Virginia
War Paint: Lawsuit over West Virginia Capitol mural project possible
An employee of John Canning and Co. installs the Seneca Rocks mural that includes Babydog, Gov. Jim Justice’s pet English bulldog, on June 12. (Photo courtesy of WV Legislative Photography)
CHARLESTON — The West Virginia agency that approves improvements to the State Capitol Building and other properties on the Capitol grounds signed off on renovations to the historic Holly Grove mansion and upgrades to Capitol bathrooms and conference rooms.
However, there was no talk at Wednesday’s meeting of the Capitol Building Commission regarding the historic and allegorical mural project in the upper rotunda of the State Capitol Building after it was revealed that the commission had no role in the project since a 2010 vote.
The commission was also not involved in the inclusion at the 11th hour of Babydog, Gov. Jim Justice’s English bulldog companion, in one of the first four murals that were dedicated on West Virginia Day last month. But a Kanawha County attorney and his client were in attendance at Wednesday morning’s meeting as they consider bringing a lawsuit over the project.
Attorney Harvey Peyton of the Nitro-based Peyton Law Firm is representing Gregory S. Morris of Huntington. Peyton said his client is considering a lawsuit against the state Department of Arts, Culture and History, the Capitol Building Commission, and other state agencies involved in the mural project and the lack of followed processes under state law.
Peyton said he has filed a 30-day notice to WVDACH and other state agencies of his intentions to sue. State law requires a 30-day notice before filing suit against the state, with all state agency lawsuits filed in the Kanawha County Circuit Court. However, Peyton said he is still gathering information and documents to determine if a lawsuit is worth pursuing.
“In order to have any jurisdiction to bring an action, you have to send a written notice to department heads. Otherwise, there’s no jurisdiction to bring a claim,” Peyton said. “It doesn’t mean you’re going to bring a lawsuit. It just means you’ve satisfied the jurisdictional requirement to bring a claim…So, we’ll see. I don’t know. I’ve got a client to represent. It depends on what he wants to do.”
A request for comment from WVDACH was not returned Wednesday. WVDACH Cabinet Secretary Randall Reid-Smith, the chairman of the Capitol Building Commission, quickly left the meeting upon adjournment.
The four murals depict historic Harper’s Ferry and the John Brown fort; the battle of Philippi during the Civil War; an allegorical scene based on the State Seal; and artists, musicians, and wildlife at the base of Seneca Rocks. The murals are supposed to be based on ideas and concepts that famed Capitol architect Cass Gilbert had wanted to include in the building but was unable to due to costs during the start of the Great Depression.
The Governor’s Office released the artist renderings of the murals in April, but an ad hoc committee made up of two cabinet secretaries, two officials in the Governor’s Office, and the director of the State Museum recommended changes to the murals by Connecticut-based John Canning and Co. Those changes involved adding Babydog to the Seneca Rocks mural.
According to past statements by Reid-Smith, the artist selection process for the murals was first approved on April 14, 2010, by the Capitol Building Commission, which is required by State Code to review, approve, or reject any changes to the State Capitol Building, other buildings on the State Capitol Complex, and changes to the grounds. Multiple companies participated in the pre-bid process at the time, including John Canning and Co., but the project was scrapped due to lack of funding.
The project was revived by Reid-Smith in 2021, using the 2010 vote by the Capitol Building Commission to move forward. Yet, at no time did the Capitol Building Commission vote between 2021 and 2024 to re-start the project and the commission was not consulted on the look of the murals. According to the state Purchasing Division, the project was not put out for competitive bid, citing Section 9 of the Purchasing Division Procedures Handbook’s “impossible-to-bid list,” which includes items such as artwork and historical items.
The project, which includes four more murals, is slated to cost more than $509,000 according to the purchase order agreement between WVDACH and John Canning and Co. To date, more than $348,000 has been paid to John Canning and Co. for the mural project.
“The state’s going to spend over a half million dollars on this deal, at least the way I read the documents I’ve already seen,” Peyton said. “There’s a purchasing handbook that you have to comply with, there’s a statute about changes to the Capitol you have to comply with, and there’s a specific provision in the purchasing handbook about changes to the capitol, but nobody seems to be paying any attention to it.”
In other news, the Capitol Building Commission approved of renovations to bathrooms on the third floor of the State Capitol Building’s west wing. The two bathrooms will be renovated to match bathroom renovations made by the state Senate to bathrooms on the second floor of the west wing a few years ago.
The commission approved of renovation plans for Holly Grove, a historic mansion located beside the Governor’s Mansion on the corner of Kanawha Blvd. East and Greenbrier Street. According to the West Virginia Encyclopedia, Holly Grove was first built in 1815 by Daniel Ruffner, one of the area’s many saltmakers. Holly Grove has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1974. Once renovated, Holly Grove will become the headquarters of the State Historic Preservation Office.
Finally, the commission approved alterations to a conference room that will be used by the House of Delegates for meetings of the House Rules Committee and other functions. Last year, the House of Delegates chamber underwent an extensive renovation project. Other House offices and conference rooms are being painted and renovated.
Steven Allen Adams can be reached at sadams@newsandsentinel.com
Virginia
Colorado, Deion Sanders to hire former highly-touted DC as defensive assistant
Colorado is expected to hire former Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Chris Marve as its next linebackers coach, according to CBS Sports. Marve served as the Hokies DC from 2022-2024.
Marve has previous experience on defensive staffs at Vanderbilt, his alma mater, Mississippi State, Florida State and Virginia Tech. He’s been in the coaching industry since 2014 when he was brought on as a defensive assistant with the Commodores.
