West Virginia Statewide News

06/21/2024

Singer/songwriter Zach Bryan to give WV bar a sneak peak of new album

This summer, country music singer and songwriter Zach Bryan has selected a small number of bars across the nation to preview his new upcoming album, including Marlinton, West Virginia’s Old Mountain Tavern.

The rollout for Bryan’s upcoming project, The Great American Bar Scene is giving these chosen establishments the opportunity to play the record prior to its public release. In celebration of the distinction, Old Mountain Tavern has announced a Zach Bryan Great American Bar Scene pre-release album block party which will take place later this month

Scheduled for June 29, 2024, the event will feature performances from local musicians throughout the day as well as local food and beer from Mountain State breweries. The proceedings will begin at 12:00pm and conclude at 11:00pm.

The goal of this event is not only to celebrate Zach Bryan and his musical talents but also to honor small-town America,” Old Mountain Tavern owner Danny Flores stated. “This is a rare opportunity for a famous artist to recognize our tavern and Marlinton, West Virginia. We are honored.”

Zach Bryan is known for hits such as “Something in the Orange” and “I Remember Everything,” the latter of which features singer Kacey Musgraves. Bryan’s album, The Great American Bar Scene is expected to see release later this year, though no official release date has been provided at the time of writing.

06/19/2024

SHE IS STILL GOING: West Virginia native Adriana Harmeyer claimed her 15th straight win on Jeopardy! Tuesday night and is now only two wins away from entering the top 10 longest winning streaks of all time!

Read: https://trib.al/k5g4Zyl

Be sure to tune in tomorrow night at 7 p.m. on WBOY-NBC as she looks to tie the 10th-longest streak.

06/18/2024

Residents urged to exercise caution during sustained heatwave

A heat advisory is in effect for most of the state through Friday.

Meteorologist Jeff Nordean said the similar heat wave was six years ago, nearly to the day.

“The last time we saw a seven-day stretch of 90-degree weather was back in 2018, specifically between July 4 and July 10,” Nordean said. “Beyond that, it was back in 1993 that we had a seven-day stretch of this extreme heat.”

W. Ruby Memorial Hospital Medical Director Dr. Owen Lander said people who plan to be outside should drink plenty of water and other fluids. Anyone outside, and especially those who work outside, should drink twice as much as they normally would and exert themselves about half as much as well. If you can, stay inside with a fan or air conditioner.

You’ve got to mix it up with something that has electrolytes in it,” Dr. Lander said. “Some sort of sports drink, not just pure water, or eating crackers, nuts, or a salty food.”

Monitoring what comes out of your body is as important as what goes in. If urine becomes dark in color or infrequent, that’s a sign you are not adequately hydrated. Lander said people on heart medicine should take extra precautions.

“Some are more severe than others, but they all, to some degree, impede or impair your body’s ability to compensate for and dissipate heat,” Lander said.

The current heat wave is unrivaled in recent years and remains about 10 degrees higher than what is expected in this area for this time of year.

“Five, six, seven days of 90-degree weather is unprecedented for mid-June; I would even extend that to July,” Nordean said.

Nordean said the heatwave will exit Sunday with a high likelihood for a thunderstorm that will clear the atmosphere and cool things down, but even that cool down won’t bring temperatures back into the normal range for this time of year.

By the time we get to Monday of next week, we’ll be in the upper 80s, which for this time of year is still well above average,” Nordean said. “The average is 80 degrees.”

06/18/2024

TWO FULL WEEKS: With her 14th-straight win Monday night, West Virginia native Adriana Harmeyer is now just three wins away from breaking into the top 10 longest Jeopardy! streaks of all time.

Read: https://trib.al/NONyazZ

06/17/2024

Keep an eye out for a few showers & storms this afternoon and evening, as a few could produce gusty winds or locally very heavy rainfall.

However, the main story is, and will continue to be, the heat this week. West of the mountains, lowland highs each day will be in the 90s, with heat index values over 100 at times. Stay cool & hydrated!

