The contest also saw the return of Rasheen Ali who ran for 79 yards on 16 carries and Khalan Laborn added 70.
Marshall is now 7-4 on the season and 4-3 in Sun Belt Conference play with a season finale game next Saturday against Georgia State. The game kicks off at noon. | 2022-11-20T04:09:15Z | www.wsaz.com | Marshall becomes bowl eligible | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/20/herd-becomes-bowl-eligible/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/20/herd-becomes-bowl-eligible/ |
New warning sirens added in Kanawha County(WSAZ)
KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Kanawha County is adding two new warning sirens to its arsenal to help warn the public about impending emergencies like tornados, extremely severe thunderstorms, and severe flooding.
Hayli Myers lives across the street from a new siren in Pinch, West Virginia.
She said the siren is a welcome return for the community as they’ve dealt with natural disasters.
“We had a tornado hit here a couple years ago and I think it would be useful, especially with the fact that it’s for safety reasons,” Myers said. “I think it just adds a little more comfort to our area.”
Pinch isn’t the only community getting a new siren, Tornado is getting one as well.
Emergency Manager for Kanawha County C.W. Sigman said these two locations were chosen for sirens because they are some of the highest populations in Kanawha County without them.
“These more compact areas particularly for those close to streams at the point of flooding, this kind of gives us extra protection,” he said.
Both sirens will be tested for the first time Wednesday at noon and will continue to be tested on the fourth Wednesday of the month with the rest of the sirens in the county. | 2022-11-20T04:09:21Z | www.wsaz.com | New warning sirens added in Kanawha County | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/20/new-warning-sirens-added-kanawha-county/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/20/new-warning-sirens-added-kanawha-county/ |
Cleveland police said the firefighter, 51-year-old Johnny Tetrick, a 27-year-long department veteran, was taken to University Hospital in critical condition.
Bratenahl police confirmed they arrested the man suspected of the hit-and-run early Sunday morning.
“I am saddened to learn of the death of Cleveland firefighter Johnny Tetrick and extend my sincere condolences to his family, friends, and fellow firefighters,” Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb said in a statement on Sunday. “Firefighter Tetrick was devoted to his work as a first responder and was a much-loved member of his family and his community. Our prayers go out to his entire family as the city mourns the loss of a colleague and a dedicated public servant.”
“This is a tragedy. A tragedy for Firefighter Tetrick’s family and friends, but also for the Division of Fire and the city of Cleveland,” Cleveland City Council President Blaine A. Griffin said. “We offer our deepest condolences to his family.” | 2022-11-20T20:50:23Z | www.wsaz.com | Man accused of killing Cleveland firefighter in hit-and-run arrested, police say | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/20/man-accused-killing-cleveland-firefighter-hit-and-run-arrested-police-say/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/20/man-accused-killing-cleveland-firefighter-hit-and-run-arrested-police-say/ |
MARSHALL GA SOUTHERN SOCCER
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WSAZ) - The Marshall men’s soccer team needed more than 90 minutes to advance in the NCAA soccer tournament as they beat the University of Virginia in penalty kicks. The Herd will next play at Indiana at a date to be determined later by the committee. Back in May of 2021, Marshall defeated the Hoosiers to win the NCAA championship.
UVA scored in the first period on a goal by Philip Horton in the 27th minute with Marshall tying the game up with a goal by Matthew Bell in the 66th minute. The match went scoreless until penalty kicks. Marshall goalie Oliver Semmle was the first one to take a shot and he scored. Moments later, he provided the key save to help get the win. Milo Joseph clinched the match with a goal on their 5th attempt as Marshall made each one in the penalty kicks. | 2022-11-20T22:26:02Z | www.wsaz.com | Herd soccer wins again in NCAA tourney | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/20/herd-soccer-wins-again-ncaa-tourney/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/20/herd-soccer-wins-again-ncaa-tourney/ |
BOONE COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - With prices to fill the table climbing higher this Thanksgiving, it can be hard to celebrate the holidays without breaking your wallet.
Boone Memorial Health is helping to answer the call to feed families, hosting a community drive-thru Thanksgiving dinner event Monday.
The event was held at Scott High School in Madison from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
The complimentary, hot, ready-to-eat, meal prepared by the hospital’s Dietary Department included turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce, and rolls.
BMH served 1,700 meals at its first drive-thru Thanksgiving dinner held last year at the former Magic Mart Building in Danville.
“We were surprised by the overwhelming turn-out,” said BMH Chief Executive Officer, Virgil Underwood. “The past few years have been especially difficult for many; so, we were thankful to be able to give back, to show appreciation to those who work hard to provide for their families. We hope this dinner continues to bring people together and celebrate those things we are all thankful for - family and community.” | 2022-11-21T19:45:39Z | www.wsaz.com | Boone Memorial Health hosts Thanksgiving dinner drive-thru event | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/21/boone-memorial-health-hosts-thanksgiving-dinner-drive-thru-event/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/21/boone-memorial-health-hosts-thanksgiving-dinner-drive-thru-event/ |
The season of giving is quickly approaching, but you don’t have to empty your wallet to help your community. This Giving Tuesday, give the gift of life by donating blood.
Doctor Mike, a board-certified family medical physician and social media influencer with an audience of over 23 million followers, joined Susan on Studio 3 to share why donating blood is a must this holiday season. | 2022-11-21T21:17:44Z | www.wsaz.com | Give blood this Giving Tuesday | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/21/give-blood-this-giving-tuesday/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/21/give-blood-this-giving-tuesday/ |
SPOKANE, WA. (WKYT) - The No. 4 Kentucky men’s basketball team (3-2) fell to No. 2 Gonzaga (3-1) 88-72 on Sunday night in Spokane Arena.
The last time the schools played was in the 2002 Maui Invitational.
Kentucky trailed 41-25 at the half. The Wildcats struggled to shoot the ball, going 0-10 from three-point range and just 8-32 from the field.
Senior Oscar Tshiebwe notched a double-double in his third game back after undergoing a knee procedure, scoring 20 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. He went a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line.
Jacob Toppin added 20 points, and Cason Wallace scored 14.
The Bulldogs had four players score over 20 points, led by Rasir Bolton with 24. Bolton Shot 50 percent from behind the arc.
Kentucky is back at home on Wednesday hosting North Florida for a 4:00 P.M. tip-off. | 2022-11-21T22:49:02Z | www.wsaz.com | No. 4 Kentucky falls to No. 2 Gonzaga | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/21/no-4-kentucky-falls-no-2-gonzaga/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/21/no-4-kentucky-falls-no-2-gonzaga/ |
RALEIGH COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Highway officials in West Virginia are urging drivers to slow down and stay alert in work zones after a flagger was hit by a car Monday morning in Raleigh County.
According to the West Virginia Department of Transportation, the flagger was treated for minor injuries after being struck around 8:30 a.m.
The news release did not give a specific location where the incident happened, including the roadway. | 2022-11-22T03:22:47Z | www.wsaz.com | Highway worker hit by car in work zone | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/22/highway-worker-hit-by-car-work-zone/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/22/highway-worker-hit-by-car-work-zone/ |
By Marshall Sports Information
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The Marshall University men’s basketball team (4-1) won its fourth straight contest in an 82-70 defeat of the Chicago State Cougars (2-4) on Monday night in the Cam Henderson Center.
“Chicago State played hard. You have to give them credit,” Herd men’s basketball head coach Dan D’Antoni said after the win. “That looked like the team who beat Valparaiso and IUPUI, not lost to Kent State the other night.”
With 12 points and 13 rebounds, freshman Micah Handlogten registered the first double-double of his young career while adding three blocks.
Redshirt senior Andrew Taylor led the way with 24 points as fifth-year senior Taevion Kinsey added 22. Kinsey also recorded a game-high seven assists and went a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line in the victory.
Junior Obinna Anochili-Killen scored a season-high 13 points while grabbing a season-high seven rebounds.
The Herd came out of the gates hot as it went on a 13-2 run in the first 3:10 of the contest with all five starters contributing points.
However, the Cougars rallied by going on a 15-2 run from the 14:38 mark to 10:00 to grab its first lead of the game, 19-17.
The two sides traded runs during the final 10 minutes of the first half as the score was tied, 39-39, at halftime. Chicago State shot 48.5 percent (16-for-33) from the field in the opening 20 minutes.
After a Jahsean Corbett layup to start the second half gave CSU a two-point lead, MU answered with a 9-0 run to go up 48-41, concluded by five points from Taylor, 2:30 into the final half. The Herd never trailed the rest of way.
Chicago State pulled within four, 69-65, with just over seven minutes to play, but Marshall tallied 13 of the final 18 points in the contest to hold on for a double-digit victory.
The Herd outrebounded the Cougars 44-31, including 20-11 on the offensive glass. Marshall converted 11 turnovers into 17 points while giving up just eight points off 10 turnovers. | 2022-11-22T04:54:04Z | www.wsaz.com | Herd holds off Cougars | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/22/herd-holds-off-cougars/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/22/herd-holds-off-cougars/ |
55th Governor of Kentucky, John Y. Brown Jr., passes away
FRANKFORT, Ky (WSAZ/WKYT) - Former Kentucky Governor John Y. Brown Jr. has passed away at 88, according to his family.
An entrepreneur and politician from the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Brown served as the state’s 55th governor.
The following was released by Pamela Brown, former Gov. John Y. Brown’s daughter, on behalf of the family, regarding the death of the former governor:
“Our Dad, John Y. Brown Jr., not only dreamed the impossible dream, he lived it until the very end. His positive attitude and zest for life was unrivaled and allowed him to beat the odds many times over. Every day was an exciting adventure for him. He was a true Kentucky original who beamed with pride for his home state and its people. He had many prominent accomplishments, but most of all, he loved his family with all of his heart, and we in turn loved him with all of our hearts. We are heartbroken by his passing, but find comfort in what he wrote in one of his final days, “I have never been so happy.”
n the 1970s, Brown purchased ownership stakes in several professional basketball teams.
After the defeat, Brown focused again on his business ventures, which included teaming up with country star Kenny Rogers to create a chicken restaurant chain and later a meal prep kitchen concept with actress Suzanne Somers. | 2022-11-22T20:08:15Z | www.wsaz.com | 55th Governor of Kentucky, John Y. Brown Jr., passes away | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/22/55th-governor-kentucky-john-y-brown-jr-passes-away/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/22/55th-governor-kentucky-john-y-brown-jr-passes-away/ |
KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - As Thanksgiving draws near, the West Virginia Department of Transportation is expecting this week to be among the busiest weeks of the whole year with roughly 730,000 vehicles on the road between Tuesday through Sunday.
West Virginia DOT officials expect 156,000 drivers through toll plazas on Wednesday and 165,000 drivers on Sunday.
AAA expects more than 91% of West Virginians heading to a loved one’s for the holidays will be heading by car, or about 242,000 residents.
The organization also expects between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Wednesday and between 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday to be among the worst travel times.
“We stopped at a hotel on the way down, so it wasn’t straight through, but traffic’s been good, weather’s been good. So far, so good,” said Val McKee, who started the journey to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, from Chicago on Monday evening. “It’s just an easy time to get off when the kids are off school because it’s hard for them to miss so many days of school, so when they have the week off like this, we take it off and just try and dry somewhere.”
AAA said most people driving to their location will see gas about a quarter higher in West Virginia than it had been this time last year, averaging about $3.55 in the Mountain State.
However McKee said it is noticeably cheaper than their home state and other states they needed to drive through.
“I do work two jobs,” Tim McKee said. “It’s nice to actually just get away with the family and the dog and spend more time with them.”
AAA indicates the best time to get on the road before the holiday is before 8 a.m. and after 8 p.m. Wednesday. | 2022-11-22T21:40:11Z | www.wsaz.com | Travelers getting an early start on Thanksgiving getaways | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/22/travelers-getting-an-early-start-thanksgiving-getaways/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/22/travelers-getting-an-early-start-thanksgiving-getaways/ |
3 indicted in southeastern Ohio beating case(Source: MGN)
SCIOTO COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) - Three people were indicted in connection with an incident that left two men badly beaten in Wheelersburg.
Cameron Dixon, 18, and Kaleb Dixon, 23, both of Portsmouth, Ohio, and Christian Brooks, 25, of New Boston, Ohio, all face four counts of felonious assault, two counts of kidnapping and tampering with evidence charges. That’s according to information from the Scioto County Prosecutor’s Office released Tuesday.
The grand jury returned the indictments on Friday, Nov. 18.
The incident happened in late September. One of the victims was found bruised and bloodied walking along state Route 140. The victim told investigators that he and another man were taken to a home in Wheelersburg where he said both were tied down and beaten.
