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Articles by Jake Flatley
DOH engineer says Wellsburg Bridge likely to open in late spring 2023
WELLSBURG, W.Va. — Originally set to open this fall, residents in the Brooke County area will have to wait a more few months before using the highly anticipated Wellsburg Bridge. Tony Clark, the West Virginia Division of Highways (DOH) District 6 Engineer recently updated MetroNews on where things stand with the $131 million project.
Buzz Food Service acquires Huntington-based S.S. Logan Packing Company
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Two of the most well-known wholesale meat distributors in southern West Virginia are now one. On Tuesday, Kanawha Valley-based Buzz Products, Inc. announced the acquisition of Huntington-based S.S. Logan Packing Company. S.S. Logan Packing was founded in 1925 by the Logan family, is the manufacturer and distributor of Cavalier Brand hot dogs, bologna, bacon, and other popular regional grocery items.
Military veterans of all ages, service honored at Charleston Veterans Day program
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Military veterans from all walks of life and all wars were honored Friday in Charleston in a special program. The 81st annual Veterans Day Program, which followed the Charleston Veterans Day Parade, took place at Haddad Riverfront Park. The event is sponsored by American Legion John Brawley Post 20. Loretta Dickens of American Legion John Brawley Post 20 was the master of ceremonies.
MetroNews Decision 2022: Voters deciding on Amendments 1, 3 and 4
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As Amendment 2 has been all over the headlines leading up to the General Election in West Virginia, three other constitutional amendments will grace the ballot for West Virginia voters Nov. 8. Amendment 1 is the Clarification of the Judiciary’s Role in Impeachment Proceedings Amendment, Amendment 3 is the Incorporation of Churches or Religious Denominations Amendment and Amendment 4 is the Education Accountability Amendment.
BridgeValley shows off Nursing Simulation Lab
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Betty Craze, the Nursing Simulation Lab Coordinator and part of the Nursing Faculty at BridgeValley Community and Technical College says the college’s new nursing wing gives students the most realistic experience possible. BridgeValley Community and Technical College (BVCTC) leaders, nursing faculty and nursing students showed off the new Booker T. Washington Nursing Wing Tuesday evening at the South Charleston campus.
WLU Presidential Search Committee focusing on engaging search firm, taking next step in process
WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — Members of the West Liberty University Presidential Search Committee have developed a ‘roadmap’ in recent weeks to find the institution’s next leader, according to committee chair Tom Cervone. The committee first met on Sept. 13 and meets every other week, most recently on Monday, with a mission to build the process to hire West Liberty’s 38th president in 2023. In August, West Liberty’s Board of Governors (BoG) voted to not extend the contract of current President W.
Ohio County Bridges Project along I-70 'in the homestretch' as bulk of work completed
WHEELING, W.Va. — Tony Clark, the West Virginia Division of Highways (DOH) District 6 Engineer admits he was nervous as to what would happen to the $214 million Ohio County Bridges Project when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020. That’s because the project, to bring 26 new bridges to Interstate 70 through the county, was only months old.
Rand residents express frustration with town's drainage issues, DOH listens and explains upcoming project
RAND, W.Va. — Residents in the unincorporated Kanawha County town of Rand expressed their decades-long concerns with the town’s drainage and flooding issues to the West Virginia Division of Highways on Tuesday night. West Virginia Division of Highways (DOH) officials were on hand at the Rand Community Center for a Public Informational Workshop for the Rand Drainage Project, Phase 1 and Phase 2.
Kanawha County Commission looking for solutions as residents remain without heating, cooling due to flood
KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. — Residents along the Campbells Creek area in Kanawha County are still trying to clean-up following flooding in mid-August and for two dozen homes it could mean a cold winter ahead. Kanawha County Commissioner Ben Salango told MetroNews that 24 homes along the creek have had no working heating/cooling system since the flooding because the waters knocked out their HVAC systems. In recent days, Gov.
