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WVSports – Spring teaches valuable lessons, but focus shifts for West Virginia

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WVSports  –  Spring teaches valuable lessons, but focus shifts for West Virginia


Spring ball is now in the rearview mirror and West Virginia head coach Neal Brown found out some valuable things about his football team over the course of the 15 practices.

For now, this version of the Mountaineers is similar to the one that surpassed expectations last year in the sense that it’s a hungry football team that wants to compete at every level.

That was evident how the players handled business across the first 14 practices of the spring and it’s a group that likes to practice.

“Been stressing to our coaching staff that we want the best people that love football,” he said.

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The winter program benefited his team as well and West Virginia emerged from that bigger and stronger on both of the line of scrimmages. Across the board, the Mountaineers are a team that embraces physicality and that revealed itself throughout the spring as well.

“We tackle. We’ve tackled a bunch. We’re better,” Brown said.

West Virginia also has developed some depth on the offensive and defensive lines, while the linebacker group has as much competition as it has at any point under Brown. The young wide receivers on the roster also have taken steps forward in their second year in a major role which has eased most of the concerns there.

So overall, the program exits the spring in a good spot but there are still some pitfalls ahead. West Virginia must navigate the next few days when it comes to the transfer portal but due to scheduling won’t have to do that for long.

The spring window will remain open until April 30 which puts college programs in a difficult position with players electing to move on this late in the game. Brown is not a fan of the second window but understands where the priority must be when it comes to his team moving forward with spring ball done.

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“Most important thing is to continue to hold our roster together and we’ll look to add some pieces potentially in May,” he said.

The Mountaineers have already started with that last part adding Charlotte cornerback transfer Dontez Fagan over the weekend. The senior cornerback spent one year with the 49ers where he played 623 snaps and posted strong coverage numbers with 21 tackles and an interception overall to go along with 5 passes defended.

The Oklahoma native entered the portal this past week and quickly scheduled a visit to campus in order to fill a need in the secondary. He has one year left and that likely isn’t the last addition the program will make in the coming weeks.



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Virginia

God’s Doctors

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God’s Doctors


Nearly 20 million people gained health-insurance coverage between 2010 and 2016 under the Affordable Care Act. But about half of insured adults worry about affording their monthly premiums, while roughly the same number worry about affording their deductibles. At least six states don’t include dental coverage in Medicaid, and 10 still refuse to expand Medicaid to low-income adults under the ACA. Many people with addiction never get treatment.

Religious groups have stepped in to offer help—food, community support, medical and dental care—to the desperate.

Over nine months last year, the photographer Matt Eich documented the efforts of five such organizations in his home state of Virginia. These groups operate out of trailers and formerly abandoned buildings; they are led by pastors, nuns, reverends and imams. In many cases, they are the most trusted members of their communities, and they fill care gaps others can’t or won’t. —Bryce Covert


The Health Wagon
Wise, Virginia
A doctor visits with a patient at the Health Wagon in Wise, Virginia. March 14, 2023.

The Health Wagon is the oldest mobile free clinic in the country. It was founded in 1980 by Sister Bernie Kenny, a Catholic nun and nurse practitioner, who first offered care out of a Volkswagen Beetle. Today it has four mobile units that operate out of RVs, plus two buildings that offer medical and dental care. It plans to soon open the first nonprofit pharmacy in the region.

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This is Appalachia—the western tip of the state, near the Kentucky border. The place has been hit hard by the opioid crisis, and residents suffer from high rates of cardiovascular disease, mental-health problems, diabetes, asthma, and cancer. “We’re the Lung Belt, we’re the Heart Belt, we’re the Kidney-Stone Belt,” Teresa Owens Tyson, who has been with the clinic since its early days and is now its CEO, told me. Most of the people the Health Wagon serves either don’t have insurance or have such high copays and deductibles that they can’t afford to use their policies. Tyson said she’s seen lines of people 1,600 deep waiting at the clinic at 6 a.m. Dental services are in particularly high demand: A 12-year-old recently came in whose teeth were so decayed, the child already needed dentures.