06/17/2024

...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 8 PM EDT
FRIDAY... Wayne-Cabell-Mason-
Jackson WV-Wood-Pleasants-Tyler-Lincoln-Putnam-Kanawha-Roane-Wirt-Calhoun-Ritchie-Doddridge-Mingo-Logan-Boone-Clay-Braxton-Gilmer-Lewis-Harrison-Taylor-Upshur-Barbour-Hancock-Brooke-Ohio-Marshall-Wetzel-Marion-Monongalia-Ridges of Eastern Monongalia and Northwestern Preston

* WHAT...Heat index values up to 103 expected.

* WHERE...Portions of northeast Kentucky, southeast Ohio, and much
of central, western, and southwestern West Virginia.

* WHEN...From 11 AM this morning to 8 PM EDT Friday.

* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat
illnesses.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of
the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and
pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any
circumstances.

Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose
fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning
or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and
heat stroke.

06/16/2024

A heat wave starts today and persists through the week.

An extended heat wave starts today and continues through the week amid mainly dry weather courtesy of broad high pressure. High temperatures across the lower elevations will rise into the low to mid 90s on Sunday, with widespread highs in the mid to upper 90s expected across the lowlands throughout the entirety of the work week. Afternoon 'feels like' temperatures will reach into the low 100s in some places, resulting in the potential for moderate to major heat-related impacts.

06/15/2024

UPDATE: Elkins police chief releases statement after officer found dead

On Saturday, Elkins Police Chief T.C. Bennett released a statement on Facebook confirming that the officer found dead on Friday had taken his own life.

Patrolman First Class Ramon Goux was found with an apparent gunshot wound off of U.S. 33 east of Elkins. The full statement from Bennett reads as follows:

Yesterday the Elkins Police Department suffered a devastating loss, as one of our officers took his own life. My deepest condolences go out to the family, friends, and loved ones of Patrolman First Class Ramon Goux.
To Ramon’s family: Thank you for making him the person he was and thank you for sharing him with us. We are all better people and better police officers for having him as a part of our department family. Also, know that this department is here to stand beside you and support you no matter what.
To the officers of the Elkins Police Department: We have been through a lot together over the years. We will get through this too and we will get through it together. We will get through it by leaning on each other, supporting, and taking care of each other.
To the citizens of Elkins and the surrounding communities: Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the overwhelming support and love that you have shown us. It is an honor and pleasure to serve and protect you.
Ramon, We love you and we will miss you every day! Rest easy brother, we’ve got it from here.

ELKINS POLICE CHIEF T.C. BENNETT

Elkins police officer found dead

A member of the Elkins Police Department is dead after being found on Friday with an apparent gunshot wound off of U.S. 33 east of Elkins.

According to a release from the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, at around 11:36 a.m., deputies responded to U.S. 33 near Eagles Nest Road for a suspicious vehicle call. The person who called said that the window of the vehicle appeared to have been shot out.

When deputies arrived on scene, they found a victim with an “apparent gunshot wound” who was later identified as an unnamed member of the Elkins Police Department.

We was made aware of this situation Friday afternoon and sent a team of reporters to the scene to investigate further. When the team arrived, it found a large presence of law enforcement officers, as well as multiple ambulances surrounding a civilian sedan.

The team was unable to speak with members of law enforcement but did witness a procession of several Elkins police cruisers and other agencies escorting the ambulances to Davis Medical Center.

The release did not specify the circumstances surrounding the officer’s death.

Multiple agencies and entities from across the region have expressed their support to the City of Elkins and the Elkins Police Department including the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Buckhannon and the Parsons Police Department.

06/15/2024

State Department of Education backs Wetzel superintendent in Paden City decision

The state Department of Education is backing the decision by Wetzel County School Superintendent Cassandra Porter to temporarily close Paden City High School and send its students to Magnolia High School when the new school year begins.

Porter announced the move earlier this week in connection with the school being located on an EPA designated Superfund site.

In a statement released Friday evening, the state Department Education said Porter has the authority to take the step that she’s taken

After reviewing the applicable W.Va. Code and the EPA Superfund Health Reports, the WVDE is confident in Superintendent Porter’s authority and the provided reasoning behind the decision to temporarily close Paden City High School and relocate its students and staff,” the statement said.

School supporters continue to point toward recent EPA testing that show any v***r intrusion into the school is currently at acceptable levels.

