Congratulations!

[Valid RSS] This is a valid RSS feed.

Recommendations

This feed is valid, but interoperability with the widest range of feed readers could be improved by implementing the following recommendations.

Source: https://wvmetronews.com/feed/

  1. <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"
  2. xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
  3. xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
  4. xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
  5. xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
  6. xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
  7. xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
  8. >
  9.  
  10. <channel>
  11. <title>WV MetroNews</title>
  12. <atom:link href="https://wvmetronews.com/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
  13. <link>https://tk-wv-metro.beforewegolive.dev/</link>
  14. <description>The Voice of West Virginia</description>
  15. <lastBuildDate>Tue, 07 May 2024 18:21:11 +0000</lastBuildDate>
  16. <language>en-US</language>
  17. <sy:updatePeriod>
  18. hourly </sy:updatePeriod>
  19. <sy:updateFrequency>
  20. 1 </sy:updateFrequency>
  21. <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2</generator>
  22.  
  23. <image>
  24. <url>https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/cropped-favicon-32x32.png</url>
  25. <title>WV MetroNews</title>
  26. <link>https://tk-wv-metro.beforewegolive.dev/</link>
  27. <width>32</width>
  28. <height>32</height>
  29. </image>
  30. <item>
  31. <title>Berkeley authorities investigate suspicious death</title>
  32. <link>https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/07/berkeley-authorities-investigate-suspicious-death/</link>
  34. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Marsha Chwalik]]></dc:creator>
  35. <pubDate>Tue, 07 May 2024 18:20:22 +0000</pubDate>
  36. <category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
  37. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wvmetronews.com/?p=571097</guid>
  38.  
  39. <description><![CDATA[<p>Body discovered late Monday night. </p>
  40. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/07/berkeley-authorities-investigate-suspicious-death/">Berkeley authorities investigate suspicious death</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  41. ]]></description>
  42. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>MARTINSBURG, W.Va. </strong>&#8212; A body was found late Monday night in Berkeley County and investigators are describing the death as suspicious.</p>
  43. <figure id="attachment_554802" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-554802" style="width: 123px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img decoding="async" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-554802" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Blair-Sheriff-BC-Public-Safety-123x150.jpg" alt="" width="123" height="150" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Blair-Sheriff-BC-Public-Safety-123x150.jpg 123w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Blair-Sheriff-BC-Public-Safety-246x300.jpg 246w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Blair-Sheriff-BC-Public-Safety-287x350.jpg 287w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Blair-Sheriff-BC-Public-Safety.jpg 295w" sizes="(max-width: 123px) 100vw, 123px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-554802" class="wp-caption-text">Berkeley County Sheriff Rob Blair</figcaption></figure>
  44. <p>Berkeley County Sheriff Rob Blair said the discovery happened in the 100 block of Golf Course Road just outside the city limits of Martinsburg.</p>
  45. <p>&#8220;We processed the crime scene into the morning hours. The West Virginia State Police came out with their crime scene personnel and gave us a huge hand,&#8221; Blair told WEPM Radio Tuesday morning.</p>
  46. <p>The body is being sent to the state Medical Examiner&#8217;s Office for an autopsy, Blair said.</p>
  47. <p>&#8220;We will send an officer down with that to collect what evidence we can,&#8221; Blair said. &#8220;We are asking the public at this point that if they have any information related to this they give the Berkeley County Sheriff&#8217;s Department a call.&#8221;</p>
  48. <p>Blair said investigators don&#8217;t believe there&#8217;s an active threat to the public in connection with the death.</p>
  49. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/07/berkeley-authorities-investigate-suspicious-death/">Berkeley authorities investigate suspicious death</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  50. ]]></content:encoded>
  54. </item>
  55. <item>
  56. <title>Flood Watch issued for a dozen West Virginia counties</title>
  57. <link>https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/07/flood-watch-issued-for-a-dozen-west-virginia-counties/</link>
  59. <dc:creator><![CDATA[MetroNews Staff]]></dc:creator>
  60. <pubDate>Tue, 07 May 2024 17:30:09 +0000</pubDate>
  61. <category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
  62. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wvmetronews.com/?p=571084</guid>
  63.  
  64. <description><![CDATA[<p>Heavy rain possible through Thursday morning. </p>
  65. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/07/flood-watch-issued-for-a-dozen-west-virginia-counties/">Flood Watch issued for a dozen West Virginia counties</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  66. ]]></description>
  67. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>CHARLESTON, W.Va. </strong>&#8212; The National Weather Service <a href="https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=RLX&amp;wwa=flood%20watch">has issued a flood watch</a> for a dozen West Virginia counties from Tuesday afternoon to Thursday morning with the possibility of heavy rains.</p>
  68. <figure id="attachment_571085" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-571085" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-571085" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Watch_flood-300x232.png" alt="" width="300" height="232" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Watch_flood-300x232.png 300w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Watch_flood-150x116.png 150w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Watch_flood.png 354w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-571085" class="wp-caption-text">The counties in green are under a flood watch through Thursday morning. (NWS graphic)</figcaption></figure>
  69. <p>The watch covers Wayne, Cabell, Mason, Jackson, Wood, Lincoln, Putnam, Kanawha, Roane, Wirt, Mingo, Logan and Boone counties.</p>
  70. <p>&#8220;Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations,&#8221; message from the NWS said. &#8220;Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Low-water crossings may be flooded.&#8221;</p>
  71. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/07/flood-watch-issued-for-a-dozen-west-virginia-counties/">Flood Watch issued for a dozen West Virginia counties</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  72. ]]></content:encoded>
  76. </item>
  77. <item>
  78. <title>Greenbrier County man killed in trooper involved shooting</title>
  79. <link>https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/07/greenbrier-county-man-killed-in-trooper-involved-shooting/</link>
  81. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Lawrence]]></dc:creator>
  82. <pubDate>Tue, 07 May 2024 16:32:47 +0000</pubDate>
  83. <category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
  84. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wvmetronews.com/?p=571075</guid>
  85.  
  86. <description><![CDATA[<p>State Police say armed suspect refused commands to drop his weapon and taser was ineffective, leading to the shooting</p>
  87. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/07/greenbrier-county-man-killed-in-trooper-involved-shooting/">Greenbrier County man killed in trooper involved shooting</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  88. ]]></description>
  89. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va.</strong> &#8212; A Greenbrier County man is dead after an encounter with two West Virginia State Troopers.</p>
  90. <p>According to State Police Major Jim Mitchell, Corporal D.P. Dillon and Corporal J. C. Mann were dispatched to a call in Fairlea at just after 4 p.m. Monday in which a man was brandishing a deadly weapons. The troopers arrived to find the suspect, later identified as Justin Grant. armed with a deadly weapon. State Police would not say what kind of weapon.</p>
  91. <p>&#8220;Both of course ordered him repeatedly to drop the deadly weapon and he refused to do so,&#8221; said Mitchell. &#8220;They tried to use the taser but it was ineffective so the situation continued to escalate and resulted in the shooting of Mr. Grant.&#8221;</p>
  92. <p>Grant was transported to the Greenbrier Valley Medical Center and was pronounced dead.</p>
  93. <p>Neither Dillon nor Grant or any other individuals were injured in the incident. The investigation by the State Police into the fatal shooting is ongoing.</p>
  94. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/07/greenbrier-county-man-killed-in-trooper-involved-shooting/">Greenbrier County man killed in trooper involved shooting</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  95. ]]></content:encoded>
  99. </item>
  100. <item>
  101. <title>Charleston-based Park Place Stadium Cinemas closing after 43 years</title>
  102. <link>https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/07/charleston-based-park-place-stadium-cinemas-closing-after-43-years/</link>
  104. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jeff Jenkins]]></dc:creator>
  105. <pubDate>Tue, 07 May 2024 15:47:10 +0000</pubDate>
  106. <category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
  107. <category><![CDATA[news-top-story]]></category>
  108. <category><![CDATA[top-story]]></category>
  109. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wvmetronews.com/?p=571067</guid>
  110.  
  111. <description><![CDATA[<p>11-screen cinema has been part of landscape since 1981. </p>
  112. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/07/charleston-based-park-place-stadium-cinemas-closing-after-43-years/">Charleston-based Park Place Stadium Cinemas closing after 43 years</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  113. ]]></description>
  114. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>CHARLESTON, W.Va. </strong>&#8212; A 43-year entertainment venue in downtown Charleston has closed its doors.</p>
  115. <p>The owners of Park Place Stadium Cinemas announced on Facebook Tuesday that it closed its doors at the end of business Monday.</p>
  116. <p>“This decision wasn’t easy, but unfortunately, declining business and the high cost of necessary upgrades have made it unavoidable,” the message said.</p>
  117. <p>The owners, the Hyman family of Huntington, thanked their patrons who have watched movies at the Washington Street East location since 1981.</p>
  118. <figure id="attachment_571078" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-571078" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-571078" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Park-Place-2-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Park-Place-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Park-Place-2-466x350.jpg 466w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Park-Place-2-150x113.jpg 150w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Park-Place-2-768x576.jpg 768w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Park-Place-2.jpg 1439w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-571078" class="wp-caption-text">Park Place has been a fixture in downtown Charleston since 1981. (Photo/MetroNews)</figcaption></figure>
  119. <p>“We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who has been part of our journey. Your support, laughter, and shared moments have made the Park Place Cinemas an enduring part of the Charleston community,” Park Place said.</p>
  120. <p>Owner Derek Hyman told MetroNews it&#8217;s a tough business.</p>
  121. <p>&#8220;We are not unique. This is something that is happening in the theatre business. There are other theatres closing down. We have theatre we closed in Cincinnati just last week,&#8221; Hyman said.</p>
  122. <p>Covid hurt Park Place but also competition, Hyman said.</p>
  123. <p>&#8220;They (number of patrons) dropped off recently because of covid but they also dropped off when Marquee (Southridge-based Marquee Cinemas) put the loungers (lounge chairs) in their theatre and we&#8217;d have to do the same thing which would be quite expensive,&#8221; Hyman said.</p>
  124. <p>He said putting the specialized chairs in Park Place&#8217;s 11-theatres would cost about $1 million. Hyman said he&#8217;s still waiting on a profit from a $2.5 million renovation they company did in 1999.</p>
  125. <p>&#8220;Whether or not we got all of the money back&#8212;it would be close. I could probably done just as well putting money in the Stock Market,&#8221; he said. &#8220;But that is what needed to be done at that time and unfortunately every 20 years or so someone comes up with a new idea and we have to go out and spend a million dollars to do.&#8221;</p>
  126. <p><strong>Good memories</strong></p>
  127. <p>Park Place was the first theatre with more than two screens to make its way to the state’s Capital City. There was a two-screen theatre at Plaza East on Charleston’s East End and a multi-screen theatre in Kanawha City.</p>
  128. <p>St. Albans resident Amy Young remembers frequently going to Park Place when she was growing up.</p>
  129. <p>&#8220;A lot of good memories here back in the day,&#8221; she said outside the theatre Tuesday. &#8220;When you came here was a big treat to come see movies and I can remember as a kid coming to see cartoon films, theer was one with a little mouse called Fievel (The American Tail) and I really like that movie. I don&#8217;t know why I remember that one.&#8221;</p>
  130. <p>South Charleston resident Daniel Mead saw &#8216;Return to the Jedi&#8217; at Park Place in 1983. He said he hates to see it close.</p>
  131. <p>&#8220;It was a great place to have a date and it was just enjoyable to watch the movies back then,&#8221; Mead said.</p>
  132. <p>Both Mead and Young are hopeful recent updates in downtown Charleston will attract something else in the space.</p>
  133. <p>&#8220;It is sad to see it close considering all of the work they are going to put into the mall for the youth (Capitol Sports Center). I could see that revitalizing places like this downtown,&#8221; Young said.</p>
  134. <p><strong>Future buyer?</strong></p>
  135. <p>Current owners said they hope someone will buy the property and reopen it.</p>
  136. <figure id="attachment_524781" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-524781" style="width: 137px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-524781" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/amy-24_1-e1699900389382-137x150.jpg" alt="" width="137" height="150" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/amy-24_1-e1699900389382-137x150.jpg 137w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/amy-24_1-e1699900389382-275x300.jpg 275w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/amy-24_1-e1699900389382-320x350.jpg 320w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/amy-24_1-e1699900389382.jpg 346w" sizes="(max-width: 137px) 100vw, 137px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-524781" class="wp-caption-text">Amy Shuler Goodwin</figcaption></figure>
  137. <p>“As we say goodbye, we hold onto hope that a new operator will see the potential in the Park Place and bring it back to life. We believe in the power of community and the magic of the movies, and we hope to see the lights of Park Place shine once again.” the Facebook message said.</p>
  138. <p>Hyman said they&#8217;ve checked around for some possible buyers but they&#8217;ve had no takers. It said it would probably take a while considering the current climate.</p>
  139. <p>A statement from Charleston Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin said the city will begin looking for a new tenant.</p>
  140. <p>&#8220;The City has made improvements to the theater space over the last couple of years, including major improvements in the garage.</p>
  141. <p>“It is our understanding all of the movie-related equipment will remain, so we are hopeful another operator will be interested in locating downtown. Foot traffic and business have both increased in this area and are expected to continue increasing with the construction of the Capital Sports Center and major improvements in the Business Improvement District. We are hopeful to find a partner that shares our vision for the future of our Downtown,&#8221; Goodwin said.</p>
  142. <p><strong>The End</strong></p>
  143. <p>Hyman said he&#8217;s sorry he had to close Park Place abruptly Monday night but that was the best way.</p>
  144. <p>&#8220;If we had told our staff they would have all disappeared and had jobs within a week or two. The managers are all getting severance pay and the regular people are getting a couple of weeks of pay,&#8221; he said.</p>
  145. <p>Hyman was a teenager when his father opened Park Place in 1981. He would later take over the business. He said it&#8217;s been a good life. Hyman said he hopes Park Place will be remembered for the good times it provided for movie-goers and how it helped downtown Charleston. The biggest accomplishment?</p>
  146. <p>&#8220;I would say bringing hundreds of thousands of people downtown for years and years,&#8221; he said.</p>
  147. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/07/charleston-based-park-place-stadium-cinemas-closing-after-43-years/">Charleston-based Park Place Stadium Cinemas closing after 43 years</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  148. ]]></content:encoded>
  152. </item>
  153. <item>
  154. <title>Protected: How Parents Can Prevent Isolation and Loneliness During Summer Break</title>
  155. <link>https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/07/how-parents-can-prevent-isolation-and-loneliness-during-summer-break/</link>
  157. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sponsored Content]]></dc:creator>
  158. <pubDate>Tue, 07 May 2024 15:32:14 +0000</pubDate>
  159. <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
  160. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wvmetronews.com/?p=571065</guid>
  161.  
  162. <description><![CDATA[<p>There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.</p>
  163. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/07/how-parents-can-prevent-isolation-and-loneliness-during-summer-break/">Protected: How Parents Can Prevent Isolation and Loneliness During Summer Break</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  164. ]]></description>
  165. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<form action="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-login.php?action=postpass" class="post-password-form" method="post">
  166. <p>This content is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:</p>
  167. <p><label for="pwbox-571065">Password: <input name="post_password" id="pwbox-571065" type="password" spellcheck="false" size="20" /></label> <input type="submit" name="Submit" value="Enter" /></p>
  168. </form>
  169. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/07/how-parents-can-prevent-isolation-and-loneliness-during-summer-break/">Protected: How Parents Can Prevent Isolation and Loneliness During Summer Break</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  170. ]]></content:encoded>
  174. </item>
  175. <item>
  176. <title>Elkins shooting death under investigation</title>
  177. <link>https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/07/elkins-shooting-death-under-investigation/</link>
  179. <dc:creator><![CDATA[MetroNews Staff]]></dc:creator>
  180. <pubDate>Tue, 07 May 2024 12:10:21 +0000</pubDate>
  181. <category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
  182. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wvmetronews.com/?p=571047</guid>
  183.  
