A coal miner remains missing and trapped after catastrophic flooding struck the Rolling Thunder Mine in Drennen, Nicholas County, in central West Virginia, over the weekend. The miner—a crew foreman whose name has not yet been released—was assisting his team to safety when he was caught by rising waters.

The torrent was unleashed deep inside the mine when an unknown pocket was struck. The incident occurred about three-quarters of a mile into the Rolling Thunder Mine, which is owned by Alpha Metallurgical Resources (AMR). Other crew members managed to escape, but the foreman was overtaken by the flood.

The accident was reported at around 1:30 p.m. Saturday to the county emergency management office; all other miners on the team have been accounted for. The area remains flooded and the extent of the devastation below ground is still unclear.

Rescue operations began promptly and have been complicated by challenging conditions such as murky water, unstable underground air pockets, and the sheer depth of the site. For three days, crews have coordinated with county officials, state agencies, and national cave rescue experts.

Divers are working to locate any air pockets that may have provided a temporary refuge for the missing miner. Teams have employed underwater drones to try and pinpoint his location while simultaneously pumping water from the flooded section and drilling boreholes to lower water levels more rapidly.

The complexity of the effort reflects both the seriousness of the situation and the persistent danger in the coal mining industry.

The West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety, and Training (OMHST) and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) have been present on the scene. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, while covering for the $2 billion mining corporation, has postured as a friend of the miners saying, “There is nothing that we would spare to try to save the life of the miner,” and assuring that all available resources, including national experts, are being utilized in the search operation. The company has not issued a single word on the disaster.

Nicholas County Commissioner Garrett Cole described the scene as one of relentless work and notes that while divers have entered the mine more than once, the process of pumping out enough water to allow exploration remains an immense challenge.

AMR has not answered critical questions about safety protocols and mine conditions at Rolling Thunder Mine. Backing up the governor, UMWA President Cecil Roberts and Region 2 Director Mike Dalpiaz have stepped in to divert and contain the anger of coal miners.

Roberts issued a statement that did not hold the company or the government responsible, saying, “This disaster is a reminder of the risks our miners confront daily, and we will do everything possible to support our brothers, their families, and the teams working underground now.”

West Virginia (WOAY)- Communities across southern West Virginia are preparing to honor the men and women who’ve served our nation with a full slate of Veterans Day events.

In Summersville, a ceremony is set for 11:11 a.m. at Veterans Park.

Mayor Robert Shafer will deliver what will be his final public speech before leaving office at the end of December.

Beckley will host its annual Veterans Day Parade beginning at 11:00 a.m. The theme this year is “Service to our Nation, Forever Grateful.”

Lineup starts as early as nine at Park Middle School and the Beckley Intermodal Gateway.

A Memory and Honor Walk will allow families to march with photos or mementos of their loved ones.

An awards ceremony and musical performances will follow at the Bill Withers Plaza.

In Welch, the 107th Annual Veterans Day Parade steps off downtown at 10:00 a.m., celebrating this year’s theme “In Unity Comes Strength, In Honor Comes Veterans.”

Fayetteville’s Veterans Parade begins at 11:00 a.m., with lineup at Fayetteville PK-8 at 10. The parade will travel down Maple Avenue toward the courthouse.

And in Princeton, the city’s parade starts at 11:00 a.m. on Mercer Street, with the lineup at 10:00.

The route ends at the Mercer County Courthouse, where veterans and families are invited to gather in remembrance and celebration.

Organizers across the region are encouraging everyone to come out, wave a flag, and show appreciation for those who’ve served.

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The good news for the Colorado Buffaloes is that they didn’t give up 50 or more points in their first game in three weeks. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to save their season.

A 29-22 loss to the West Virginia Mountaineers takes the Buffs out of bowl contention and effectively ends their season with two games left. Despite that, numerous fans and media members walked away feeling more positive about the future of Deion Sanders‘ team than they have all year, thanks to the fight they showed and the emerging stars.

Here are the four players who stood out in Colorado’s frustrating loss to West Virginia.

QB Julian Lewis

One of the primary reasons Colorado fans woke up this morning a little more hopeful about their team is Lewis. Once the true freshman got his feet underneath him in his first start, he looked like a veteran commanding the offense behind a makeshift offensive line. Lewis’s poise and ability to create in the pocket were a bit unexpected, but his arm talent was on full display. This game is not even close without Lewis under center, and it’s a promising sight for the Buffs.

DT Brandon Davis-Swain

Davis-Swain has been an on-and-off player for the Buffaloes’ front-7, but on Saturday, he had his best game of the season. The sophomore defensive tackle was a force to be reckoned with in the middle of the field, racking up four tackles, including a sack. His forced fumble was a turning point that kept the Buffaloes in the game, down 9-0 after a failed fourth-down conversion.

WR Joseph Williams

While Omarion Miller was Colorado’s top wideout, Williams was not far behind. The sophomore emerged early in the season as a deep threat, but he’s continued to develop his game to work within the numbers. The Tulsa transfer appears to be developing a connection with Lewis, which, if given time, could turn into a special duo for Colorado.

S Tawfiq Byard

If you just looked at the stat sheet, you’d have no idea that Byard was forced to miss the first half due to a targeting penalty against Arizona. There’s no question that Byard likes to hit people, but his presence on the defense made an incredible impact to open the second half. The sophomore safety was part of their midseason renaissance, and he’ll play a significant role in the team’s future.

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