Left: March 14, 2023 - Wise, Virginia. Dr. Robert Kilgore takes a dental impression for dentures at The Health Wagon Office in Wise, Virginia on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. Right: March 14, 2023 - Wise, Virginia. Dental impression for dentures at The Health Wagon Office in Wise, Virginia on Tuesday, March 14, 2023.
Dr. Robert Kilgore takes a dental impression for dentures. March 14, 2023.
Picture of a conference room at The Health Wagon in Wise, Virginia on Tuesday, March 14, 2023.
A conference room at the Health Wagon. March 14, 2023.

The Rec
Luray, Virginia
Picture of Audre King, Director of The REC (the former Andrew Jackson School) in Luray, Virginia on Friday, June 16, 2023.
Audre King, Director of The REC in Luray, Virginia on Friday, June 16, 2023.

Reverend Audre King grew up in Luray. He went away to college, got married, and was living hours away in Northern Virginia when he says God told him in a dream to go back home and begin a ministry there.

He tried to buy a long-abandoned building on his childhood block, but no bank would give him a loan. Finally, the owner agreed to sell it to him for cheap if he used it to serve the community. Digging out all of the dirt and dead animals and hooking the place up to electricity and water took months, but in 2017, the Rec was up and running.

It now serves hundreds of hot meals in area where many people live in motels without kitchens. It also provides mental-health programming, kids’ activities, a computer lab, and fitness classes. “Our goal is that anything, for whatever reason, the town or county can’t or won’t be able to fund—a resource they won’t provide—we want to be that help,” King told me.

All of its services are provided almost entirely by volunteers; the only person who gets paid is a bus driver who transports kids from their schools and homes to the Rec and back. King doesn’t take a salary for either the Rec or at the Eternal Restoration Church of God in Christ, where he serves as minister; he works for a gas company.

When he preaches at the church, he’s teaching the Gospel, he told me; but at the Rec, he’s “living the Gospel.” He pointed to Matthew 25:35–40: “For I was hungry and you gave me food … I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me.”

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Picture of Audre King guiding kids across Main Street in front of The REC (the former Andrew Jackson School) in Luray, Virginia before a group outing to a playground on Friday, June 16, 2023.
Audre King guides kids across Main Street before a group outing to a playground on Friday, June 16, 2023.
Picture of Audre King and Damon Mendez playing basketball with participants from The REC in Luray, Virginia on Friday, June 16, 2023.
Audre King and Damon Mendez play basketball with participants from the REC. June 16, 2023
Diptych showing lunch time at The REC and the REC building
Left: Lunch time at the REC. Right: Damon Mendez carries a speaker into the REC. June 16, 2023

CrossOver Healthcare Ministry
Richmond, Virginia
Picture of Marilyn Metzler, RN interacting with Father Markorieos Ava Mina at CrossOver Healthcare Ministry in Richmond, Virginia.
Marilyn Metzler, a registered nurse who has volunteered for 27 years, speaks with Father Markorieos Ava Mina at CrossOver Healthcare Ministry in Richmond, Virginia. June 1, 2023.

Last fiscal year, CrossOver treated more than 6,700 patients, over half of whom came from other countries as immigrants and refugees. Most undocumented immigrants can’t access Medicaid; those who can may still struggle to navigate the complex health-care system, especially if English isn’t their first language. The interdenominational group runs two free clinics offering primary care as well as cardiology and pulmonology, OB-GYN care, dental and vision care, behavioral-health services, pediatric care for children over 3, and a low-cost pharmacy. CrossOver relies on more than 400 volunteers to see patients, and still can’t open up enough appointments for everyone who comes seeking care: “We turn away about 30 to 35 people a week,” Julie Bilodeau, the group’s CEO, told me.