3 face charges in kidnapping that left 2 men badly beaten | 2022-11-22T23:11:04Z | www.wsaz.com | 3 indicted in southeastern Ohio beating case | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/22/3-indicted-southeastern-ohio-beating-case/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/22/3-indicted-southeastern-ohio-beating-case/ |
Body found in Guyandotte River(WSAZ/Andrew Colegrove)
LINCOLN COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - A body was found late Tuesday afternoon under a bridge in the Guyandotte River, Lincoln County 911 dispatchers say.
According to our crew at the scene, a man who lives in Branchland said around 4:30 pm, he saw what appeared to be a body in the Guyandotte River. He said cell service wasn’t strong enough to make a call, and he asked another man to call 911 from a nearby business.
The body was found near the U.S. Army Sgt. Paul Norman Chapman Memorial Bridge, which crosses the Guyandotte River on Hubball Road. Dive crews with a local fire department have arrived at the scene to remove the body.
There’s been no comment yet from law enforcement at the scene. Deputies with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department have also responded. The bridge is closed to traffic now. | 2022-11-22T23:11:10Z | www.wsaz.com | Body found in Guyandotte River | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/22/body-found-guyandotte-river/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/22/body-found-guyandotte-river/ |
None of those transported sustained life-threatening injuries
3 people taken to hospital in 2 vehicle crash involving ambulance(Source: MGN)
LINCOLN COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Three people were taken to the hospital Tuesday evening after a two-vehicle crash involving an ambulance on McClellan Highway, according to Lincoln County 911 Director Alen Holder.
The call came in around 5:45 p.m. A power pole was hit in the crash, and the road is closed. There is no estimate about when it will reopen. Holder tells WSAZ that none of those transported sustained life-threatening injuries.
West Virginia State Police are handling the investigation. | 2022-11-23T02:13:57Z | www.wsaz.com | 3 people taken to hospital in 2-vehicle crash involving ambulance | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/23/3-people-taken-hospital-2-vehicle-crash-involving-ambulance/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/23/3-people-taken-hospital-2-vehicle-crash-involving-ambulance/ |
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Due to a lengthy power outage projected to last throughout the day, the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles’ regional office in Huntington is closed today, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2002.
Customers are encouraged to take advantage of the DMV’s online services portal at dmv.wv.gov, or visit one of the local kiosks.
Kiosk locations around the state may be found HERE.
Anyone in need immediate assistance can visit any of the other regional offices in the area, including Point Pleasant, Winfield, Williamson, Logan, and Kanawha City. | 2022-11-23T18:59:37Z | www.wsaz.com | Huntington DMV regional office closed due to power outage | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/23/huntington-dmv-regional-office-closed-due-power-outage/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/23/huntington-dmv-regional-office-closed-due-power-outage/ |
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Preparations for a long-standing Thanksgiving tradition are underway in Charleston.
Hundreds of volunteers are teaming up to make the 56th annual Frank Veltri Thanksgiving Dinner for those who may not have access to a warm meal otherwise.
Tables full of pies, rolls, turkey and all the Thanksgiving fixings are almost ready for people in need to come enjoy it.
“It is a lot of food, about 2,200 meals between the sit-in and delivery,” said kitchen coordinator Cynthia Parsons. “We are putting rolls into baggies, we’re breaking down the cranberry sauce, we’re doing 90 trays of stuffing.”
There are more than 200 volunteers cooking, delivering and serving food. Some are new, while some have been helping all 56 years.
“We have a few that are 45 years, 28, I’m 17. So you’ve got people who have been involved, this is tradition,” Parsons said. “It becomes like family thanksgiving, you come together as a family for a week and prepare the dinner together.”
“It just makes me feel good knowing they have somewhere to go and spend time with family and friends and eat for a holiday,” said Carli Smith, 2023 West Virginia Fire EMS Junior Teen.
Those who can’t make it to the in-person meal can get a meal delivered to their door.
“That’s what Frankie wanted,” Parsons said. “He wanted a warm meal to be given to people who are considered shut-ins, disenfranchised, individuals that are in the homeless community.”
On Thanksgiving morning, the volunteers will come back bright and early at 5am to get the meals ready.
“Just the fact that people care about their community enough to show up every single year to make this happen is just heartwarming,” Parsons said.
The schedule for Thanksgiving dinner at St. George Orthodox Cathedral, 190 Court Street, Charleston is as follows:
5 a.m. - Kitchen staff arrive
6 a.m. - Volunteers arrive to tear up turkeys
9 a.m. - Volunteers begin delivery orders
12:30 p.m. -2 p.m. - Eat in sit down meal
Volunteers are welcome to come help or donate. Parsons says they’re looking for drink donations, such as water or soda. | 2022-11-23T22:02:31Z | www.wsaz.com | Preparations underway for 56th annual Frank Veltri Thanksgiving dinner | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/23/preparations-underway-5th-annual-frank-veltri-thanksgiving-dinner/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/23/preparations-underway-5th-annual-frank-veltri-thanksgiving-dinner/ |
Mark Coles spotted on KRT surveillance video
KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - As the search for 68-year-old Mark Coles enters its fourth week, new surveillance video is leaving investigators encouraged.
The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) released surveillance video from the Kanawha Valley Regional Transportation Authority (KRT) Tuesday of Coles boarding a bus in Rand on Oct. 30.
Coles’ last known contact with his family had been Oct. 28, and a Silver Alert was issued on Nov. 4.
“That was hours and hours and hours of sifting through the footage to be able to track him from Rand,” Chief Deputy Joe Crawford said Wednesday. “Our main goal is to reunite Mr. Coles with his family.”
Deputies said Coles got off the bus near Hughes Creek and they believe he walked along U.S. 60 for several miles crossing into Montgomery, being spotted near the Montgomery Bridge and eventually crossing into Fayette County into the town of Smithers.
“It’s a very small community, a very close community and we do feel very safe here,” Larry Villarreal, a Smithers resident said.
“We generally don’t have very many worries about anything at all, you know, so we do feel very secure in this area.”
KCSO said Coles had last been seen near the Smithers McDonald’s around 11 p.m. on Oct. 30, and his next movements are unknown.
Crawford believes Coles may have had connections in the Gauley Bridge area, but any tip is welcomed.
“Obviously, they may not have thought that he would have thought they could have gone from Rand to Montgomery to Smithers. That’s a pretty good piece,” he said. “It’s in the eastern end of the county, but then it goes into Fayette County so obviously we want people to be vigilant.”
Foul play is not being suspected at this time.
Coles was wearing a blue T-shirt, dark-colored pants, white tennis shoes, a lanyard around his neck and was carrying a large walking stick.
The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information to please contact Detective A. Pile at 304-357-0169
W.Va. approves seventh charter school | 2022-11-23T23:33:41Z | www.wsaz.com | Kanawha County deputies hopeful as search for missing man enters fourth week | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/23/kanawha-county-deputies-hopeful-search-missing-man-enters-fourth-week/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/23/kanawha-county-deputies-hopeful-search-missing-man-enters-fourth-week/ |
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - More than $1 million of your tax dollars were spent on a top to bottom review of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.
The report states that bold, organizational change is needed, but lawmakers are calling it overpriced and underwhelming - saying it lacks any real substance that could help improve the agency or deliver better service to citizens.
Lawmakers are less than impressed with what was supposed to be a sweeping review of West Virginia’s largest state agency -- the Department of Health and Human Resources.
The review -- conducted by the McChrystal Group, a consulting firm based in Virginia -- came with a price tag of more than $1 million of your tax dollars. A few days after its release to the public on Nov. 10, lawmakers got to ask McChrystal representatives about what many call a lack of substance.
“Top to bottom to me means all encompassing. This is not all encompassing,” said Craig Blair, R, president of the West Virginia Senate.
Mr. Secretary, what have you learned from this report that you weren’t already aware of before we the people spent one million dollars?” asked Del. Amy Summers, R-Taylor.
Del. Heather Tully, R-Nicholas, said “I don’t know that. - think it took a consulting group to come in to tell him that he should be communicating with some of the other leaders in the bureau.”
“There is a follow up report coming that’s going to be a lot more in-depth, am I correct? Blair said.
“No, sir. this is the final report,” said Meghan Bourne, partner with McChrystal Group.
“This is the final report?” “I’m done, thank you,” Blair said.
The review was ordered by Gov. Jim Justice in March after he vetoed a bill that would have split the agency into two separate departments.
The McChrystal Group says it spent four months conducting interviews with employees and members of organizations that collaborate with DHHR. They also say they observed meetings and reviewed documents.
Delegate Amy Summers, who’s from Taylor County, sits on both legislative committees that were briefed by McChrystal reps about the review.
“So, you’re saying you didn’t do any process analysis at all? No Six Sigma things on how things are run for different departments. You just stayed at the structural top layer?” Summers asked.
Bourne replied, “We did look at processes specially. Many of those documents that we received were process-specific documents, and we reviewed them. We did not conduct Six Sigma type efforts to look at how you would improve those processes. There are simply too many of them for 120 days.”
Summers said, “As a person that’s a hospital employee, who works in an ER which is crisis centered all the time, I read your strategic plan and, to be quite honest, in one minute I can know that my mission is to improve health care. My values are to have more access to health care. What are your different things? Your values? Your mission? I know what my roles are. I need to collaborate with others. I need to be respectful. I need to be accountable to my actions. I mean, that’s the gist of your whole thing. But, by God as a worker, I need to know how I do these things. I need to be provided. When I read your things where people don’t have phones. People don’t have internet. People don’t have the tools to do the jobs they need to do. They don’t have enough help. Those are the things that I’m worried about that you didn’t even look at because we spent all this time developing a strategic plan that I could have put together in five minutes.”
Among the only real changes we found was a plan to reorganize the top layer of the department under the cabinet secretary. The plan would add a third deputy secretary and each would have a specific focus. Those three deputy secretaries, three other executive level leaders, and the cabinet secretary would make up an executive leadership team.
We also found a 2013 review of DHHR conducted by another consulting firm out of Pennsylvania. It recommended nearly 80 concrete steps the state could take to improve specific processes and problems. That review called for structural changes, too -- changes lawmakers say were put into place years ago.
“We’ve tried all of those things in the past. We’ve had three deputy secretaries. We’ve had integrated teams. That’s where I’m worries about the crux of the report.
WSAZ’s Sarah Sager reached out to the McChrystal Group for an interview after the presentations, but they told us, “We are currently unavailable for media interviews.”
Sager also requested interviews with Governor Justice and Secretary Crouch to ask what changes were going to be made and how they plan to implement but was told they were unavailable outside of the Justice’s COVID-19 media briefings. Those briefings are typically held virtually a couple of times a week. They allow reporters to ask one question, with no chance to follow up.
Since that was Sager’s only opportunity, she joined the call last week.
Sager: “Secretary Crouch, the top to bottom report. We’ve looked that over. There are many mission style statement style information on there, not a lot of actions or solutions to real life and death issues. So, what are specifically some of the bold transformational changes that are going to be implemented? Is this just adding more deputy secretaries?
Crouch: “I want to say I don’t need the time addressing this publicly, but I need the time to speak to our staff first. I think they should hear some of these changes before the public does, before those are sent out through the press. You will be hearing from DHHR within the next week with regard to some of these decisions.”
Gov. Justice held a briefing Tuesday, so Sager joined that call, too -- anticipating hearing about those changes.
Sager: Last week, you said you would be able to provide an update this week about any changes that are going to be implemented at DHHR from the top-to-bottom review from the McChrystal Group. Are you able to talk about any of the changes or anything that’s been implemented?
Crouch: “I did say it would be this week, it will be next week. It’s Thanksgiving week, so we’re going to hold off on those announcements.”
Gov. Justice: “We probably shouldn’t have said we’re going to announce this week and not announce this week, but I’ll promise you that we’ll make that announcement on Monday.
As West Virginians keep waiting for those announcements, lawmakers say -- based on the report -- they are less than hopeful it will lead to meaningful, much-needed change.
“We’ve gotten the same result over and over by doing exactly the same thing,” Blair said. “From what I can interpret here, you’re saying throw more money and throw more time but keep doing the same thing. This is what I’ve read into your report or what I’ve gotten from it. Frankly, it looks like a million dollar waste of our taxpayer dollars.” | 2022-11-24T01:05:24Z | www.wsaz.com | WSAZ Investigates | Overpriced and Underwhelming | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/24/wsaz-investigates-overpriced-underwhelming/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/24/wsaz-investigates-overpriced-underwhelming/ |
SCIOTO COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) - A man died Wednesday evening after being hit by a pickup truck on U.S. 23 in Scioto County, the Ohio State Highway Patrol said.
