HINTON, W.V. — Three people were arrested Wednesday in Summers County following two separate drug-related investigations, according to law enforcement officials. At about 8 a.m. on November 5, Sheriff J.L. Faris conducted a traffic stop on Big Creek Road involving a vehicle occupied by two people. After determining that further investigation was needed, Deputy J.L. Farmer…
A Herndon man has been sentenced to prison after being convicted of multiple drug-related offenses in Wyoming County. Wyoming County Prosecuting Attorney Derek Laxton announced that 46-year-old Chad Franklin Simmons was sentenced to three to 30 years in prison following convictions for Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine and Conspiracy to Deliver Cocaine. The charges…
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in southern West Virginia as the United Way of Southern West Virginia prepares to kick off its 17th annual Wonderland of Trees at the Tamarack Marketplace in Beckley. Festivities begin Friday, November 7, with a Business After Hours event hosted in partnership with the Beckley-Raleigh County and…
Beckley City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to install “Say No to Panhandling” signs at city intersections and to ban panhandling at locations considered unsafe. City Manager Phillip Jarrell presented one of the new signs during the meeting, which received applause from council members. The signs will read:“Say No to Panhandling – Contribute to the…
The Wyoming County Sheriff’s Department says several people are facing felony drug charges following a multi-agency investigation. According to a media release, on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office—working with multiple law enforcement agencies—executed two search warrants related to felony drug offenses in the Oceana and Lynco areas of the county. The…
BECKLEY, W.V. — The Beckley Police Department says the origin of a prescription fentanyl vial reportedly found in a child’s trick-or-treat basket on Halloween has been traced to a local medical facility. According to a press release, the facility is cooperating with investigators, and the incident remains under active investigation. Police said the name of the…
HINTON, W.Va. — A Mercer County man is facing multiple charges in Summers County related to the sexual abuse of a child. According to court records, Danny Earl Patton II, 26, of Rock, has been charged with first-degree sexual abuse involving a victim 12 years old or younger, first-degree sexual assault of a child 12…
BECKLEY, W.Va. — The Beckley Police Department is investigating after a suspicious item was found in a child’s trick-or-treat basket on Halloween night. According to police, a parent reported discovering a small vial labeled as fentanyl containing an unknown substance among their child’s Halloween treats. The item was secured by officers, and no injuries have…
FAYETTE COUNTY, W.Va. — A homestead exemption clinic is coming up next week for Fayette County residents. The clinic allows residents to sign up for a 2026 homestead exemption, which provides a property tax discount for those 65 and older or permanently disabled. Residents who are 64 but will turn 65 before July 1, 2026,…
Mount Hope Police arrested an undocumented immigrant Thursday afternoon following a roadside encounter on U.S. Route 19. According to the Mount Hope Police Department, officers were on routine patrol when they saw an individual walking along the roadway in an unsafe manner. Officers stopped to conduct a welfare check and, during the interaction, determined the…
A man wanted on active warrants was arrested Wednesday morning after officers responded to a breaking and entering call in progress in the Mullens area. According to the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office, Sgt. Lane and Mullens Police Officer Eric Hoosier responded to the scene around 11:03 a.m. on October 29, 2025. Officer Hoosier located the…
A Beckley man is facing multiple charges after police say a domestic dispute turned violent and led to the discovery of fentanyl hidden beneath a home where children were present. According to law enforcement, officers were dispatched to a residence in Beckley for a domestic disturbance in progress. When they arrived, they found several people…
A disturbing discovery inside a Raleigh County home has led to the arrest of a parent after authorities found drugs, syringes, and a firearm within arm’s reach of an 8-year-old child. According to the West Virginia State Police, troopers assisted in executing a search warrant at a residence connected to controlled fentanyl purchases made from…
Authorities have confirmed that two people were killed in a house fire early Thursday morning just outside Oceana in Wyoming County. Wyoming County Sheriff Brad Ellison says that first responders were called to the scene during the early hours of October 30, 2025. When crews arrived, they discovered two bodies inside the residence. The victims…
The West Virginia Public Service Commission has halted a proposed 40% increase in water rates for customers in the Town of Pax after receiving a citizen petition opposing the hike. According to a PSC order issued October 29, the suspension was triggered when at least 25% of Pax’s water customers signed a petition under state…
A Princeton man is facing charges after police say he threatened his neighbors with a butcher knife during a heated outburst Friday afternoon. Officers responded to the 1000 block of Bluefield Avenue around 12:30 p.m. on October 17 after reports of a man brandishing a weapon. Witnesses told police that Fred Clayton Walls, of 1004…