“EPA has conducted three rounds of v***r intrusion sampling at the Paden City High School. EPA communicated to the Wetzel County School District in May 2024 that the results consistently indicate that there is no unacceptable risk to students resulting from the Superfund Site,” the EPA statement obtained by MetroNews said. “Vapor intrusion data collected at the High School does not indicate any unacceptable risks to the students or staff using the High School.”

The EPA did not recommend the closure of Paden City High School.

But Porter, speaking to MetroNews earlier this week, said being under the recommended level and being free of any contamination are two very different things.

“There’s still a risk, the EPA is saying it’s an acceptable risk, but the school system is not wiling to take any risk when it comes to the health and safety of students,” Porter said.

The state Department of Education agrees with Porter.

Looking beyond the EPA’s “acceptable” risk level, the reports indicate multiple environmental condition changes that could alter the current level of risk. Given the unknowns of potential environmental changes and the heightened environmental sensitivity that students in their developmental years face, this course of action is reasonable and fully supported. These risks are unacceptable when there is a readily available solution to keep students and staff safe,” the WVDE statement said.

06/15/2024

06/15/2024

Here are some tips for staying safe during extreme heat:

Stay cool

Use air conditioning or a fan, and take cool showers or baths. You can also try spritzing or sponging your skin with cool water, or using a damp towel on your neck. Wear light, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing, ideally made of cotton, which reflects heat and absorbs sweat.

Stay hydrated

Drink plenty of water before you feel thirsty, especially if you're outdoors or active. Avoid alcohol and drinks high in sugar or caffeine.

Stay shaded

If you're outside, find shade or wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face from the sun.

Limit activity

Avoid strenuous activities, especially during the hottest part of the day. If possible, try to limit your time outside to cooler parts of the day, like early morning or evening.

Check on others

Check on family members, older adults, and neighbors. Also, never leave people or pets in a closed car.

Prepare your home

Use your oven less, add curtains to your windows, and cross-ventilate rooms by opening windows at night. You can also check the weather stripping on your doors and windows to keep cool air in, and install ceiling fans to help circulate air.

06/15/2024

EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 11AM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH 8PM FRIDAY EVENING...

Hancock-Brooke-Ohio-Marshall-Wetzel-Marion-Monongalia-
Ridges of Eastern Monongalia and Northwestern Preston-Preston-
Eastern Preston-Western Tucker-Eastern Tucker Wayne-Cabell-Mason-Jackson-Wood-Pleasants-Tyler-Lincoln-Putnam-Kanawha-Roane-Wirt-Calhoun-Ritchie-Doddridge-Mingo-Logan-Boone-Clay-Braxton-Gilmer-
Lewis-Harrison-Taylor-Upshur-Barbour-Northwest Webster

* WHAT...A prolonged, potentially historic heat wave is forecast to
begin on Monday and persist through at least Friday. Dangerously
hot conditions are possible each day, with widespread heat index
values of 100 or above forecast. The potential length of this
event will add to its impact as well.

* WHERE...Portions of east central Ohio, northwest, southwest, and
western Pennsylvania, and northern and the northern panhandle of
West Virginia.

* WHEN...From Monday morning through Friday evening.

* IMPACTS...Heat related illnesses increase significantly during
extreme heat and high humidity events.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Visit weather.gov/safety/heat for more
information on heat safety.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of
the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles. Car
interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.

Monitor the latest forecasts and statements for updates.

06/15/2024

EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 11AM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH 8PM FRIDAY EVENING...

Hancock-Brooke-Ohio-Marshall-Wetzel-Marion-Monongalia-
Ridges of Eastern Monongalia and Northwestern Preston-Preston-
Eastern Preston-Western Tucker-Eastern Tucker

* WHAT...A prolonged, potentially historic heat wave is forecast to
begin on Monday and persist through at least Friday. Dangerously
hot conditions are possible each day, with widespread heat index
values of 100 or above forecast. The potential length of this
event will add to its impact as well.

* WHERE...Portions of east central Ohio, northwest, southwest, and
western Pennsylvania, and northern and the northern panhandle of
West Virginia.

* WHEN...From Monday morning through Friday evening.