By the time he left his alma mater in 2018, he had worked his way up to inside linebackers coach. He was brought on at Mississippi State in 2019 as the Bulldogs’ defensive run game coordinator and linebackers coach. His run there lasted one year before moving on to coach at Florida State for two seasons as the Seminoles’ linebackers coach.
ACC foe Virginia Tech would poach him away ahead of the 2022 season, where he stayed until he was fired following the 2024 season. He spent the 2025 season away from college football, and will now get another shot by joining Deion Sanders’ staff in 2026.
His playing days spanned from 2007-2011, where he has a three-time All-SEC linebacker for the Vanderbilt Commodores. Marve also earned Freshman All-American honors in 2008.
He’ll join a Buffaloes program that finished the 2025 season with a 3-9 record, which included a 1-8 record vs. conference opponents. This came in the fallout of their 9-win season led by current Cleveland Browns QB Sheduer Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter.
Colorado wide receiver Dre’lon Miller plans to enter NCAA Transfer Portal
Colorado wide receiver Dre’lon Miller plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, per On3’s Pete Nakos. He caught 20 passes for 158 yards and a touchdown this past season.
His 2024 season was a bit better. Miller caught 32 passes for 277 yards and three touchdowns prior. He’s shown he can get the job done when there’s some solid quarterback play on offense.
Miller played high school football at Silsbee (Silsbee, TX), where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 141 overall recruit in the 2024 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted algorithm that complies all major recruiting media services.
Time will tell where he ends up next. There will certainly be plenty of interest in his services when the time comes.
To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.
Virginia
Virginia Democratic operative arrested on child pornography charges
WARNING: This story contains material some readers may find disturbing due to its graphic content. Reader discretion is advised.
RICHMOND, Va. — A Virginia Democratic operative is accused of distributing child pornography.
Randon Alexander Sprinkle, 30, allegedly engaged in conversations with an undercover FBI agent in May of this year through the Jack’d app under the name “Randy.”
The 9-page affidavit states that Sprinkle asked the agent to move their conversation to Telegram, where he allegedly wrote “mostly into young, rape, incest – you?”
The arrest has prompted swift condemnation from elected officals who worked with Sprinkle in various capacities.
Richmond City Council Vice President Katherine Jordan said Sprinkle served as her 2024 campaign treasurer, handling campaign forms, events and financial reporting.
“What has been alleged is disgusting and abhorrent,” Jordan said in a statement. “I’m shocked and sickened.”
1st District Council member Andrew Breton also used Sprinkle’s services for campaign finance reports and event logistics.
“The allegations are shocking and disturbing. I am grateful that law enforcement is involved, and that justice is taking its course,” Breton said.
Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan, who has appeared in several photos with Sprinkle that he posted on X, also responded through spokesman Jared Leopold.
“Congresswoman McClellan is shocked by these appalling accusations which should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Leopold stated.
Sprinkle previously served as a leader in the Young Democrats of Virginia and held a financial director position with the Democratic Part of Virginia.
He has also been photographed with Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger. Spanberger’s representatives have not responded to requests for comment.
The FBI affidavit confirms that 68 files were extracted during a forensic sweep of Sprinkle’s electronic devices, some with disturbing titles. Legal expert Ed Riley said the investigation may have uncovered evidence of distribution through peer-to-peer networks where individuals exchange illegal video files and images.
If convicted on the single charge of distribution of child pornography, Sprinkle faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison, with potential sentencing up to 20 years.
“If they find the images and they can connect you to the images, you’re not dealing with the merits of the case anymore. You’re dealing with the resolution that it’s going to be,” Riley said.
Sprinkle is currently being held at the Northern Neck Regional Jail in Warsaw.
This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have additional information to share.
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Virginia
Penn State transfer opens the door for a James Franklin reunion at Virginia Tech
Things are beginning to slow down for James Franklin since being hired at Virginia Tech in November. Sure, you can say that it never really slows down for a college football coach, but since signing his contract in Blacksburg, he has made major strides in recruiting, bringing the Hokies from near the bottom of the FBS to a Top 25 class with the Class of 2026.
Franklin has also been building his first staff at Virginia Tech. In both cases, recruiting and coaching additions, he has gone back to his Penn State roots to pluck both recruits and coaches. Heck, he is even reportedly bringing back former Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry, who was fired in September to open the door for Franklin to come to Tech, as his defensive coordinator.
The transfer portal opens up next month, and there are going to be several needs that Franklin and his staff are going to have to address. There are going to be several portal targets, and one of them announced he was leaving Penn State and made it clear that he was thankful for Franklin for his time in State College. Is it a sign of things to come when he enters the portal?
Penn State transfer Chaz Coleman opens door for reunion with James Franklin
It was reported by Hayes Fawcett of Rivals and On3 that five-star Penn State edge Chaz Coleman was entering the transfer portal. Coleman quoted the post on X, formerly known as Twitter, and made it a point to thank Franklin and his staff for believing in him.
“After much thought and consideration, I have decided to enter the transfer portal this coming January to pursue other opportunities. I’d like thank James Franklin and his staff for believing in me and teaching me what it means to believe in myself,” Coleman wrote.
Coleman becomes one of the most coveted players when the portal opens, and the Warren, Ohio native will have no shortage of suitors. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound edge rusher played well as a freshman for the Nittany Lions with eight tackles in five games. Several of the top programs are going to be in on him. Don’t be surprised if Ohio State makes a major push for him.
As far as Virginia Tech goes, does Franklin get in the mix? That remains to be seen, but stranger things have happened. He would be a tremendous get for the Hokies, who need help along the defensive side of the ball along the line. Did he call out Franklin by coincidence, or is there an underlying message there? Most likely the first one, but we’ll see.
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