County jail bills continue to climb

County jail bills are continuing to climb, and counties say revenues can’t keep up. Kanawha County Commissioner Lance Wheeler told WCHS TV that the county expects at least a one-million-dollar increase this year. Last year, several counties were forced to tap opioid settlement funds just to cover jail costs. Advocacy groups argue rising incarceration costs … Read more

Barbour County woman faces child abuse charges

A Barbour County woman has been charged following an investigation into alleged child abuse. State police say 32-year-old Courtney Crites of Belington is accused of physically abusing multiple children. Troopers were alerted to the case on January first and later interviewed the children, who reported being kicked, struck, and disciplined with a paddle referred to … Read more

Two face charges in separate South Charleston thefts

Two men were arrested at a South Charleston quarry in separate incidents just days apart. The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office says 35-year-old Joshua Clendenin of Alum Creek was arrested Friday at Mazzella Quarries on a breaking-and-entering charge. Two days later, deputies arrested 45-year-old Brian Elswick of Charleston after he was allegedly caught trying to steal … Read more

The state’s Republican primary will remain closed

The West Virginia Republican Party has voted to keep its primary closed. Starting this May, only registered Republicans can vote in the GOP primary ahead of the general election. The decision follows years of debate over whether to reopen the process, with former Senator Joe Manchin advocating for a more inclusive system. The vote itself … Read more

Missing children are back in state custody

Two Kanawha County siblings who were reported missing have now been returned to state custody. The sheriff’s office says their mother returned Kynslee and Joshua Cline to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services. Deputies say the children were taken by their parents in late December before DHHR could take custody and had … Read more

Boone County man faces child abuse charges

A Boone County man is facing child abuse charges after investigators say a young child was beaten with a large cooking spoon. Court records show 31-year-old Jonathan Chapman of Sylvester is accused of abusing a 2-year-old child in early December. Authorities say the child was found with dark bruising, redness, and scabbing on the legs … Read more

New 9-1-1 center makes progress in Boone County

Boone County officials are moving forward with plans for a new 911 center, now in the design phase. Emergency leaders say the current space is outdated, cramped, and was never intended to house 911 operations. The new center, planned for Madison, would give dispatchers more room, updated technology, and dedicated areas to decompress after difficult … Read more

Protesters gather in Charleston to oppose ICE

After ICE agents shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis and wounded two people in Oregon this week, protesters gathered Friday night outside the Governor’s Mansion in Charleston to oppose ICE activity in West Virginia. The ICE Melt rally was organized in less than 24 hours, with organizers saying the turnout reflected growing frustration and … Read more

Trout stocking is happening at several lakes across the state

Anglers across West Virginia may want to check the Division of Natural Resources’ latest trout stocking plans for 2026. The DNR says dozens of lakes, rivers, and streams statewide have already been stocked, including the Blackwater River, the Elk River, Hurricane Reservoir, Spruce Knob Lake, and Barboursville Lake. Daily stockings are not announced in advance, … Read more

Candidates are able to file for office beginning today

The candidate filing period for West Virginia’s upcoming election begins today. Any registered voter can file in person or by mail, as long as paperwork is postmarked by January 31. Secretary of State Kris Warner says candidates running in multi-county races must file with his office, while county-only races can file locally. Filing fees apply, … Read more