* IMPACTS...Heat related illnesses increase significantly during
extreme heat and high humidity events.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Visit weather.gov/safety/heat for more
information on heat safety.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of
the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles. Car
interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.

Monitor the latest forecasts and statements for updates.

06/15/2024

Multiple victims in Princeton shooting

At least four people were shot at the Days Inn in Princeton Friday night.

There was no early word on the conditions of the victims.

Various reports indicated police said there were two suspects.

The mass shooting occurred at a gathering at the hotel’s conference center.

06/15/2024

Elkins police officer found dead

A member of the Elkins Police Department is dead after being found on Friday with an apparent gunshot wound off of U.S. 33 east of Elkins.

According to a release from the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, at around 11:36 a.m., deputies responded to U.S. 33 near Eagles Nest Road for a suspicious vehicle call. The person who called said that the window of the vehicle appeared to have been shot out.

When deputies arrived on scene, they found a victim with an “apparent gunshot wound” who was later identified as an unnamed member of the Elkins Police Department.

We was made aware of this situation Friday afternoon and sent a team of reporters to the scene to investigate further. When the team arrived, it found a large presence of law enforcement officers, as well as multiple ambulances surrounding a civilian sedan.

The team was unable to speak with members of law enforcement but did witness a procession of several Elkins police cruisers and other agencies escorting the ambulances to Davis Medical Center.

The release did not specify the circumstances surrounding the officer’s death.

Multiple agencies and entities from across the region have expressed their support to the City of Elkins and the Elkins Police Department including the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Buckhannon and the Parsons Police Department.

06/15/2024

Sending our deepest condolences to the Elkins police department and families

06/15/2024

Ofc Fiber is asking for your assistance in identifying this truck that is connected to a leaving the scene of an accident. Anyone with any information is asked to contact him at 304-848-6122.

06/15/2024

LUCKY NUMBER 13: With her win Friday night, West Virginia native Adriana Harmeyer has now swept two straight weeks on Jeopardy! and is only four wins away from entering the top 10 longest winning streaks of all time.

Read: https://trib.al/cBWCQXk

06/14/2024

Woman sentenced in 2023 fire that damaged multiple buildings, vehicles in St. Albans area

A Kanawha County woman was sentenced Thursday in a 2023 fire that involved multiple vehicles and buildings in St. Albans.

Donna Hall, 55, was sentenced to two consecutive 20-year terms after a fire in May 2023 on River Park Circle that caused more than $300,000 in property damage.

Investigators said Hall was inside a vehicle that initially caught fire. The blaze then spread to multiple other structures in the area within a 10-15 minute span before firefighters arrived
Deputies said Hall was found to be in possession of "fire-producing materials" and had "markings on her hands consistent with fire ash."

Hall was indicted on charges of first-degree arson and third-degree arson.

06/14/2024

Dunbar officer charged in domestic incident, court records say

A Dunbar police officer was arrested earlier this week after he was accused of grabbing his significant other by the hair during a domestic incident, court records said.

Chris Kendall, 31, of Dunbar was charged with domestic battery after an incident Wednesday at his home, according to a criminal complaint filed in Kanawha County Magistrate Court. Kendall is employed with the Dunbar Police Department.

West Virginia State Police responded to Kendall’s home Wednesday after an alleged verbal argument between the two escalated, the complaint said.

A witness, who called 911, told investigators Kendall was allegedly seen grabbing the woman by the hair and standing over her in an “aggressive stance” before forcing her back into the home by her arm.

The pair were allegedly heard yelling prior to the incident.

Dunbar Police Chief Brian Oxley said Kendall was not on duty at the time and the incident was not related to the department. He said Kendall has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.

Kendall has since been released from jail on a $500 cash bond.

06/14/2024

Woman charged after allegedly setting car on fire in Clarksburg

A woman has been charged after allegedly setting fire to another person’s vehicle while it was parked in front of a Clarksburg apartment.

On June 11, officers with the Clarksburg Police Department received information that someone had destroyed property at a residence on Maple View Drive, according to a criminal complaint.

Throughout their investigation, officers learned that Sarah Dehaven, 42, had “willfully and maliciously set fire to and burned a 1999 Buick Century” while it was parked in front of the victim’s apartment, officers said. According to the complaint, the fire “completely engulfed the vehicle in flames and destroyed it.”