Robert Williams Jr., 56, of Portsmouth, Ohio, is identified as the victim. Troopers say he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators say the incident was reported just after 6:15 p.m. and involved a Ford F-150 pickup truck. The driver, a man in his late 60s from Lucasville, was not injured.
Troopers say the incident happened on U.S. 23 south of Cook Road.
The crash remains under investigation, according to the OSHP. | 2022-11-24T05:39:06Z | www.wsaz.com | Man struck and killed by pickup truck in southeast Ohio | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/24/man-struck-killed-by-pickup-truck-southeast-ohio/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/24/man-struck-killed-by-pickup-truck-southeast-ohio/ |
A person was injured after a vehicle crashed into a tree.(MGN)
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - One person was taken to the hospital after a vehicle crashed into a tree.
According to a Metro 911 Supervisor, the accident happened just after 11 a.m. Thursday in the 1500 block of Bigley Avenue in Charleston.
The condition of the person hasn’t been released.
The crash has been cleared and traffic is moving on Bigley Avenue. | 2022-11-24T17:28:27Z | www.wsaz.com | Person injured after vehicle crashes into tree | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/24/person-injured-after-vehicle-crashes-into-tree/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/24/person-injured-after-vehicle-crashes-into-tree/ |
The Putnam County Sheriff's Department says they responded to a call of a man being suicidal who then threatened deputies.
By Alyssa Hannahs, Andrew Colegrove and Kimberly Keagy
PUTNAM COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - A man who was injured in a police-involved shooting has died from his wounds.
According to a news release from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, CAMC General notified the department that Jesse Hall, 26, of Eleanor, died Thursday at 9:25 a.m.
The shooting happened Wednesday at a home along Bors Court.
Chief Deputy S.M. Shamblin said they’d received a call about a suicidal man in his 20s.
Deputies say they tried to calm Hall down over the phone for more than three hours and eventually entered into the home.
They continued to talk with Hall, but he pointed a gun at them, at which point deputies shot him.
Sheriff Robert “Bobby” Eggleton was involved in the incident and has placed himself on leave pending the investigation.
The West Virginia State Police will investigate.
Meanwhile, The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office says it remains committed to the public and requests the community to keep all parties involved in their thoughts and prayers as they continue to navigate through this difficult situation.
The sheriff’s office will release additional information as it becomes available.
PUTNAM COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - The West Virginia State Police detachment in Winfield, West Virginia, confirms there was an officer-involved shooting Wednesday.
State police say the shooting involved a member of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office along Bors Court.
Putnam County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy S.M. Shamblin tells WSAZ.com they received a call about a suicidal man in his 20s.
Deputies say they tried to calm him down over the phone more than three hours and eventually went inside the home to prevent the individual from harming himself.
Shamblin says the man was in a bedroom with the door closed, and his threats continued to escalate.
The chief deputy says the deputies entered the bedroom, and the man pointed a gun at them, at which point deputies shot at the man in response.
“As a result, deputies engaged the subject with their firearms to stop the threat on their lives,” Shamblin said.
The man was taken to CAMC for treatment. His condition is unknown.
“Unfortunately, things didn’t go as well as we’d hoped,” Shamblin said.
The shooting remains under investigation by West Virginia State Police.
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said the deputies involved will be placed on paid leave, which they say is standard protocol.
“It falls under Thanksgiving, but this could happen at any time,” Shamblin said. “I don’t know if the holiday had anything to do with the escalation. It could, but we don’t know, that for sure.” | 2022-11-24T19:21:37Z | www.wsaz.com | Man in police-involved shooting has died | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/23/man-police-involved-shooting-has-died/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/23/man-police-involved-shooting-has-died/ |
Huntington Dance Theatre is a nonprofit dance studio located in the heart of downtown Huntington.
The studio provides dance and movement opportunities for all dancers 18-months and up.
Their annual holiday performance, The Huntington Nutcracker, will take place December 2nd and 3rd at 7:30 p.m. and the 4th at 2:30 p.m. | 2022-11-28T19:15:43Z | www.wsaz.com | The Huntington Nutcracker with Huntington Dance Theatre | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/28/huntington-nutcracker-with-huntington-dance-theatre/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/28/huntington-nutcracker-with-huntington-dance-theatre/ |
Pigeon Forge’s new Wonders of Light Walking Trail opened November 10, and visitors can experience 20 new light displays in a mile-long stretch along the city’s Greenway.
A 52-foot-long caterpillar, ice fountains, woodland creatures, and more are just a few of the displays.
It’s free to view and explore Winterfest Lights, and the fun continues through February 19.
Visitor information is available at www.MyPigeonForge.com. | 2022-11-28T19:15:55Z | www.wsaz.com | Pigeon Forge Winterfest | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/28/pigeon-forge-winterfest/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/28/pigeon-forge-winterfest/ |
BECKLEY, W.Va. (WSAZ) – West Virginia State Police is searching for a man accused of stealing money from an ATM machine at the Beckley Travel Plaza.
On Sunday, Nov. 27 around 9:15 p.m. an Applegreen employee responsible for managing the West Virginia Parkways Authority, Beckley Travel Plaza, reported the robbery.
The employee told state police a man wearing a dark colored ski mask, dark colored hoodie, dark colored sweatpants and carrying a duffle bag approached her while she was standing outside of the travel plaza and demanded the money from the ATM machine.
After getting a large amount of money, the employee told investigators he left, walking towards Harper Road or Route 3.
The man is not accused of displaying a weapon.
This incident is being investigated by Cpl. B.D. Gillespie of the West Virginia State Police. | 2022-11-28T23:11:12Z | www.wsaz.com | Robbery reported at Beckley Travel Plaza | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/28/robbery-reported-beckley-travel-plaza/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/28/robbery-reported-beckley-travel-plaza/ |
Huntington Sanitary Board plans major upgrades to aging, inadequate systems
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - The Huntington Sanitary Board announced plans for a series of sorely needed facility upgrades to a nearly century-old sewer system that is both at capacity and under threat of a federal takeover for repeated water quality violations.
The $200 million project will also separate the lines at 3rd and 5th avenues to reduce flooding risk and improve public safety along these primary corridors that connect the east end of the city to the west end.
Federal and state grants and loans, including through the American Rescue Plan Act, will pay for a majority of the planned improvements. A stepped increase in user rates will be phased in during several years to cover the repayment of the loans for the upgraded system.
“It’s the age of the infrastructure. When you ignore it, after 60 years it has to be replaced,” said Brian Bracey, executive director of the Huntington Water Quality Board (HWQB).
The existing wastewater treatment plant is currently operating at 98% BOD capacity and hasn’t seen a major capital improvement since the 1980s. That limitation could limit the city’s ability to connect any new industry, homes, schools, or businesses to the sewer system -- prohibiting economic development.
“Huntington’s flooding woes are well-documented,” Bracey said. “It only takes an hourly rainfall of one inch to flood our city streets - and the combined overflow of both storm and sewage water pose significant safety hazards, from submerged vehicles to potentially life-threatening delays in emergency vehicle response times.”
From 2015 to 2021, state regulators cited 143 violations of the city’s water pollution control permit for excessive discharge from the wastewater treatment plant. These discharges are a direct result of the plant operating at or near full capacity.
During the same timeframe, the system incurred additional penalties for dry weather discharges, primarily caused by failed pumps and line blockages. Raw sewage is discharged onto the ground or into streams upon each such event. Upon each discharge, the city was cited for failure to appropriately maintain a Combined Sewer System Overflow as required by the city’s Long Term Control Plan (LTCP). If Huntington were in compliance with the LTCP, the allowable number of discharges would be 42 during the seven-year period; the actual number of discharges was 489.
These violations have led to fines from both the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and, as recently as December 2021, more than $325,000 from the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. These fines are the direct result of our antiquated system and deteriorating infrastructure.
Those repeated violations put Huntington at risk of a possible federal takeover by the U.S. Department of Justice, as was the case a decade ago in Akron, Ohio.
Closer to home, a non-compliant public service district in Berkeley County, West Virginia was fined more than $500,000 by DOJ in November 2021 for excessive sewer overflows and wastewater quality violations that threatened the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay.
“Our choice is clear,” said Jim Rorrer, HWQB vice chairman. “Continue with the status quo, and the escalating threats to public health, safety, and local self-governance -- or rally together as a community and make a critical investment in Huntington’s future -- on our own terms.”
The Sanitary Board approved the proposed infrastructure upgrades at its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, Nov. 10. City Council’s Finance Committee voted unanimously on Nov. 14 to forward the project to the full council, which is scheduled to hold the first reading on Monday, Nov. 28. A council vote is expected in mid-December.
The stepped fee increase, which eventually will add $27.20 per month to customers’ minimum bill, will allow the city to access critical grant and low-interest loan financing while providing customers with time to adjust to the increased infrastructure costs.
The stepped fee increase proposed goes as follows:
Phase 1 - $8.18
Phase 4 - $13.58
If the project is approved, the wastewater treatment plant will continue to remain open while renovations and upgrades are made. | 2022-11-29T00:42:18Z | www.wsaz.com | Major upgrades to Huntington Sanitary board could raise monthly bills | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/28/major-upgrades-huntington-sanitary-board-could-raise-monthly-bills/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/28/major-upgrades-huntington-sanitary-board-could-raise-monthly-bills/ |
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Just last week, we told you about a top to bottom review of West Virginia’s Department of Health and Human Resources (WVDHHR).
That review cost more than $1 million of your tax dollars, but lawmakers say it doesn’t even come close to addressing how the agency can overcome major issues.
We’ve looked that report over, too, and have been asking for weeks when the DHHR would be announcing changes from that report. After delaying nearly a week, we finally got one announcement.
“Frankly, it looks like a million dollar waste of our taxpayer dollars,” said Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, president of the West Virginia Senate.
That’s how lawmakers described a top to bottom review of West Virginia’s largest agency, the Department of Health and Human Resources.
It was ordered by Gov. Jim Justice after he vetoed a bill in March that would have split the DHHR into two separate agencies.
“Naturally, we want to improve DHHR in every way, and I stand behind that. So, we’re going to get it right, and when we get it right we’ll move forward,” said Justice in April.
The review was conducted by the McChrystal Group, a consulting based in Virginia.
The only real changes we found in their report was a plan to reorganize the top layer of the department under the cabinet secretary. The plan would add a third deputy secretary, and each would have a specific focus.
Those three deputy secretaries, three other executive level leaders, and the cabinet secretary would make up an executive leadership team.
The report was released Nov. 10. The following week, WSAZ’s Sarah Sager asked DHHR Cabinet Secretary Crouch what changes the agency would be making, and when they would be put into place.
“I need the time to speak to our staff first. I think they should hear some of these changes before the public does. So, you’re going to be hearing those changes next week,” said Crouch at a Nov. 16 COVID-19 media briefing.
When those announcements did not come last week, Sager asked Secretary Crouch again during the Governor Justice’s COVID-19 briefing on Nov. 22.
“I did say it would be this week, it will be next week. It’s Thanksgiving week, so we’re going to hold off on those announcements,” Crouch said.
“We probably shouldn’t have said we’re going to announce this week and not announce this week, but I’ll promise you that we’ll make that announcement on Monday,” Justice said.
On Monday, that promised announcement arrived by press release, naming Cammie Chapman as the new Deputy Secretary of Child and Adult Services. According to the release, Chapman has served as associate general counsel for DHHR for several years.
Sager followed up, reaching out to the DHHR and the governor’s office for an interview, to see what other changes were going to be made. She was told both Secretary Crouch and the governor wouldn’t be available until the next virtual COVID-19 briefing that is expected to happen on Wednesday.
The governor’s communication team also told Sager another announcement is expected to be made Tuesday.
For coverage of the original investigation: | 2022-11-29T00:42:50Z | www.wsaz.com | WSAZ Investigates | Overpriced and underwhelming update | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/29/wsaz-investigates-overpriced-underwhelming-update/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/29/wsaz-investigates-overpriced-underwhelming-update/ |
Fallen tree crushes car in Huntington(WSAZ/Raegan Williams)
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - It was a crushing evening for a family in Huntington after a tree fell right on top of their car Monday.
While they didn’t don’t know what caused the tree to fall, it badly damaged a car parked on the street nearby. The incident happened along 6th Avenue near the intersection of 2nd Street.
City crews quickly arrived with chainsaws to cut the tree up.
We spoke with a man who’s lucky he and his family didn’t get hurt. He said it was his wife’s vehicle, and he was getting ready to use it to take their daughters to dance practice. | 2022-11-29T03:44:30Z | www.wsaz.com | Fallen tree crushes car in Huntington | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/29/fallen-tree-crushes-car-huntington/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/29/fallen-tree-crushes-car-huntington/ |
Jayson McGraw's mother says he had just graduated from West Portsmouth High School in the spring.