A Mercer County woman is facing multiple charges after deputies say she assaulted her 12-year-old daughter during a violent altercation at their home on Pine Grove Road. According to the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the residence around 6:42 p.m. on Sunday, October 26, 2025, after receiving a report that a juvenile had…
OCEANA, W.Va. (WJLS News) — A Wyoming County man is facing multiple felony charges after a domestic violence call led investigators to uncover allegations of long-term sexual abuse. According to the West Virginia State Police, troopers responded around 6:24 p.m. on Friday, October 24, 2025, to the Dollar General in Oceana for a report of…
OAK HILL, W.Va. (WJLS News) — A former Oak Hill Middle School principal is facing multiple felony charges following an extensive investigation into missing funds and falsified financial records. According to a criminal complaint filed in Fayette County, former principal Chad Quesenberry is accused of falsifying school account records, misusing a government-issued credit card, and…
LAYLAND, W.Va. (WJLS News) — A domestic disturbance in Fayette County ended with a mother and daughter behind bars after a fight turned violent Friday evening. According to the West Virginia State Police, Senior Trooper Ferris responded to a call from the Fayette County 911 Center around 4:54 p.m. on October 24 regarding a domestic…
GREENBRIER COUNTY, W.Va. (WJLS News) — A Greenbrier County man is behind bars after deputies reportedly found illegal drugs, a firearm, and drug distribution materials during a search of his home early Sunday morning. According to the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Office, members of the Street Crimes Unit executed a search warrant around 6 a.m. on…
BECKLEY, W.Va. (WJLS News) — Charleston Area Medical Center has officially broken ground on a new outpatient facility that’s expected to expand access to health care in Raleigh County. Local leaders, CAMC doctors, and hospital administrators gathered for the ceremony at the construction site, located behind the Sonic on Harper Road in Beckley. The 24,000-square-foot…
James Elvis Hatfield, a resident of Wyoming County, has been arrested and charged with child sex trafficking and sexual abuse. According to sheriff’s deputies, Hatfield sexually abused a minor for over a year, making the child perform sexual acts and reportedly promising to buy her things in exchange. The victim was able to detail the…
BECKLEY, W.Va. (WJLS News) – Beckley Police have arrested a woman in connection with a fatal hit-and-run that occurred Saturday night. According to investigators, officers were called to the 3600 block of Robert C. Byrd Drive around 8:00 p.m. on October 25 after reports that a pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle. When officers…
RALEIGH COUNTY, W.V. – The Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man following a reported domestic disturbance in the Harper Heights area. Deputies say they responded to a 911 hang-up call on October 24, 2025, and learned that the suspect, William Lytle, had fled the scene before they arrived. Officers later located Lytle nearby and…
BECKLEY, W.V.– More information has been released by the Beckley Police Department regarding a fatal hit-and-run that occurred Saturday evening in Beckley. According to police, officers were called at around 7:52 p.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2025, to the 3600 block of Robert C. Byrd Drive for a report of a person struck by a…
A Fayette County man is in custody after allegedly setting his girlfriend’s home on fire early Thursday morning — just hours after a domestic violence incident at the same address. 🔥 Early-Morning FireAccording to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to Fourth Street in Scarbro around 2:15 a.m. for a reported arson. The…
🌍 A Global StandoutLocated in Beckley’s New River Park, the Exhibition Coal Mine and its neighboring attractions — the Rahall Company Store, Mine Museum, and the Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia — welcome thousands of visitors each year. ⛏️ Authentic Underground ExperienceVisitors can board a track-riding coal car and venture through the dark tunnels…
On Sunday, October 12, a homeowner returned from a hunting trip to his residence on Okey L. Patteson Road in the Scarbro, West Virginia area and discovered that his guest, 43-year-old Kelly Rae Parsons of Scarbro, was gone — and important items were missing. 🔐 The Loss Upon checking his gun safe, the homeowner found…
A popular holiday tradition in Lewisburg will take a break this year — but for a good reason. State Fair of West Virginia officials announced that the Christmas at the Fair drive-through light show will not take place in 2025. According to fair officials, the pause is necessary to allow for ongoing repairs, infrastructure upgrades,…
The West Virginia Supreme Court has agreed to halt activities related to the auction of lots around Glade Springs owned by the family of Senator Jim Justice, pending further review of the case. The state’s highest court granted a motion to stay on Wednesday, temporarily stopping foreclosure proceedings that had been scheduled for October 29,…
The Summers County 911 Center is advising motorists of a planned overnight closure of Interstate 64 in both directions between the Sandstone and Bragg exits on Sunday, November 2, 2025. According to officials, westbound lanes of I-64 will close at 6 p.m. Sunday between the Sandstone Exit (Exit 139) and the Bragg Exit (Exit 133).…
Wyoming County Prosecuting Attorney Derek Laxton announced that Lucas Alexander Robinson, 20, of Akron, Ohio, pled guilty on October 21, 2025, to the felony offense of possession with intent to deliver oxycodone. Robinson is scheduled to be sentenced on December 10, 2025, at 2 p.m. in the Wyoming County Circuit Court. He faces a potential…