Before setting the fire, Dehaven also “knowingly and intentionally destroy[ed] a ‘Ring’ doorbell camera belonging to the victim with a baseball bat,” the complaint said.

Dehaven has been charged with third-degree arson. She is being held in North Central Regional Jail on $7,500 bond.

06/14/2024

Flags to be at half-staff this weekend in honor of former West Virginia delegate

Gov. Jim Justice has ordered that all U.S. and West Virginia flags at select locations across the state be flown at half-staff this weekend in honor of former Mayor of Elkins and West Virginia Delegate Joe Martin, who passed away this past February.

According to a release from the governor’s office, Gov. Justice has ordered flags at the Capitol Complex in Charleston as well as at state-owned facilities in Randolph and Pocahontas Counties will be displayed at half-staff from midnight to sunset on Saturday, June 15.

The display is to commemorate the “distinguished life and service” of Martin, who was elected Mayor of Elkins in 1977 before also serving in the West Virginia House of Delegates for 22 years as a representative of Randolph and Pocahontas Counties.

Martin was later appointed as the Cabinet Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety—now known as the Department of Homeland Security—by then-Gov. Bob Wise.

06/14/2024

Former Harrison County Schools employee waives preliminary hearing in sexual abuse case

W.Va. — A former first grade teacher’s aide in Harrison County charged with felony sexual abuse has waived his preliminary hearing.

Victor Chess, 50, of Clarksburg, was working at North View Elementary School in late May when he was accused of having sexual contact with a 7-year-old female.

West Virginia State Police said Chess turned himself in at the Bridgeport Detachment.

Troopers said the investigation was initiated after a tip of possible sexual abuse was received.

Chess has been charged with first-degree sexual abuse, sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, or person of trust, and sexual abuse by a school employee.

06/14/2024

A prolonged and potentially dangerous period of heat begins on
Sunday and continues through the week. Heat index values will reach
into the mid 90s to low 100s each day, which may result in moderate
heat related impacts.

06/13/2024

Paden City High School students will be moved for 2024-2025 school year due to health concerns

Wetzel County Schools Superintendent Cassandra Porter announced on Tuesday evening that students at Paden City High School will be relocated to Magnolia High School for the upcoming school year.

In a letter to faculty and staff of Paden City High School, Magnolia High School and New Martinsville School, Porter stated:

“Pursuant to West Virginia Code § 18-4-10 (5), and due to the health risks associated with Paden City High School being located atop an EPA-designated Superfund site, all students and staff of Paden City High School will be relocated at the start of the 2024-2025 school year. Students in grades 7 and 8 will relocate to New Martinsville School. Students in grades 9 through 12 will relocate to Magnolia High School. The temporary closure of PCHS and reassignment of students and staff shall continue until further notice.”

Porter added: “The most effective hierarchy of safety controls is removing the threat or moving the people. When there is a simple and effective solution to a problem of this nature, the right course of action is clear. A wait-and-see approach with a tetrachlorothylene plume underneath a school is unreasonable and potentially dangerous. A lack of immodiate action could lead to unmanageable and regrettable losses. My commitment to providing our students with a safe and high-quality education, not to mention common sense, motivates me to act now.”

Paden City High School and Magnolia High School in New Martinsville are located less than six miles apart. PCHS has one of the smallest high school enrollments in West Virginia at around 160 students. Potential consolidation with Magnolia has been a topic of discussion in recent years. However, there is no indication in Porter’s announcement Tuesday that the relocation will extend beyond the 2024-2025 academic year.

06/13/2024

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎 Karen Loudin, Brenda Gilkeson

06/12/2024

Big shout out to our newest top fans! 💎

Karen Loudin, Brenda Gilkeson

06/12/2024

🥵HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
June 12, 2024

HEADS UP: The combination of hot temperatures and humidity may result in heat index values nearing the upper 90s beginning Sunday afternoon, 6/16/24. The heat wave is expected to continue into the middle of next week.

REMEMBER: Stay hydrated. Limit outdoor activities when you can. Drink WATER over sugary, caffeinated drinks. If you are experiencing a heat related illness, take action immediately.