SCIOTO COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) - A family is dealing with unimaginable grief after the Scioto County Sheriff says an 18-year-old died of a stab wound he suffered early Monday morning.
The sheriff says two minors, 14 and 16 years old, have been arrested and charged with murder.
“He was starting his journey into becoming a man very responsibly and very, very eager,” Jayson’s mother Latoya Cave said.
Cave says her son wanted to work as a heavy machine operator and do lots of traveling.
The sheriff says someone called 911 just after 1 a.m., saying his friend had just been stabbed. When emergency responders arrived at 2nd Street in West Portsmouth, they found Jayson lying on the ground.
The sheriff says two minors who ran from the stabbing scene were found and arrested.
“It shouldn’t happen to anybody,” Clint Askew, Jayson’s uncle, said. “It shouldn’t have happened the way it happened. These kids are growing up crazy down here, and everyone knows it.”
Askew says Jayson felt more like a son.
The sheriff says more charges may be filed later. | 2022-11-29T03:44:36Z | www.wsaz.com | Family mourns teen killed in stabbing; 14 and 16-year-old charged | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/29/family-mourns-teen-killed-stabbing-14-16-year-old-charged/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/29/family-mourns-teen-killed-stabbing-14-16-year-old-charged/ |
LAWRENCE COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) – Students in Pre-K through 12th grade were dismissed early Tuesday following a bomb threat, according to the Rock Hill Local School District.
Lawrence County Sheriff Jeff Lawless tells WSAZ.com detectives and deputies are investigating the threat.
Several threats toward the Rock Hill Local School District have been made over the past couple weeks leading to lockdowns, evacuations, and early dismissals.
Collins Career Center students will remain at the Career Center until the end of the school day and will be brought home at that time, according to school officials. | 2022-11-29T20:30:09Z | www.wsaz.com | Rock Hill Local School District | students dismissed following bomb threat | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/29/rock-hill-local-school-district-students-dismissed-following-bomb-threat/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/29/rock-hill-local-school-district-students-dismissed-following-bomb-threat/ |
Project underway to revitalize Ironton Riverfront(Ironton Mayor Sam Cramblit)
IRONTON, Ohio (WSAZ) - The city of Ironton has major development projects in the works with the goal of revitalizing the area.
The projects include paving the roadways and a makeover to the riverfront to make it an attraction in our region.
Among several projects in the works, Ironton Mayor Sam Cramblit says they’re making progress in repaving the city, and one of five projects is now done.
“We anticipate we will have two to four completed by next summer, potentially five,” Cramblit said. “Some of these are grant funded, and when they’re grant funded they take a little bit longer than others.”
A big project on the list is making the Ironton Riverfront an attraction.
It generates no revenue now and isn’t much of a destination to stop and hang out.
Cramblit has renderings of what the future product may look like.
“We have put together a project that will include a riverfront food and beer garden for people to come visit and get a good look at the Ironton-Russell Bridge,” Cramblit said.
The idea is still in the works and subject to change. Cramblit hopes the Ironton Riverfront will give people across the region a place to bring their families, as well as an incentive for a younger demographic to keep coming back.
“I as someone who did move away for college and then travel for work, I thought, what could we do here in the community to make it more attractive to young working class citizens,” he said.
The vision for the riverfront is expected to come to life by the end of next summer.
Cramblit says there will also be a road project next year to create a roundabout at the state Route 93/US 52 intersection.
He says it’s currently in the top 50 most dangerous intersections in the state.
The roundabout will hopefully cut down the number of crashes in that area. | 2022-11-29T21:08:59Z | www.wsaz.com | Project underway to revitalize Ironton Riverfront | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/29/project-underway-revitalize-ironton-riverfront/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/29/project-underway-revitalize-ironton-riverfront/ |
CABELL COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - The case of a man accused of kidnapping a woman in the middle of a busy intersection near a Barboursville shopping area will be sent to a grand jury.
A magistrate found probable cause to send the case against Danny White Jr. to a grand jury, according to Cabell County Magistrate Court staff.
White, 25, of Glenwood, West Virginia, is accused in connection with the incident. It happened Monday, Nov. 21 near the entrance to Merritt Creek Farm shopping plaza, which is near the junction of Interstate 64.
A video -- shot by a woman in traffic -- shows a young woman being dragged out of car and thrown into a pickup truck.
The young woman’s family told West Virginia State Police troopers they had rescued their daughter from an abusive relationship in Mason County and were returning home when the alleged abuser, White Jr., caught up with them and took the victim.
White also faces a domestic battery charge. For previous coverage: | 2022-11-29T22:00:38Z | www.wsaz.com | Alleged public kidnapping case sent to grand jury | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/29/alleged-public-kidnapping-case-sent-grand-jury/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/29/alleged-public-kidnapping-case-sent-grand-jury/ |
City Council amends zoning code
PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) - Members of Portsmouth’s City Council have been working toward a new zoning map. A map proposed in February divides the city into nine different districts. On Monday, councilmembers discussed and agreed upon what could be the final amendments to the zoning codes that will apply to addiction treatment facilities and recovery housing.
“We are removing the limitation of one facility for every 15,000 members of the population,” said Mayor Sean Dunne.
Dunne says that new recovery housing units and addiction treatment facilities will only be allowed to operate in two of the city’s districts: the Corridor District and the Industrial Flex District.
“We are also going to be the only city in the state of Ohio, that I am aware of, that will require mandatory certification either through OMAS, through CARF standards, or through Ohio Recovery Housing standards,” Dunne said.
He said many facilities in Portsmouth already receive these kinds of certification. However, this will make at least one of those certifications mandatory to operate in the city.
“We are going to enforce a standard of care, and I would also like to see the city continue a moratorium until we have a better idea of what is taking place,” Dunne said.
Councilmembers will have a chance to vote on these amendments at the next meeting in two weeks. They will also have the opportunity to discuss a potential extension of the moratorium. | 2022-11-30T01:03:19Z | www.wsaz.com | Portsmouth City Council amends zoning proposal | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/29/portsmouth-city-council-amends-zoning-proposal/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/29/portsmouth-city-council-amends-zoning-proposal/ |
New commissioner shares outlook for county
PUTNAM COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Republican commissioner-elect Steve Deweese shared goals for his coming six-year term.
Deweese said infrastructure, economic growth and improving the quality of life are the three main issues he wants to focus on.
One project he would like to see completed is a truck stop near the U.S. 35 exit right off of Interstate 64. He said the stop would be the third in the county. It would help truck drivers along the highway and hopefully bring in hotels and restaurants.
“I will contact all the local steak chains, restaurants that you can imagine, their corporate offices, bring them here to Putnam County,” Deweese said.
He said the tax revenue could open up funds to build up the northern part of Putnam County for families.
“If we get something like that, then we can have better ball fields for the north side of the river, a turf field or something even as magnificent as Valley Park,” Deweese said.
Another project Deweese said he supports is to bring phone service and internet service to rural parts of the county.
“The rural areas, Route 34 North which is Red House Hill, Steel Ridge which is on around from Cross Creek, and Route 34 South which is towards Hamlin,” Deweese said.
The projects to bring internet and phone service are already in the works, but Deweese said he plans to move them along, including a project that would bring running water to the 328 customers who still do not have it.
Deweese said the Jim Ridge Phase Two project will help get running water to the Red House area.
“That is going to bring water to 63 more customers out there,” Deweese said.
While Deweese said infrastructure is his first concern, he also hopes to bring economic growth to the north side where he said needs improvement.
One of those projects, the truck stop, he said will alleviate the amount of tractor-trailers at the other two stops. With the volume of trucks that travel on U.S. 35, the stop would give them a place to sleep. | 2022-11-30T01:03:51Z | www.wsaz.com | New Putnam County commissioner shares outlook for the county | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/30/new-putnam-county-commissioner-shares-outlook-county/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/30/new-putnam-county-commissioner-shares-outlook-county/ |
The safety grants will go toward improving safety and security measures.
OHIO (WSAZ) - School safety remains at the forefront of many minds, following violent situations that have unfolded at schools across the country.
To help improve safety in the classroom, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced $57.8 million in grant funding is going toward school districts throughout Ohio.
“We’re super grateful and thankful that two of our schools were awarded $100,000 each,” South Point Local School District Superintendent Sam Gue said.
Hundreds of K-12 schools across more than 50 counties, including Lawrence, Gallia, Jackson, and Meigs counties, have been awarded up to $100,000.
These funds are a part of DeWine’s K-12 school safety program, which helps schools with physical security expenses like new security cameras, automatic door locks, and public address systems. This marks the third round of funding through this program.
“We’re super thankful and excited and really appreciate the governor’s response in helping us through that,” Gue said. | 2022-11-30T01:03:58Z | www.wsaz.com | Ohio Gov. DeWine announces $57.8 million in safety grants | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/30/ohio-gov-dewine-announces-578-million-safety-grants/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/30/ohio-gov-dewine-announces-578-million-safety-grants/ |
Mountain Movers Theatre Company's Production of "A Christmas Carol"
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Nobody wants to be a Scrooge this Christmas, except for Phillip Charlie Daniell.
He stopped by First Look at Four to talk about how he is preparing for the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in Mountain Mover Theatre Company’s upcoming production of “A Christmas Carol.” | 2022-11-30T14:45:32Z | www.wsaz.com | Mountain Movers Theatre Company to hold production of “A Christmas Carol” | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/30/mountain-movers-theatre-company-hold-production-christmas-carol/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/30/mountain-movers-theatre-company-hold-production-christmas-carol/ |
Rodney Rodgers was taken to the South-Central Regional Jail.(Jackson County Sheriff's Office)
JACKSON COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) – A man is facing drug charges after deputies more than a pound of methamphetamine and an undisclosed amount of powder cocaine at his home.
According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Rodney Rodgers was arrested for two counts of transporting a controlled substance into the state and two counts of possession with intent to deliver.
Rodgers was taken to the South-Central Regional Jail.
The sheriff’s office wrote on its Facebook page, “This is a major win again for Jackson County in the continued effort to keep drugs away from our children.” | 2022-11-30T19:23:53Z | www.wsaz.com | Man arrested after deputies find meth, cocaine inside home | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/30/man-arrested-after-deputies-find-meth-cocaine-inside-home/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/30/man-arrested-after-deputies-find-meth-cocaine-inside-home/ |
Jury to begin deliberations Wednesday in George Wagner IV’s trial
George Wagner IV, 31, leaves the courtroom during a break in what could be the last week of his trial, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022 in Pike County Common Pleas Court in Waverly, Ohio. His attorneys are Richard M. Nash Jr., left, and John P. Parker, right. The trial started on Aug. 29, 2022. Eight members of the Rhoden family were found shot to death at four different locations on April 21-22, 2016. Wagner’s brother Jake Wagner and mom, Angela Wagner, have already pleaded guilty. George’s dad, George “Billy” Wagner III will go on trial in 2023. (Liz Dufour | Liz Dufour/Cincinnati Enquirer)
WAVERLY, Ohio (WXIX) - The jury will begin deliberations at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday in the murder trial of George Wagner IV.
Pike County Common Pleas Court Judge Randy Deering read more than 100 pages of instructions to the jurors before asking if they wanted to begin deliberations Tuesday night.
The jury decided they would return on Wednesday.
George Wagner’s defense attorney gave his closing argument Tuesday as the jury prepares to decide his fate in the 2016 Pike County massacre case.
But the death penalty is now off the table as a possible punishment should he be convicted of any of the aggravated murder charges.
Part of US 52 shut down to after tractor-trailer crash | 2022-11-30T21:30:00Z | www.wsaz.com | Jury to begin deliberations Wednesday in George Wagner IV’s trial | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/29/jury-begin-deliberations-wednesday-george-wagner-ivs-trial/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/29/jury-begin-deliberations-wednesday-george-wagner-ivs-trial/ |
Celebrating the Portsmouth Spartans' greatest victory
PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) - The brick and mortar of Spartan Municipal Stadium holds nearly a century of football history. Originally known as Labold Field, it was home to the Portsmouth Spartans.
“The Spartans really help tell the story of the early NFL when smaller towns like Portsmouth could field really good teams,” said Andrew Feight.
Feight is Shawnee State University’s Director of the Center for Public History. He has worked tirelessly to help digitally archive old newspapers to help preserve Portsmouth’s rich history. Along the way, he has learned a lot about the Portsmouth Spartans and their incredible victory over the Green Bay Packers on Dec. 4, 1932. That game is now know as ‘The Iron Man Game’.