A prescribed burn is planned in the Grandview area of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve this fall. According to a press release from the National Park Service, approximately 37 acres will be burned near the Grandview Visitor Center sometime between October 27 and November 30, 2025. The burn area is located east…
The Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to help residents safely dispose of unused or expired medications. The agencies will take part in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Initiative on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Crab Orchard Pharmacy, located at 1299 Robert…
. A Hinton man has been arrested after deputies say he was running a drug lab out of his home in Summers County. According to a criminal complaint, the Summers County Sheriff’s Office received a tip on Monday, October 20, 2025, from a confidential informant who provided photos of what appeared to be a drug…
A Bluefield man was arrested after deputies responded to a reported domestic disturbance in the Thorn Street area of Princeton on the evening of October 11. According to a criminal complaint filed in Mercer County, Cpl. E.D. Leftwich with the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department was dispatched around 5 p.m. to Thorn Street in reference to…
A Huntington man has been charged following an investigation into a fatal hit-and-run that occurred earlier this month along Interstate 77 in Fayette County. According to a criminal complaint filed by the West Virginia State Police, troopers were dispatched to the 63.5-mile marker of I-77 northbound around 11:51 a.m. on Friday, October 3, 2025, for…
The Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing juvenile. Officials reported on Saturday, October 18, 2025, that Rayonna Stoumile, age 14, was last seen on Sunday, October 12. She is believed to have been in the Beckley area or possibly in Columbus, Ohio. Authorities are asking anyone with…
A Mercer County man has been charged after deputies say he assaulted a child during a domestic incident earlier this month. According to a criminal complaint filed in Mercer County, deputies responded to a residence on Gardner Loop in the Princeton area on October 8, 2025, regarding an intoxicated man who refused to leave the…
What began as a routine traffic stop for high-beam headlights turned into a major drug bust Friday night, according to the Bluefield Police Department. Around October 17, 2025, a Bluefield patrolman traveling east on College Avenue noticed a silver Dodge Avenger heading in the opposite direction with its high beams on and no functioning license…
A Mercer County man was arrested Friday evening after reportedly exposing himself to a state trooper responding to a domestic disturbance call, according to the West Virginia State Police. Around 7:59 p.m. on October 10, 2025, Mercer County 911 dispatched a trooper to the Flat Top area following a report from a caller who said…
A man has been arrested in Mercer County on multiple charges, including first-degree murder. According to jail records, Raheem Raquon Reed was taken into custody Thursday, October 16, 2025, and booked at Southern Regional Jail around 7:15 p.m. Reed is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy, and use of a firearm during the commission of a…
A Raleigh County contractor is facing multiple felony charges after state police say he took thousands of dollars from several customers for home improvement projects that were never completed. According to a criminal complaint filed in Raleigh County Magistrate Court, Glen Thomas Ullman, owner of Fence Daddy and More LLC, has been charged with seven…
The Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a body was discovered Wednesday morning in the Baileysville area. Sheriff Brad Ellison confirmed the discovery and said that, at this time, investigators do not suspect foul play. Authorities have not released the person’s identity as they work to notify family members. The investigation remains ongoing under…
A 25-year-old Bluefield man has been arrested after allegedly firing multiple shots at a vehicle carrying five minors near Mercer Mall on Thursday, October 16, according to Mercer County authorities. The Mercer County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were dispatched around 3:38 p.m. to 360 Napa Lane after reports of a shooting near the intersection of…
Criminal charges against former Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney Benjamin Hatfield have been dismissed in multiple counties. In Raleigh County, Hatfield faced three separate charges: Violation of a protective order (dismissed September 15, 2025, by Magistrate Greg Tanner) Violation of a domestic violence protective order (dismissed September 12, 2025, by Magistrate Matthew Epling) Intimidation and retaliation…
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Governor Patrick Morrisey has appointed Donnie Lee Adkins II, a Raleigh County attorney, to the West Virginia Parole Board, citing his extensive background in criminal defense and public service. Adkins, a Beckley native and owner of The Aspen Law Office in Raleigh County, brings years of legal experience to the position. A…
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Hope Gas, Inc. has filed a request with the Public Service Commission of West Virginia (PSC) seeking approval to raise natural gas rates for customers in 35 counties across the state. If approved, the proposed increase would generate about $79.6 million in additional annual revenue, representing a 40.95% overall rate hike. The…