  184. <description><![CDATA[<p>One person is in custody. </p>
  185. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/07/elkins-shooting-death-under-investigation/">Elkins shooting death under investigation</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  186. ]]></description>
  187. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>ELKINS, W.Va. </strong>&#8212; One person is dead and another is in custody after a shooting in Elkins Monday afternoon.</p>
  188. <p>Authorities said it occurred in at the Heavner Acres Mobile Home Court at around 3:30 p.m.</p>
  189. <p>There is no word on the identities of the victim or the suspect.</p>
  190. <p>The names of those involved were not immediately released.</p>
  191. <p>The shooting remains under investigation.</p>
  192. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/07/elkins-shooting-death-under-investigation/">Elkins shooting death under investigation</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  193. ]]></content:encoded>
  197. </item>
  198. <item>
  199. <title>MetroNews This Morning 5-7-24</title>
  200. <link>https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/07/metronews-this-morning-5-7-24/</link>
  202. <dc:creator><![CDATA[MetroNews Staff]]></dc:creator>
  203. <pubDate>Tue, 07 May 2024 10:35:27 +0000</pubDate>
  204. <category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
  205. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wvmetronews.com/?p=571043</guid>
  206.  
  207. <description><![CDATA[<p>Summary of West Virginia news, sports, weather for Tuesday, May 7, 2024</p>
  208. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/07/metronews-this-morning-5-7-24/">MetroNews This Morning 5-7-24</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  209. ]]></description>
  210. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Today on MetroNews This Morning:</p>
  211. <p>&#8211;Results of the latest MetroNews West Virginia Poll in the GOP Primary in the U.S. Senate and State Attorney General races are in</p>
  212. <p>&#8211;The federal prosecutor in southern W.Va. says an ongoing drug investigation and prosecution has netted a huge haul of drugs, money, and guilty pleas</p>
  213. <p>&#8211;An emotional sentencing in Kanawha County for a Detroit man who killed two Charleston women</p>
  214. <p>&#8211;In Sports, a traditional recruit into the Mountaineer basketball program</p>
  215. <p><a class="spreaker-player" href="https://www.spreaker.com/episode/metronews-this-morning-5-7-24--59895764" data-resource="episode_id=59895764" data-width="100%" data-height="200px" data-theme="dark" data-playlist="false" data-playlist-continuous="false" data-chapters-image="true" data-episode-image-position="right" data-hide-logo="false" data-hide-likes="false" data-hide-comments="false" data-hide-sharing="false" data-hide-download="true">Listen to &#8220;MetroNews This Morning 5-7-24&#8221; on Spreaker.</a><br />
  216. <script async src="https://widget.spreaker.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
  217. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/07/metronews-this-morning-5-7-24/">MetroNews This Morning 5-7-24</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  218. ]]></content:encoded>
  222. </item>
  223. <item>
  224. <title>WVU&#8217;s Faculty Senate approves Campus Carry statement for faculty members</title>
  225. <link>https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/07/wvus-faculty-senate-approves-campus-carry-statement-for-faculty-members/</link>
  227. <dc:creator><![CDATA[MetroNews Staff]]></dc:creator>
  228. <pubDate>Tue, 07 May 2024 10:00:14 +0000</pubDate>
  229. <category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
  230. <category><![CDATA[news-top-story]]></category>
  231. <category><![CDATA[top-story]]></category>
  232. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wvmetronews.com/?p=570998</guid>
  233.  
  234. <description><![CDATA[<p>Faculty members can opt to not have firearms allowed in their office.</p>
  235. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/07/wvus-faculty-senate-approves-campus-carry-statement-for-faculty-members/">WVU&#8217;s Faculty Senate approves Campus Carry statement for faculty members</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  236. ]]></description>
  237. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>Story by David Beard, The Dominion Post</em></p>
  238. <p><strong>MORGANTOWN, W.Va.</strong> – Campus Carry takes effect at WVU – and campuses across the state – on July 1. WVU&#8217;s Faculty Senate on Monday approved a statement that faculty members who don&#8217;t want guns brought into their offices can put into their course syllabus so students know of that policy on the first day of class.</p>
  239. <p>The statement cites the Campus Carry rule adopted by the Board of Governors in April and says: “This statement serves as notice that my office is a sole occupancy office, and concealed pistols and revolvers are prohibited in it. Student visiting my office, whether scheduled or unscheduled, are required to appropriately secure any firearms in their possession before entering the office premises.”</p>
  240. <p>Dean of Students Corey Farris also showed the senators a sign approved by WVU administration that faculty can post outside their offices. It shows a handgun inside a red forbidden circle, with text under it in all caps that says NO CONCEALED CARRY. A QR code beneath the text links WVU&#8217;s Campus Carry website.</p>
  241. <p>The Campus Self Defense Act sets the parameters for people with concealed handgun permits to carry on public college and university campuses and includes directives for weapons storage in dorms and other buildings, and exceptions where the schools may still prohibit weapons. The law listed 12 exceptions and the rule adopted last month adopts and describes those exceptions.</p>
  242. <p>Farris reviewed those exceptions, which include sole-occupancy offices; events with a capacity of 1,000 or more people at Puskar Stadium, the Coliseum and Clay Theatre; WVU daycares; areas used by WVU Police or other law enforcement; and in on-campus residence halls (except common areas such as lounges, dining areas, and study areas).</p>
  243. <p>Various campus safety subcommittees are preparing for July 1, the senators learned. One is a Morgantown Partnership subcommittee that is working with the city to identify safety concerns for the downtown area.</p>
  244. <p><strong>Other business</strong></p>
  245. <p>Earlier in the day, the BOG approved a rule governing the presidential search process. Faculty Senate chair Frankie Tack told the senators that faculty will have three seats on the search committee. Senators approved a slate of six nominees and six alternate nominees to submit to the Ad Hoc Governance Committee. The BOG will approve the full committee at a May 29 special meeting.</p>
  246. <p>Erin Newmeyer, WVU associate vice president for Strategic Partnerships, and John Chaump, with Barnes &amp; Noble, explained a new book program for students to the senator. It&#8217;s called First Day Complete and is intended as a money-saving measure for students, allowing them to rent the course materials for a flat fee: $360 for full-time students, $168 for part-time, 11 hours or less.</p>
  247. <p>It will be opt-out, meaning students will be automatically enrolled unless they opt out. It will take effect for fall semester and students will have until Aug. 30 to opt out. Chaump said B&amp;N has had the program for seven years and about 200 institutions are participating. Senators raised a number of concerns – among them whether this would discourage use of free open educational resources. Chaump and Newmeyer said OERs are not discouraged or prohibited.</p>
  248. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/07/wvus-faculty-senate-approves-campus-carry-statement-for-faculty-members/">WVU&#8217;s Faculty Senate approves Campus Carry statement for faculty members</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  249. ]]></content:encoded>
  253. </item>
  254. <item>
  255. <title>Will you vote?</title>
  256. <link>https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/07/will-you-vote/</link>
  258. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Hoppy Kercheval]]></dc:creator>
  259. <pubDate>Tue, 07 May 2024 04:19:05 +0000</pubDate>
  260. <category><![CDATA[Hoppy's Commentary]]></category>
  261. <category><![CDATA[Commentary]]></category>
  262. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wvmetronews.com/?p=570969</guid>
  263.  
  264. <description><![CDATA[<p>During a contentious campaign cycle—like the one we are in now in West Virginia—there are an overwhelming number of advertisements, campaign appearances, news reports and punditry. Anyone paying the slightest bit of attention knows there is an election. But how many West Virginians will vote? One of the most important factors during early voting and</p>
  265. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/07/will-you-vote/">Will you vote?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  266. ]]></description>
  267. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>During a contentious campaign cycle—like the one we are in now in West Virginia—there are an overwhelming number of advertisements, campaign appearances, news reports and punditry. Anyone paying the slightest bit of attention knows there is an election.</p>
  268. <p>But how many West Virginians will vote?</p>
  269. <p>One of the most important factors during early voting and on Election Day is always turnout. Campaigns have two objectives—convince voters to support them, and then make sure they get to the polls.</p>
  270. <p>In the bad old days of campaigns in southern West Virginia, candidates had to pay individuals who then handed out cash and liquor to secure votes. “A dollar and a swaller,” as they used to say.</p>
  271. <p>In the 1960 West Virginia Primary Election, <a href="https://www.jfklibrary.org/visit-museum/exhibits/past-exhibits/winning-west-virginia-jfks-primary-campaign">won by future President John F. Kennedy,</a> the joke was that Kennedy’s father told him not to spend one dollar more than necessary because he wasn’t going to pay for a landslide.</p>
  272. <p>Today, candidates must rely on their messaging while appealing to voters’ sense of civic responsibility to motivate supporters. The results are modest.</p>
  273. <p>For example, for the Primary Election in 2020, the last presidential election year, 449,077 West Virginian’s voted. But the total voter registration was 1,229,239, so the turnout was only 36.5 percent.</p>
  274. <p>The Primary Election turnout in 2016 was 40 percent. Just 27 percent of eligible voters cast ballots in the 2012 Primary, while 43 percent voted in 2008. That averages out to a  37 percent turnout for the last four Primaries in presidential election years in West Virginia.</p>
  275. <p>So, what will happen this year? It is hard to say.</p>
  276. <p>I have heard some unofficial early voting numbers that lag way behind  2022, an off-year election. Early voting is off to a sluggish start in the state’s largest county, Kanawha. Clerk Vera McCormick said on Friday they were averaging only 500 voters a day.  “That’s all—it’s been very slow all over,” <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/04/early-voting-off-to-slow-start-in-states-largest-county/">McCormick told MetroNews.</a>  “I thought it would be slower than usual, but not this slow.”</p>
  277. <p>I’m not sure why. There is a lot on the line. Party nominations from the local level to the highest office in the land are at stake.  Perhaps the fact  that Joe Biden and Donald Trump are the presumptive nominees is depressing turnout.</p>
  278. <p>There are also critical races for judgeships, magistrate and school board, as well as local levies that impact government services and taxes and a few municipal elections. They should drive turnout.</p>
  279. <p>Maybe politics and campaigns are increasingly a turnoff. Harsh negative ads have the potential to damage candidates, but they also alienate voters who grow weary of the attacks, especially as they become more brutal.</p>
  280. <p>Voters are increasingly suspicious of politicians’ motives. A <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/04/30/more-than-80-of-americans-believe-elected-officials-dont-care-what-people-like-them-think/">Pew Research Poll</a> released last month found that 85 percent of those questioned in this country say most elected officials don’t care what “people like them” think. So, if someone feels that way, why would they take time to vote for them?</p>
  281. <p>None of this bodes well for democracy, whether in West Virginia or the country. Of course, elections are important for the candidates, but there is much more at stake. Former<a href="https://www.oyez.org/justices/william_o_douglas"> U.S. Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas</a> said, “The major achievement of a free society is in the ability to change the status quo without violence, to cast a current practice into limbo and adopt a new one by an election, to remake the economy or renovate an institution yet not destroy it, to refashion even the structure of government by votes rather than by force.”</p>
  282. <p>And that is what it means to vote.</p>
  283. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  284. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  285. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  286. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  287. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/07/will-you-vote/">Will you vote?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  288. ]]></content:encoded>
  292. </item>
  293. <item>
  294. <title>Charleston council members argue over Tyke Hunt case</title>
  295. <link>https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/07/some-charleston-city-council-members-still-at-ends-on-results-of-investigation-involving-former-police-chief-tyke-hunt/</link>
  297. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jarett Lewis]]></dc:creator>
  298. <pubDate>Tue, 07 May 2024 04:15:17 +0000</pubDate>
  299. <category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
  300. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wvmetronews.com/?p=570991</guid>
  301.  