“Coach Potsy Clark played the same 11 men the whole game; offense, defense, no substitutions and they defeated the Packers 19-0,” Feight said.
It was a highly anticipated matchup that drew an estimated crowd of 13,000 people. Feight says the stadium likely only held 7,000.
“There would have been people on the flood wall watching the game. The National Guard was called out to help manage the crowds and the traffic. Probably the biggest day in football history in Portsmouth, Ohio,” Feight said.
On Sunday, Dec. 4, Spartan enthusiasts will celebrate the 90th anniversary of ‘The Iron Man Game’. A brand new sign will be unveiled at the stadium at 12:30 p.m. and Spartan memorabilia will be on display at Stadium Lunch immediately following. Feight hopes that it will spark a renewed interest in Spartan history that will help preserve the old, deteriorating stadium.
“We’ll be able to raise additional funds to fix it up and ensure that it continues to such a historical place in our community,” Feight said.
WSAZ Investigates | Overpriced and underwhelming follow-up | 2022-11-30T23:36:12Z | www.wsaz.com | Portsmouth to celebrate 90th anniversary of Spartans’ greatest victory | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/30/portsmouth-celebrate-90th-anniversary-spartans-greatest-victory/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/30/portsmouth-celebrate-90th-anniversary-spartans-greatest-victory/ |
Person shot in Huntington(WSAZ/Raegan Williams)
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A shooting sent a person to the hospital Wednesday evening in the Fairfield West area of Huntington, Cabell County 911 dispatchers say.
The shooting was reported at 6:09 p.m. at the intersection of 9th Avenue and 18th Street. There’s no word on the extent of the victim’s injuries.
Other details are unavailable, but we have a crew at the scene.
Officers with the Huntington Police Department are investigating. | 2022-12-01T01:29:38Z | www.wsaz.com | Person shot in Huntington | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/01/person-shot-huntington/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/01/person-shot-huntington/ |
By Sarah Sager
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - For a week now, we’ve been telling you about a top to bottom review of West Virginia’s Department of Health and Human Resources.
Several announcements have been made this week about changes at the agency following that review. Lawmakers say it’s not enough, and our efforts to get clarity have been stonewalled.
Those announcements came in the form of three news releases detailing changes being made at West Virginia’s Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) following a top to bottom review of the agency.
That review was ordered by Gov. Jim Justice after he vetoed a bill earlier this year that would have split the department into two separate agencies.
The more than $1 million taxpayer funded, top-to-bottom review was conducted by the McChrystal Group -- a consulting firm based in Virginia.
A report from the review was released publicly earlier this month, and legislators were less than impressed.
Senate President Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, said at the November interims, “Top to bottom to me means all encompassing. this is not all encompassing.”
Del. Amy Summers, R-Taylor said, “Mr. Secretary, what have you learned from this report that you weren‘t already aware of before we the people spent one million dollars?”
Del. Heather Tully, R-Nicholas said, “I don’t know that I think it took a consulting group to come in to tell him that he should be communicating with some of the other leaders in the bureau.”
Among the changes announced by DHHR this week in news releases were two new deputy secretaries named, bringing the total to three as recommended by the McChrystal Group.
On Monday, Cammie Chapman was announced as the new Deputy Secretary of Child and Adult Services.
On Tuesday, Christina Mullins was named Deputy Secretary of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders.
On Wednesday, Cabinet Secretary, Bill Crouch, announced structural changes within the department, as well as a hiring freeze within DHHR.
Since lawmakers were so outspoken after reading through the report, WSAZ’s Sarah Sager reached out to Senate President, Craig Blair, to get his thoughts on the changes so far.
“Shuffling the deck chairs with the same people and expecting different results. I don’t expect to see much of an outcome on this,” Blair said.
So, what does Blair mean by shuffling people around?
Newly appointed Deputy Secretary Chapman has already been serving at DHHR since 2018 as Associate General Counsel.
The other newly appointed Deputy Secretary Mullins has long worked for DHHR, most recently serving as the Commissioner of the Department’s Bureau for Behavioral Health.
Then there’s Russ Crane, an existing Deputy Secretary that so far has not been appointed a specific focus.
WSAZ’s Sarah Sager reached out to DHHR, looking for clarity on any changes to Crane’s role. She was told she would have to wait until the governor’s COVID-19 media briefing today to get answers.
Sager: “Secretary Crouch, what do you say to some criticism of how the restructuring of DHHR is going – that we’re just reshuffling people within the department and expecting different outcomes? That’s my first question. Second question: Are there any more announcements expected this week regarding any of the changes within the McChrystal Group’s report? Third question: Secretary Crouch, are you open to in-person interviews? If so, I’d like to request one. I’ve been working to try and get an in-person interview with you since the beginning of the year – even asking the Governor if he would help me get an in-person interview with you. So, just putting that out there on the record, I’d like to get one. Thank you.”
During the briefing on Wednesday, Secretary Crouch only answered one of Sager’s questions.
“I think there’s going to be criticism regardless of what I do at this point. DHHR is under a microscope here. We do a lot of good things every day for a huge number of people in this state, tens of thousands of people in this state. So, I’d like to focus on the good stuff, but I know a lot of people want to focus on other areas that they think are failures,” Crouch said.
However, Gov. Jim Justice followed up.
“I’ll absolutely urge Bill Crouch to talk to you and absolutely him be interviewed by you. I think it’s great that he does that, but you’ve got to give him just a little bit of time and a little bit of wiggle room here. I’m not an expert in all the different areas that DHHR deals with, but I can assure you, Sarah, with all in me, I am an expert in this: I’m an impatient guy, and I want results. And absolutely with all in me if we don’t have results we’ll have different players,” Justice said.
Lawmakers say the lack of communication extends to the Legislature as well, and that needs to change.
“We hear what’s going on through the press. That’s a problem in itself. As we get moving forward, we’ll have a better understanding of what’s happening, and then the Legislature will take appropriate actions for the people of West Virginia,” Blair said.
Sager reached out to Secretary Crouch by email after the governor’s briefing on Wednesday asking if he will sit down to speak with her about the changes at DHHR.
During the media briefing, Secretary Crouch did say critical positions in child and adult protective services are not part of that hiring freeze.
WSAZ Investigates | Overpriced and Underwhelming
WSAZ Investigates | Overpriced and underwhelming update | 2022-12-01T01:29:51Z | www.wsaz.com | WSAZ Investigates | Overpriced and underwhelming follow-up | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/01/wsaz-investigates-overpriced-underwhelming-follow-up/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/01/wsaz-investigates-overpriced-underwhelming-follow-up/ |
A single vehicle late-night crash has left a man dead in Gallia County, Ohio.(WSAZ)
GALLIPOLIS, Ohio (WSAZ) - A single vehicle late-night crash has left a man dead.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, it happened just after 10 p.m. Wednesday on State Route 588, near mile marker 6 in Green Township.
Troopers said Rocky Frazier, 34, of Gallipolis was traveling west on Rt. 588 when his vehicle traveled off the right side of the road.
The vehicle overcorrected and drove left of center and off the left side of the road, hitting a tree.
They said Frazier wasn’t wearing a seat belt.
Agencies assisting the Ohio Highway Patrol were the Gallipolis Fire Department, Gallia County Sheriff’s office, and Gallia County EMS. | 2022-12-01T13:35:37Z | www.wsaz.com | Man dies in late night crash | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/01/man-dies-late-night-crash/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/01/man-dies-late-night-crash/ |
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Citing his discomfort with Democratic Party values, Senator Glenn Jeffries has announced his decision to switch political parties.
The West Virginia State Senator from Red House says he is leaving the Democratic Party to join the West Virginia Republican Party.
“I warmly welcome Senator Glenn Jeffries into the West Virginia Republican Party,” said Tony Hodge, the Putnam County Republican Party Chairman and the Co-Chairman of the West Virginia Republican Party. “Senator Jeffries has proven himself to be a very hard worker for Putnam County. His efforts to improve infrastructure such as water and sewer services as well as road maintenance have been exemplary.” Hodge said.
The West Virginia Democratic Party Chair, Mike Pushkin released the following statement about Sen. Jeffries decision, “For Senator Jeffries to claim he doesn’t like the direction of the Democratic Party, barely a week after his new party’s de facto leader had dinner with a Holocaust denying white supremacist, is like being called ugly by a frog.”
“I’m glad to see that Putnam County Republican Chair Tony Hodge recognized Senator Jeffries’s policy efforts in the legislature,” added Pushkin. “Just last year Senator Jeffries received the highest score of any West Virginia Senator from Climate Cabinet Action, a national group dedicated to supporting the best climate and environmental justice champions in statehouses across the country. Hopefully, Glenn will be permitted to continue to be an environmental justice champion in his new party.” | 2022-12-01T16:52:08Z | www.wsaz.com | West Virginia Sen. Glenn Jeffries switches policital parties | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/01/west-virginia-sen-glenn-jeffries-switches-policital-parties/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/01/west-virginia-sen-glenn-jeffries-switches-policital-parties/ |
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Huntington City Mission cold weather shelters are open for the season after organizers didn’t know if it would be possible.
Executive Director Mitchell Webb says they had run out of specific COVID-19 funding that allowed them to open up the chapel to more people.
“The unsheltered population on the street has grown in the last several years, so there’s really not enough room for people to come inside into the lobby,” Webb said. “There’s a lot more people that need a place to go than there is room.”
Huntington Mayor Steve Williams recruited the department of Planning and Development to allocate funding needed for the shelter to properly open.
“We don’t prescribe what needs to be done,” Williams said. “What do you need? How much is it going to cost? We gave them $125,000.”
“The big expense is to hire staff,” Webb said. “We’re going to have about nine people who will be working for about six months, so that’s the big expense.”
The Salvation Army donated 30 cots to use in the shelters, which is more than they had but still may not be enough.
“We averaged about 30 people a night,” Webb said. “We have about 30 cots, but as it got colder we would actually have more than 30 people come in. Some people would come in and sleep on the floor.”
“You can rest assured that there are some folks, that there are some folks that are just trying to find somewhere to huddle up,” Williams. “All I would be asking is for anybody to reach deep into their soul and ask, what might I be able to do?”
Webb says with this funding, they are ready to raise the white flag and let more people in.
“We’ve got the people, we’ve got the cots, we’ve got space, we’ll be ready to go,” Webb said.
You can help Huntington City Mission by making a donation.
It doesn’t have to be in cash, you can donate winter clothes, non-perishable foods, and hygiene items. | 2022-12-01T21:25:37Z | www.wsaz.com | Huntington City Mission cold weather shelter opens with new funding | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/01/huntington-city-mission-cold-weather-shelter-opens-with-new-funding/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/01/huntington-city-mission-cold-weather-shelter-opens-with-new-funding/ |
KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - A community right outside of St. Albans floods just about anytime it rains. Don Fraley, the outreach director at a nearby church, is fighting to find answers for the community of more than 200 homes.
On Nov. 15, WSAZ spoke with Fraley about the problem. Since then, Fraley took his concerns to Gov. Jim Justice’s office.
“So between the governor, the state attorney general and the good Lord above, maybe we can get something done for these people,” Fraley said.
Homeowners like Brenda Carter say they have tried to find help through the years, but no one has an answer -- all while she watches her home cave in.
“The whole yard floods, and I have 4-5 inches of water to get out to my car,” Carter said.
One half of her home sits higher than the other after 28 years living along Virginia Avenue. Severe cracks in the walls show the rainwater that flows under her homes sinks it more each time.
“These cracks here have been started for the past year. I’d say this past year this has gotten worse,” Carter said.
Carter is not the only one; other residents have reported mold and structural issues to their homes, too.
After Fraley went to the governor’s office, WSAZ also reached out to see what is being done to help the area where more than 200 homes sit in the saturated ground.
“The Marlaina subdivision is not part of the West Virginia State Highway System; therefore, the roads, pipes, culverts, and ditches in that area are not maintained by the Division of Highways. Under West Virginia law, it’s illegal for the DOH to repair the aforementioned off the state right-of-way system, which is the case here. Mr. Fraley met with our Constituent Services office, who then passed along his information to the City of St. Albans after we determined the private subdivision was not part of the state roads system,” said a spokesperson with the Governor’s Office.
Carter said she has paid her insurance and property taxes for 28 years and she never knew the area was private.
“All I knew is that I had to pay my insurance, homeowner’s insurance and property taxes,” Carter said. “No one has mentioned anything to me about that.”
WSAZ reached out to Kanawha County officials who also say the area is private property and the ditches that run along the neighborhood have not been maintained.