Diptych showing CrossOver Healthcare Ministry in Richmond, Virginia
Scenes from CrossOver Healthcare Ministry. June 1, 2023.
Picture of Maria Santiago Morente receiving an ultrasound from Laurel Wallace, D.O., a volunteer at CrossOver Healthcare Ministry in Richmond, Virginia on Thursday, June 1, 2023.
Maria Santiago Morente receives an ultrasound from Laurel Wallace, D.O., a volunteer at CrossOver Healthcare Ministry on Thursday, June 1, 2023.

Adams Compassionate Healthcare Network

Chantilly, Virginia

About 10 years ago, Yahya Alvi applied for a job at the Adams Compassionate Healthcare Network, half an hour from Washington, D.C. The organization’s president told him that his dream was to open a free clinic. “That is my passion,” Alvi responded. He started by securing empty space at a nearby mosque and taking free equipment from a clinic that was giving it away. At the beginning, he employed only one doctor and himself, and the clinic was open just one day a week.

Today, it operates six days a week and has two paid nurse practitioners in addition to the two doctors. The clinic was founded by Muslims, but it accepts anyone without insurance or the money to pay for medical care, from anywhere in the country and practicing any religion. “Our religion says that all human beings are created by God almighty,” Alvi told me. “And all deserve equal treatment.”

Picture of ADAMS Compassionate Healthcare Network in Chantilly, Virginia
ADAMS Compassionate Healthcare Network in Chantilly, Virginia. November 13, 2023.
Picture of a patient receiving an eye examination from a volunteer doctor at ADAMS Compassionate Healthcare Network in Chantilly, Virginia.
A patient receives an eye examination from a volunteer doctor at Adams. August 12, 2023.
Left photograph showing Tori Finney, a volunteer, measuring a patient at ADAMS.  Right photograph showing Dr. Fathiya Warsame helping a patient at ADAMS
Left: Tori Finney, a volunteer, measures a patient at Adams. August 12, 2023. Right: Dr. Fathiya Warsame helps a patient at Adams. November 13, 2023.
Picture of Dr. Sadia Ali Aden, MD, Executive Director at ADAMS Compassionate Healthcare Network in Chantilly, Virginia
Dr. Sadia Ali Aden, the executive director of Adams Compassionate Healthcare Network. November 13, 2023.
Picture of ADAMS Compassionate Healthcare Network in Chantilly, Virginia
Adams Compassionate Healthcare Network. November 13, 2023.

Madam Russell United Methodist

Saltville, Virginia

Picture of Pastor Lisa Bryant at Madam Russell Memorial United Methodist Church in Saltville, Virginia
Pastor Lisa Bryant at Madam Russell Memorial United Methodist Church in Saltville, Virginia. March 13, 2023.

One day in 2021, Steve Hunt was on the side of the road, trying to hitchhike to a grocery store about seven miles from his home in Saltville, Virginia. Hunt had lost his sight a few years earlier, after an infection in his leg went septic and he fell and knocked his retinas loose. Lisa Bryant saw him when she pulled up at a stop sign. She’s a pastor, and she had just finished a service at one church and had to be at another in an hour. She was in a hurry. But just the week before, she had preached about Jesus calling his followers to bring the blind and suffering to him. She gave Hunt a ride.

The interaction came at a crucial time for Hunt. “I was at bottom at that point,” he told me. His house was strewn with glass shards because he kept breaking things. He was struggling with addiction. “Everything was falling down around me, mentally and emotionally,” he said. “I was asking God to kill me that day she picked me up.”

Instead, Hunt started going to the new 12-step program Bryant had started at her main church, Madam Russell United Methodist. “They just kind of pulled around me, supported me,” he said of the congregation. He’s helped Bryant expand that program, the only one in a town where opioid use is rife but all the addiction-recovery programs are oversubscribed. Bryant has also set up community-service opportunities at her church for people convicted of drug offenses, and is working to secure transitional housing for people dealing with addiction.

Bryant doesn’t think the point of being a Christian is just to get to heaven after death, but to see the kingdom of heaven on Earth, too. She’s realized that “giving these people a new community, a healthy community, is one of the best things we can do for them,” she said. “We all need each other. That’s just how we’re created.”