  302. <description><![CDATA[<p>Tyke Hunt returned to medical leave Monday after serving a 20-day suspension as ordered in an internal investigation from CPD.</p>
  303. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/07/some-charleston-city-council-members-still-at-ends-on-results-of-investigation-involving-former-police-chief-tyke-hunt/">Charleston council members argue over Tyke Hunt case</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  304. ]]></description>
  305. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>CHARLESTON, W.Va.</strong> &#8212; A few members of Charleston City Council are still in disagreement on how the city handled the investigation of former Chief of Police Tyke Hunt.</p>
  306. <p>Hunt returned to paid <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/former-charleston-police-chief-returns-to-medical-leave-after-serving-20-day-suspension/">medical leave</a> Monday after serving a 20-day suspension for violating police department policies. Hunt has been accused by two women of inappropriate conduct while he was Chief of Police. An internal investigation returned a 10-day suspension without pay for each complaint of sexual misconduct alleged against Hunt.</p>
  307. <figure id="attachment_526460" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-526460" style="width: 108px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-526460" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Tyke_Hunt-e1689680804410-108x150.jpg" alt="" width="108" height="150" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Tyke_Hunt-e1689680804410-108x150.jpg 108w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Tyke_Hunt-e1689680804410.jpg 110w" sizes="(max-width: 108px) 100vw, 108px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-526460" class="wp-caption-text">Tyke Hunt</figcaption></figure>
  308. <p>On the same day, council met at City Hall where Shannon Snodgrass, who has repeatedly been a <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2023/08/21/charleston-city-council-at-odds-over-new-allegations-surrounding-former-chief-of-police/">critic</a> of the city&#8217;s handling of the investigation with Hunt, brought it up again at the end of the meeting. She said the city has failed to protect the two women who filed the complaints, Chelsea McCoy and Jenny Harless.</p>
  309. <p>&#8220;Sadly, this body, this administration and this mayor has let down these two women&#8221; Snodgrass said.</p>
  310. <p>Snodgrass brought up the recent action by the mayor in Dunbar in Kanawha County who <a href="https://wchsnetwork.com/lawsuits-involving-dunbar-police-officers-front-and-center-of-mayors-race/">suspended</a> a police officer accused of sexual misconduct. The information of the case was handed over to the prosecuting attorney&#8217;s office and involved an outside investigation. The actions of the mayor were made within days of the allegations being made. She said this is what Charleston city officials should have done.</p>
  311. <figure id="attachment_526459" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-526459" style="width: 132px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-526459" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Snodgrass_Shannon-132x150.jpg" alt="" width="132" height="150" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Snodgrass_Shannon-132x150.jpg 132w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Snodgrass_Shannon.jpg 194w" sizes="(max-width: 132px) 100vw, 132px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-526459" class="wp-caption-text">Shannon Snodgrass</figcaption></figure>
  312. <p>&#8220;This is what transparency looks like,&#8221; Snodgrass said in reference to the city of Dunbar.</p>
  313. <p>&#8220;This is what this administration did not do,&#8221; Snodgrass said referencing the city of Charleston.</p>
  314. <p>Hunt <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2023/08/18/hunt-resigns-as-charleston-police-chief/">resigned</a> as Chief of Police in August 2023. He was also demoted from lieutenant to corporal when he first went on medical leave.</p>
  315. <p>Council member Shannon Snodgrass called for Charleston Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin to send all files relating to the investigation of Tyke Hunt to the county prosecuting attorney&#8217;s office.</p>
  316. <p>&#8220;There is a file currently sitting in the prosecuting attorney&#8217;s office on the Harless case, but not on the McCoy case,&#8221; according to Snodgrass.</p>
  317. <p>Chelsea McCoy is a former officer who is suing the city of Charleston. She alleged that Hunt tampered with her polygraph results during her departmental application process in exchange for sex in the polygraph examination room. McCoy also alleged to having sex with Hunt in the chief’s office.</p>
  318. <p>The complaint from Jenny Harless alleges that Hunt made sexual advances toward her in his office in 2022.</p>
  319. <p>The Gazette-Mail first reported that the Charleston Police Department’s Professional Services Division did not find that Hunt had violated the department’s Workplace Violence, Harassment &amp; Discrimination policy. They said Hunt was disciplined twice for Unbecoming Conduct and that he also violated the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct.</p>
  320. <p>Snodgrass said the city is playing a &#8220;cat and mouse game&#8221; with the situation.</p>
  321. <p>&#8220;Send all the files to the prosecuting attorney&#8217;s office for a full review. Why not?&#8221; Snodgrass asked.</p>
  322. <p>Council member Beth Kerns piggybacked off of the remarks from Snodgrass. She said the standard has been lowered for other police officers since the allegations came to light last summer.</p>
  323. <p>&#8220;This is sending the wrong message to other women in our city and to those that serve our city legally and responsibly,&#8221; said Kerns.</p>
  324. <p>Meanwhile, council member Jeanine Faegre said the issue is like &#8220;beating a dead horse.&#8221;</p>
  325. <p>&#8220;I think that we should all sit on our hands for a bit instead of worrying about who and what and why Tyke Hunt is doing what he has done or allegedly done,&#8221; Faegre said in response.</p>
  326. <figure id="attachment_524781" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-524781" style="width: 137px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-524781" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/amy-24_1-e1699900389382-137x150.jpg" alt="" width="137" height="150" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/amy-24_1-e1699900389382-137x150.jpg 137w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/amy-24_1-e1699900389382-275x300.jpg 275w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/amy-24_1-e1699900389382-320x350.jpg 320w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/amy-24_1-e1699900389382.jpg 346w" sizes="(max-width: 137px) 100vw, 137px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-524781" class="wp-caption-text">Amy Shuler Goodwin</figcaption></figure>
  327. <p>Faegre also claimed council member Shannon Snodgrass has been on a smear campaign against &#8220;the female mayor.&#8221;</p>
  328. <p>&#8220;I find it insulting that this is all you (Snodgrass) have to preach on,&#8221; said Faegre. &#8220;I would like to know what you&#8217;re doing for your ward to be quite honest.&#8221;</p>
  329. <p>In an appearance on &#8220;580 Live&#8221; with Dave Allen Monday morning, Goodwin supported the decision that came from current Police Chief Scott Dempsey in the internal <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/04/11/investigation-finished-into-former-charleston-police-chief/">investigation</a> involving Hunt. She also previously said it was the right <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2023/08/19/goodwin-says-hunt-made-the-right-decision-to-step-down-as-police-chief/">decision</a> for Hunt to step down as chief last August.</p>
  330. <p>&#8220;I have confidence in our <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/02/16/charleston-mayor-amy-goodwin-officially-appoints-scott-dempsey-as-the-citys-newest-chief-of-police/">chief of police</a> and I stand by him,&#8221; said Goodwin. &#8220;Our head and our heart are always in the right place and my moral compass are never off and that’s what I have to go on.&#8221;</p>
  331. <p>The mayor did not comment on the remarks made by any of the three council members who spoke at the end of the meeting.</p>
  332. <p>During their meeting Monday night, City Council also passed a bill to amend the Municipal Code that would update requirements and penalties for bicycle riders and motorized vehicles. The change is in preparation for the USA Cycling Pro Road Championships happening in the city May 14-19.</p>
  333. <p>Also, the city agreed to purchase $81,321 worth of body armor from Atlantic Diving Supply for the Charleston Fire Department. pursuant The deal will help replace expired gear and add additional gear to CFD.</p>
  334. <p>There was also a purchase agreed upon for 13 sets of replacement Turnout personal protective equipment for the fire department. That deal is with Witmer Public Safety for $62,000 to replace damaged gear and to purchase personal protective equipment for new hires.</p>
  335. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/07/some-charleston-city-council-members-still-at-ends-on-results-of-investigation-involving-former-police-chief-tyke-hunt/">Charleston council members argue over Tyke Hunt case</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  336. ]]></content:encoded>
  340. </item>
  341. <item>
  342. <title>State Department of Education hosts first of regional school safety meetings this week in Charleston</title>
  343. <link>https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/state-department-of-education-hosts-first-of-regional-school-safety-meetings-this-week-in-charleston/</link>
  345. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jarett Lewis]]></dc:creator>
  346. <pubDate>Tue, 07 May 2024 03:24:20 +0000</pubDate>
  347. <category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
  348. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wvmetronews.com/?p=570989</guid>
  349.  
  350. <description><![CDATA[<p>The FBI and Homeland Security will be at these meetings.</p>
  351. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/state-department-of-education-hosts-first-of-regional-school-safety-meetings-this-week-in-charleston/">State Department of Education hosts first of regional school safety meetings this week in Charleston</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  352. ]]></description>
  353. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>CHARLESTON, W.Va.</strong> &#8212; The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) is hosting regional school safety meetings starting this week.</p>
  354. <p>County and school administrators will join the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), West Virginia Department of Homeland Security, the Fusion Center and the WVDE to discuss possible threats to child safety. The WVDE will also share information about new technology used for submitting annual school safety plans.</p>
  355. <p>“The regional safety sessions serve several purposes, and all of them are designed to keep our children safe,” said Director of School Safety Jonah Adkins. “The FBI and Homeland Security understand the importance of public involvement, so this information is shared to increase awareness and prevent incidents that no one should ever experience.”</p>
  356. <figure id="attachment_519127" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-519127" style="width: 150px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-519127" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/jonah-adkins-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/jonah-adkins-150x150.png 150w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/jonah-adkins-298x300.png 298w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/jonah-adkins-348x350.png 348w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/jonah-adkins-768x773.png 768w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/jonah-adkins.png 783w" sizes="(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-519127" class="wp-caption-text">Jonah Adkins</figcaption></figure>
  357. <p>The FBI will discuss online activity that students could get involved in. FBI special agents say they commonly look into hackers and adults that may be pretending to be juveniles and are engaging with children through social media or other online forms of communication.</p>
  358. <p>Schools and counties have at their use better technology tools to submit their annual safety plans with WVDE GPS, or Grants and Planning System. The program includes new features that allow educators to include important student information in emergency reunification plans.</p>
  359. <p>When meeting with the state Board of Education recently, Adkins also mentioned the &#8220;See Send&#8221; App that can be used by students if they have safety concerns.</p>
  360. <p>&#8220;Students can submit reports or concerns anonymously and those come to the school safety unit and are investigated,&#8221; he said.</p>
  361. <p>Adkins told board members he&#8217;s big on getting communities more involved. He said they play just as vital of a role of keeping kids safe at school as anyone.</p>
  362. <p>&#8220;Get the community to realize they&#8217;re importance in involvement in school safety and prevention,&#8221; he said.</p>
  363. <p>The first meeting is Tuesday, May 7, at the Embassy Suites, located at 300 Court Street in Charleston. The meeting will cover Boone, Cabell, Calhoun, Clay, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, Mingo, Putnam, Roane, Wayne, Wirt and Wood counties.</p>
  364. <p>The rest of the series of meetings are as followed:</p>
  365. <p>Friday, May 10 – White Palace at Wheeling Park, Wheeling<br />
  366. Barbour, Brooke, Doddridge, Hancock, Harrison, Lewis, Marion, Marshall, Monongalia, Ohio, Pleasants, Preston, Ritchie, Taylor, Tyler, Upshur, Wetzel counties</p>
  367. <p>Monday, May 13 – West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, Lewisburg<br />
  368. Braxton, Fayette, Gilmer, Greenbrier, McDowell, Mercer, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Raleigh, Summers, Webster, Wyoming counties</p>
  369. <p>Thursday, May 16 – West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (WVSDB)<br />
  370. Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral, Morgan, Pendleton, Randolph, Tucker counties and the WVSDB</p>
  371. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/state-department-of-education-hosts-first-of-regional-school-safety-meetings-this-week-in-charleston/">State Department of Education hosts first of regional school safety meetings this week in Charleston</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  372. ]]></content:encoded>
  376. </item>
  377. <item>
  378. <title>Hurricane wraps up sectional championship with 6-2 win at Parkersburg South</title>
  379. <link>https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/hurricane-wraps-up-sectional-championship-with-6-2-win-at-parkersburg-south/</link>
  381. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Greg Carey]]></dc:creator>
  382. <pubDate>Tue, 07 May 2024 03:22:58 +0000</pubDate>
  383. <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
  384. <category><![CDATA[High School Sports]]></category>
  385. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wvmetronews.com/?p=571004</guid>
  386.  
  387. <description><![CDATA[<p>Kathryn Justice struck out 10 over seven strong innings and Alexandra Anderson drove in half of the Redskins' runs from the No. 2 spot in the lineup.</p>
  388. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/hurricane-wraps-up-sectional-championship-with-6-2-win-at-parkersburg-south/">Hurricane wraps up sectional championship with 6-2 win at Parkersburg South</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  389. ]]></description>
  390. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="su-image-carousel  su-image-carousel-has-spacing su-image-carousel-has-lightbox su-image-carousel-has-outline su-image-carousel-adaptive su-image-carousel-slides-style-photo su-image-carousel-controls-style-dark su-image-carousel-align-center" style="max-width:100%" data-flickity-options='{"groupCells":true,"cellSelector":".su-image-carousel-item","adaptiveHeight":true,"cellAlign":"left","prevNextButtons":true,"pageDots":true,"autoPlay":5000,"imagesLoaded":true,"contain":false,"selectedAttraction":0.025,"friction":0.28}' id="su_image_carousel_663a7208a7985"><div class="su-image-carousel-item"><div class="su-image-carousel-item-content"><a href="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0011-scaled.jpg" data-caption="Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1700" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0011-scaled.jpg" class="" alt="" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0011-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0011-300x199.jpg 300w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0011-490x325.jpg 490w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0011-150x100.jpg 150w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0011-768x510.jpg 768w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0011-1536x1020.jpg 1536w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0011-2048x1360.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /><span>Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey</span></a></div></div><div class="su-image-carousel-item"><div class="su-image-carousel-item-content"><a href="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0018-scaled.jpg" data-caption="Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1700" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0018-scaled.jpg" class="" alt="" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0018-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0018-300x199.jpg 300w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0018-490x325.jpg 490w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0018-150x100.jpg 150w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0018-768x510.jpg 768w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0018-1536x1020.jpg 1536w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0018-2048x1360.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /><span>Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey</span></a></div></div><div class="su-image-carousel-item"><div class="su-image-carousel-item-content"><a href="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0019-scaled.jpg" data-caption="Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1700" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0019-scaled.jpg" class="" alt="" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0019-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0019-300x199.jpg 300w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0019-490x325.jpg 490w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0019-150x100.jpg 150w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0019-768x510.jpg 768w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0019-1536x1020.jpg 1536w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0019-2048x1360.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /><span>Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey</span></a></div></div><div class="su-image-carousel-item"><div class="su-image-carousel-item-content"><a href="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0032-scaled.jpg" data-caption="Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1700" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0032-scaled.jpg" class="" alt="" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0032-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0032-300x199.jpg 300w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0032-490x325.jpg 490w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0032-150x100.jpg 150w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0032-768x510.jpg 768w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0032-1536x1020.jpg 1536w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0032-2048x1360.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /><span>Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey</span></a></div></div><div class="su-image-carousel-item"><div class="su-image-carousel-item-content"><a href="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0043-1-scaled.jpg" data-caption="Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1700" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0043-1-scaled.jpg" class="" alt="" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0043-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0043-1-300x199.jpg 300w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0043-1-490x325.jpg 490w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0043-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0043-1-768x510.jpg 768w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0043-1-1536x1020.jpg 1536w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0043-1-2048x1360.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /><span>Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey</span></a></div></div><div class="su-image-carousel-item"><div class="su-image-carousel-item-content"><a href="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0060-scaled.jpg" data-caption="Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1700" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0060-scaled.jpg" class="" alt="" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0060-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0060-300x199.jpg 300w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0060-490x325.jpg 490w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0060-150x100.jpg 150w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0060-768x510.jpg 768w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0060-1536x1020.jpg 1536w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0060-2048x1360.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /><span>Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey</span></a></div></div><div class="su-image-carousel-item"><div class="su-image-carousel-item-content"><a href="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0065-scaled.jpg" data-caption="Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1700" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0065-scaled.jpg" class="" alt="" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0065-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0065-300x199.jpg 300w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0065-490x325.jpg 490w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0065-150x100.jpg 150w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0065-768x510.jpg 768w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0065-1536x1020.jpg 1536w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0065-2048x1360.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /><span>Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey</span></a></div></div><div class="su-image-carousel-item"><div class="su-image-carousel-item-content"><a href="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0066-1-scaled.jpg" data-caption="Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1700" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0066-1-scaled.jpg" class="" alt="" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0066-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0066-1-300x199.jpg 300w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0066-1-490x325.jpg 490w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0066-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0066-1-768x510.jpg 768w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0066-1-1536x1020.jpg 1536w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0066-1-2048x1360.