Fraley said residents do not pay Homeowner’s Association dues for the area which the state and county said would help maintain the ditches and roads. Carter also said she has not paid dues to live in the area for 28 years.
“I used to be the president of the HOA where I live, but the thing is there is so many conflicting stories -- even if there was an HOA that from the information I got 1954 when it was established and was abolished in 1991. What about the 22-plus years,” Fraley said. “But that also brings up the subject of residents that have been here for 30-plus years and they can’t tell me they have ever paid a HOA any kind of dues whatsoever.”
Carter said she wants to move, but no one will want to live in her home.
“Nobody will want to live here with the water, so I am going to lose money on it whenever, even though I have added to it and even fix it up before I sell it I am going to still lose money on it,” Carter said.
Fraley hopes through the conflicting information about who is responsible, he prays a solution happens for the people who live in the community he serves.
“That is my main goal is to get the state to adopt this situation and put an end to the havoc that these people face every time it rains,” Fraley said. “That is what I am seeing with our government today. They don’t want to help the people, and that is what is driving me today.” | 2022-12-02T00:28:04Z | www.wsaz.com | Community with rain-damaged homes fighting for answers | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/01/community-with-rain-damaged-homes-fighting-answers/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/01/community-with-rain-damaged-homes-fighting-answers/ |
Man sentenced to 8 years in prison for explosives placed on tugboats(South Central Regional Jail)
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - A man from Marietta, Ohio, was sentenced Thursday to more than eight years in prison after pipe bombs were placed on tugboats on the Ohio River, the U.S. Department of Justice reports.
Nathaniel Blayn Becker, 43, received a sentence of eight years and one month, to be followed by three years of supervised release.
Man found guilty of placing pipe bombs on tug boats | 2022-12-02T03:30:48Z | www.wsaz.com | Man sentenced to 8 years in prison for explosives placed on tugboats | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/02/man-sentenced-8-years-prison-explosives-placed-tugboats/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/02/man-sentenced-8-years-prison-explosives-placed-tugboats/ |
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Family and friends of Christopher Johnson gathered Thursday evening at 9th Avenue and 18th Street in Huntington to honor his memory.
Johnson was killed in a Wednesday night shooting at that location.
One attendee, John Kinder, said he has known Christopher since he was 7 years old and took him to football practice as a kid.
“I just like to say I love him, I loved that boy,” Kinder said. “I did. I loved that boy, but I couldn’t do nothing to help him.”
Family and friends fought back tears to give him the celebration of life he deserves.
Christopher’s sister said he was a real one taken far too soon.
“He was a very good person,” she said. “He’s a brother, a father, a son, uncle and he got a lot of love. He didn’t deserve to get taken out the way he did.”
From candles to flowers to pictures of Christopher, every person at the vigil wanted him to know that they miss him and that they love him.
“It was just a sad day but you know around here there’s a lot that happens,” Kinder said. You just can’t control all of it.” | 2022-12-02T03:48:06Z | www.wsaz.com | Vigil held for shooting victim | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/02/vigil-held-shooting-victim/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/02/vigil-held-shooting-victim/ |
Football Graphic(Credit: MGN)
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -Ironton knows all about getting to a state championship game. The problem for the Tigers is the teams they face when they get there. The South Range Raiders took advantage of Ironton penalties and a blocked punt to build a big first half lead en route to a 53-27 win at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton. . Ironton won state championships in 1979 and 1989 and have played in 11 overall. They finished the season 15-1
The Pikeville Panthers got 231 yards and 3 touchdowns from Blake Birchfield to lead the way to a 41-9 win over the Raceland Rams at Kroger Field. The Rams were looking for their first ever state championship. Pikeville has won 2 straight and 7 overall. | 2022-12-03T02:20:56Z | www.wsaz.com | Championship Friday in Canton, Lexington, and Wheeling | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/03/championship-friday-canton-lexington-wheeling/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/03/championship-friday-canton-lexington-wheeling/ |
Hellas installed Matrix Helix synthetic turf and a Cushdrain® at SoFi Stadium, which hosted Super Bowl LVI. Upcoming events at SoFi Stadium include the College Football Playoff National Championship on January 9, 2023 and the opening and closing ceremonies at the 2028 Summer Olympics.(PRNewswire)
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Despite losing at home to Michigan at the end of the regular season, the Ohio State Buckeyes are one of the four teams playing for a national title. They will play #1 Georgia in one of the semi-final games at the Peach Bowl while #2 Michigan is taking on #3 TCU in the Fiesta Bowl. Both of those games will take place on December 31st.
The national championship game is January 9th in Inglewood, California. | 2022-12-04T19:18:15Z | www.wsaz.com | Buckeyes are back in college playoffs | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/04/buckeyes-are-back-college-playoffs/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/04/buckeyes-are-back-college-playoffs/ |
SPURLOCKVILLE, W.Va.(WSAZ) -One person has died after a crash Sunday morning.
The victim was identified as Trevor Atkins,18, of Sumerco, West Virginia.
The truck ran off the road into a ditch then overturned and ejected the victim, said West Virginia State Police.
The crash happened around 4 o’clock Sunday morning in the 2100 block of Bulger Road near Spurlockville, troopers said.
A passenger in the truck suffered minor injuries.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by West Virginia State Police. | 2022-12-04T20:49:43Z | www.wsaz.com | Driver identified in fatal crash | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/04/driver-identified-fatal-crash/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/04/driver-identified-fatal-crash/ |
Flames were reported along 28th Street just after 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 5.(WSAZ)
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – A fire that started in one home spread Monday morning, Huntington fire crews report.
Flames were reported at a home along 28th Street around 10:20 a.m.
Firefighters say flames spread to a neighboring home, causing damage.
Fire crews on scene tell WSAZ.com one person was asleep inside a home at the time of the fire, but made it out safely.
Officials report the second home damaged was being used as storage. | 2022-12-05T16:37:09Z | www.wsaz.com | Flames damage two homes in Huntington | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/05/firefighters-respond-fire-huntington/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/05/firefighters-respond-fire-huntington/ |
Man accused of rape, other charges involving 12-year-old girl(Scioto County Sheriff's Office)
SCIOTO COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) - A man accused of raping an underage girl was indicted by a grand jury in Scioto County, court officials said Monday.
Michael Nethers, 61, of Philo, Ohio, faces two counts of rape, unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, and disseminating matter harmful to juveniles. He pleaded not guilty to those charges.
In October, the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office said Nethers met a 12-year-old girl through social media and traveled to Scioto County to meet with her.
Nethers was appointed an attorney, and bond was continued from Portsmouth Municipal Court.
For original coverage:
Man accused of rape, other charges involving 12-year-old girl | 2022-12-06T04:47:27Z | www.wsaz.com | Man indicted on rape charges involving underage girl | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/06/man-indicted-rape-charges-involving-underage-girl/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/06/man-indicted-rape-charges-involving-underage-girl/ |
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - A George Washington High School student was arrested Monday after an incident on school property.
According to Charleston Police, paramedics and law enforcement responded to the school Monday afternoon.
A male student was arrested by Charleston police and taken to juvenile court.
Further information about the incident has not been released. | 2022-12-06T16:59:25Z | www.wsaz.com | Student arrested after incident at George Washington High School | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/06/student-arrested-after-incident-george-washington-high-school/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/06/student-arrested-after-incident-george-washington-high-school/ |
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - A Cabell County jury is recommending a man convicted of killing and dismembering a woman in 2017 go to prison for the rest of his life.
We will have more on this developing story. Keep checking the WSAZ app for the latest, including when the sentencing date will be. | 2022-12-06T18:38:15Z | www.wsaz.com | Jury recommends no mercy for man found guilty of killing, dismembering woman | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/06/jury-recommends-no-mercy-man-found-guilty-killing-dismembering-woman/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/06/jury-recommends-no-mercy-man-found-guilty-killing-dismembering-woman/ |
Crash backs up I-64 traffic(MGN)
KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - A crash involving multiple vehicles Tuesday evening has closed two lanes of Interstate 64 East between the Cross Lanes and Nitro exits, Metro 911 dispatchers say.
The slow and middle lanes are closed in that area.
Injuries have been reported, but there’s no word about the extent of them.
The accident was reported around 6:30 p.m.
Among agencies on the scene are the Nitro Police Department and the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office. | 2022-12-07T00:36:06Z | www.wsaz.com | Crash backs up I-64 traffic | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/07/crash-backs-up-i-64-traffic/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/07/crash-backs-up-i-64-traffic/ |
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Buying and selling cars has changed drastically and repeatedly in recent years.
There have been periods when car dealers had full lots to times when almost no cars were available.
Chris Miller, president of Dutch Miller Subaru, said the number of cars they’ve had on their lot has changed quite a bit since the start of the pandemic.
“Before the pandemic, most of the time dealers would have anywhere from 60 to 120 days of inventory supply on their lots,” he said. “During the pandemic, we had like three to seven days supply of inventory on our lots.”
Miller said currently, they have around 35 cars at their dealership -- a big difference from the 10 he said they had just six months ago.
“The auto industry is starting to stabilize and get back closer to what was, you know, considered normal,” he said.
It’s not just new cars that have changed but used cars, as well.
“People were buying cars in 2019 and trading them in at the end of 2020 and getting more for their vehicles than they paid for it,” Miller said. “It is starting to stabilize and come back down as the new car supply comes into the dealer’s lots. Some used car prices are softening.”
As we move into 2023, Miller said he thinks the industry will continue to stabilize. He said the main things to keep in mind are that supply is much higher for dealerships than recent years, and values on used vehicles are still quite high if you’re in the market to sell. | 2022-12-07T05:09:20Z | www.wsaz.com | Car dealership says industry is beginning to stabilize | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/07/car-dealership-says-industry-is-beginning-stabilize/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/07/car-dealership-says-industry-is-beginning-stabilize/ |
The threats were made Wednesday morning, both before 8:30 a.m.(WSAZ)
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - The West Virginia Department of Homeland Security and other law enforcement agencies received 19 hoax threats in a total of 17 counties Wednesday regarding school shootings or other violence on campuses across the state.
Swatting is when someone contacts emergency services or 911 centers in an attempt to bring a large, armed law enforcement presence to a certain location.
When receiving these reports, law enforcement agencies mobilize and respond rapidly, often with a special weapons and tactics team (SWAT), which inspired the term “swatting.” | 2022-12-08T16:11:26Z | www.wsaz.com | WV Dept. of Homeland Security investigates multiple false threats of school violence | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/08/wv-dept-homeland-security-investigates-multiple-false-threats-school-violence/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/08/wv-dept-homeland-security-investigates-multiple-false-threats-school-violence/ |
Man killed after crashing into dump truck(Photo source: Raycom Image Bank)
ATHENS COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) - A man died Thursday after crashing into a parked ODOT dump truck on U.S. 50, the Ohio State Highway Patrol said.
Justin P. Hedges, 39, of Coolville, Ohio, is identified as the victim.
Troopers say Hedges was driving west in a Jeep Cherokee when it struck the rear of the dump truck. The dump truck was parked on the right berm of the roadway when the crash happened near the intersection of River Road.
Investigators say the Jeep caught fire and was engulfed in flames after the accident. It was reported shortly before 9 a.m.
Troopers say the dump truck driver was taken to OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. | 2022-12-08T22:16:23Z | www.wsaz.com | Man killed after crashing into dump truck | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/08/man-killed-after-crashing-into-dump-truck/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/08/man-killed-after-crashing-into-dump-truck/ |
Woman sentenced to more than 20 years for drug trafficking(USAF / Joshua Magbanua)
SCIOTO COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) - A woman from the Detroit area was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison for drug trafficking, the Scioto County Prosecutor’s Office said..
Candace D. Guice, 24, was convicted after a two-day trial.
In early January, Guice was pulled over on state Route 823, a connector between U.S. 23 and U.S. 52 in Scioto County.
Ohio State Highway Patrol seized nearly 600 grams of fentanyl.
Investigators say Guice was determined to be a major drug offender.
Guice received a 20.5- to 26-year prison sentence on Wednesday.
Woman arrested after $60,000 worth of fentanyl seized in traffic stop | 2022-12-08T22:17:31Z | www.wsaz.com | Woman sentenced to more than 20 years for drug trafficking | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/08/woman-sentenced-more-than-20-years-drug-trafficking/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/08/woman-sentenced-more-than-20-years-drug-trafficking/ |
KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - A man from Charleston faces charges after allegedly holding a woman at gunpoint Thursday in an apartment in Cross Lanes, Kanawha County court records show.
Jordan L. Wooding, 20, is charged with wanton endangerment, as well as enticing away, kidnapping or holding hostage any person.
