More than 6,000 children are in West Virginia’s foster care system, and the Children’s Home Society is working to make sure some of them have a brighter Christmas. The organization serves about 400 families across Cabell, Wayne, Mason, Putnam and Lincoln counties, and this year set up a free holiday shop at its Huntington office. … Read more
The West Virginia Board of Education has approved closing three elementary schools in Roane and Logan counties. Walton Elementary and Geary Elementary in Roane County, along with Verdunville Elementary in Logan County, will shut down after the board’s vote Wednesday. Local school boards had already supported the closures, citing serious financial strain and declining enrollment. … Read more
A Boone County mother is pleading for answers nearly seven years after the death of her daughter, 28-year-old Meagan Reed. Reed vanished in August 2018 after spending a weekend with her longtime boyfriend. Two weeks later, her body was found in a creek along Prenter Road in the Seth area and identified only by her … Read more
U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom of Webster County was laid to rest this week with full military honors. The 20-year-old military police officer died November 27 in Washington, D.C. She was buried at the West Virginia National Cemetery in Grafton. Beckstrom graduated with honors from Webster County High School in 2023 and joined the West … Read more
A Charleston man pleaded guilty Wednesday to beating a woman to death with a vase in 2024. 23-year-old Izak Surface pleaded guilty in the death of 36-year-old Lora Farley, whose body was found in a home in the 1600 block of Chandler Drive on Jan. 18, 2024. Police said Farley had been struck in the … Read more
Michael Smith, previously convicted of killing a woman and dumping her body in a well, appeared in Kanawha County Court Monday for a trial on unrelated robbery charges. The state sought harsher penalties under a recidivist law, which could make him eligible for a life sentence if convicted of a qualifying felony. The trial focused … Read more
The Kanawha County Public Library system launched a new software system Monday, offering more online features like mobile reading trackers and bookshelf search tools. The upgrade is completely late-fine free, and patrons can now borrow up to 100 books and five video games at a time. Librarians say all cardholders just need to reset passwords … Read more
A man has been charged with DUI in connection with a crash that killed former West Virginia lawmaker Tony Whitlow last month. Chad Noel faces a charge of DUI resulting in death after a head-on collision in Princeton on November 12. Troopers reported smelling alcohol, noticing slurred speech, and finding open vodka bottles in Noel’s … Read more
More winter weather is headed our way at the end of the week, following the biggest December snowstorm in years. A blizzard warning is in effect through today in West Virginia’s highest elevations, with heavy snow and 45-mile-per-hour gusts. Locally, another round of snow moves in late Thursday night, with one to three inches expected … Read more
More details are emerging about why the Smithers Volunteer Fire Department is shutting down. Mayor Anne Cavalier says a state review found it was in the best interest of public and firefighter safety to close the department, citing years of financial mismanagement, poor leadership, training issues, and low recruitment. Problems reportedly date back to 2011 … Read more