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Picture of people gathering before a meeting of the Saltville 12 Step Recovery Group in the basement of Madam Russell Memorial United Methodist Church in Saltville, Virginia
People gather before a meeting of the Saltville 12 Step Recovery Group in the basement of Madam Russell Memorial United Methodist Church. March 13, 2023.
Picture of Saltville, Virginia.
Saltville, Virginia. March 13, 2023.

Support for this story was provided by the Magnum Foundation, in partnership with the Commonwealth Fund.



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No. 13 Aggies Upset No. 5 Virginia, Advance to NCAA Final Four – Texas A&M Athletics – 12thMan.com

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No. 13 Aggies Upset No. 5 Virginia, Advance to NCAA Final Four – Texas A&M Athletics – 12thMan.com


STILLWATER – The No. 13 Texas A&M women’s tennis claimed its spot in the NCAA Tournament Final Four for the second time in program history after upsetting No. 5 Virginia Friday at the Greenwood Tennis Center, 4-1.
 
The Aggies (26-7) continued their trend of upsets in the NCAA Tournament with a dominant showing in singles, which was capped off by standout freshman Lucciana Perez to ensure the 4-1 victory over Virginia (25-5), as Texas A&M booked its spot in the tournament semifinals.
 
High quality back-and-forth play started off the match, as the Maroon & White and the Cavaliers each secured a court in doubles play. The decider came down to court 1, where Virginia snatched a tiebreak victory to lead heading into singles.
 
Needing to regain the momentum in the match, No. 26 Nicole Khirin did just that with a dominant display on court 3 besting No. 91 Sara Ziodato (6-4, 6-1) to tie the squads up at one.
 
The nation’s best, No. 1 Mary Stoiana, followed suit on court 1, as the junior captured her 20th-ranked win of the season with a straight-set victory over No. 24 Hibah Shaikh (6-2, 6-1).
 
Leaving the Maroon & White one point from the win was Jeanette Mireles on court 6. She faced Melodie Collard and after a competitive 6-4 opening set, she closed out the second frame only dropping two games (6-2), to give A&M the 3-1 advantage.
 
Dealing the final blow and punching the Aggies ticket to the semifinals was the SEC Freshman of the Year Perez. She battled with No. 125 Elaine Chervinsky on court 5 through a pair of tough sets, ultimately outlasting her opponent (6-4, 6-4) to clinch the match result, 4-1.
 
Both No. 88 Carson Branstine on court 2 and No. 45 Mia Kupres on court 4 were leading in their matches before the overall results was decided.
 
COACH’S QUOTES
Head coach Mark Weaver on the team’s impressive performance …
“That was a very impressive performance by our group. It was an exciting doubles point that came down to the wire. There was a lot of nerves on both sides. Those doubles points are kind of a roll of the dice and sometimes they can go either way. Excellent composure by the girls to win all six first sets [in singles] and really set the tone there. We brought it, and you could see the confidence growing on our side of the court. It’s a big stage out there and we really handled it well, especially in singles. I’m very proud of our group.”

Mary Stoiana on the team’s confidence …
“We all knew we were capable at playing at this level. We know we can take down any team in any way. We’re really confident and excited to keep it rolling. We’re trying to do something really special here.”

Up Next
The Aggies return to the court tomorrow for the tournament semifinals, where they will take on the winner of No. 8 UCLA and No. 16 Tennessee with first serve set for 6:30 p.m.

