Virginia
Caldwell recipient of Furfari Award as premier college coach in West Virginia – WV MetroNews
— By Tim Stephens, The Herald-Dispatch
The premier college coach in West Virginia leads a program at the University of Tennessee.
Kim Caldwell, hired Sunday as head women’s basketball coach of the Volunteers, led Marshall to a 26-7 record, the Sun Belt Conference championship and its first NCAA Tournament berth since 1997 this season in her lone season with the Thundering Herd. The victory total was the most in program history.
For her effort, Caldwell was voted winner of the Furfari Award, named for longtime sports writer Mickey Furfari and presented by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association.
Caldwell won the award twice before, in 2019 and 2022, while coach at Glenville State, where she won an NCAA Division II national title two seasons ago.
“It’s an honor,” Caldwell said. “Anytime you’re considered one of the top coaches in West Virginia, a state full of great coaches, it’s amazing.”
Caldwell credited her players, assistant coaches and Marshall’s fans for Marshall’s success this season. The Herd averaged 2,066 fans per game during Sun Belt play and four times topped the 2,500 mark.
“All of Herd Nation extends our heartfelt appreciation to Coach Caldwell for the exciting season of basketball we just experienced as she led our phenomenal women’s team to new heights,” Marshall President Brad D. Smith said. “Kim reminded us of what is possible — building upon last year’s strengths and laying a foundation for success. Tennessee has wisely chosen an outstanding coach and a world-class person. We wish Kim much continued success. She will always have a fan base in Huntington.”
Caldwell also was named Sun Belt coach of the year and Women’s Basketball Coaches Association NCAA Division I rookie coach of the year. She is 217-31 in her career.
She will be honored at the 77th annual Victory Awards Dinner at 4 p.m. May 5 at River City Restaurant, 1400 Main Street, Wheeling.
Virginia
Man wanted in North Carolina murder investigation arrested in Grayson County, Virginia
GRAYSON COUNTY, Va. (WSET) — A man wanted in a North Carolina murder investigation was arrested in Grayson County, Virginia, on Friday, authorities said.
53-year-old Matthew Jared Vukmer was taken into custody without incident around 5:30 p.m. in the Little River section of the county, according to the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies say that on Friday, around 2:30 p.m., a call came in from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina about a suspect wanted for first-degree murder who was possibly in the Little River area of Grayson County.
SEE ALSO: 2 arrested in separate DUI incidents during Henry County traffic stop, sheriff says
Investigators say they immediately began preparing search warrants, and the sheriff’s office, along with the Virginia State Police, launched drones to survey and monitor the suspect’s activity.
Authorities said that after they determined the wanted individual, Vukmer, was at a location on Windwood Lane, deputies were sent to the address. Lt. Jody Poole and Deputy Adam Bolling then took Vukmer into custody without incident.
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
Vukmer was charged with being a fugitive from justice and is being held at the New River Valley Regional Jail pending extradition to North Carolina to face murder charges, according to authorities.
Virginia
Flags at half-staff in Virginia to honor Rev. Jesse Jackson
ARLINGTON, Va. (7News) — Flags are flying at half-staff in Virginia on Saturday in honor of the life of Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.
Governor Abigail Spanberger ordered that the flags be flown at half-staff on all state and local buildings and grounds in the Commonwealth in honor of Jackson. The civil rights leader died on Tuesday. He was 84.
READ MORE | Descano says victims wouldn’t aid Abdul Jalloh prosecution; here’s what we found
“We honor his decades of service as a minister, community leader, and international civil rights leader,” Spanberger wrote in the order.
The flags will remain at half-staff until sunset.
Jackson’s family confirmed he died at home, surrounded by family. He was battling the neurodegenerative disorder Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).
He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline Lavinia Brown, and their five children: Santita Jackson, former Rep. Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. (D-Ill.), Jonathan Luther Jackson, Yusef DuBois Jackson, Esq., and Jacqueline Lavinia Jackson, Jr.
ALSO SEE | Rev. Jesse Jackson, civil rights icon and longtime King protege, has died at 84
Jackson was known as a protege of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., and helped lead the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).
Jackson was with King during his assassination at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis in 1968.
Virginia
Northern Virginia security company helps evacuate nearly 4,000 amid Iran war
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (7News) — As the war in Iran stretches toward a week, evacuations out of the region continue, including efforts coordinated by a Northern Virginia-based security company that has helped move nearly 4,000 people out of the Middle East.
Global Guardian has assisted people in evacuating at least 15 countries through a combination of charter and commercial flights, according to Colin O’Brien, the company’s deputy vice president of operations. Most of them are Americans, he said.
ALSO SEE | Middle East expert says uncertain future in Iran could be just as dangerous
“The primary objective is to get them out of the Middle East, to move them to places where they have freedom of movement, where there are pre-existing commercial airline options — so places like Western Europe, Turkey, Cairo, where I have major functioning international airports that have yet to be affected by this crisis,” O’Brien explained. “And then from there, we can take our time. We can get the right plane ticket, and we can send them home.”
Meanwhile, airports, including Dulles, are experiencing some flight cancellations and delays from the Middle East.
7News was at baggage claim as people returned to America, greeting loved ones with hugs.
One man who wished to remain anonymous spoke with 7News while waiting for his daughter and grandchildren to return from the Middle East, where his son-in-law is stationed in the military.
READ ALSO | Capitol Hill grapples with Iran strategy, war powers
He said he is grateful to have them home, but it’s bittersweet because his son-in-law is still over there amid the conflict.
A woman who arrived Thursday afternoon told 7News she’s grateful to be away from potential danger but feels sorry for those who can’t leave.
-
Wisconsin6 days agoSetting sail on iceboats across a frozen lake in Wisconsin
-
Massachusetts5 days agoMassachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks
-
Maryland1 week agoAM showers Sunday in Maryland
-
Florida7 days agoFlorida man rescued after being stuck in shoulder-deep mud for days
-
Oregon1 week ago2026 OSAA Oregon Wrestling State Championship Results And Brackets – FloWrestling
-
Pennsylvania3 days agoPa. man found guilty of raping teen girl who he took to Mexico
-
News1 week ago2 Survivors Describe the Terror and Tragedy of the Tahoe Avalanche
-
Education1 week ago
After F.B.I. Raid, Los Angeles School Board Discusses Superintendent