EMMITSBURG, MD — Two fallen West Virginia firefighters will be honored this weekend in ceremonies in Maryland as a part of National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) will host the 43rd National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend Saturday night and Sunday morning in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

Eighty-nine firefighters died in the line of duty in 2023 and 137 firefighters died in previous years.

“National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend is a time for our nation to pause and reflect on the heroic efforts and selfless service of the fallen firefighters we are paying tribute to this year,” said NFFF CEO Victor Stagnaro. “We will always remember the bravery, commitment, and sacrifices of each of these 226 heroes and their families.”

The following West Virginia firefighters will be honored:

Forester/Wildland Firefighter Cody Mullens, 28, of the West Virginia Division of Forestry. Jones was fighting a wildland fire in Fayette County on April 13, 2023 when a tree fell and killed him.

Firefighter Ronald “Ron” Strosnider, 75, of the Capon Valley Volunteer Fire Department in Wardensville. Strosnider was responding to an emergency medical call at a residence on October 20, 2023 when he became ill at the scene. He went into cardiac arrest while being transported to a hospital. Strosnider’s cause of death was determined to be sinus bradycardia.

Each firefighter will have their name inscribed on a bronze plaque to give them a permanent place in the National Memorial. More information about the 226 firefighters being memorialized can be found on the 2024 Roll of Honor.

The National Fallen Firefighters Candlelight Service is set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday and will be hosted by Fire Captain Garon Mosby of the St. Louis Fire Department.

The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service is Sunday at 10 a.m. and will be hosted by actor Jeremy Holm. Thousands of attendees are expected at Sunday’s Memorial Service.

The NFFF will live stream both events on the NFFF’s website, firehero.org, and on their YouTube channel and Facebook page.

Lake Butler (Fla.) Union County 2025 cornerback Gavin Jenkins received a scholarship offer from West Virginia in early April and made his way to campus for the Gold-Blue game.

Jenkins, 6-foot-2, 175-pounds, was able to meet with secondary coach ShaDon Brown after he offered him a scholarship which allowed him to learn even more about the program.

“He personally told me that I’m glad you’re here and some great talent has come from your area,” he said.

The Mountaineers are targeting Jenkins as a nickel cornerback and it’s a spot where the program needs some help which makes him an intriguing fit in the 2025 recruiting class.

Brown made it clear that Jenkins brings a lot of things to the table that West Virginia wants at that position.

“He told me that he loved my film and thinks I have great versatility, great length,” he said.

And after watching the spring game, Jenkins felt that he could definitely see himself in the scheme. He also was able to sit in with some meetings and get an idea about the defense as well.

“I feel like I could come here and have a good chance of starting and the environment was great,” he said.

West Virginia cemented a spot in his top eight along with UCF, South Florida, Memphis, Toledo, East Carolina, Coastal Carolina and Western Michigan. He already has official visits set to Coastal Carolina and Toledo but is looking into setting up a visit to Morgantown as well.

“I would most definitely come back,” he said. “It definitely met my expectations.”

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) – Governor Jim Justice and Moore Capito hosted a town hall in the Parkersburg Council Chambers along with a meet & greet with the residents of Wood County to listen to their needs and concerns.

Capito expressed good things are happening in West Virginia right now and we need to continue that momentum.

Many people in West Virginia have expressed they are still struggling, and Capito wants to make sure that the momentum reaches everyone within the state.

“Making sure that we have the safest communities in the country. I have been to Wood County and Parkersburg probably dozens of times on this campaign trail over the last 17 months, and we know that public safety is critically important; that means getting the drugs off of our streets here, making sure that our kids can go to school safely and people can get to work safely. Education is absolutely critical for the future of our children” said Capito

Governor Justice also made a visit to Emerson Elementary School to present the School Building Authority award.

We will have more from Governor Justice this weekend.

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