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /><span>Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey</span></a></div></div><div class="su-image-carousel-item"><div class="su-image-carousel-item-content"><a href="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0074-1-scaled.jpg" data-caption="Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1700" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0074-1-scaled.jpg" class="" alt="" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0074-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0074-1-300x199.jpg 300w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0074-1-490x325.jpg 490w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0074-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0074-1-768x510.jpg 768w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0074-1-1536x1020.jpg 1536w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0074-1-2048x1360.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /><span>Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey</span></a></div></div><div class="su-image-carousel-item"><div class="su-image-carousel-item-content"><a href="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0081-scaled.jpg" data-caption="Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1700" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0081-scaled.jpg" class="" alt="" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0081-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0081-300x199.jpg 300w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0081-490x325.jpg 490w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0081-150x100.jpg 150w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0081-768x510.jpg 768w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0081-1536x1020.jpg 1536w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0081-2048x1360.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /><span>Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey</span></a></div></div><div class="su-image-carousel-item"><div class="su-image-carousel-item-content"><a href="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0102-1-scaled.jpg" data-caption="Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1700" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0102-1-scaled.jpg" class="" alt="" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0102-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0102-1-300x199.jpg 300w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0102-1-490x325.jpg 490w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0102-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0102-1-768x510.jpg 768w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0102-1-1536x1020.jpg 1536w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0102-1-2048x1360.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /><span>Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey</span></a></div></div><div class="su-image-carousel-item"><div class="su-image-carousel-item-content"><a href="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0107-1-scaled.jpg" data-caption="Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1700" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0107-1-scaled.jpg" class="" alt="" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0107-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0107-1-300x199.jpg 300w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0107-1-490x325.jpg 490w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0107-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0107-1-768x510.jpg 768w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0107-1-1536x1020.jpg 1536w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0107-1-2048x1360.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /><span>Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey</span></a></div></div><div class="su-image-carousel-item"><div class="su-image-carousel-item-content"><a href="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0134-scaled.jpg" data-caption="Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1700" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0134-scaled.jpg" class="" alt="" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0134-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0134-300x199.jpg 300w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0134-490x325.jpg 490w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0134-150x100.jpg 150w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0134-768x510.jpg 768w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0134-1536x1020.jpg 1536w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0134-2048x1360.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /><span>Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey</span></a></div></div><div class="su-image-carousel-item"><div class="su-image-carousel-item-content"><a href="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0138-1-scaled.jpg" data-caption="Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1700" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0138-1-scaled.jpg" class="" alt="" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0138-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0138-1-300x199.jpg 300w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0138-1-490x325.jpg 490w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0138-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0138-1-768x510.jpg 768w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0138-1-1536x1020.jpg 1536w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0138-1-2048x1360.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /><span>Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey</span></a></div></div><div class="su-image-carousel-item"><div class="su-image-carousel-item-content"><a href="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0145-1-scaled.jpg" data-caption="Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1700" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0145-1-scaled.jpg" class="" alt="" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0145-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0145-1-300x199.jpg 300w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0145-1-490x325.jpg 490w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0145-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0145-1-768x510.jpg 768w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0145-1-1536x1020.jpg 1536w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0145-1-2048x1360.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /><span>Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey</span></a></div></div><div class="su-image-carousel-item"><div class="su-image-carousel-item-content"><a href="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0158-scaled.jpg" data-caption="Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1700" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0158-scaled.jpg" class="" alt="" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0158-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0158-300x199.jpg 300w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0158-490x325.jpg 490w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0158-150x100.jpg 150w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0158-768x510.jpg 768w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0158-1536x1020.jpg 1536w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0158-2048x1360.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /><span>Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey</span></a></div></div><div class="su-image-carousel-item"><div class="su-image-carousel-item-content"><a href="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_6351-scaled.jpg" data-caption="Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1920" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_6351-scaled.jpg" class="" alt="" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_6351-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_6351-300x225.jpg 300w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_6351-467x350.jpg 467w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_6351-150x113.jpg 150w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_6351-768x576.jpg 768w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_6351-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_6351-2048x1536.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /><span>Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey</span></a></div></div><div class="su-image-carousel-item"><div class="su-image-carousel-item-content"><a href="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0100-scaled.jpg" data-caption="Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1700" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0100-scaled.jpg" class="" alt="" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0100-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0100-300x199.jpg 300w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0100-490x325.jpg 490w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0100-150x100.jpg 150w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0100-768x510.jpg 768w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0100-1536x1020.jpg 1536w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0100-2048x1360.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /><span>Hurricane won 6-2 at Parkersburg South to claim a sectional championship. Photo by Greg Carey</span></a></div></div></div><script id="su_image_carousel_663a7208a7985_script">if(window.SUImageCarousel){setTimeout(function() {window.SUImageCarousel.initGallery(document.getElementById("su_image_carousel_663a7208a7985"))}, 0);}var su_image_carousel_663a7208a7985_script=document.getElementById("su_image_carousel_663a7208a7985_script");if(su_image_carousel_663a7208a7985_script){su_image_carousel_663a7208a7985_script.parentNode.removeChild(su_image_carousel_663a7208a7985_script);}</script>
  391. <p><strong>PARKERSBURG, W.Va.</strong> — Back in 2019, Hurricane’s softball program won its fifth straight state championship during a time when the Redskins were the premier program in West Virginia.</p>
  392. <p>While there wasn’t a state tournament the next season, Hurricane has not played in one since then — something this year’s group hopes to change.</p>
  393. <p>The Redskins took a significant step toward doing so Monday when they finished off a Class AAA Region IV, Section 2 championship with a workmanlike 6-2 victory over Parkersburg South at Godbey Fields.</p>
  394. <p>“We feel like this program plays for championships and we really wanted to bring another one home,” Hurricane head coach Meghan Stevens said. “We’re super excited about it.”</p>
  395. <p>Hurricane (20-6) took advantage of a one-out double from Alexandra Anderson in the top of the first inning when MacKenzie Kessel drove Anderson in with a two-out double.</p>
  396. <p>Parkersburg South (18-9) countered and produced half of its offensive output during its first trip to the plate, which featured Becca Beatty’s leadoff walk and a Brylee Hatcher double to center that brought Beatty home.</p>
  397. <p>But the Redskins answered quickly in the form of Elise Pye’s leadoff home run to left in the second inning, and from that point forward, Hurricane was in front. The visitors wasted no time doubling a one-run lead as they had three consecutive batters reach with two outs against Patriots’ pitcher Lexi Dellinger, including a bases loaded walk drawn by Katelyn Hopkins that forced in the Redskins’ third run.</p>
  398. <p>HHS pitcher Kathryn Justice retired PSHS in order with a pair of strikeouts in the second, and the Redskins added to their advantage in the third frame to take control of the contest, utilizing a two-run single from Anderson with two outs for a 5-1 advantage.</p>
  399. <p>“We’ve been really hot with the bats, but we talked on the bus about wanting to score early and put the pressure on them since we’re in the driver’s seat,” Stevens said. “I was really glad we came out and did that, and it was a total team effort after that. We had great defense, great pitching, great energy in the dugout and they found a way to win. I’m super proud of them.”</p>
  400. <p>That was more than enough support for Justice, who held the Patriots without a run in the third and fourth innings, allowing one hit over that time and keeping her team comfortably in front.</p>
  401. <p>“She’s a phenomenal pitcher. She throws junk and it moves,” Parkersburg South coach Tim Burch said. “We got on to her the last game and couldn’t get on to her this time. That’s high school football and kids. We have a very good softball team, but we didn’t put it all together tonight and all the aspects of the game didn’t come together.”</p>
  402. <p>Anderson added a two-out, run-scoring single in the fifth to make it 6-1, while the Patriots capitalized on Beatty’s single to leadoff the bottom of that inning and scored their second run on an error.</p>
  403. <p>After scoring its second run, Parkersburg South produced one more baserunner — Beatty on a two-out walk in the seventh.</p>
  404. <p>Anderson sparked her team’s offensive output with three hits and drove in three runs. Kylie Bailey added two hits from the No. 9 spot in the lineup.</p>
  405. <p>About the only negative for the Redskins was that they left 11 runners on.</p>
  406. <p>“We got timely hits early when we needed them. We definitely left too many on, but we’ll clean that up and get it going again to be ready for regionals,” Stevens said.</p>
  407. <p>Justice walked five and allowed four hits, while striking out 10.</p>
  408. <p>“She’s been mentally tough this year and really gritty,” Stevens said. “She’s just a sophomore. She came in here last year and lost to Parkersburg South and she was not going to let that happen again. She’s worked really hard and I’m super proud of her.”</p>
  409. <p>Dillinger had one strikeout, six walks and scattered nine hits over seven innings in defeat.</p>
  410. <p>“They put bat on ball and go deep into counts fouling pitches off,” Burch said of the Redskins. “We’ve come a long way defensively and not making the errors we did at the beginning of the season. They had impeccable defense tonight as well.”</p>
  411. <p>Hurricane will face the winner of Tuesday’s sectional title game between Lincoln County/Cabell Midland in a best-of-three regional series next week.</p>
  412. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/hurricane-wraps-up-sectional-championship-with-6-2-win-at-parkersburg-south/">Hurricane wraps up sectional championship with 6-2 win at Parkersburg South</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  413. ]]></content:encoded>
  417. </item>
  418. <item>
  419. <title>Magnolia forces decisive game in sectional with 2-1 win at Wheeling Central Catholic</title>
  420. <link>https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/magnolia-forces-decisive-game-in-sectional-with-2-1-win-at-wheeling-central-catholic/</link>
  422. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Joe Brocato]]></dc:creator>
  423. <pubDate>Tue, 07 May 2024 02:46:53 +0000</pubDate>
  424. <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
  425. <category><![CDATA[High School Sports]]></category>
  426. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wvmetronews.com/?p=571002</guid>
  427.  
  428. <description><![CDATA[<p>Mallory McDiffitt tossed a 5-hitter to keep the No. 4 seeded Blue Eagles alive.</p>
  429. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/magnolia-forces-decisive-game-in-sectional-with-2-1-win-at-wheeling-central-catholic/">Magnolia forces decisive game in sectional with 2-1 win at Wheeling Central Catholic</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  430. ]]></description>
  431. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>WHEELING, W.Va.</strong> &#8212; In Monday&#8217;s Class A Region I, Section 1 championship round game between Magnolia and Wheeling Central Catholic, Blue Eagle batters were retired by strikeout 14 times. Central did not strike out once.</p>
  432. <p>However, Magnolia junior pitcher Mallory McDiffitt induced 11 ground ball outs and the defense behind her made just one error as the Blue Eagles defeated the Maroon Knights, 2-1. Magnolia forced a winner-take-all game for the sectional title Tuesday evening back at the J.B. Chambers I-470 Complex. MHS has won four consecutive games facing elimination.</p>
  433. <p>&#8220;That&#8217;s what we are capable of right there. This is the first game where we have put it all together,&#8221; said Magnolia head coach Danny Anderson.</p>
  434. <p>&#8220;Our problem this year is that usually we have one bad inning where we kind of self-destruct and give up four or five runs. We were able to avoid that.&#8221;</p>
  435. <p>The teams traded runs in the third inning. Magnolia took an early lead when Haiden Bland&#8217;s sacrifice fly sent Sienna McKeever to the plate. Central answered in the bottom of the frame when Maddie Miehle scored on a fielders choice.</p>
  436. <p>The game remained tied at 1 until the sixth inning when Madeline Delaney hit a solo home run to center field.</p>
  437. <p>&#8220;When she is hitting the ball well, she hits the ball hard.&#8221;</p>
  438. <p>Staked to the lead, McDiffitt retired the final six batters in succession to post the complete game victory. She allowed five hits and walked one batter.</p>
  439. <p>&#8220;At the end especially, she started working in a dropball. They were hitting it into the ground and we were making the plays. Danny Tyler is our pitching coach. He was calling the pitches and he did a great job.&#8221;</p>
  440. <p>Wheeling Central (18-5) pitcher Josie Frizzell went the distance for the Knights. She allowed seven hits and struck out 14 batters.</p>
  441. <p>Bella Rine, Miehle, Brooke Edge, Jensen Rine and Olivia Kiaski each had a base hit for WCCHS. Jesse Anderson went 3-for-4 for Magnolia.</p>
  442. <p>Magnolia (14-11) lost all three prior meetings this season against Central, including an earlier loss in the sectional tournament.</p>
  443. <p>&#8220;The first two times we played them, we didn&#8217;t have our full team. Our pitcher was hurt and we had some girls missing. Tuesday when we played them, our left fielder [McKeever] was the OVAC long jump champion. So she wasn&#8217;t here Tuesday. She made a couple nice plays that really helped out.&#8221;</p>
  444. <p>The fourth-seeded Blue Eagles and the top-seeded Maroon Knights will play the decisive game Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. The winner will advance to the regional round against St. Marys next week.</p>
  445. <p>&#8220;You can see right there, their confidence is sky high right now,&#8221; Anderson said. &#8220;If we can cut down on the strikeouts and get some big hits with runners on base, it could be interesting tomorrow. At this point and time, that&#8217;s all you ask for. You ask for a chance. You win and go on.&#8221;</p>
  446. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/magnolia-forces-decisive-game-in-sectional-with-2-1-win-at-wheeling-central-catholic/">Magnolia forces decisive game in sectional with 2-1 win at Wheeling Central Catholic</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  447. ]]></content:encoded>
  451. </item>
  452. <item>
  453. <title>Citizens Conservation Corp COO admits to stealing from non-profit</title>
  454. <link>https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/citizens-conservation-corp-coo-admits-to-stealing-from-non-profit/</link>
  456. <dc:creator><![CDATA[MetroNews Staff]]></dc:creator>
  457. <pubDate>Tue, 07 May 2024 02:45:24 +0000</pubDate>
  458. <category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
  459. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wvmetronews.com/?p=571012</guid>
  460.  
  461. <description><![CDATA[<p>Jennifer Douglas, 48, was the Chief Operating Officer of the Citizens Conservation Corp.</p>
  462. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/citizens-conservation-corp-coo-admits-to-stealing-from-non-profit/">Citizens Conservation Corp COO admits to stealing from non-profit</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  463. ]]></description>
  464. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>BECKLEY, W.Va.</strong> &#8212; A Beckley woman has pleaded guilty to stealing money from federal programs.</p>
  465. <p>According to court documents and statements, Jennifer Douglas, 48, was the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Citizens Conservation Corp (CCC), a non-profit organization. In 2018, CCC obtained $111,221.09 from the United States Department of Interior National Park Service (NPS) that was supposed to be used to recruit, hire and pay two interns for work at the Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation for 13 months.</p>
  466. <p>Douglas admitted that that did not happen and instead she ordered an accountant to draw down $108,752.60 of the obligated federal funds and fraudulently converted them to CCC’s use through unallowable operating expenses. All of this happened without the approval of Chief Executive Officer Robert Martin.</p>
  467. <p>CCC’s primary source of income from about 1998 till about the summer of 2018 was a multimillion-dollar contract with the State of West Virginia to operate the Courtesy Patrol roadside assistance service. CCC lost that contract with Courtesy Patrol that summer and became financially unstable.</p>
  468. <p>Douglas further admitted that being COO and with direction from Martin, they were able to fraudulently convert and intentionally misapply the federal funds. Douglas also said she drew down and misused approximately $59,978.13 from other incomplete task agreements under the cooperative agreement with NPS.</p>
  469. <p>Douglas&#8217;s sentencing is scheduled for August 30, 2024. She faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Douglas also owes $168,729.13 in restitution.</p>
  470. <p>On January 12, 2024, Martin, 67, also of Beckley, pleaded guilty to fraudulent receipt of property from a debtor. He admitted to paying himself without authorization while CEO of CCC after it filed for bankruptcy on April 3, 2019, and to knowing that CCC misspent the $108,752.60 they received from NPS.</p>
  471. <p>Martin awaits his sentencing.</p>
  472. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/citizens-conservation-corp-coo-admits-to-stealing-from-non-profit/">Citizens Conservation Corp COO admits to stealing from non-profit</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  473. ]]></content:encoded>
  477. </item>
  478. <item>
  479. <title>Man sentenced for fleeing police and standoff after violating a domestic violence protection order</title>
  480. <link>https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/man-sentenced-for-fleeing-police-and-standoff-after-violating-a-domestic-violence-protection-order/</link>
  482. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Katherine Skeldon]]></dc:creator>
  483. <pubDate>Mon, 06 May 2024 21:07:54 +0000</pubDate>
  484. <category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
  485. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wvmetronews.com/?p=570984</guid>
  486.  
