West Virginia

Finalists named in WV Scholar Program – WV MetroNews

Published

1 year ago

May 29, 2025

Finalists named in WV Scholar Program – WV MetroNews

BUCKHANNON, W.Va. — Fifteen West Virginia high school juniors have been named finalists in the West Virginia Scholar Program and are in the running for a full-ride scholarship to West Virginia Wesleyan College.

Online voting begins June 9 and will end June 18. The winners will be announced at a luncheon at Wesleyan in late June.

The 2025 WV Scholar Finalists:

Emily Lewis – Ripley High School

Lucas Raney – Woodrow Wilson High School

Magdalyn Smith – Spring Mills High School

Isabella Hersey – Marion County Technical Center

Trey Mcdonough – Doddridge County High School

Andrew Harris – Elkins High School

Madeline Steele – St. Mary’s High School

Ladora Cutright – Buckhannon-Upshur High School

Olivia Edwards – Ripley High School

Wyatt Braham (pronounced BRAM) – Preston High School

Bethany Archer – Lewis – Bridgeport High School

Rhubarb (Rhuby) Ronan – Huntington High School

Owen Herrick – Magnolia High School

Gabrielle Saurino – Preston High School

Logan Vanfosson – Greenbrier East High School

West Virginia Wesleyan Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing John Waltz said the program has changed many lives over the course of 18 years.

“We have been doing this long enough now that there are winners of this program who are doctors, lawyers and other things right in our state, right in our community. So, it has been amazing to see these folks make this kind of impact.” said Waltz. “It really makes the program worthwhile.”

The winner of the scholarship will receive four years of tuition, room and board.

First and second runners-up will also receive scholarships awards.

In addition to WVWC and MetroNews, the West Virginia Scholar Program is sponsored by Greer Industries, Friends of Coal, West Virginia Hospital Association, the West Virginia Farm Bureau and ZMM Architects & Engineers.

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West Virginia

West Virginia town’s entire police force fired after ex-sergeant claims evidence room was broken into

Published

2 hours ago

July 8, 2026

Press Room

West Virginia town’s entire police force fired after ex-sergeant claims evidence room was broken into

A tiny West Virginia town has been left without a police department after every officer was fired following a dispute over an apparent break-in at the department’s evidence room.

The Barrackville Police Department announced in a Facebook post Tuesday that, effective immediately, every member of the department had been relieved of duty by the Barrackville Town Council and Mayor Tom Straight.

A former sergeant, identified only as Sgt. Hunt, told 12 News he arrived at the department Tuesday morning and found the evidence room had been broken into.

Barrackville, W.Va., was left without a police department after the town relieved every officer of duty. Barrackville Police Department / Facebook

Hunt said he immediately called a meeting with Straight and the town council.

According to Hunt, council members had previously said they wanted to inventory the department without any officers present.

He also claimed a council member admitted to taking a set of police keys.

After accusing members of the town government of breaking into the evidence room, Hunt said he and the department’s only other officer were immediately removed from active duty.

Hunt said the department’s police clerk also resigned, leaving the town with no police staff. He said he informed the mayor and council that he would be seeking whistleblower protection.

The mass firing came less than a week after Barrackville Police Chief Zachary Freeburn resigned. Hunt said the chief quit over what he described as repeated clashes with the town council over how much control it had over the department.

Zachary Freeburn, Chief of Police in Barrackville, wearing a police vest with his name tag, badge, and body camera. — Former Barrackville Police Chief Zachary Freeburn resigned before the town’s entire police department was fired. Barrackville Police Department / Facebook

Marion County Sheriff Roger Cunningham told the station that deputies will continue responding to calls in Barrackville while the town of 1,288 people is without a police department.

Resident Isabella Pham said she hopes the turmoil comes to an end.

“I just think that the town right now is in a little bit of a mess,” Pham told the West Virginian Times.

“We’ve gone through a lot of different people, and I’m just hoping that at the end of this, we can get a little bit of stability, transparency and security, and get back to having a stronger community versus a town of pitchforks and torches.”

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West Virginia

Morrisey appoints Shane Stack to House District 4 seat – WV MetroNews

Published

13 hours ago

July 7, 2026

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Morrisey appoints Shane Stack to House District 4 seat – WV MetroNews

Governor Patrick Morrisey (Photo/MetroNews)

CHARLESTON, W.Va. –Governor Patrick Morrisey has appointed a new member of the state House of Delegates.

Shane Thomas Stack, of Triadelphia, was appointed Tuesday to represent District 4. Stack replaces former Delegate Bill Flanigan who resigned to join the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia following his election to the Division 2 seat.

“Shane Stack is an outstanding choice to represent the families and communities of the fourth district,” Morrisey said in a release. “With his deep roots in the local community, his background as a business owner, and his proven experience managing municipal finances, Shane understands what it takes to support economic growth and advocate for working West Virginians. He will serve his constituents well in Charleston.”

In Morrisey’s release, it said that Stack has a diverse background in small business ownership, municipal finance, and higher education administration. Stack currently is the owner, licensed auctioneer, and certified appraiser for Frio Stack & Associates, as well as the owner of Island Pawn & Gun.

Stack previously worked as the Town Treasurer for West Liberty.

He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a specialization in General Business from West Liberty University.

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West Virginia

Sentencing for man convicted of murdering West Virginia State Trooper; other top stories

Published

23 hours ago

July 7, 2026

Press Room

Sentencing for man convicted of murdering West Virginia State Trooper; other top stories

MINGO COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) – Sentencing is underway for Timothy Kennedy, the man convicted of murdering West Virginia State Police Trooper Cory Maynard.

Trooper Maynard was shot to death in June 2023.

The jury found Kennedy guilty on all counts: first-degree murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree disarming a law enforcement officer, and two counts of first-degree attempted murder.

Shannon Litton has has that, plus your other top stories for Tuesday, July 7th.

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