The love of cars brings gearheads together for another Charleston Rod Run and Doo Wop
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Vehicles of all makes, models and years began packing the Kanawha Boulevard in Charleston Thursday to kick off one of the largest car shows in West Virginia — the 2022 Charleston Rod Run and Doo Wop. Around 700 cars total from 10 states are expected to line the street once everyone arrives and the four-day festival is in full swing. Cars are coming from 10 states including Florida, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Missouri.
Ranieri settling into role as airport director and CEO at West Virginia International Yeager Airport Original
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Just a few weeks into her new role as Airport Director and CEO at West Virginia International Yeager Airport (CRW) in Charleston, Dominique Ranieri is settling in and ready for upcoming challenges. The Central West Virginia Regional Airport Authority, the body that oversees CRW, held its monthly board meeting Wednesday which marked the first regularly scheduled board meeting with Ranieri as director.
Work continues on restoration project of historic Barbour County bridge
CARROLLTON, W.Va. — Work on the restoration of the historic Carrollton Covered Bridge in Barbour County remains ongoing. West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) District 7 Bridge Engineer Chad Boram, P.E. spoke to MetroNews Tuesday about the progress of the work, which began in July. The bridge, the third oldest of 17 surviving covered bridges in West Virginia, was badly damaged by a fire in August 2017.
Last fully operational World War II landing ship tank makes stop in Charleston
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Residents of the Charleston area have a few more days left to get on board and check out the last fully operational World War II landing ship tank. The USS LST-325 is docked at Haddad Riverfront Park in Charleston through Sunday. The ship is normally stationed in Evansville, Indiana but it tours the country once a month every year, making three stops.
Marshall flight school grows fleet with Cirrus SR20 delivery
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Marshall University’s Bill Noe Flight School welcomed its newest aircraft on Wednesday afternoon. A new Cirrus SR20, with the tail number N831MU, was flown from Cirrus’s Knoxville facility to the West Virginia International Yeager Airport (CRW). The new airplane will be the fifth of its kind in the Bill Noe Flight School’s fleet. This unit, and another to be delivered later in the fall, will allow the school to meet the student demand for flight time.
Marshall fans look forward to Notre Dame game, events surrounding it Original
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — A few thousand Marshall University football fans are expected to be in attendance at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday when the Thundering Herd and Fighting Irish meet for the first time on the gridiron. It’s a game, event and experience that many of those fans have looked forward to since the game was announced in 2019. Notre Dame, ranked No. 8 in the country, is one of the most iconic college football programs in the country and has one of the largest fanbases.
West Virginia International Yeager Airport board accepts resignation of airport director, approves new leader
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The board that oversees West Virginia International Yeager Airport has accepted the resignation of the airport director and named a new leader. On Tuesday, following a near two-hour executive session during a special meeting, the board decided to accept the resignation of Nick Keller as director. The board then named Dominique Ranieri, previously the assistant director, as the new director and CEO.
City of Charleston, Kanawha County Commission announce plans to build multi-million dollar indoor sports complex Original
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The City of Charleston and Kanawha County Commission have announced a historic joint venture project that would convert the former Macy’s building at Charleston Town Center and the Lee Street parking garage into an indoor sports complex.
Charleston Sternwheel Regatta returning to July 4th weekend in 2023
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Charleston Sternwheel Regatta will return in 2023 around the 4th of July weekend and Charleston Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin said it was an easy decision. On Wednesday, Goodwin and Alisa Bailey of the Regatta Commission announced the 2023 event will take place Friday, June 30 to Tuesday, July 4. The event in 2022 marked the Regatta’s comeback to the city, the first one since 2009.
AEW returns to Charleston on Wednesday for nationally televised show Original
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — For the first time since 2019, the wrestlers of All Elite Wrestling are set to invade Charleston. All Elite Wrestling (AEW) comes to the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center on Wednesday for a nationally televised show that begins at 7 p.m. TBS will pick up the coverage of AEW Dynamite/Rampage from Charleston at 8 p.m. The announced card for Wednesday, as of the weekend before, includes AEW World Trios Tournament Tournament Match: Young Bucks & TBA vs.