  487. <description><![CDATA[<p>Nathan Lee Cunningham, 20, was charged with the felony offense of Fleeing with Reckless Indifference among eight other charges.</p>
  488. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/man-sentenced-for-fleeing-police-and-standoff-after-violating-a-domestic-violence-protection-order/">Man sentenced for fleeing police and standoff after violating a domestic violence protection order</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  489. ]]></description>
  490. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>CHARLESTON, W.Va.</strong> &#8212; A Dunbar man charged in a police pursuit and standoff last June could spend up to 20 years in prison.</p>
  491. <p>Nathan Lee Cunningham, 20, was charged with the felony offense of Fleeing with Reckless Indifference among eight other charges after previously pleading guilty to those charges.</p>
  492. <p>The charges come in relation to violating a domestic violence protection order on June 26, 2023. Eight of the nine counts will run consecutively.</p>
  493. <p>Cunningham went before Kanawha County Circuit Judge Jennifer Bailey for sentencing Monday.</p>
  494. <p>&#8220;It&#8217;s actually frightening to hear how violently you conducted yourself, and the actual harm you did physically and emotionally that you have thrust upon this victim,&#8221; Bailey said during Cunninghams&#8217; sentencing.</p>
  495. <p>Cunningham was issued warrants for his arrest on June 23, 2023 after he violated the protective order a woman had filed against him. He reportedly followed the woman in her vehicle when she called 911 to report him.</p>
  496. <p>Officers attempted to stop Cunningham in South Charleston before he began to flee. They said after getting on and off I-64, Cunningham eventually stopped in the 200 block of Lincoln Avenue where he ran into a home and barricaded himself for over an hour before being taken into custody.</p>
  497. <p>Many letters of sentiment were sent to the court coming to Cunningham&#8217;s&#8217; defense.</p>
  498. <p>&#8220;You are a young man, there are a lot of people who have a lot of faith in you,&#8221; Bailey said. &#8220;We hope that someday in some way you will be in a position to have some counseling and come to terms with the fact that this type of behavior is not acceptable.&#8221;</p>
  499. <p>Along with recklessly fleeing, Cunningham&#8217;s&#8217; charges included Unlawful Restraint, Harassment, Strangulation, Domestic Battery, among others. Most of his charges added up to be 1 to 5 years.</p>
  500. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/man-sentenced-for-fleeing-police-and-standoff-after-violating-a-domestic-violence-protection-order/">Man sentenced for fleeing police and standoff after violating a domestic violence protection order</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  501. ]]></content:encoded>
  505. </item>
  506. <item>
  507. <title>Charleston man one of the 32 charged in what is being called the largest seizure of meth in West Virginia</title>
  508. <link>https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/charleston-man-one-of-the-32-charged-in-what-is-being-called-the-largest-seizure-of-meth-in-west-virginia/</link>
  510. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Katherine Skeldon]]></dc:creator>
  511. <pubDate>Mon, 06 May 2024 21:01:39 +0000</pubDate>
  512. <category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
  513. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wvmetronews.com/?p=570977</guid>
  514.  
  515. <description><![CDATA[<p>Law enforcement officials say the recent sentencing of Jasper Wemh marks a significant milestone in a four-indictment drug trafficking organization case</p>
  516. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/charleston-man-one-of-the-32-charged-in-what-is-being-called-the-largest-seizure-of-meth-in-west-virginia/">Charleston man one of the 32 charged in what is being called the largest seizure of meth in West Virginia</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  517. ]]></description>
  518. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>CHARLESTON, W.Va.</strong> &#8212; The recent sentencing of a Charleston man is marking a significant milestone in a four-indictment drug trafficking organization case yielding the largest methamphetamine seizure in West Virginia history.</p>
  519. <p>Jasper Wemh, 39, will spend 16 years and eight months in prison now for being one of the four leading defendants to come forward involved in the ongoing Operation Smoke and Mirrors drug trafficking investigation.</p>
  520. <p>Wemh is among 27 of 32 total defendants involved in the drug trafficking organization (DTO) who have pleaded guilty, and among the 20 who have been sentenced to prison.</p>
  521. <figure id="attachment_481126" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-481126" style="width: 150px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-481126" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/William-Thompson-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/William-Thompson-150x150.jpg 150w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/William-Thompson.jpg 221w" sizes="(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-481126" class="wp-caption-text">Will Thompson</figcaption></figure>
  522. <p>The host of law enforcement agencies working together as part of Operation Smoke and Mirrors seized over 400 pounds of meth, as well as 40 pounds of cocaine, 3 pounds of fentanyl, 19 firearms, and approximately $935,000 in cash.</p>
  523. <p>U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia, Will Thompson said the operation stretched across Putnam, Kanawha, and Raleigh counties, and even some into Mercer County, and came from about four main suppliers.</p>
  524. <p>He put the magnitude of how large the operation was into context Monday on MetroNews Talkline.</p>
  525. <p>&#8220;I know that my office, before I got here, did a press release of what they called the biggest drug bust ever in the state, and it was less than a pound of fentanyl, so if that gives you any type of idea of how large this was,&#8221; Thompson said.</p>
  526. <p>He met with law enforcement officials involved in the case, including those from the FBI, the DEA, and the Department of Homeland Security at the Federal Courthouse in Charleston on Monday for a press conference regarding the operation.</p>
  527. <p>According to court documents, Wemh is responsible for over 85 pounds of that meth that was distributed by the DTO in 2022.</p>
  528. <p>Documents revealed that he routinely made transactions with multiple pounds at a time, selling over 20 pounds of meth in a single night on December 4, 2022.</p>
  529. <p>Wemh reportedly made payments totaling $250,000 to his out-of-state supplier to repay his methamphetamine debts, and often provided the illicit drug to his customers on consignment knowing that what he sold was getting redistributed.</p>
  530. <p>Thompson said the drug bust definitely puts a damper on future drug distributions in the state, but it doesn&#8217;t end it completely as there&#8217;s plenty more investigative work to be done.</p>
  531. <p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve been doing this for too long to think this is going to stop it, it doesn&#8217;t,&#8221; he said. &#8220;In fact, we have several more cases right now where people have tried to fill in that I can&#8217;t really comment on yet, because there&#8217;s still an investigative stage and stuff like that, but we&#8217;re definitely getting pretty close to the source.&#8221;</p>
  532. <p>Wemh pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of meth. He was sentenced on May 2.</p>
  533. <p>Wemh has a long criminal history that includes prior drug distribution convictions.</p>
  534. <p>Along with the FBI, DEA, and Homeland Security, other agencies involved with the investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the West Virginia State Police, the West Virginia National Guard Counter Drug program, the Kanawha County Sheriff&#8217;s Office, the Charleston Police Department, the Putnam County Sheriff&#8217;s Office, the Raleigh County Sheriff&#8217;s Office, among several others.</p>
  535. <p>Thompson said the significant drug bust is a reflection of the good work that can be done to put a halt on drug trafficking when agencies come together.</p>
  536. <p>&#8220;It represents the good work, the very good work that our federal, state, and local partners are doing, I think they are getting together better than they&#8217;ve ever gotten along in the past, working together better than they&#8217;ve ever worked in the past, and this is what happens when they do that,&#8221; said Thompson.</p>
  537. <p>The following is a list of the other defendants sentenced to prison in the case:</p>
  538. <p>. Michael Allen Roberts Jr., 41, of St. Albans, was sentenced to 14 years in prison on March 6, 2024, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine.</p>
  539. <p>. Justin Allen Bowen, 41, of Charleston, was sentenced to 12 years and seven months in prison on August 31, 2023, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.</p>
  540. <p>. Perry Johnson Jr., 30, of Dunwoody, Georgia, was sentenced to 11 years and three months in prison on April 11, 2024, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.</p>
  541. <p>. Todd Tyler Snead, 58, of Waynesboro, Virginia, was sentenced to 10 years in prison on September 6, 2023, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.</p>
  542. <p>. Ryan Keith Kincaid, 47, of South Charleston, was sentenced to 10 years in prison on December 8, 2023, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine.</p>
  543. <p>. Telisa Rene McCauley, 32, of Charleston, was sentenced to nine years in prison on November 9, 2023, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.</p>
  544. <p>. Les Van Bumpus, 35, of Charleston, was sentenced to eight years and nine months in prison on January 22, 2024, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.</p>
  545. <p>Indictments against five defendants are pending.</p>
  546. <p>The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).</p>
  547. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/charleston-man-one-of-the-32-charged-in-what-is-being-called-the-largest-seizure-of-meth-in-west-virginia/">Charleston man one of the 32 charged in what is being called the largest seizure of meth in West Virginia</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  548. ]]></content:encoded>
  552. </item>
  553. <item>
  554. <title>Accused murderer waives preliminary hearing in Monongalia County</title>
  555. <link>https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/morgantown-murder-suspect-waives-preliminary-hearing/</link>
  557. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mike Nolting]]></dc:creator>
  558. <pubDate>Mon, 06 May 2024 19:07:07 +0000</pubDate>
  559. <category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
  560. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wvmetronews.com/?p=570953</guid>
  561.  
  562. <description><![CDATA[<p>Charges against Rick Cordes head to grand jury. </p>
  563. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/morgantown-murder-suspect-waives-preliminary-hearing/">Accused murderer waives preliminary hearing in Monongalia County</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  564. ]]></description>
  565. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>MORGANTOWN, W.Va.</strong> &#8212; A Monongalia County murder case is headed to a grand jury after the man charged waived his preliminary hearing Monday.</p>
  566. <figure id="attachment_570954" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-570954" style="width: 135px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-570954" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Cordes-Rick-3694145_Mug_Front_20240425191120-135x150.jpg" alt="" width="135" height="150" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Cordes-Rick-3694145_Mug_Front_20240425191120-135x150.jpg 135w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Cordes-Rick-3694145_Mug_Front_20240425191120.jpg 216w" sizes="(max-width: 135px) 100vw, 135px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-570954" class="wp-caption-text">Rick Cordes (WVRJA)</figcaption></figure>
  567. <p>Rick Allen Cordes, 49, of Morgantown, was charged last week following the April 19 shooting death of his wife.</p>
  568. <p>Deputies allege Cordes killed Jennifer Hribar, 39, at their home on Falling Water Lane after reportedly being seen arguing at two Cheat Lake night spots. Reports indicate Cordes was the aggressor in the altercations.</p>
  569. <p>An autopsy confirmed Hribar’s death was caused by a gunshot wound to the back of the head.</p>
  570. <p>Cordes is being held at North Central Regional Jail without bail.</p>
  571. <p>The case will now head to the Monongalia County grand jury with Cordes&#8217; decision Monday to waive his preliminary hearing. The next meeting of the grand jury is next week.</p>
  572. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/morgantown-murder-suspect-waives-preliminary-hearing/">Accused murderer waives preliminary hearing in Monongalia County</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  573. ]]></content:encoded>
  577. </item>
  578. <item>
  579. <title>WVU presidential search moves forward with new rule</title>
  580. <link>https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/wvu-presidential-search-moves-forward-with-new-rule/</link>
  582. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mike Nolting]]></dc:creator>
  583. <pubDate>Mon, 06 May 2024 18:55:14 +0000</pubDate>
  584. <category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
  585. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wvmetronews.com/?p=570928</guid>
  586.  
  587. <description><![CDATA[<p>Meeting held Monday. </p>
  588. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/wvu-presidential-search-moves-forward-with-new-rule/">WVU presidential search moves forward with new rule</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  589. ]]></description>
  590. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>MORGANTOWN, W.Va. &#8211;</strong>&#8211; The West Virginia University Board of Governors met Monday and approved the rule that will govern the search for a new WVU president.</p>
  591. <p>The rule was approved following a 30-day comment period.</p>
  592. <figure id="attachment_525884" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-525884" style="width: 100px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-525884" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Taylor-Stephanie-600x900-300x450-1-100x150.jpg" alt="" width="100" height="150" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Taylor-Stephanie-600x900-300x450-1-100x150.jpg 100w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Taylor-Stephanie-600x900-300x450-1-200x300.jpg 200w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Taylor-Stephanie-600x900-300x450-1-233x350.jpg 233w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Taylor-Stephanie-600x900-300x450-1.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-525884" class="wp-caption-text">Stephanie Taylor</figcaption></figure>
  593. <p>&#8220;We appreciate the comments that were submitted and each one was carefully reviewed. Several resulted in revisions, including to the Presidential Search Committee nomination process and soliciting feedback,” Vice President and General Counsel Stephanie Taylor said. “We also clarified that the Board has not given itself any new authority regarding the selection of a new University president; rather, it is exercising the authority previously given to it under West Virginia law and as required by State Code.”</p>
  594. <p>WVU President Gordon Gee has previously announced he&#8217;ll leave the position in the summer of 2025.</p>
  595. <p>The BOG will soon be asked to endorse a list of nominees who will serve on the search committee. Also this month, the BOG&#8217;s Ad Hoc Governance Committee intends to complete the RFP and potentially release the name of the presidential search firm.</p>
  596. <p>A number of listening events are planned with the search firm beginning this summer. The BOG hopes to choose a new president by next spring.</p>
  597. <p>Another special meeting is planned May 29 to provide more information about the next steps for the presidential search process.</p>
  598. <p>The next regular BOG meeting is scheduled for June 21.</p>
  599. <p>The rule, a timeline, updates and details about the Presidential Search Committee are <a href="https://presidentialsearch.wvu.edu/">available here.</a></p>
  600. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/wvu-presidential-search-moves-forward-with-new-rule/">WVU presidential search moves forward with new rule</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  601. ]]></content:encoded>
  605. </item>
  606. <item>
  607. <title>Professional scouts lining up to get a glimpse of Gilmer County pitcher Bryant Yoak</title>
  608. <link>https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/professional-scouts-lining-up-to-get-a-glimpse-of-gilmer-county-pitcher-bryant-yoak/</link>
  610. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Joe Brocato]]></dc:creator>
  611. <pubDate>Mon, 06 May 2024 18:33:55 +0000</pubDate>
  612. <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
  613. <category><![CDATA[High School Sports]]></category>
  614. <category><![CDATA[WVU Sports]]></category>
  615. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wvmetronews.com/?p=570931</guid>
  616.  
  617. <description><![CDATA[<p>The GCHS senior has allowed an earned run in just one of his nine appearances this spring.</p>
  618. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/professional-scouts-lining-up-to-get-a-glimpse-of-gilmer-county-pitcher-bryant-yoak/">Professional scouts lining up to get a glimpse of Gilmer County pitcher Bryant Yoak</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  619. ]]></description>
  620. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>GLENVILLE, W.Va.</strong> &#8212; With 23 wins in the regular season, Gilmer County has taken up residence in the MetroNews Class A baseball rankings for much of the spring. The fourth-ranked Titans have a mix of youth and experienced veterans and they are led by senior pitcher Bryant Yoak.</p>
  621. <p>His impressive stats have caught the attention of professional scouts that have been posted up behind home plate with radar guns and cameras at the ready.</p>
  622. <p>&#8220;It is pretty crazy. It got crazy really fast. It started off with like three or four and now we&#8217;re at a dozen. It gets pretty crazy sometimes,&#8221; Yoak said.</p>
  623. <p>&#8220;It does get my nerves a little bit. But I am able to just reset, take a deep breath and I&#8217;m fine. Sometimes it does help me. I can rear back, chuck one and blow it by a kid and feel really good about it.&#8221;</p>
  624. <p>Yoak committed to play at West Virginia University in 2022 while playing at Calhoun County and he officially signed with the Mountaineers in November.</p>
  625. <p>&#8220;It means everything. Since I was little I always dreamed of being a Mountaineer and playing for the baseball program up there. They have an amazing coaching staff and a really good class I am going up there with. I am really excited and it is a huge blessing.&#8221;</p>
  626. <p>If Yoak is selected in the Major League Baseball Draft this summer, he could have a decision to make on whether or not to go pro right out of high school. His first priority is to help Gilmer County navigate a challenging sectional that contains defending state champion Wahama.</p>
  627. <p>&#8220;I love Coach [Ben] Hall. I love all these guys like they are my brother. It is just an amazing atmosphere.</p>
  628. <p>&#8220;We&#8217;ve got a lot of young guys but they are really mature when it comes to their skills. We have a really solid team and I think we are going to make it.&#8221;</p>
  629. <p>Prior to last Thursday&#8217;s LKC semifinal victory against Tyler Consolidated, Yoak had not allowed an earned run in his first eight appearances. He owns a 0.51 ERA and a record of 6-1. Yoak has struck out 97 batters in 41 innings while walking just ten.</p>
  630. <p>&#8220;I am getting better at generally everything. I can always work on command. I can always get a little more break on a pitch. I can always execute a pitch more. I am always working on things.&#8221;</p>
  631. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/professional-scouts-lining-up-to-get-a-glimpse-of-gilmer-county-pitcher-bryant-yoak/">Professional scouts lining up to get a glimpse of Gilmer County pitcher Bryant Yoak</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  632. ]]></content:encoded>
  636. </item>
  637. <item>
  638. <title>Week 6 Power Rankings: Martinsburg, Winfield, Williamstown enter postseason No. 1</title>
  639. <link>https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/week-6-power-rankings-martinsburg-winfield-williamstown-enter-postseason-no-1/</link>
  641. <dc:creator><![CDATA[MetroNews Staff]]></dc:creator>
  642. <pubDate>Mon, 06 May 2024 18:19:14 +0000</pubDate>
  643. <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
  644. <category><![CDATA[High School Sports]]></category>
  645. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wvmetronews.com/?p=570919</guid>
  646.  