The Raleigh County Veterans & First Responders Museum will host a historic anchor-setting ceremony at 10 a.m. on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 201 South Eisenhower Drive in Beckley. The public is invited to witness the installation of a 6,000-pound mooring anchor from the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) — a legendary American aircraft carrier…
PAX, W.Va. (WJLS News) — A railroad crossing in Fayette County will be temporarily closed later this month for repair work. According to a press release, starting at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 23, 2025, repairs to the crossing in the Town of Pax will require the temporary closure of Paint Creek Road (County Route…
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Big 12 Conference and the West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics have announced game times and television designations for the 2025–26 men’s basketball season. West Virginia games will air across multiple national platforms, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, CBS, FOX, CBS Sports Network, FS1, ESPN+ and Peacock. Fans will once again…
The New River Gorge Regional Development Authority is inviting the public to an open house this Thursday, October 16th, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the New River Conference Center in Oak Hill. Organizers say it’s an opportunity to meet the planning team and take a firsthand look at the Site Master Plan for Wolf…
PINEVILLE, W.V.— Nearly $20 million in public water system upgrades have been announced for Wyoming County, marking a major step toward addressing long-standing water quality issues across the region. Residents in several parts of the county have reported substandard water conditions for years, saying the water in their homes is unsafe to drink and has…
Governor Patrick Morrisey announced Tuesday that his administration will file to extend a donor agreement with the National Park Service (NPS) to ensure West Virginia’s national park sites remain open during the ongoing federal government shutdown. West Virginia was among the first states to enter such an agreement, which was initially valid for 14 days…
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — A “No Kings” protest has been planned near the intersection of U.S. Route 19 and State Route 16 on Bridge Day this Saturday. According to organizers, “No Kings” is a political protest movement that rejects what they describe as authoritarian tendencies in President Donald Trump’s second term. A similar protest was held…
The Fayette County Humane Society has entered its final week managing the county animal shelter before control of the facility transfers to the Fayette County Commission on Saturday, October 18. The organization, which ended its contract with the county last month, said staff are making a final push to find homes for the remaining animals…
PINEVILLE, W.V. — A Wyoming County man is facing charges after police say he and another man were caught on camera stealing multiple packs of steaks from a local grocery store. According to a criminal complaint filed in Wyoming County, officers responded to Goodson’s Supermarket in Pineville after employees reported a shoplifting incident involving two…
SOPHIA— A Raleigh County couple has been charged after police said they left their three young children unsupervised for more than 12 hours in an apartment where drugs and weapons were present. According to a criminal complaint, Kenneth Neal Conley, 46, and Tamara Ann Conley, 44, are each charged with child neglect creating a substantial…
I am text block. Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. A man was arrested in Wyoming County after deputies said they found suspected fentanyl during a traffic stop earlier this week. According to a criminal complaint,…
A man accused of threatening a woman in the parking lot of the Lewisburg Walmart was arrested after officers found a loaded handgun and multiple knives in his vehicle, according to the Lewisburg Police Department. The incident began around midnight on October 4, 2025, when a woman, Haylee Robinson, told police she was sitting in…
BECKLEY— West Virginia Junior College’s School of Nursing has been selected as a recipient of the 2025 CECU Innovation in Employer Collaboration Award, one of only three schools nationwide to earn this distinction. The award, presented by the Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU), recognizes institutions that demonstrate excellence in education, innovation, and partnerships with…
BECKLEY— A four-day hearing over whether West Virginia families can claim religious exemptions to school vaccination requirements has ended without an immediate decision. After two days of testimony in September and two more this week, Raleigh County Circuit Judge Michael Froble told attorneys Thursday that he needs more time to deliberate before issuing a ruling.…
The bridge, which carries Route 29 over Piney Creek, stretches nearly 2,000 feet and handles around 10,000 vehicles a day. Catts Construction was awarded the contract for the project, which includes a new concrete deck overlay, new expansion joints, repairs to the north abutment, and a fresh coat of paint. Highway officials say the bridge…
HINTON — A Hinton man was arrested Tuesday morning after allegedly threatening to kill his sister and father during a violent domestic disturbance, according to police. At around 11:30 a.m. on October 7, 2025, Patrolman K. Higginbotham of the Hinton Police Department responded to a 911 call reporting an active domestic situation at a home on…