Match Results
Singles Results
(TAMU) No. 1 Mary Stoiana Def. (UVA) No. 24 Hiba Shaikh (6-2, 6-1)
(TAMU) No. 88 Carson Branstine – (UVA) No. 67 Annabelle Xu (7-5, 2-2) unfinished
(TAMU) No. 26 Nicole Khirin Def. (UVA) No. 91 Sara Ziodato (6-4, 6-1)
(TAMU) No. 45 Mia Kupres – (UVA) Natasha Subhash (7-6(2), 2-1) unfinished
(TAMU) Lucciana Perez Def. (UVA) No. 125 Elaine Chervinsky (6-4, 6-4)
(TAMU) Jeanette Mireles Def. (UVA) Melodie Collard (6-4, 6-2)

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Double Results
(UVA) No. 8 Melodie Collard/Elaine Chervinsky Def. (TAMU) No. 7 Mary Stoiana/Mia Kupres (7-6(5))
(TAMU) Carson Branstine/Lucciana Perez Def. (UVA) Hibah Shaikh/Natasha Subhash (7-5)
(UVA) No. 88 Sara Ziodato/Meggie Navaro Def. (TAMU) Nicole Khirin/Jeanette Mireles (6-4)

FOLLOW THE AGGIES
Visit 12thman.com for more information on Texas A&M women’s tennis. Fans can keep up to date with the A&M women’s tennis team on Facebook, Instagram, and on X by following @AggieWTEN.





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Republican candidates for Virginia U.S. Senate seat speak at public forum

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Republican candidates for Virginia U.S. Senate seat speak at public forum


AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) – In a divisive political atmosphere, and a divided Virginia government, the 2024 election is important in the Commonwealth.

The presidential election is not Virginians’ only item on the ballot this year—the U.S. Senate spot held by Democratic incumbent Tim Kaine is up for election this year.

Kaine plans to rerun for the spot, launching his campaign in Virginia. The Republican Party is looking to take control of the seat and take down the Democrat’s lead in the Senate.

The Virginia Ballot will see five different names on June 18 when the primary elections take place. Those names are:

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All of the candidates, except for Cao, were in Augusta County for a public forum to win over voters.

Though they had their differences, each of them agreed on wanting to take down Kaine in November. Kaine has held a political position since 1994, when he was elected to Richmond City Council.

Parkinson was the first to speak at the forum. He hoped to charm the audience with his dedication to his family and his desire to fix issues, like the drug problem the Shenandoah Valley faces. However, he wanted voters to understand he would protect the rights given to them by the Constitution, like the right to a comfortable life.

“I’m running on public safety, ending the illegal immigration crisis from the southern border, stopping fentanyl from getting into our communities and the cost of living is crushing the American family, the middle-class, and I want to make sure we attack “Bidenflation”, and all the policies Tim Kaine is supporting,” Parkinson said.

The next speaker, Emord, said his experience as a constitutional lawyer set him apart from the others. In his career, he “took down bureaucrats” and worked to protect people from bureaucratic leaders attempting to make legislation under the table. He said he would help Virginians keep money in their pockets and live the lives they choose.

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“We don’t need bureaucrats telling us how to live, we know how to live ourselves, and we need them to get out of the way. That’s what the people of this area of Virginia believe strongly. I know that, I’ve been here many, many times,” Emord said. “They want the government out of their lives, and that’s what I want to do, I want to get there and get them out.”

Eddie Garcia, a U.S. Army veteran who served for more than 20 years, wanted the crowd to understand he comes from an average background. One of his selling points he said was the lack of endorsements/money given from people in Congress. He said he understands the working class and wants to support them, rather than be above the working class and not support them.

“The people in Washington D.C. have enriched themselves, they have increased their power and control over everybody’s lives. The working people, the farmers, the ranchers, the single moms, the landscapers, the bricklayers, the construction workers, all those people who put on their hard hats, who lace their work boots, they show up to work before the sun comes up and they don’t go up until the sun goes down,” Garcia said. “These people are getting left behind.”

Smith was the last speaker, his campaign focused on the national issues that are constantly debated in Congress but never solved. He emphasized the importance of immigration reform to voters in the crowd.

“I will stand up for the constitution, I will make sure that our border is under check. My personal belief is that we should not have any type of immigration until we get our border fixed. The people who are currently in the system can proceed, but no new applications until we can get our border under control,” Smith said.

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You can find more information about each candidate’s platform on their campaign websites.



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