Long-awaited Wheeling Streetscape project ready to begin after bid award
WHEELING, W.Va. — A project years in the making to transform downtown Wheeling is coming to fruition and work is expected to begin this fall. On Tuesday, Gov. Jim Justice announced he approved the bid award contract for the project to Triton Construction Inc., with a low bid of $31.9 million. The project, which was first brought to the table in 2016, is meant to beautify downtown Wheeling and improve the roads and sidewalks.
CRW leader says federal grant to expand air service is 'great opportunity'
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia International Yeager Airport Director and CEO Nick Keller says the facility has an opportunity ahead of it following it being awarded a federal grant to attract and maintain airfare. The airport (CRW) was awarded a grant from the Department of Transportation Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) in a total of $600,000 last week.
West Virginia International Yeager Airport awarded federal grant to build air service
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia International Yeager Airport has been awarded a federal grant to help the airport maintain and build air service options. The airport, CRW, announced the grant on Wednesday from the Department of Transportation Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) in total of $600,000. CRW officials said it will support a new service to Dallas Forth Worth International Airport (DFW) or Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).
Elliott details infrastructure projects during State of the City address in Wheeling Original
WHEELING, W.Va. — Updates on the numerous infrastructure projects going on or planned to occur took center stage at Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott’s State of the City address on Tuesday. Elliott addressed community members, city leaders and other dignitaries during a speech at Wheeling Island Hotel Casino and Racetrack – his sixth State of the City address since being first elected in 2016. He told the crowd of developing news just learned Tuesday morning about the anticipated streetscape project.
Charleston Sternwheel Regatta brought in over $31 million to the city, event officials say
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The much-anticipated return of the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta in 2022 did not disappoint, as numbers released by event and city officials show it was the largest event in Charleston in the past decade.
PUBLIC SAFETY: West Virginia suicide hotline launched
CHARLESTON — A celebration of hope is how Lata Menon, the CEO of First Choice Services is describing Saturday’s launch of West Virginia’s 988 Crisis and Suicide Lifeline. Ahead of the 988 number’s launch nationwide, mental health leaders and advocates gathered Friday at First Choice Services in Charleston for a kickoff event.
Phillips sentenced to maximum 40 years in prison for murder of Charleston officer
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The man convicted of shooting and killing Charleston Police Officer Cassie Johnson in 2020 has received the maximum sentence of 40 years in prison for the second-degree murder charge. Kanawha County Circuit Judge Jennifer Bailey sentenced Joshua Phillips on Wednesday in front of a crowded courtroom that included the families of Johnson, Phillips and many members of the Charleston Police Department.
9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis hotline set for launch in West Virginia
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A celebration of hope is how Lata Menon, the CEO of First Choice Services is describing the upcoming launch of West Virginia’s 9-8-8 Crisis and Suicide Lifeline. Ahead of the 9-8-8 number launching nationwide Saturday, mental health leaders and advocates gathered Friday at First Choice Services in Charleston for a kickoff event.
First set of cabs, chassis for electric school buses arrive at GreenPower in South Charleston Original
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The first set of cabs and chassis for GreenPower Motor Company’s production facility in South Charleston was delivered on Wednesday and in a unique way. State and local officials drove the cabs from South Charleston City Hall to the GreenPower facility on Industrial Way to mark the delivery. It’s less than two months before the company plans to begin production of the all-electric school buses.
West Virginia National Guard transitions to state-level COVID response, ready if further activation needed
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As the West Virginia National Guard’s longest federal mission ended last week when the COVID-19 response mission transitioned from federal to state-level, officials are reflecting on the past two plus years dealing with COVID-19 response and what is ahead. The West Virginia National Guard (WVNG) was first activated to help the state with its COVID-19 response in March 2020 with their work has been financed by the federal government. Gov.
Charleston Sternwheel Regatta turnout 'beyond our wildest expectations,' event official says
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As vendors and organizers of the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta continue to tear down from the five-day festival that ended Monday, leaders of the event are calling its return a ‘wild success.’ The Regatta was held from Thursday, June 30 to Monday, July 4 along the riverfront at Haddad Riverfront Park and Kanawha Boulevard. It was last held in Charleston in 2009.