  647. <description><![CDATA[<p>Ripley, Madonna rise in rankings.</p>
  648. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/week-6-power-rankings-martinsburg-winfield-williamstown-enter-postseason-no-1/">Week 6 Power Rankings: Martinsburg, Winfield, Williamstown enter postseason No. 1</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  649. ]]></description>
  650. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>MORGANTOWN, W.Va.</strong> — The MetroNews high school baseball poll is voted upon weekly by a panel of 10 radio broadcasters and sports writers across West Virginia. The rankings include overall records, total points and first-place votes in parenthesis.</p>
  651. <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-570957 size-full" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/week6-aaa-2024-METRONEWS-Baseball-RANKINGS-2021-copy-4-1.jpg" alt="" width="1033" height="1396" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/week6-aaa-2024-METRONEWS-Baseball-RANKINGS-2021-copy-4-1.jpg 1033w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/week6-aaa-2024-METRONEWS-Baseball-RANKINGS-2021-copy-4-1-222x300.jpg 222w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/week6-aaa-2024-METRONEWS-Baseball-RANKINGS-2021-copy-4-1-259x350.jpg 259w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/week6-aaa-2024-METRONEWS-Baseball-RANKINGS-2021-copy-4-1-111x150.jpg 111w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/week6-aaa-2024-METRONEWS-Baseball-RANKINGS-2021-copy-4-1-768x1038.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1033px) 100vw, 1033px" /></p>
  652. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  653. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  654. <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-570940 size-full" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/week6-aa-2024-METRONEWS-Baseball-RANKINGS-2021-copy-4.jpg" alt="" width="1033" height="1396" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/week6-aa-2024-METRONEWS-Baseball-RANKINGS-2021-copy-4.jpg 1033w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/week6-aa-2024-METRONEWS-Baseball-RANKINGS-2021-copy-4-222x300.jpg 222w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/week6-aa-2024-METRONEWS-Baseball-RANKINGS-2021-copy-4-259x350.jpg 259w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/week6-aa-2024-METRONEWS-Baseball-RANKINGS-2021-copy-4-111x150.jpg 111w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/week6-aa-2024-METRONEWS-Baseball-RANKINGS-2021-copy-4-768x1038.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1033px) 100vw, 1033px" /></p>
  655. <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-570938 size-full" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/week6-a-2024-METRONEWS-Baseball-RANKINGS-2021-copy-4.jpg" alt="" width="1033" height="1396" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/week6-a-2024-METRONEWS-Baseball-RANKINGS-2021-copy-4.jpg 1033w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/week6-a-2024-METRONEWS-Baseball-RANKINGS-2021-copy-4-222x300.jpg 222w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/week6-a-2024-METRONEWS-Baseball-RANKINGS-2021-copy-4-259x350.jpg 259w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/week6-a-2024-METRONEWS-Baseball-RANKINGS-2021-copy-4-111x150.jpg 111w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/week6-a-2024-METRONEWS-Baseball-RANKINGS-2021-copy-4-768x1038.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1033px) 100vw, 1033px" /></p>
  656. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  657. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/week-6-power-rankings-martinsburg-winfield-williamstown-enter-postseason-no-1/">Week 6 Power Rankings: Martinsburg, Winfield, Williamstown enter postseason No. 1</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  658. ]]></content:encoded>
  662. </item>
  663. <item>
  664. <title>Putnam County voters to decide again on fire service levy</title>
  665. <link>https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/putnam-county-voters-to-decide-again-on-fire-service-levy/</link>
  667. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Lawrence]]></dc:creator>
  668. <pubDate>Mon, 06 May 2024 18:18:11 +0000</pubDate>
  669. <category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
  670. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wvmetronews.com/?p=570946</guid>
  671.  
  672. <description><![CDATA[<p>Putnam County Fire Service Board says "...something must give."  Amid the rising costs and stagnant revenues for fire service in the county.  </p>
  673. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/putnam-county-voters-to-decide-again-on-fire-service-levy/">Putnam County voters to decide again on fire service levy</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  674. ]]></description>
  675. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>WINFIELD, W.Va</strong>. &#8212; Putnam County voters will be asked again to consider an excess levy to fund the county&#8217;s fire service. A similar levy failed in 2022 when it garnered more than 50 percent of the vote, but needed 60 percent to be ratified.</p>
  676. <p>Richard Pullin, Fire Administrator for Putnam County, said county attorneys re-examined the caveat and were able to successfully determine 50-Percent would have been sufficient. However, since so much time had passed they determined it would be unreasonable to try and revert back to the 2022 vote to implement the levy.</p>
  677. <p>&#8220;We just wanted to put it back out on the ballot. It will be cleaner this time and it won&#8217;t have the EMS on there as well. We wanted to get that push from the public again to get more than 50 percent,&#8221; said Pullin.</p>
  678. <p>This time around, 50-percent plus one is all the levy will need for passage and according to Pullin it is desperately needed since the county, safety-wise, is in a very difficult situation.</p>
  679. <p>&#8220;Volunteerism is falling off nationwide and what volunteers we do have left are primarily working during the day to earn their living. That leaves us very short handed during the weekdays,&#8221; he said.</p>
  680. <p>The city of Hurricane supplements the service with some paid positions in their volunteer fire department. Teays Valley also supplements fire fighting staff through EMS service, but when the levy failed in 2022 they were forced to cut back and currently do not have 24/7 staffing. Putnam County actually has eight volunteer fire departments and all would benefit from the levy.</p>
  681. <p>Another point Pullin wanted to make was for many in the county, very little will change with the passage of the levy since it would replace the current fire service fee paid by all county households.</p>
  682. <p>&#8220;The levy will replace the fire service fee. The way it&#8217;s structured based on property value, there will be citizens in the county who will save money. There will be a group of people who break even with a dollar or two difference. There will be some in the larger, higher end homes who will pay more,&#8221; said Pullin.</p>
  683. <p>However, the fire service fee hasn&#8217;t increased in Putnam County since 2013. Pullin said trying to afford the costs of fire service in 2024 with a 2013 revenue stream is becoming impossible. He suggested the cost of a fire truck as an example. Prior to the pandemic, the Fire Service purchased a fire truck and before it was outfitted with tools and equipment the cost was $420,000. This year, the county purchased another fire truck and the stripped down cost was $760,0000, an increase of 60 percent in just four years.</p>
  684. <p>&#8220;Something has to give, we cannot keep stretching what we&#8217;ve done,&#8221; he said.</p>
  685. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/putnam-county-voters-to-decide-again-on-fire-service-levy/">Putnam County voters to decide again on fire service levy</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  686. ]]></content:encoded>
  690. </item>
  691. <item>
  692. <title>Former Charleston police chief returns to medical leave after serving 20-day suspension</title>
  693. <link>https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/former-charleston-police-chief-returns-to-medical-leave-after-serving-20-day-suspension/</link>
  695. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jeff Jenkins]]></dc:creator>
  696. <pubDate>Mon, 06 May 2024 17:14:53 +0000</pubDate>
  697. <category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
  698. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wvmetronews.com/?p=570911</guid>
  699.  
  700. <description><![CDATA[<p>Charleston Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin says she supports current Chief Scott Dempsey in disciplinary decisions involving Tyke Hunt.</p>
  701. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/former-charleston-police-chief-returns-to-medical-leave-after-serving-20-day-suspension/">Former Charleston police chief returns to medical leave after serving 20-day suspension</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  702. ]]></description>
  703. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>CHARLESTON, W.Va. </strong>&#8212; Former Charleston Police Chief Tyke Hunt went back on medical leave Monday after serving a 20-day suspension for violating police department policies.</p>
  704. <figure id="attachment_524781" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-524781" style="width: 137px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-524781" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/amy-24_1-e1699900389382-137x150.jpg" alt="" width="137" height="150" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/amy-24_1-e1699900389382-137x150.jpg 137w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/amy-24_1-e1699900389382-275x300.jpg 275w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/amy-24_1-e1699900389382-320x350.jpg 320w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/amy-24_1-e1699900389382.jpg 346w" sizes="(max-width: 137px) 100vw, 137px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-524781" class="wp-caption-text">Amy Shuler Goodwin</figcaption></figure>
  705. <p>Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin backed the decision made by current Police Chief Scott Dempsey in the Hunt case during an appearance Monday on 580Live with Dave Allen.</p>
  706. <p>&#8220;I have confidence in our chief of police, Scott Dempsey, who made that decision and I stand by him,&#8221; Goodwin said.</p>
  707. <p><a href="https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/kanawha_valley/official-records-former-cpd-chief-hunt-violated-3-department-policies-suspended-20-days/article_bd100c5c-fdbf-595b-a6b7-281909b731b8.html">The Charleston Gazette-Mail</a> first reported the length of the suspension in a story that published over the weekend. <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/04/11/investigation-finished-into-former-charleston-police-chief/">Dempsey confirmed on April 11</a> that the investigation into Hunt had concluded.</p>
  708. <p>Hunt was also demoted from lieutenant to corporal, two ranks, as a result of his actions.</p>
  709. <p>The department investigated two complaints against Hunt involving a former police officer and a second woman.</p>
  710. <p>According to the Gazette-Mail report, Hunt was disciplined twice for Unbecoming Conduct. He also violated the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct.</p>
  711. <figure id="attachment_526460" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-526460" style="width: 108px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-526460" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Tyke_Hunt-e1689680804410-108x150.jpg" alt="" width="108" height="150" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Tyke_Hunt-e1689680804410-108x150.jpg 108w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Tyke_Hunt-e1689680804410.jpg 110w" sizes="(max-width: 108px) 100vw, 108px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-526460" class="wp-caption-text">Tyke Hunt</figcaption></figure>
  712. <p>Hunt was a lieutenant when he stepped down from his position as chief last August and went on medical leave. His medical leave came soon after allegations came to light of inappropriate behavior involving former officer Chelsea McCoy. McCoy alleged Hunt tampered with her polygraph results during her departmental application process in exchange for sex in the polygraph examination room. McCoy also alleged having sex with Hunt in the chief&#8217;s office.</p>
  713. <p>The second complaint came from Jenny Harless who has repeatedly said that Hunt made sexual advances toward her in his office in 2022.</p>
  714. <p>Hunt was suspended without pay for 10 days on each complaint following the internal investigation.</p>
  715. <p>According to the Gazette-Mail, the police department&#8217;s Professional Services Division did not find that Hunt had violated the department&#8217;s Workplace Violence, Harassment &amp; Discrimination policy.</p>
  716. <p>Dempsey didn&#8217;t give a reason why but Goodwin said Monday you can only punish what you can prove.</p>
  717. <figure id="attachment_529962" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-529962" style="width: 125px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-529962" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/thumbnail_Dempsey_Scott-e1692386274478-125x150.jpg" alt="" width="125" height="150" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/thumbnail_Dempsey_Scott-e1692386274478-125x150.jpg 125w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/thumbnail_Dempsey_Scott-e1692386274478-250x300.jpg 250w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/thumbnail_Dempsey_Scott-e1692386274478-292x350.jpg 292w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/thumbnail_Dempsey_Scott-e1692386274478-768x920.jpg 768w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/thumbnail_Dempsey_Scott-e1692386274478.jpg 801w" sizes="(max-width: 125px) 100vw, 125px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-529962" class="wp-caption-text">Scott Dempsey</figcaption></figure>
  718. <p>&#8220;We make the best decisions that we make with the information that we have in front of us, we do,&#8221; Goodwin said. &#8220;Our head and our heart are always in the right place and my moral compass are never off and that&#8217;s what I have to go on. This chief of police made a good decision with the information he had.&#8221;</p>
  719. <p>Goodwin said a situation like this is &#8220;a punch in the gut&#8221; to officers that are doing the right thing.</p>
  720. <p>&#8220;It&#8217;s really hard work&#8230;but guess what they&#8217;re doing? Still doing their work and that&#8217;s what we should be doing too,&#8221; Goodwin said.</p>
  721. <p>Goodwin said she&#8217;s heard from the criticism from the outside. She said she stands behind the integrity of the investigative process.</p>
  722. <p>&#8220;It&#8217;s easy just to say it (opening it all up) when you&#8217;re not in it when you don&#8217;t have to abide by rules of HR (Human Resources) or, by the way, to protect people, the people who are coming forward,&#8221; Goodwin said.</p>
  723. <p>Hunt began serving his 20-day unpaid suspension on April 8. He went back on medical leave on Monday and is being paid as a corporal.</p>
  724. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/former-charleston-police-chief-returns-to-medical-leave-after-serving-20-day-suspension/">Former Charleston police chief returns to medical leave after serving 20-day suspension</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  725. ]]></content:encoded>
  729. </item>
  730. <item>
  731. <title>Jonathan Powell commits to Mountaineers</title>
  732. <link>https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/jonathan-powell-pledges-commits-to-mountaineers/</link>
  734. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Greg Carey]]></dc:creator>
  735. <pubDate>Mon, 06 May 2024 17:13:34 +0000</pubDate>
  736. <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
  737. <category><![CDATA[WVU Sports]]></category>
  738. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wvmetronews.com/?p=570922</guid>
  739.  