RALEIGH COUNTY– A Raleigh County deputy is being commended for his quick actions after rescuing a 91-year-old woman who fell into a thorn bush in her backyard. According to Sheriff Frank Priddy, the county’s Emergency Operations Center received a call from the woman, who reported that she was trapped and at risk of further injury.…
WAR — A McDowell County man is behind bars after allegedly attacking a woman during a violent domestic incident Saturday afternoon in War. According to the West Virginia State Police, Senior Trooper R.L. Morgan was dispatched around 4:41 p.m. on October 4, 2025, to a report of a domestic disturbance and possible overdose at a home…
After years of complaints about deteriorating conditions, major improvements are now underway at Plum Orchard Lake Wildlife Management Area. The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources recently updated local lawmakers, outlining several upgrades completed between 2024 and 2025. A new Wildlife Resource Specialist was hired last fall, and maintenance crews have been busy with groundskeeping,…
The Wyoming County Sheriff’s Department says Corporal Matthew Perry pulled over a white SUV just before midnight Saturday after noticing it driving suspiciously slow. When the driver tried to flee by turning off the headlights, deputies eventually stopped the vehicle and identified the driver as Daniel Powell. A search turned up Suboxone strips, methamphetamine, fentanyl,…
OAK HILL – Veterans and their families in the Oak Hill area will have the chance to connect with the Beckley Vet Center this week. The mobile unit will host its monthly outreach event on Wednesday, October 8, from 10 a.m. to noon in the parking lot of the Oak Hill Church of the Nazarene. In…
CRAIGSVILLE, W.Va. (WJLS News) – A Craigsville man has been arrested following a shooting that left another man injured early Saturday morning, according to the Nicholas County Sheriff’s Department. Deputies said the incident occurred around 2:48 a.m. on October 4 at a residence on Fourth Street in Craigsville. Investigators said four individuals were at the…
Authorities say a massive drug seizure in Mercer County ranks among the largest in West Virginia history, with enough fentanyl recovered to potentially kill 12 million people. Governor Patrick Morrisey made the announcement during a press conference Thursday morning in Charleston, joined by West Virginia State Police and Mercer County law enforcement. The bust, the…
High school seniors considering Marshall University will have a chance to learn more about the school’s new Direct Admissions program during a special event in Beckley on October 3. The Direct Admissions Launch will take place in the Woodrow Wilson High School auditorium from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. Part of the “Marshall Direct” initiative, the…
Several Fayette County towns have set their trick-or-treat and trunk-or-treat schedules for the upcoming Halloween season. Each municipality determines its own dates and times through city council. Montgomery will open the festivities with a Trunk or Treat on October 23 from 5 to 7 p.m. On October 25, Ansted will host its event from 11…
A Beckley man is facing charges after police say he brandished and revved a chainsaw during a confrontation outside O’Reilly Auto Parts on September 11. Beckley Police said officers were dispatched to 307 Beckley Plaza after receiving reports of a man threatening people with a chainsaw. When officers arrived, they identified the suspect as Aaron…
Deputies responding to a shots-fired complaint in Greenbrier County on September 18 found themselves investigating a very different kind of disturbance. A woman called 911 reporting that she heard gunfire and rocks being thrown at her home, telling dispatchers that one of the bullets even sounded as if it passed near her head. Cpl. R.…
A Bluefield man is behind bars after leading police on a high-speed chase that ended in a crash Monday afternoon. Matthew James Davis, 39, faces multiple charges from the incident, including obstructing an officer, fleeing, making false statements, and interfering with emergency communications. He also faces charges from outstanding warrants connected to a March 2025…
Authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating 29-year-old Candy Green, who was reported missing on September 28, 2025. According to the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office, Green was last seen in the Maple Fork area and may also be in Meigs County, Ohio. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is urged to contact the…
Rainelle resident Devon Davis, 21, was arrested September 30, 2025, on one count of possession of child pornography, according to the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Office. The arrest followed an investigation led by Sergeant D.L. Vaught after a tip from the West Virginia State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Authorities said the tip resulted…
Music lovers In Southern West Virginia will have A rare opportunity in October. “The President’s Own” United States Marine Corps Band will perform at Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley on Thursday, October 2nd. Founded in 1798, The Marine Band is the Nation’s oldest continuously active professional musical group, performing For the President and the…
A Mercer County man will spend the rest of his life in prison for the murder of a Bluefield woman. Prosecuting attorney Brian K. Cochran announced that 45-year-old Charles Lee Dawson of Stoney Ridge Road was sentenced Monday to life in prison without the possibility of parole for first-degree murder. Judge Mark Wills also ordered…