According to the criminal complaint, investigators arrived to a disturbance call around 3 p.m. Thursday in the 300 block of Tyler Ridge Road in Cross Lanes. They said the woman was “whispering how terrified she is” of the suspect.
She told investigators he had taken her phone and watch so she couldn’t reach out to anyone. He allegedly told her to go to a back room where he told her to get on her knees and allegedly pointed a pistol at her.
The woman told investigators the suspect locked the door, with pistol in hand, refusing to let her leave.
She said the incident started around 1:30 p.m., saying the suspect indicated he would kill her. She said she pleaded with him to let her leave because her child was in the home with them. At one point, the suspect was on a couch staring at her child while playing with gun, according to the complaint.
Wooding was taken to the South Central Regional Jail where he’s being held without bond.
A court hearing is set for 1:45 p.m. Dec. 19. | 2022-12-09T01:18:30Z | www.wsaz.com | Man charged with holding woman at gunpoint in an apartment | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/09/man-charged-with-holding-woman-gunpoint-an-apartment/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/09/man-charged-with-holding-woman-gunpoint-an-apartment/ |
MILTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - A spokesperson with West Virginia American Water (WVAW) said Milton town council members voted Tuesday during a meeting to allow WVAW to evaluate the town’s water to potentially make an offer.
Kelsi Miller, a mother of two, was at the meeting and said she wants to see the water system updated.
“It is 2022, and we live in the United States. Clean water should not be something that you have to fight for,” Miller said.
West Virginia American Water said the company will have access to financial documents, history and information and facilities. The company said experts will go into the facilities in the coming months to assess the system, look at the operation and make another offer.
Previously, the company made an offer of about $10 million to buy the system, but city leaders denied that offer.
West Virginia American Water officials said that offer was based on public records and annual reports.
The utility company said their efforts to buy the system are partly because of complaints from residents, as well as the old system that cannot handle Milton’s increase in business and residents.
“If American Water makes an offer, I am afraid Milton will dismiss it so residents throughout the town are currently filling out formal PSC complaints,” Miller said.
Miller said she is tired of driving to her mother’s house when her kids need to shower and the water comes out brown.
West Virginia American Water said the town already buys up to 80% of its water from the company each month. That water runs through the old pipes, and leaks can cause it to turn brown.
The company said if the if the city agrees to an offer, they will fix the infrastructure issues. However, the cost for service may go up.
“I’m for somebody fixing it,” Miller said. “It’s still dirty. I don’t know why as a town we would opt to pay a company to give us water when they are wanting to pay us to take it over.”
WSAZ reached out to the city for a statement on the decision and the service issues and have not heard back.
Heated debate erupts over Milton’s water at special City Council meeting | 2022-12-10T00:08:19Z | www.wsaz.com | Milton Water under evaluation for potential sale after vote | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/09/milton-water-under-evaluation-potential-sale-after-vote/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/09/milton-water-under-evaluation-potential-sale-after-vote/ |
BOONE COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - It’s only been a couple of days since shooting threats across West Virginia put schools on high alert.
While they turned out to be false, many are staying cautious including in Boone County.
Sheriff Chad Barker said those calls put everyone on edge.
“The first thing I did was reach out to my command staff to figure out if we had any information if they knew what was going on yet,” he said.
Barker said the threats have had a big impact on the community and they want to make sure everyone feels safe going to school.
That’s why there are extra patrols both around the schools and inside them.
“We’re still on a heightened alert,” he said. “We feel very fortunate that we didn’t have a call on Wednesday. We kind of spent the rest of the day on edge, if you will just expecting to have that call anytime.”
Barker said he wants to offer students, parents, and school staff in Boone County peace of mind because, even though a threat may not have come directly here, he said people are still thinking about it.
“We tried to get in the areas of the schools, you know, some of the schools, we actually and I’ve been in being an extra,” he said.
Barker says they will be keeping extra patrols going for a few more days and are always ready for this kind of threat. | 2022-12-10T00:08:41Z | www.wsaz.com | Shooting threats lead to extra patrols around school district | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/09/shooting-threats-lead-extra-patrols-around-school-district/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/09/shooting-threats-lead-extra-patrols-around-school-district/ |
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Self-defense classes for women are more than just lessons on punching and kicking.
Ashley Elkins, our latest Hometown Hero, is teaching young women to develop strong bodies and minds.
She said personal experience -- especially something dramatic, even in a negative way -- can have a tremendous impact on someone’s life.
“I am an overcomer of sexual assault and domestic violence,” Elkins said.
And she’s not alone. Every day in our country there are more than 20,000 calls placed to domestic violence hotlines, and every 68 seconds someone is sexually assaulted.
WSAZ’s Tim Irr caught up with some young women at Marshall University who are hoping to be part of a movement to change those statistics.
Elkins is one of their instructors. For more on her story, tap on the video link with this story.
Missing man's body found in pond | 2022-12-10T04:42:24Z | www.wsaz.com | Hometown Hero | Ashley Elkins | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/10/hometown-hero-ashley-elkins/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/10/hometown-hero-ashley-elkins/ |
GREENUP COUNTY, Ky. (WSAZ) - A man accused of shooting a police officer in early May in Flatwoods was sentenced Monday to life in prison, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Lexington said.
Jonathan Smithers, who’s in his early 40s, had pleaded guilty to attempted murder and accepted a life sentence. | 2022-12-12T22:40:10Z | www.wsaz.com | Man sentenced to life in prison for shooting police officer | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/12/man-sentenced-life-prison-shooting-police-officer/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/12/man-sentenced-life-prison-shooting-police-officer/ |
KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - In an update to an investigation into cancer-causing chemicals in the Kanawha Valley, WSAZ’s Emily Bennett spoke with the head of the EPA about the issue.
As we have reported for nearly a year, the EPA said those chemicals are being released into the air in our region at one of the highest rates in the country.
The EPA says two Union carbide plants in Kanawha County release emissions of ethylene oxide, or EtO, a colorless, odorless gas that can cause cancer.
The areas around both those plants, which are located in Institute and South Charleston, were deemed hotspots for EtO emissions in March 2020.
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection was supposed to make neighbors aware of the risk but waited a year and a half before ever saying a word in an August 2021 news release.
Since then, we’ve been trying to get an on-camera interview about the issues but have been ignored -- with neighbors left in fear for their health and safety.
Robbie Hendricks lives in the North Charleston area – an area most recently defined by the EPA as being at a level of concern for cancer risk from EtO emissions.
WSAZ’s Emily Bennett took the concerns of Hendricks, as well as many others, to Administrator Michael Regan, the head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Bennett: North Charleston residents have been living there for decades and they are worried because they are hearing what this cancer risk is. What would you tell someone who lives in that EtO risk in that North Charleston area?
Regan: I’d tell them that, number one the EPA is taking a very strong look at these risk levels. Taking a look at the regulations we have on the books to ensure that everyone in this country is protected. Number two, I’d like to say that EPA is providing resources to the state so we can get more monitoring in these communities, so that we have real actual data to insure that people are not in harm’s way.”
When we first started working on this story, filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for communications about the issue between the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and the EPA.
Through that FOIA request, we obtained emails showing those conversations about the hotspot areas - started back in November 2019. But again, the DEP stayed silent for nearly two years.
It was a concern Bennett asked Regan about directly.
Bennett: We know the EPA talked to the WVDEP about the risk but then they didn’t let the residents know for about a year and a half. Is that concerning to you that the residents were kind of in the dark?
Regan: No one should be in the dark. We are an administration that focuses on transparency and effective community engagement and so what I would say is we are going to work with the state to ensure that all residents have access to that information, but residents can be rest assured that we will also directly engage with them as well. It is very important that people understand the data and the information, so they know how to keep themselves healthy.
The most recent data used to determine risk is from 2018, but this year Regan says the EPA has been working with the DEP to conduct air monitoring in the areas around the plants.
He believes those results will help give the agency a much better idea of the current risk, results he plans for his agency to share with neighbors in person in West Virginia.
“At the first of next year, we’re going to hold a town hall,” Regan said. “We’re going to engage with stakeholders and let them know what we’re finding with these air monitors and what steps need to be taken to ensure their safety.”
We want to point out that the Union Carbide plants are operating within their permits, meaning they aren’t violating any state or federal laws on EtO emissions.
The EPA plans to review and potentially revise those regulations – but that isn’t set to happen until fall of 2024. | 2022-12-13T00:11:10Z | www.wsaz.com | WSAZ Investigates | Taking Cancer-Causing Chemical Concerns to Head of EPA | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/12/wsaz-investigates-taking-cancer-causing-chemical-concerns-head-epa/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/12/wsaz-investigates-taking-cancer-causing-chemical-concerns-head-epa/ |
City council passes sewer rate increase(WSAZ/Andrew Colegrove)
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Huntington City Council on Monday night passed an ordinance for a sewer rate increase, according to our crew at City Hall.
In its third reading, the ordinance passed by a 9-2 vote.
A stepped fee increase, which eventually will add $27.20 per month to customers’ minimum bill, will allow the city to access critical grant and low-interest loan financing while providing customers with time to adjust to the increased infrastructure costs.
The Huntington Sanitary Board has said infrastructure upgrades are badly needed to make the city’s sewer system functional based on current needs and to bring it into federal compliance.
City officials say the $200 million project will separate the lines at 3rd and 5th avenues to reduce flooding risk.
The existing wastewater treatment plant is currently operating at 98% capacity and hasn’t seen a major capital improvement since the 1980s.
Last month, WSAZ interviewed Brian Bracey, executive director of the Huntington Water Quality Board, who said, “It’s the age of the infrastructure. When you ignore it, after 60 years it has to be replaced.”
The stepped fee increase proposed will go as follows:
Phase 1 - $8.18
Phase 4 - $13.58
The wastewater treatment plant will continue to remain open while renovations and upgrades are made. | 2022-12-13T03:13:23Z | www.wsaz.com | City council passes sewer rate increase | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/13/city-council-passes-sewer-rate-increase/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/13/city-council-passes-sewer-rate-increase/ |
By WV State Sports Information
INSTITUTE, W.Va. – The No. 17 West Virginia State University men’s basketball team (9-1, 6-1 MEC) defeated Davis & Elkins (7-4, 3-4 MEC) by a final score of 85-69 on Tuesday night at the Walker Convocation Center. The Yellow Jackets blew the Senators out in the first half, but needed to thwart a second-half comeback by D&E to pick up their ninth win of the season.WVSU remains in second place in the Mountain East Conference standings after the victory and is now ranked 17th in the D2SIDA National Media Poll as well as 20th in the NABC National Coaches Poll following last week’s results.
Sophomore guard Samier Kinsler was State’s leading scorer with 23 points in only 21 minutes played. He shot 5-of-9 from three-point range and came up with three steals. Redshirt junior Anthony Pittman registered his first double-double of the season with 15 points and a team-high 12 boards. He came close to a triple-double with seven assists while adding three blocks to his statline. Fellow junior forward Noah Jordan nearly reached double-double numbers himself with 10 points and seven rebounds.The first half was made up of two huge runs by West Virginia State that left Davis & Elkins in the dust. | 2022-12-14T05:06:15Z | www.wsaz.com | Jackets win again | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/14/jackets-win-again/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/14/jackets-win-again/ |
Many people may start to feel the stress that can come this time of year, especially when searching for the right gift for everyone on your list.
For those feeling the pressure of gift-giving, here’s a quick bit of advice: don’t try so hard, it may be easier than you think.
Whether shopping for a hard-core runner, fitness fanatic, or just looking to pick up cool gifts for the family, unwrapping the gift of sport can be more convenient than ever this year.
For more information, visit: dickssportinggoods.com. | 2022-12-14T19:01:27Z | www.wsaz.com | How to score the best gifts this season | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/14/how-score-best-gifts-this-season/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/14/how-score-best-gifts-this-season/ |
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Wes Tully said he was helping his father, William, move into a new apartment Tuesday night when they wrapped up the night of errands with a visit to the Exxon One Stop on Charleston’s West Side.
“We were buying some groceries, just normal living items to move into the apartment ... That car was packed full of groceries and some gifts and whatnot,” Tully recalled Wednesday.
“We pulled into a gas station to grab a couple of miscellaneous things and I was in for less than a minute literally, my dad he’s just sitting in the passenger seat and I said, ‘Dad, ‘I’ll be right back, I’ll be right in here’ left the keys in because it’s cold, so just let the car run for him.”
When he came back a moment later, Tully said all left in the parking place was a bicycle. His car with his father still inside was gone.
“I wasn’t too worried about the car, at first it I was making sure my dad was good,” Tully said. “He’s just older, he is an elderly gentleman, he’s in his 70s, so he doesn’t move around very well.”