  740. <description><![CDATA[<p>Powell becomes West Virginia's ninth scholarship player for next season. He had previously signed a National Letter of Intent with Xavier.</p>
  741. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/jonathan-powell-pledges-commits-to-mountaineers/">Jonathan Powell commits to Mountaineers</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  742. ]]></description>
  743. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>An entirely new coaching staff at West Virginia has worked diligently over the last few weeks to reshape the Mountaineers’ roster by way of the NCAA Transfer Portal.</p>
  744. <p>On Monday, the Mountaineers added their second player from the high school ranks since naming Darian DeVries head coach.</p>
  745. <p>Jonathan Powell, a 6-foot-5 guard from Centerville High School in Dayton, Ohio, has pledged his commitment to WVU.</p>
  746. <p>Powell was in Morgantown for an official visit over the weekend after recently requesting to be released from a National Letter of Intent he had signed last November to play at Xavier.</p>
  747. <p>Powell, the Division I Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Year, is rated a three-star prospect by Rivals and 247 Sports. He averaged 19.7 points and 4.2 rebounds in his final season at Centerville.</p>
  748. <p>Powell becomes West Virginia’s ninth scholarship player for the upcoming season. He joins the lone holdover from last season’s roster in Ofri Naveh, fellow incoming freshman KJ Tenner and a group of transfers in Tucker DeVries (Drake), Sencire Harris (Illinois), Amani Hansberry (Illinois), Eduardo Andre (Fresno State), Javon Small (Oklahoma State) and Toby Okani (Illinois Chicago).</p>
  749. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/jonathan-powell-pledges-commits-to-mountaineers/">Jonathan Powell commits to Mountaineers</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  750. ]]></content:encoded>
  754. </item>
  755. <item>
  756. <title>Herd hoops adds Gibbs brothers from NAIA power Grace</title>
  757. <link>https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/herd-hoops-adds-gibbs-brothers-from-naia-power-grace/</link>
  759. <dc:creator><![CDATA[MetroNews Staff]]></dc:creator>
  760. <pubDate>Mon, 06 May 2024 16:32:07 +0000</pubDate>
  761. <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
  762. <category><![CDATA[Marshall Sports]]></category>
  763. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wvmetronews.com/?p=570912</guid>
  764.  
  765. <description><![CDATA[<p>Cornelius Jackson continues to reshape Marshall's roster in his early days as head coach. </p>
  766. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/herd-hoops-adds-gibbs-brothers-from-naia-power-grace/">Herd hoops adds Gibbs brothers from NAIA power Grace</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  767. ]]></description>
  768. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><i>— By Bill Cornwell</i></p>
  769. <p><b>HUNTINGTON, W.Va. —</b> New Marshall men’s basketball coach Cornelius Jackson has added to the Thundering Herd’s roster for 2024-2025.</p>
  770. <p>The latest additions are brothers Cade Gibbs and Jakob Gibbs. The duo is coming to Huntington from NAIA power Grace College in Indiana.</p>
  771. <p>The Gibbs brothers join Huntington native Mikel Dawson, an Akron transfer, as additions to Marshall’s program since Jackson became head coach. Like Dawson, the Gibbs brothers have one season of eligibility remaining.</p>
  772. <p>The Gibbs brothers hail from Plainfield, Indiana, and are triplets with a third brother. Cade and Jakob Gibbs helped lead the Grace Lancers to the NAIA Fab Four last season with a 34-2 record. The Lancers went 66-5 over the last two seasons.</p>
  773. <p>&#8220;We are thrilled to have Jakob and Cade join our program,&#8221; Jackson said. &#8220;They will bring experience, a competitive spirit as well as a winning mentality on and off the court.&#8221;</p>
  774. <p>Elijah Malone, a teammate of the Gibbs brothers at Grace, has transferred to Colorado.</p>
  775. <p>Jakob Gibbs was a third-team NAIA All-American last season after averaging 13.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and two assists while shooting 52.2 percent from the field, including 37.3 percent from three-point range. He is also regarded as a top-tier defender and was the 2023-24 Crossroads League Defensive Player of the Year. He was a first-team all-conference honoree in 2023-24 and a CSC NAIA First-Team Academic All-American in 2024.</p>
  776. <p>Cade Gibbs was also a first-team All-Crossroads League honoree in 2023-24 after averaging 13.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists, while shooting 53.3 percent from the field and 33 percent from three-point range.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
  777. <p>Cade was named a CSC NAIA Second-Team Academic All-American after the 2023-24 campaign.</p>
  778. <p>The brothers have graduated from Grace with MBA degrees.</p>
  779. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/herd-hoops-adds-gibbs-brothers-from-naia-power-grace/">Herd hoops adds Gibbs brothers from NAIA power Grace</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  780. ]]></content:encoded>
  784. </item>
  785. <item>
  786. <title>Three dead in separate fires in West Virginia</title>
  787. <link>https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/three-dead-in-separate-fires-in-west-virginia/</link>
  789. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Lawrence]]></dc:creator>
  790. <pubDate>Mon, 06 May 2024 16:17:20 +0000</pubDate>
  791. <category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
  792. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wvmetronews.com/?p=570909</guid>
  793.  
  794. <description><![CDATA[<p>Since Friday, three people have died in home fires in the Mountain State</p>
  795. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/three-dead-in-separate-fires-in-west-virginia/">Three dead in separate fires in West Virginia</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  796. ]]></description>
  797. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>CHARLESTON, W.Va.</strong> &#8212; It has been a deadly few days fore fire crews in West Virginia. Three people have died in fires since Friday night according to the state Fire Marshal.</p>
  798. <p>The most recent blaze broke out at an apartment building in Hurricane around 5 a.m. Monday. The fire was on Reynolds Street. The victim was a 57-year old woman whose identity wasn&#8217;t released.</p>
  799. <p>An Assistant State Fire Marshal continued to work to identify a cause for the blaze.</p>
  800. <p>Over the weekend an 81-year old man died when fire consumed his home around 2 a.m. Saturday in the Rock Cave community of Upshur County.</p>
  801. <p>The third fatal fire was Friday night in Roane County. Authorities said fire crews were called to a home around 8 p.m. in Spencer. There a 67-year old man died.</p>
  802. <p>All three fires remain under investigation.</p>
  803. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/three-dead-in-separate-fires-in-west-virginia/">Three dead in separate fires in West Virginia</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  804. ]]></content:encoded>
  808. </item>
  809. <item>
  810. <title>Detroit man gets maximum prison time for fatally shooting 2 Charleston women</title>
  811. <link>https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/detroit-man-gets-maximum-prison-time-for-fatally-shooting-2-charleston-women/</link>
  813. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Carrie Hodousek]]></dc:creator>
  814. <pubDate>Mon, 06 May 2024 15:21:13 +0000</pubDate>
  815. <category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
  816. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wvmetronews.com/?p=570902</guid>
  817.  
  818. <description><![CDATA[<p>Marquis Goodman, 24, received two 40-year prison terms Monday for the Oct. 2021 shooting deaths.</p>
  819. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/detroit-man-gets-maximum-prison-time-for-fatally-shooting-2-charleston-women/">Detroit man gets maximum prison time for fatally shooting 2 Charleston women</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  820. ]]></description>
  821. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>CHARLESTON, W.Va.</strong> &#8212; The family of two Charleston women shot and killed on Charleston&#8217;s West Side says no amount of prison time for the gunman will change what happened.</p>
  822. <figure id="attachment_556687" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-556687" style="width: 177px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-556687" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/marquis-goodman-296x300.png" alt="" width="177" height="179" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/marquis-goodman-296x300.png 296w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/marquis-goodman-346x350.png 346w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/marquis-goodman-148x150.png 148w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/marquis-goodman.png 707w" sizes="(max-width: 177px) 100vw, 177px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-556687" class="wp-caption-text">Marquis Goodman (WVRJA)</figcaption></figure>
  823. <p>Bria White, 26, and Kytiana Belcher, 22, both of Charleston, were gunned down by Marquis Goodman, 24, of Detroit, in Oct. 2021. Goodman thought White had set him up to be robbed, so he shot her. He said Belcher was a witness, so he shot her too.</p>
  824. <p>Belcher&#8217;s cousin Rae Dickerson called Goodman a &#8220;monster&#8221; who should be kept away from women.</p>
  825. <p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t feel like he should get out because he&#8217;s a monster. What other women is he going to kill? What is he going to do to the next woman that makes him mad? Is he going to beat us up or is he going to shoot us?&#8221; Dickerson told Kanawha County Circuit Judge Kenneth Ballard before Goodman was sentenced Monday.</p>
  826. <p>The judge handed down the maximum sentence of 80 years in prison or 40 years on each of two counts of second-degree murder to be served consecutively. Goodman was facing 10-40 years on each count after pleading guilty to the lesser offense. He was originally charged with two counts of first-degree murder.</p>
  827. <p>White&#8217;s mother Leticia Norman broke down in tears during Monday&#8217;s hearing, along with other family members, to share how Goodman&#8217;s actions destroyed her life.</p>
  828. <figure id="attachment_570903" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-570903" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-570903" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/goodman-2-e1715008512755-300x216.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="216" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/goodman-2-e1715008512755-300x216.jpg 300w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/goodman-2-e1715008512755-486x350.jpg 486w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/goodman-2-e1715008512755-150x108.jpg 150w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/goodman-2-e1715008512755-768x553.jpg 768w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/goodman-2-e1715008512755.jpg 1472w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-570903" class="wp-caption-text">Bria White&#8217;s mother Leticia Norman addresses Goodman during his sentencing in Kanawha County Circuit Court Monday. Carrie Hodousek/MetroNews</figcaption></figure>
  829. <p>&#8220;Whatever you got mad at her about, it didn&#8217;t have to go this far. My life is ruined. My heart will forever be broken,&#8221; she said.</p>
  830. <p>White&#8217;s body was found on Hunt Avenue after she was shot multiple times. Belcher’s body was found a few hours later in between houses on Grant Street. She also suffered multiple gunshot wounds, police said.</p>
  831. <p>Goodman then fled to Detroit where he was arrested less than a week after the shooting.</p>
  832. <p>Norman said White died 11 days before her 27th birthday and five days before her own birthday. She said she&#8217;ll never understand how Goodman can call her daughter &#8220;his friend&#8221; and not show remorse.</p>
  833. <p>&#8220;You didn&#8217;t just shoot them one time. You shot them multiple times. I don&#8217;t know why you would get so evil to do something like that and then you want leniency? You didn&#8217;t give them leniency,&#8221; Norman said.</p>
  834. <p>Goodman&#8217;s attorney Matthew Victor had asked the judge to sentence him to the least amount of time of 10 years on each count in the Anthony Correctional Center for youth offenders.</p>
  835. <p>Victor said there&#8217;s been some misconceptions that Goodman traveled from Detroit to Charleston to deal drugs.</p>
  836. <p>&#8220;There&#8217;s no evidence here whatsoever that drugs were involved in this case,&#8221; Victor said. &#8220;He came here to get out of the tough life that he had in Detroit.&#8221;</p>
  837. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
  838. <p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sentencing day for Marquis Goodman, of Detroit, who admitted to fatally shooting two Charleston women in 2021. He previously pleaded guilty to a lesser offense of 2nd degree murder which carries 10-40 years in prison on each count. <a href="https://twitter.com/WVMetroNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WVMetroNews</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/580WCHS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@580WCHS</a> <a href="https://t.co/wNF6k2CD5y">pic.twitter.com/wNF6k2CD5y</a></p>
  839. <p>&mdash; Carrie Hodousek (@CarrieHodousek) <a href="https://twitter.com/CarrieHodousek/status/1787472220958167302?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
  840. <p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
  841. <p>Goodman went to face the families to apologize for the shooting, but his words were met with resistance. He said he&#8217;s had a lot of time to think about what he did.</p>
  842. <p>&#8220;I love these two individuals with all my heart. I grew up with Bria White and her sister,&#8221; he said. &#8220;What I did was wrong. I never intended to hurt Bria. I never intended to hurt Kytiana.&#8221;</p>
  843. <p>The families then shouted from the back of the courtroom, &#8220;What do mean you didn&#8217;t intend to hurt them?&#8221;</p>
  844. <p>Kanawha County prosecutors stood silent at sentencing as part of Goodman&#8217;s plea agreement.</p>
  845. <p>Dickerson ended her testimony by saying she felt like Goodman was only putting on an act so he could get less prison time.</p>
  846. <p>&#8220;I feel like you really don&#8217;t care because the cries that you did, you didn&#8217;t even have tears,&#8221; she said. &#8220;It was women. You&#8217;re a man. To think that you&#8217;re going to get the Anthony Center is crazy. That&#8217;s a tap on the wrist. You need prison.&#8221;</p>
  847. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/detroit-man-gets-maximum-prison-time-for-fatally-shooting-2-charleston-women/">Detroit man gets maximum prison time for fatally shooting 2 Charleston women</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  848. ]]></content:encoded>
  852. </item>
  853. <item>
  854. <title>Justice maintains big lead over Mooney in U.S. Senate race: West Virginia Poll</title>
  855. <link>https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/justice-maintains-big-lead-over-mooney-in-u-s-senate-race-west-virginia-poll/</link>
  857. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Brad McElhinny]]></dc:creator>
  858. <pubDate>Mon, 06 May 2024 14:05:55 +0000</pubDate>
  859. <category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
  860. <category><![CDATA[WV Poll]]></category>
  861. <category><![CDATA[news-top-story]]></category>
  862. <category><![CDATA[top-story]]></category>
  863. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wvmetronews.com/?p=570848</guid>
  864.  
