KANAWHA CITY, W.Va. — Work is progressing on the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s three-story headquarters in Charleston’s Kanawha City neighborhood as crews begin work on the building’s southern half.

In October 2025, the state awarded a $9.7 million contract to replace the building’s HVAC system, repair the roof, reseal dozens of windows and repair the expansion joints.

DEP spokesperson Terry Fletcher told MetroNews last week that crews have completed work on the building’s northern half, or front side, and recently began work on the southern half, or back side.

He said employees whose offices are on the building’s north side have been able to return to their workspaces, while those with offices on the south side have been temporarily relocated so construction can continue.

Fletcher said the project is progressing as planned

“We’re progressing, I don’t think there’s been any issues, or concerns or holdups, so everything is moving as planned right now,” he said.

The building houses 618 state employees, including 448 DEP employees. Other agencies located in the building include PEIA, the State Consolidated Public Retirement Board and the Division of Real Estate and Rehabilitation Services.

The DEP occupies the top two floors, while the other agencies are located on the ground floor.

Fletcher said the repairs completed so far are working well, particularly the new HVAC system.

“We’ve had much more stable temps for our folks which has been great, there has been some hot days lately where we haven’t felt any of the effects, so things are certainly working out as intended right now,” he said.

Fletcher said he estimates the work will take another three to four months to complete, but he was not certain of the exact timeline.

“Again, I think they are moving as they need to, it’s been a while since I’ve looked at the timeline on all that,” he said.

WHEELING, W.Va. (WTRF) — Wheeling police are investigating a death near the Wheeling Heritage Trail by the Interstate 470 Veterans Memorial Bridge.

A large police presence was reported in the area Saturday evening, prompting multiple tips to 7News claiming a body had been found near the walking trail.

7News contacted Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger, who confirmed officers are investigating a death in the area.

Schwertfeger said a preliminary review indicates the death appears to have been the result of a bicycle accident. No additional details have been released.

This is a developing story. Stay with 7News and WTRF.com for updates as more information becomes available.

*EDITOR NOTE: Video attached to this story is from our previous coverage.*

KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WOWK) – A man has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to killing his family as a teen.

According to court documents, Gavin Smith was sentenced for the murders of his mother, stepfather and two brothers in December 2020. He was 16 years old at the time of the murders.

Before heading to trial, Smith entered a guilty plea for one charge of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder.

W.Va. Latest News:

On the charge of first-degree murder, Smith was sentenced to life in prison. For the second-degree murder charges, he has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for each count, with two being served concurrently.

Smith will be eligible for parole after 15-years for the charge of first-degree murder.

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