Two men are sentenced for defrauding Boone County Schools

A Kentucky man involved in a scheme to defraud Boone County Schools has been sentenced. Federal prosecutors say 65-year-old Jesse Marks of Rush was given five years of probation, including 18 months of house arrest, and must repay nearly $3.5 million. His co-conspirator, former Boone County Schools maintenance director Michael David Barker, was sentenced earlier … Read more

public employees not happy with increase in rates

Public employees from many sectors made their voices heard to the Public Employees Insurance Agency’s finance board on Thursday, saying proposed rate increases are not feasible for many teachers, paramedics and countless others covered under PEIA. Prior to the PEIA finance boards public meeting, several teachers lined the steps of the Capitol building in protest … Read more

Man arrested for high speed chase

A man is in custody after a high-speed chase early Thursday morning in Kanawha County, deputies said. James Howard Stump II, 39, was charged with fleeing with reckless indifference following a pursuit about 4:30 a.m. along Elk River Road, according to a news release from the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies said the chase reached … Read more

Boone County QRT receives donation

The Boone County Quick Response Team received $23,000 from the Milan Puskar Foundation to continue its work across the county of providing addiction treatment services, recovery services and hot meals. “Especially with the government issues, the amount of people that’s coming together trying to make ends meet with food items and not just food items … Read more

Former Fort Gay officials sentenced

Two former Fort Gay officials were sentenced to prison Thursday after an investigation revealed more than $370,000 in public funding was diverted for personal use over the span of eight years. Former mayor Joetta Hatfield and former treasurer and recorder Sheila Brown will serve 1-to-10 years in prison after pleading guilty to felony embezzlement in … Read more

Whooping cough on the rise

The West Virginia Department of Health is warning doctors, hospitals and county health departments that whooping cough is on the rise. Kanawha County Health Department officer Dr. Steven Eshenaur said. “This year, so far, we’re tracking approximately 126 known contacts. That’s the most we have seen since 2010.” State officials noted a shift from infant … Read more

Steven Lipscomb, killed in mine accident, called a hero

Sorrow is being shared across the Mountain State after search and rescue efforts for a missing miner in Nicholas County came to a tragic end. The body of Steven Lipscomb, a 42-year-old section foreman, was found at the Rolling Thunder Mine following days of searching, officials confirmed Thursday. Lipscomb went missing Saturday afternoon after crews … Read more

Search crews find body of missing Nicholas County miner

The search for a missing Nicholas County miner has ended. The body of 42-year-old Steve Lipscomb of Elkview was found early Thursday morning—more than five days after flooding trapped him inside the Rolling Thunder Mine. Lipscomb was an advanced EMT and longtime employee of Alpha Metallurgical Resources, and was last seen helping his crew escape … Read more