Jackson County turns to Shield program to help protect schools
RIPLEY, W.Va. — The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and Jackson County Schools have partnered to begin a new school safety program in the upcoming school year. The program is called ‘The Shield Program’ and will ensure every school in the county will have part-time deputies patrolling the hallways and grounds starting in August.
Marshall set to host open house for Bill Noe Flight School
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Students interested in flying the skies through Marshall University’s Bill Noe Flight School will be able to learn more about the programs this weekend. The flight school will host an open house for prospective students beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday at West Virginia International Yeager Airport in Charleston. The open house and growth of the school comes at a time when there is a nationwide pilot shortage.
Cleanup ongoing in Wheeling area from confirmed derecho
WHEELING, W.Va. — Cleanup and power restoration continue in the Wheeling area of Ohio County following a powerful storm system that came through early Tuesday morning that the National Weather Service Pittsburgh is now categorizing as a derecho.
'It looks like a bit of a warzone;' Wheeling residents continue cleanup from severe storms
WHEELING, W.Va. — Thousands of residents in Wheeling remained without power on Wednesday and continue to clean up from what the National Weather Service Pittsburgh is describing as a ‘severe straight line wind event’ on Tuesday. The storm event, with estimated winds of 70mph, rolled through a direct path of downtown Wheeling into the center of Ohio County around 1:00 a.m. Tuesday, leaving more than 15,000 Appalachian power customers in the county without power at the storm’s peak.
Severe weather in Wheeling area leaves three firefighters injured, thousands without power
WHEELING, W.Va. — Many citizens in the Wheeling area were awakened overnight Monday into Tuesday by severe weather that has left thousands without power, damage to clean up all over the city and three firefighters recovering from injuries. Shortly after 1 a.m., Tuesday a severe weather system with wind gusts near 70 mph ripped through Ohio County and parts of the Northern Panhandle. As of 11 a.m. Tuesday, Appalachian Power reported over 15,000 customers in Ohio County are without power.
Jury in Phillips murder trial to continue deliberation on Friday morning
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The 12-member jury in the Joshua Phillips murder trial will continue deliberations on Friday morning after the group deliberated Thursday afternoon for a few hours following closing arguments. Phillips, 39, allegedly shot and killed Charleston Police Officer Cassie Johnson, 28, in a scuffle that began on Garrison Avenue in Charleston in the afternoon hours of Dec. 1, 2020. Johnson was there to answer a parking complaint.
West Virginia International Yeager Airport receives grant to complete runway rehab project
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia International Yeager Airport has received a multi-million dollar grant that will fund the final phase of its three-year Runway Rehabilitation Project, the airport officials announced Monday. Nick Keller, West Virginia International Yeager Airport (CRW) Director and CEO told MetroNews that the grant is over $11 million and will place the runway in a good position for the next two decades. The total amount of this year’s project is $12,394,048.
Kanawha County hopes to help kids catch-up more in summer academy
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Kanawha County Schools is set to begin its summer academy for students on Monday. Dr. George Aulenbacher, the Assistant Superintendent of HS/Career Tech Centers for Kanawha County Schools (KCS) told 580-WCHS that around 2,100 students, grades k-12, are signed up for the second-year academy that runs until June 29. In 2021, 1,700 students signed up for the academy with around 1,200 kids finishing the program.
West Virginia Motor Speedway set to host national dirt series to kick off summer slate
MINERAL WELLS, W.Va. — When Cody Watson brought West Virginia Motor Speedway back to life in 2021, he envisioned the facility getting back into the national spotlight like its heyday in the ’80s and ’90s. The Mineral Wells 5/8 mile clay oval track will do just that on Friday and Saturday as it hosts the national touring Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series for the Historic 100 to kick off what is scheduled to be an exciting summer slate.
Former Kanawha County teacher pleads guilty to multiple counts of battery on former students
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A former Kanawha County Schools teacher has pleaded guilty to multiple counts of battery on several of her former students. Nancy Boggs, 67 of Charleston, pleaded guilty to ten counts of misdemeanor battery before Kanawha Circuit Judge Maryclaire Akers on Tuesday. Boggs was indicted in Nov. on 23 counts of battery and one count of verbal abuse of a non-communicative child. The other 14 counts were dismissed.
