Virginia

West Virginia Turnpike tolls increasing

Published

1 year ago

January 1, 2025

KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) – ”Nothing has changed since I was a kid. The roads are worse,” Tina Martin, a traveler on the West Virginia Turnpike, said.

Martin grew up using the West Virginia Turnpike and paying tolls, but she was surprised to hear the price was raising by a quarter at each toll plaza starting New Year’s Day.

“Matter of fact, I forgot when we were coming back down about the tolls until I saw, you know. I said ‘oh my God, they’re still, still doing this now.’ I didn’t know it was going up to $4.50.”

Martin lives in Roanoke, Virginia, now and said her grandchildren asked her why they charged people to go through the turnpike.

“Well, honey, let me tell you a story about that. When I was a little girl, they built this turnpike and I said the tolls that they took were supposedly to pay for the road,” Martin said.

She said her grandchildren questioning the tolls has her doing the same after all these years.

“If a child understands that every time we come through here and she says every single car is getting $4.25, that’s a lot of money.”

State officials said they’d like to add credit card readers at toll plazas in 2025 and Martin said it was an option she almost needed on New Year’s Eve.

“We were just lucky that I had a few you know had some dollars coming down the road because usually I just have cards. I forgot about the tolls so I think that’s a good idea.”

Unlike Martin, some travelers didn’t seem bothered by the increase because they use an E-Z pass to travel through multiple states, but you’ll need an extra quarter for each toll if you’re traveling next year.

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Virginia

First responders train in Blacksburg

Published

10 hours ago

June 18, 2026

Press Room

BLACKSBURG, Va. (WDBJ) – First responders never stop training, and this week almost 500 from across Virginia are honing their skills in Blacksburg.

The Virginia Association of First Responders now includes EMTs, firefighters, police officers and many others who answer the call in an emergency.

Thursday, a farm accident and a collision involving a car and school bus were just two of the scenarios they encountered.

“It’s a week-long opportunity, not only for technical stuff like this, but for medical classes,” said Covington Volunteer Rescue Squad member Greg Burton. “People call 911 every day for something. And we’re just here to help ease the problem a little bit.”

The annual conference also includes a Rescue Camp for young people with an interest in emergency services.

43 campers are taking part in a variety of activities, including a session on scuba diving Thursday afternoon.

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Virginia

Brush fire in Virginia Beach set by children playing with fire

Published

20 hours ago

June 18, 2026

Press Room

Brush fire in Virginia Beach set by children playing with fire

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — A brush fire in a wooded area on Criollo Drive Wednesday afternoon was set by children playing with fire, according to the Virginia Beach Police Department.

Units with Virginia Beach Fire and Virginia Beach Police were dispatched to the 3700 block of Criollo Drive in reference to a report of a possible fire in a wooded area at approximately 5 p.m.

Upon arrival, crews saw light smoke coming from a wooded area. They quickly had the brush fire under control at 6:05 p.m. and marked out at 6:37 p.m.

There were no injuries reported to civilians, firefighters or pets.

A VBFD Fire Investigator determined that the fire was set by kids playing with fire.

There are no charges being filed currently.

Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.

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