West Virginia
Decades of friendship: Willie Akers remembers Jerry West
WEST VIRGINIA (WOWK) – Basketball legend and West Virginia native Jerry West knew thousands of people, and millions knew him, but it’s safe to say one person who knew him best lives in Logan County, West Virginia.
Willie Akers has been able to call Jerry West his friend for nearly 70 years. The pair met at the leadership academy, Mountaineer Boys State, in 1955 and the rest is history. The news of West’s passing has made Wednesday a tough day for Akers. The last time the two spoke was just Tuesday.
The duo agreed to play at WVU together and did everything they could by each other’s side while they were in Morgantown.
“We were there from that time on. It was just a dream because we studied together, took classes together – everywhere we went was together,” Akers said. “And sometimes people thought there was something wrong with us ’cause we were playing ball and that was it. But we had a wonderful life and friendship from that time up until the very last minute.”
But when they were in high school, they competed against one another. When asked if he preferred playing with or against West, Akers knew his answer without hesitation.
“With him. He was too good to play against, but he was just a certain kinda guy that everybody liked him and they appreciated what he did,” Akers said.
The pair of friends both played in the inaugural game at the Logan Field House in 1958, which is now called the Willie Akers Arena. In that game, West Virginia University played William and Mary College, with WVU taking home the win.
Akers remembers his dear friend as a humble man who was more than just his legendary basketball career. Akers says becoming “The Logo” didn’t change that.
“He didn’t think he was worthy of it,” Akers said. “It’s the truth! I know he’s proud of it but he said that ‘I don’t know, it’s okay.’ But that’s the way he is. He has all of these trophies and whatnot in the Greenbrier where he owns the restaurant with Jim Justice. And all that stuff means nothing to him.”
Akers tells WOWK 13 News West was far more charitable than anyone really knows because he didn’t make a big deal of his actions.
“Jerry West was a person that didn’t want people to know what he had done. He liked to be in the background of it, but he didn’t want anybody giving him any publicity for it. I could name you many things that he has done for the university, but I’m not going to get into that because he didn’t want me to,” Akers said.
Beyond the public moments, there were also some very private ones. Over the years, Jerry West has spoken of his struggles with depression, and Akers was one of the people who helped him pull through some of the darkest times.
The two have shared milestones in their lives and their families’ lives throughout their decades of friendship, and now Akers and their families are mourning this monumental loss together.
BARBOURSVILLE, W.Va. (WCHS) — State regulators are reviewing whether a Cabell County septic system is failing or distressed.
The Public Service Commission heard public comment and testimony on Wednesday on the Linmont septic system in Cabell County.
The Linmont subdivision is located just outside the city limits of Barboursville and has about 85 residents.
Linmont said it cannot afford the required DEP treatment upgrades estimated at more than $300,000.
The manager of the septic system is wanting someone else to take over the system. Kenneth Toler testified that he can’t secure a loan to get the necessary work done.
Toler said if rates were raised to an amount to pay for the work many of the residents wouldn’t be able to pay it.
Ten witnesses were expected to testify during the hearing. Barboursville Mayor Chris Tatum also testified objecting to the possibility that Barboursville could be forced to take over the system.
“Why should our residents be punished with rate increases because another entity has not done their due diligence to take care of their system,” Tatum said.
The administrative law judge said a decision would not be made Wednesday.
A DECISION WOULD NOT BE MADE TODAY
West Virginia
West Virginia Lottery results: See winning numbers for Mega Millions, Daily 3 on Jan. 6, 2026
Are you looking to win big? The West Virginia Lottery offers a variety of games if you think it’s your lucky day.
Lottery players in West Virginia can choose from popular national games like the Powerball and Mega Millions, which are available in the vast majority of states. Other games include Lotto America, Daily 3, Daily 4 and Cash 25.
Big lottery wins around the U.S. include a lucky lottery ticketholder in California who won a $1.27 billion Mega Millions jackpot in December 2024. See more big winners here. And if you do end up cashing a jackpot, here’s what experts say to do first.
Here’s a look at Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from Jan. 6 drawing
09-39-47-58-68, Mega Ball: 24
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Daily 3 numbers from Jan. 6 drawing
4-6-3
Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Daily 4 numbers from Jan. 6 drawing
1-7-7-8
Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 25 numbers from Jan. 6 drawing
03-04-10-19-21-24
Check Cash 25 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the West Virginia Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 11 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10:59 p.m. ET Tuesday and Friday.
- Lotto America: 10:15 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Daily 3, 4: 6:59 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday.
- Cash 25: 6:59 p.m. ET Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Every game is extremely important from here on out for West Virginia, but tonight’s matchup with Cincinnati is one they cannot afford to drop. The Bearcats are one of the weaker teams in the league, and with Kansas on deck, it’s one Ross Hodge and Co. have to get.
Do they get the job done? Here are our picks for tonight’s contest.
Schuyler Callihan: West Virginia 64, Cincinnati 59
With or without Brenen Lorient (concussion protocol), I believe West Virginia is the better team, especially at home. Sure, they looked overwhelmed last Friday in Ames against Iowa State, but they won’t be the last team that gets the belt to the backside from the Cyclones.
The one area that has been problematic this season defensively for the Mountaineers has been on the perimeter. We saw Milan Momcilovic knock down eight triples on just eight attempts a handful of days ago. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a great shooter and made some highly contested shots, but it’s been a recurring issue for WVU all year.
The good news? Cincinnati isn’t built to beat you shooting from range. Coming into this game, they ranked 263rd nationally in three-point shooting, hitting just 31.6% of their shots. Couple that with the fact that Cincinnati is somehow a worse free-throw shooting team than West Virginia by a full five percentage points, and you get a fairly confident pick from me in the Old Gold and Blue.
Christopher Hall: West Virginia 67, Cincinnati 66
West Virginia has remained perfect inside Hope Coliseum, and the unblemished home record will likely be intact when the Mountaineers host Kansas on Saturday.
West Virginia has struggled and is enduring a five-game losing streak against Power Four opponents after falling to Iowa State to open the Big 12 Conference. Although the Mountaineers did notch a win against Pitt at home, for the lone win against P4 competition.
Cincinnati is in a similar situation, although the Bearcats’ start to the season can be summed up in a 64-56 loss to Eastern Michigan. The absence of senior guard Jizzle James for the first ten games for personal reasons, coupled with Brazilian perimeter shooter Lucas Atauri and returning forward Jalen Haynes absent from the line up have caused early issues.
The Bearcats proved they could compete with one of the best teams in the country after a seven-point loss to Houston on Saturday.
West Virginia will need to tighten up its perimeter defense against James and Day Day Thomas – both are shooting over 40% from three, while WVU senior guard Honor Huff will have to work a little harder to find his spot from deep against one of the best three-point defenses in the league.
The game will be a defensive battle, which favors the Mountaineers at home. WVU may be without senior starting forward Brenen Lorient, but the comfy confines of the Coliseum and the crowd will lift the Mountaineers down the stretch for the 67-66 win.
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