According to a criminal complaint filed in Kanawha County Magistrate Court, the suspect, 45-year-old Shannon Rogers, let William out at the intersection of Lee and Clendenin before driving Wes’ car near Piedmont Road and Slack Street, leading police on a chase through Charleston.
Court documents say Rogers was driving recklessly through the streets and getting on I-77 south at brooks street heading towards Greenbrier Street pulling into the 7-Eleven parking lot on Washington Street East before being detained.
Wes said getting his car back was a bright spot but all he could think of was reuniting with his dad.
“When I saw him, he was such a massive relief. When he saw me he was like, OK, we’re good and because that was the first initial thought the whole time, I was making sure everybody was good other than him.”
He said he has a message for the suspect.
“Get your life together, you know, that’s a 75-year-old man he just hijacked in there and that’s all of our personal belongings. Have a little bit more dignity and self-respect.” | 2022-12-15T00:40:51Z | www.wsaz.com | ‘It was all very quick, less than a minute’: Carjacking victim recalls Tuesday incident | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/15/it-was-all-very-quick-less-than-minute-carjacking-victim-recalls-tuesday-incident/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/15/it-was-all-very-quick-less-than-minute-carjacking-victim-recalls-tuesday-incident/ |
Traffic Alert | New I-64 traffic pattern(West Virginia Division of Highways)
CABELL COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - We have a traffic alert for drivers who use Interstate 64 in the Barboursville area.
Eastbound traffic between the 29th street exit and the I-64 bridge over the Guyandotte River is being moved from the outside lanes into the median.
The work is part of a project to widen I-64 to six lanes in that area.
Existing eastbound traffic will be split into two lanes by a barrier wall just past the 29th Street exit (Exit 15). | 2022-12-15T05:28:21Z | www.wsaz.com | Traffic Alert | New I-64 traffic pattern | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/15/traffic-alert-new-i-64-traffic-pattern/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/15/traffic-alert-new-i-64-traffic-pattern/ |
55th anniversary of Silver Bridge collapse observed(West Virginia Department of Transportation)
POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Thursday marks the 55th anniversary of the deadliest bridge disaster in modern history -- the Silver Bridge collapse in Point Pleasant.
It happened Dec. 15, 1967, killing 46 people during rush hour traffic.
According to the West Virginia Department of Transportation, the 2,200-long span collapsed after a stress fracture caused a steel eyebar chain to fail.
The agency said the incident brought about sweeping safety changes, including leading to federal regulations on the inspection of bridges.
“I think about the Silver Bridge every day, even now,” said Tracy Brown, P.E., West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) State Bridge Engineer, in a release. “At the West Virginia Division of Highways, every time we train new bridge inspectors, we talk about the Silver Bridge. It is the reason we do what we do. If you’re related to the bridge industry in some way in your career, it’s not just a career or a job. It’s a mission you’re on to keep this from ever happening again.” | 2022-12-15T21:51:41Z | www.wsaz.com | 55th anniversary of Silver Bridge collapse observed | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/15/55th-anniversary-silver-bridge-collapse-observed/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/15/55th-anniversary-silver-bridge-collapse-observed/ |
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Christmas is right around the corner, and of course one of the most important parts is the food.
However, not everybody has the resources to make the perfect Christmas dinner.
John Roberts, executive director of Mountain Mission, said they have a program every year -- raising money and food so families can have a great Christmas dinner.
“At Christmas time we step up and make sure that they have a traditional Christmas meal, and that’s what we’re getting ready to do right now,” Roberts said.
From turkey to brownies to dinner rolls, all sorts of delicacies are packed into boxes to be sent to more than 900 families in the greater Kanawha Valley.
“We want to make sure we’re blessing people and that they can come around the table, spend time with the family, make some memories and have something good to eat and spend time with each other,” Roberts said.
In this year’s boxes also comes canned food from Mountain Mission’s Guinness World Record for spelling one word made out of canned food.
All of these boxes are going to people who were pre-approved by Mountain Mission, who they know are in need of help. However, if you didn’t know about this program and are in need of help, there are still ways they want to help.
“Mountain Mission does this all year long, so even if you missed the cutoff for this particular program you can still come in our office. We still supply food,” Roberts said. | 2022-12-16T04:23:12Z | www.wsaz.com | More than 900 families to get Christmas Dinner Box from Mountain Mission | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/16/more-than-900-families-get-christmas-dinner-box-mountain-mission/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/16/more-than-900-families-get-christmas-dinner-box-mountain-mission/ |
Highlanders celebrate state championship(WSAZ)
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - It has been nearly two weeks since the Huntington Highlanders earned their first ever football state championship.
Friday morning, the school celebrated with a “Meet the Highlanders” State Football Championship celebration assembly.
“It’s always special to get everyone in this gym and make some noise and get excited,” said senior defensive end Gavin Adkins.
The Highlanders beat Parkersburg South on December 3 in Wheeling.
The student body, cheerleaders and band brought the gym to life as the school honored their state champs.
“Without the student body, and the student section cheering us on we wouldn’t have got as far as we got,” said Adkins. “It was a surreal experience bringing a first championship to Huntington with something special and something you’ve wanted to do since a little kid.”
As they picked up the trophy, the players relived their victory moment.
“The clock hit zero and I knew it was over. I looked over at Gavin on the field and he’s happy and I know it’s over and I’m like everybody just goes crazy like the whole school everyone is coming down congratulating us. It was like the happiest moment of my life,” said Donny Garrett, a senior defensive end.
The moment is one they say they’ll remember forever.
“That’s kind of like a second emotion hit like you just won a state championship, but you’re like, ‘Man we really just did that’ and you’re like, ‘Oh it’s the first one in school history,” said Garrett.
The football team wasn’t the only champions in the house. The Huntington Highlander JROTC Lady Raiders were also celebrated for being crowned state champions in October in a female division, and the first raider team from Huntington High School to become state champions.
“It’s really exciting to get that recognition,” said Arianna Carroll, a junior who is the team commander.
Carroll was also named overall female state champion in the individual competition, earning the title of Ultimate Raider. This is the third consecutive title for Carroll.
“It’s really exciting it shows me how hard I’m able to work and push myself. It’s emotionally demanding so you have to train hard and keep going,” she said.
In November, the Huntington High School Highlander JROTC also competed for the second time at the U.S. Army JROTC Raider National Championship. The competition is athletic and the events take place outdoors and consist of individual strength tests such as push-ups, a tire-drag, an obstacle course, distance team running events, first aid events and some form of rope bridge construction and crossing.
The team placed 6th overall making the team the first Highlander Raider team to ever place at the national level.
The winter sports teams were also recognized during the assembly. | 2022-12-16T18:44:42Z | www.wsaz.com | Highlanders celebrate state championships | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/16/highlanders-celebrate-state-championships/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/16/highlanders-celebrate-state-championships/ |
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - A man accused of fatally shooting a man outside a gas station in Milton last year has been found not guilty on all counts, Cabell County Courthouse officials said Friday.
Carl Rose Jr. had been charged with killing James Oldham at the Go-Mart station in Milton. The incident happened in May 2021.
The charges included second-degree murder.
The trial started earlier this week. | 2022-12-16T23:18:57Z | www.wsaz.com | Man found not guilty in deadly shooting at gas station | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/16/man-found-not-guilty-deadly-shooting-gas-station/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/16/man-found-not-guilty-deadly-shooting-gas-station/ |
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - The COVID-19 pandemic forced government at all levels to take unprecedented action, and now as the pandemic wanes, officials have to consider ways to unwind those emergency actions.
The West Virginia Center on Budget & Policy says one such move could leave children without health insurance whenever President Biden ends the federal, public health emergency -- perhaps in early 2023.
The center’s director, Kelly Allen, told the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Children and Families the emergency action has provided continuous access to Medicaid since the pandemic.
“The idea behind this continuous coverage provision during the federal public health emergency that has been in place, was to keep kids insured when they might get sick during the pandemic and also to provide a buffer against the social and economic disruptions that have happened over the last couple years,” she told lawmakers at the Dec. 5 committee meeting.
Allen told lawmakers her group estimates the situation could impact as many as 42,000 children in West Virginia. About half lost Medicaid due to an increase in their family income. The other half was due to paperwork issues as families will have to re-apply for the first time in years.
“Things like, they still qualify for Medicaid, but maybe they moved over the last two years and they don’t get the paperwork packet telling them they need to enroll,” she told lawmakers. “Maybe they fill out the form incorrectly. Maybe they don’t get their income verification forms back in time.”
Allen discussed the potential impact Friday in a conversation with WSAZ NewsChannel 3.
“We see higher rates of bad health outcomes when kids don’t have coverage, if they’re not getting their regular check-ups, getting prescriptions that they need,” she said. “There’s higher rates of kids, and adults, going to the emergency room when they become uninsured, and we don’t want that to happen.”
Allen says those who no longer qualify should be moved off Medicaid, but she says transition should be smooth.
“I think it just has important implications for the state,” she told WSAZ. “When kids are healthy, they’re able to go to school, they have better educational outcomes, they do better in the future.”
One idea pitched by the Center on Budget & Policy -- additional state assistance to help families who will face paying a monthly premium after being moved off Medicaid.
Sen. Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson, chairs the Joint Committee on Children and Families. She did not commit to additional state assistance, telling WSAZ she was unsure of requirements for plans those families may transition to.
“What role should lawmakers have in helping these families?” asked WSAZ Investigative/Political Reporter Curtis Johnson.
“So, obviously it is a concern to us,” she replied. “We want to help transition and find other options for themselves, for their families. And then, if they are also still eligible, we want to make sure that we streamline the process for them to continue their eligibility as much as we can.”
So what can families do now to prepare?
Allen urges Medicaid recipients to update contact information with the state Department of Health and Human Resources, especially if the recipient moved since 2020. Choosing not to do so could place the recipient at risk.
“You might just not get the information you need from DHHR, and that could result in somebody who’s still eligible for coverage, losing that coverage,” she said.
The Legislature’s 60-day, regular session begins Jan. 11, 2023. | 2022-12-17T00:50:06Z | www.wsaz.com | Group: End of COVID emergency could threaten Medicaid coverage | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/17/group-end-covid-emergency-could-threaten-medicaid-coverage/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/17/group-end-covid-emergency-could-threaten-medicaid-coverage/ |
Crash closes U.S. 60 after power lines down(MGN)
ST. ALBANS, W.Va. (WSAZ) - U.S. 60 is closed late Friday night in St. Albans after a vehicle hit a utility pole, bringing down power lines, Metro 911 dispatchers say.
The accident was reported just before 10:15 p.m. in the 2200 block of the roadway, also known as MacCorkle Avenue.
It’s unknown if injuries are involved.
The St. Albans Police Department is investigating. | 2022-12-17T03:52:40Z | www.wsaz.com | Crash closes U.S. 60 after power lines down | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/17/crash-closes-us-60-after-power-lines-down/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/17/crash-closes-us-60-after-power-lines-down/ |
Families describe Frontier issues(WSAZ)
ST. ALBANS, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Every day we make phone calls and go online without giving it much thought, but families who live on Sewell Circle in St. Albans said they never know what will be working.
Beverly Gikas said in the past three months, they’ve dealt with static on the phone, inconsistent internet service, and times when the phone doesn’t work at all.
“I have had so many problems with Frontier internet and telephone service,” she said. “It’s quite frustrating.”
Since the problems began in September, Beverly has been taking notes of the problems they’ve had, from static to dropping calls, to the times Frontier was supposed to show up but didn’t.
Gikas marked on her calendar that Frontier was supposed to stop by once in November and twice in December, but no one showed up.
She said that one day they did show up, but she never got notified they were coming, so they weren’t home.
“My husband and I are both in our 70s,” she said. “We have medical issues. I have family I need to stay in touch with them. Internet, everything is WiFi now.”
The Gikas aren’t the only ones on Sewell Circle having problems.
Next-door neighbor Denver Cain said they’ve had their own phone problems.
“For the last two or three months, it’s been really bad,” he said. “We’ve always had problems because we lived over here but not like it is now.”
We reached out to Frontier to describe the problems.
We received a text message Friday afternoon telling us they’re working on getting us information, but we haven’t heard back.
However, while at the Gikas, Frontier called telling Beverly that crews will arrive Saturday -- earlier than their next scheduled appointment on Dec. 22.
We have asked the Gikas to reach back out to us Saturday once after Frontier arrives. | 2022-12-17T04:05:43Z | www.wsaz.com | Families weigh in on Frontier phone and internet problems | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/17/families-weigh-frontier-phone-internet-problems/ | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/12/17/families-weigh-frontier-phone-internet-problems/ |
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