  865. <description><![CDATA[<p>Justice has support of 67% of the likely voters in the coming Republican primary election compared to Mooney's 23 percent, according to the latest MetroNews West Virginia Poll.</p>
  866. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/justice-maintains-big-lead-over-mooney-in-u-s-senate-race-west-virginia-poll/">Justice maintains big lead over Mooney in U.S. Senate race: West Virginia Poll</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  867. ]]></description>
  868. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Gov. Jim Justice still has a big lead over Congressman Alex Mooney in the race for U.S. Senate.</p>
  869. <p>Justice has support of 67% of the likely voters in the coming Republican primary election compared to Mooney&#8217;s 23 percent, according to the latest MetroNews West Virginia Poll. The remainder either favor some other candidate or are not sure.</p>
  870. <p>That&#8217;s about the same as the prior MetroNews West Virginia Poll. <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/04/12/justice-maintains-big-lead-over-mooney-in-republican-primary-for-u-s-senate-poll-shows/">The poll released April 12</a> showed Justice with 66% to Mooney&#8217;s 24%, so there has been very little change.</p>
  871. <figure id="attachment_532002" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-532002" style="width: 115px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-532002 size-thumbnail" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Rex-Repass-115x150.jpg" alt="" width="115" height="150" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Rex-Repass-115x150.jpg 115w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Rex-Repass.jpg 197w" sizes="(max-width: 115px) 100vw, 115px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-532002" class="wp-caption-text">Rex Repass</figcaption></figure>
  872. <p>&#8220;The demographics really across the board supportive of Jim Justice for the U.S. Senate,&#8221; said Rex Repass, president of Research America, which produces the West Virginia Poll.</p>
  873. <p>&#8220;It just suggests that there is no volatility in this race. It’s very consistent with what we found in late March-early April, which suggests voters have made up their minds.&#8221;</p>
  874. <p>The poll was built on 407 completed surveys conducted online and by telephone from April 24 to May 1. Respondents were screened and qualified as registered Republicans and independents who plan to request a Republican ballot for the May 14 primary. Participants described high interest in the primary election and said they are likely to vote.</p>
  875. <p>Respondents in all 55 West Virginia counties were included in the West Virginia Poll, which is sponsored by The Health Plan.</p>
  876. <p>The overall confidence interval was  +/- 4.9 percentage points.</p>
  877. <p>Voting is already underway. The early voting period for the primary election started on Wednesday and ends on Saturday, May 11. West Virginia’s primary election is May 14.</p>
  878. <p>The West Virginia Poll did not look at Democratic candidates competing in the U.S. Senate race to succeed incumbent Joe Manchin, who announced earlier this year he would not run.</p>
  879. <p>Voting is already underway. The early voting period for the primary election started on Wednesday and ends on Saturday, May 11. West Virginia’s primary election is May 14.</p>
  880. <figure id="attachment_501533" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-501533" style="width: 143px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-501533 size-thumbnail" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/blair-justice-copy-e1677563299874-143x150.jpg" alt="" width="143" height="150" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/blair-justice-copy-e1677563299874-143x150.jpg 143w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/blair-justice-copy-e1677563299874-286x300.jpg 286w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/blair-justice-copy-e1677563299874-334x350.jpg 334w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/blair-justice-copy-e1677563299874.jpg 378w" sizes="(max-width: 143px) 100vw, 143px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-501533" class="wp-caption-text">Gov. Jim Justice</figcaption></figure>
  881. <p>Justice is a two-term governor who first won that office as a Democrat in 2016. He switched parties in 2017 at a rally for then-President Donald Trump, citing his close relationship with Trump and saying he could accomplish more as a Republican. Trump announced an endorsement for Justice several months ago.</p>
  882. <p>Justice’s family owns West Virginia’s famed Greenbrier Hotel, and the family business network includes coal, timber and agriculture holdings. Justice made his early reputation as a “business guy” who could “buzz the numbers.” The businesses have been under significant and widely discussed financial pressure, but that hasn’t affected Justice’s electoral position.</p>
  883. <figure id="attachment_455267" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-455267" style="width: 103px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-455267 size-thumbnail" src="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Mooney-e1648265914992-1-103x150.jpg" alt="" width="103" height="150" srcset="https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Mooney-e1648265914992-1-103x150.jpg 103w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Mooney-e1648265914992-1-206x300.jpg 206w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Mooney-e1648265914992-1-240x350.jpg 240w, https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Mooney-e1648265914992-1.jpg 479w" sizes="(max-width: 103px) 100vw, 103px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-455267" class="wp-caption-text">Alex Mooney</figcaption></figure>
  884. <p>Mooney was elected to Congress representing a swath of West Virginia in 2014. In 2022, he defeated fellow Congressman David McKinley in a consolidated district that includes the state’s northern counties.</p>
  885. <p>Mooney had a rally last week in Jefferson County with incumbent Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas. The Mooney campaign has also touted the number of state legislators who have provided endorsements. Mooney&#8217;s campaign last week touted <a href="https://mcusercontent.com/d75a8355a7427294bf7ef5b06/files/cce50e2b-3574-3640-abef-f68b136b0eb3/Osage_April24_WV_Statewide_Primary_Brushfire_ToplinesMooney_PR.pdf">results of polling</a> by Osage Research showing a closer race with Justice, although Mooney is still behind in that poll, 49% to 35 percent.</p>
  886. <p>In the West Virginia Poll, Mooney&#8217;s top area of support is among very conservative likely voters.</p>
  887. <p>&#8220;Mooney does best among &#8216;very strong conservatives&#8217; but that’s still a 57 for Justice to 33 for Mooney,&#8221; Repass said.</p>
  888. <p>&#8220;Mooney is definitely appealing to the strongest conservatives, will do better if turnout is very strong with strong conservatives, but its’s till not likely to have a major impact on the results.&#8221;</p>
  889. <p>Repass concluded, &#8220;Now will it be a 40-point win? Probably not. But at this point in time it looks like it’s going to be a very strong win for Justice.&#8221;</p>
  890. <p><iframe loading="lazy"
  891.  src="https://embed.documentcloud.org/documents/24639777-final-slides-metronews-wv-poll-sen/?embed=1&amp;responsive=1&amp;title=1"
  892.  title="FINAL Slides MetroNews WV Poll Sen (Hosted by DocumentCloud)"
  893.  width="700"
  894.  height="393"
  895.  style="border: 1px solid #aaa; width: 100%; height: 800px; height: calc(100vh - 100px);"
  896.  sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-forms allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"
  897. ></iframe></p>
  898. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/justice-maintains-big-lead-over-mooney-in-u-s-senate-race-west-virginia-poll/">Justice maintains big lead over Mooney in U.S. Senate race: West Virginia Poll</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  899. ]]></content:encoded>
  903. </item>
  904. <item>
  905. <title>Poll: Attorney general is a tight Republican primary, but lots of voters remain undecided</title>
  906. <link>https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/poll-attorney-general-is-a-tight-republican-primary-but-lots-of-voters-remain-undecided/</link>
  908. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Brad McElhinny]]></dc:creator>
  909. <pubDate>Mon, 06 May 2024 14:05:18 +0000</pubDate>
  910. <category><![CDATA[WV Poll]]></category>
  911. <category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
  912. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wvmetronews.com/?p=570851</guid>
  913.  
  914. <description><![CDATA[<p>The latest version of the MetroNews West Virginia Poll shows 37% for McCuskey, 36% for Stuart and 27 percent of voters still describing themselves as "not sure."</p>
  915. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/poll-attorney-general-is-a-tight-republican-primary-but-lots-of-voters-remain-undecided/">Poll: Attorney general is a tight Republican primary, but lots of voters remain undecided</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  916. ]]></description>
  917. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The race for the Republican nomination for West Virginia attorney general is a tight one between Auditor J.B. McCuskey and state Senator Mike Stuart, although there&#8217;s a major segment of undecided voters too.</p>
  918. <p>The latest version of the MetroNews West Virginia Poll shows 37% for McCuskey, 36% for Stuart and 27 percent of voters still describing themselves as &#8220;not sure.&#8221;</p>
  919. <p>&#8220;That’s still anybody’s race to win based on the data and based on the awareness of the two candidates,&#8221; said Rex Repass, president of Research America, which conducts the West Virginia Poll.</p>
  920. <p>McCuskey is a two-term state auditor and former state delegate from Charleston. His father was a state Supreme Court justice in 1998.</p>
  921. <p>Stuart is a current state senator from Kanawha County, a former federal prosecutor in West Virginia&#8217;s southern district and a former state Republican Party chairman.</p>
  922. <p><strong>MORE:</strong> <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/04/28/mccuskey-stuart-square-off-in-republican-primary-for-attorney-general/">McCuskey, Stuart square off in Republican Primary for Attorney General</a></p>
  923. <p>The West Virginia Poll did not ask voters for their views on the Democratic candidates, Teresa Toriseva of Wheeling and Richie Robb of South Charleston.</p>
  924. <p>Voting is already underway. The early voting period for the primary election started on Wednesday and ends on Saturday, May 11. West Virginia’s primary election is May 14.</p>
  925. <p>The West Virginia poll was built on 407 completed surveys conducted online and by telephone from April 24 to May 1. Respondents were screened and qualified as registered Republicans and independents who plan to request a Republican ballot for the May 14 primary. Participants described high interest in the primary election and said they are likely to vote.</p>
  926. <p>Respondents in all 55 West Virginia counties were included in the West Virginia Poll, which is sponsored by The Health Plan.</p>
  927. <p>The overall confidence interval was  +/- 4.9 percentage points.</p>
  928. <p>Taking note of the poll&#8217;s screening for likely voters, Repass said the number of people undecided on the attorney general race is still high.</p>
  929. <p>&#8220;It’s one point – 37-36 and 27 percent undecided – and that’s with asking undecideds one question previously how are they leaning,&#8221; Repass said.</p>
  930. <p>&#8220;Without the leaners, the undecided is over 40 percent – but they’re still essentially tied.&#8221;</p>
  931. <p>McCuskey, who was originally running for governor, has an advantage in fundraising dollars available for his campaign.</p>
  932. <p>The most recent campaign finance reports filed with the secretary of state showed McCuskey way ahead of Stuart <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/04/14/candidates-for-attorney-general-report-campaign-finances/">in fundraising and spending.</a></p>
  933. <p>Stuart&#8217;s campaign has raised $113,176 since the race started and has spent $97,404, according to<a href="https://cfrs.wvsos.gov/CFIS_APIService/ReportsOutput/02/242a744f-ff35-45d3-abf3-7bf0931bfcb5.pdf"> the finance reports. </a></p>
  934. <p>McCuskey&#8217;s campaign has raised $1,071,787 since the race started and has spent $823,018, according to <a href="https://cfrs.wvsos.gov/CFIS_APIService/ReportsOutput/02/bf503af6-9ba3-4afc-862a-76d5c830f9ad.pdf">the finance reports. </a></p>
  935. <p>&#8220;I would think that J.B. McCuskey has the advantage there, just because he has run and won statewide races before. But I realize Mike Stuart has been active of late,&#8221; Repass said.</p>
  936. <p>Of McCuskey&#8217;s track record, Repass described &#8220;a reasonable assumption that would help him going forward, but yet to be determined.&#8221;</p>
  937. <p><iframe loading="lazy" style="border: 1px solid #aaa; width: 100%; height: calc(100vh - 100px);" title="FINAL Slides MetroNews WV Poll AG (Hosted by DocumentCloud)" src="https://embed.documentcloud.org/documents/24639775-final-slides-metronews-wv-poll-ag/?embed=1&amp;responsive=1&amp;title=1" width="700" height="393" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-forms allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe></p>
  938. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/poll-attorney-general-is-a-tight-republican-primary-but-lots-of-voters-remain-undecided/">Poll: Attorney general is a tight Republican primary, but lots of voters remain undecided</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  939. ]]></content:encoded>
  943. </item>
  944. <item>
  945. <title>MetroNews This Morning 5-6-24</title>
  946. <link>https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/metronews-this-morning-5-6-24/</link>
  948. <dc:creator><![CDATA[MetroNews Staff]]></dc:creator>
  949. <pubDate>Mon, 06 May 2024 10:35:10 +0000</pubDate>
  950. <category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
  951. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wvmetronews.com/?p=570895</guid>
  952.  
  953. <description><![CDATA[<p>Summary of West Virginia news, sports, and weather for Monday, May 6, 2024</p>
  954. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/metronews-this-morning-5-6-24/">MetroNews This Morning 5-6-24</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  955. ]]></description>
  956. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Today on MetroNews This Morning:</p>
  957. <p>&#8211;After years of wrangling through construction obstacles, the Mountain Valley Pipeline could be carrying natural gas from West Virginia to the east coast later this month</p>
  958. <p>&#8211;There&#8217;s a six-way race for the Mayor of Wheeling</p>
  959. <p>&#8211;The MetroNews West Virginia Poll shows a horse race for the GOP gubernatorial nomination</p>
  960. <p>&#8211;In Sports, WVU drops 2 out of 3 at Cincinnati and is a tie for second in the Big XII</p>
  961. <p><a class="spreaker-player" href="https://www.spreaker.com/episode/metronews-this-morning-5-6-24--59868496" data-resource="episode_id=59868496" data-width="100%" data-height="200px" data-theme="dark" data-playlist="false" data-playlist-continuous="false" data-chapters-image="true" data-episode-image-position="right" data-hide-logo="false" data-hide-likes="false" data-hide-comments="false" data-hide-sharing="false" data-hide-download="true">Listen to &#8220;MetroNews This Morning 5-6-24&#8221; on Spreaker.</a><br />
  962. <script async src="https://widget.spreaker.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
  963. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/metronews-this-morning-5-6-24/">MetroNews This Morning 5-6-24</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  964. ]]></content:encoded>
  968. </item>
  969. <item>
  970. <title>In defense of a &#8220;wasted&#8221; vote</title>
  971. <link>https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/in-defense-of-a-wasted-vote/</link>
  973. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Hoppy Kercheval]]></dc:creator>
  974. <pubDate>Mon, 06 May 2024 04:54:13 +0000</pubDate>
  975. <category><![CDATA[Hoppy's Commentary]]></category>
  976. <category><![CDATA[Commentary]]></category>
  977. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wvmetronews.com/?p=570841</guid>
  978.  
  979. <description><![CDATA[<p>I have talked with several people in the last few days who worry about a “wasted vote.” The argument is that voting for a candidate who has little chance of winning has no value. It is better, the argument goes, to vote for an individual who can win. I understand that argument from a statistical</p>
  980. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/in-defense-of-a-wasted-vote/">In defense of a &#8220;wasted&#8221; vote</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  981. ]]></description>
  982. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I have talked with several people in the last few days who worry about a “wasted vote.” The argument is that voting for a candidate who has little chance of winning has no value. It is better, the argument goes, to vote for an individual who <em>can </em>win.</p>
  983. <p>I understand that argument from a statistical point of view. We like to think our votes mattered in the final count. That is particularly true in local elections, where there are instances of candidates winning by just a handful of votes.</p>
  984. <p>But I disagree with it philosophically.</p>
  985. <p>Elections in a free society like ours empower voters to make personal and private statements about candidates, campaigns and issues. Each vote has numeric merit, but it also reflects an individual’s values.</p>
  986. <p>Let’s say you closely align with a particular candidate on the issues, and you truly believe they are the best person for the job.  Your vote for them reflects your deep-seated convictions. Voting for them provides a level of satisfaction; it is your choice… no one else’s.</p>
  987. <p>Yes, the argument goes, but it will not change the outcome of the election.</p>
  988. <p>My answer to that is a flippant “so what?” As I said earlier, that one vote <em>might </em>be effective in a close local race, but candidly the impact of that individual vote in most races, especially statewide or national races, means very little.</p>
  989. <p>How many times has a defeated candidate met a supporter who says, “I voted for you. I thought you were the best person for the job. I’m sorry you lost.” The candidate might genuinely appreciate that. It might lift their spirits to know that their efforts mattered, and it gives the voter a chance to connect personally with someone they agree with and admire.</p>
  990. <p>That also has value in a democracy.</p>
  991. <p>The focus on election night and afterward is typically on the number of votes the winner received and the margin of victory, but often lost in the discussion are all the people who voted for the candidate who lost. Those votes count, too.</p>
  992. <p>Abraham Lincoln said. “Elections belong to the people. It is their decision.” That is true power, and that power is not just about being on the winning side; it is an exercise of an individual’s power to state for the record their political beliefs.</p>
  993. <p>No vote that is a true expression of your beliefs is a wasted vote.</p>
  994. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  995. <p>The post <a href="https://wvmetronews.com/2024/05/06/in-defense-of-a-wasted-vote/">In defense of a &#8220;wasted&#8221; vote</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wvmetronews.com">WV MetroNews</a>.</p>
  996. ]]></content:encoded>
  1000. </item>
  1001. </channel>
  1002. </rss>
  1003.  
  1004. <!-- plugin=object-cache-pro client=phpredis metric#hits=3658 metric#misses=103 metric#hit-ratio=97.3 metric#bytes=3885064 metric#prefetches=280 metric#store-reads=99 metric#store-writes=7 metric#store-hits=288 metric#store-misses=100 metric#sql-queries=19 metric#ms-total=378.56 metric#ms-cache=21.99 metric#ms-cache-avg=0.2095 metric#ms-cache-ratio=5.8 -->
  1005.  

If you would like to create a banner that links to this page (i.e. this validation result), do the following:

  1. Download the "valid RSS" banner.

  2. Upload the image to your own server. (This step is important. Please do not link directly to the image on this server.)

  3. Add this HTML to your page (change the image src attribute if necessary):

If you would like to create a text link instead, here is the URL you can use:

http://www.feedvalidator.org/check.cgi?url=https%3A//wvmetronews.com/feed/

Home · About · News · Docs · Terms

 
Copyright © 2002-9 Sam Ruby, Mark Pilgrim, Joseph Walton, and Phil Ringnalda