Hundreds of shoes displayed at state Capitol to represent West Virginians lost by suicide
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — More than 350 pairs of shoes filled the front steps of the state Capitol on Thursday as part of a display for May being Mental Health Awareness Month. According to Prevent Suicide West Virginia’s most recent data available, 354 West Virginians committed suicide in 2020, the most recent data available. The 354 pairs of shoes were in remembrance of those citizens. “We thought a victim impact display would be good for this month.
Run for the Wall thunders back into West Virginia
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Several hundred motorcyclists, many being military veterans, came thundering onto state Capitol grounds in Charleston on Thursday morning. The bikers are part of the Run For The Wall XXXII 2022, the largest organized motorcycle run in the USA that goes from coast-to-coast to honor all veterans, current military, and fallen military members. Around 400 motorcycles were in Charleston.
West Virginia International Yeager Airport board approves cost-of-living adjustment bonus for employees
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia International Yeager Airport’s board has approved the airport’s budget for the next fiscal year and a cost-of-living adjustment bonus for employees. The actions were discussed and passed Wednesday during the Central West Virginia Regional Airport Authority meeting at the airport. The one-time 5% payment to employees will take effect on June 9.
Flood symposium focusing on updating state's Flood Protection Plan, improving communication with agencies
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Robert Martin, the State Resilience Office Director for West Virginia told a crowd of state lawmakers, local officials and national flood experts on Wednesday. that the readily flooding across the Mountain State can be minimized with a strong plan in place. Martin was a featured speaker during a two-day flood symposium at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center that runs through Thursday.
Grove makes Wheeling community proud with MLB debut
WHEELING, W.Va. — Michael Grove’s road to the show took him from the fields in Wheeling, West Virginia to Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles with many stops in between — and those in the ‘Friendly City’ are celebrating his journey. His fans in Wheeling and around the Mountain State were glued to the game on Sunday as Grove made his MLB debut. The Wheeling Park graduate was the against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Goodwin wins Democratic nomination in bid for re-election as Charleston mayor
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Incumbent Charleston Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin easily won the nomination for the Democratic Party on Tuesday night, getting her one step closer to a second term in office. Goodwin defeated West Side native and activist Martec Washington, 4,061 votes to 1,186 votes (77-23%). Goodwin was elected to her first term in office in November 2018, making her the first female mayor in the history of West Virginia’s capital city.
'This is the vanguard of libraries'; Renovated downtown Charleston library opens to public
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Recently during a tour of the renovated downtown Charleston library, a donor asked library officials if the multi-million dollar project caught the library up with other facilities across the country or put the facility ahead of the pack in terms of technology and offerings. Erika Connelly, the Kanawha County Public Library System (KCPL) Library Director quickly responded with the latter of the answer.
Additional renovations, uptick in guests bring 'energy' to Oglebay Park
WHEELING, W.Va. — As the Wheeling Park Commission’s Oglebay Park and Wheeling Park properties are seeing more and more guests visit following the downturn of the COVID-19 pandemic, the commission received another boost in recent days in the form of a grant. The Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced a $6.6 million grant head to the commission for renovations to Oglebay’s Wilson Lodge. The funding was made possible by the American Rescue Plan.
MetroNews Decision 2022: The race for mayor of West Virginia's capital city
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As the Primary Election in West Virginia is just five days away, the race for mayor of West Virginia’s capital city features the incumbent and two candidates who have held a combined zero days in political office at any level.
Fallen Gassaway firefighter John Forbush honored with procession
GASSAWAY, W.Va. –Dozens of first responders lined the roadways in Kanawha County up Interstate-79 into Braxton County on Wednesday to honor a fallen firefighter. A procession escorting the body of John Forbush, 24, a member of the Gassaway Volunteer Fire Department left the Charleston Mortuary on Bigley Avenue around 9 a.m. and headed north onto the interstate. Forbush died on Sunday when he jumped into the Elk River in an attempt to save two others after a car plunged into the waters.
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