West Virginia

Former Mayor of Williamstown passed away

Published

2 years ago

January 13, 2024

Former Mayor of Williamstown passed away

WILLIAMSTOWN, W.Va. (WTAP) – Jean Ford was the first female Mayor of Williamstown, West Virginia. She served the community for 23 years and many will say she was very passionate about the town and people.

After serving as mayor, she focused on her and her late husbands jewelry shop, Mel’s Diamond House until early 2023.

“She was passionate about her hometown. She was passionate about Williamstown and that passion, you can tell it when you were in her presence when she would go to meetings or out in the community giving speeches. She wanted the best for that community and the people in that community.” said George Cosenza, local Attorney.

Senator Joe Manchin was a friend of Jean and sent his deepest condolences to her family and loved ones. “Gayle and I are heartbroken by the death of our dear friend, former Mayor Jean Ford. Jean was an incredibly dedicated public servant who served the city of Williamstown for more than two decades and was the first female mayor of Williamstown. Her impact on Williamstown and the entire state will last for generations. She has been a lifelong friend and I had the honor of speaking with her hours before she passed. We extend our deepest condolences to Jean’s family and all of her loved ones as they mourn this tremendous loss.”

The Mayor of Vienna, Randy Rapp expressed how much she meant to him and how honest she was. “Jean Ford was one of the best people who lived in the Mid-Ohio Valley and she never met a stranger. Everyone loved her because she was honest. She was a mentor to me and if the definition for Class needed wrote, Class was Jean Ford. She made the Mid-Ohio Valley and Williamstown the best it could look. She did it right all the time, it was always perfect. They do not make people like her anymore”.

Ford was involved in many different things in the community such as the Williamstown Kiwanis, Wood County Development Authority, 17 years at the First Bank, 8 years on Williamstown City Council, served on Board of Ohio Regional Council, Employed Savings Company, graduate of Williamstown High School, Owner-operator of Mel’s Diamond House, and Serves WV Woman’s Commission by appointment of WV Governor.

When Ford was first elected she donated part of her paycheck to the Williamstown Fire Department, which was $400.

“Jean Ford was a total respectful person. She treated people with that same respect, she had a lot of friends and for a city like Williamstown population she had a lot of friends in Charleston too. The Governor’s were always at her beckon and she basically, it might be hard to say this, but people do not understand how hard it is to get a stop light, but Jean could call the Governor and get something like that” said James Colombo, Wood County Commissioner.

George Cosenza described her as an icon.

“Because of the legacy that she left in the community, that she left in this community, the legacy that she left as a business woman, but I think even more importantly the legacy that she left for the people that knew her and loved her and what she did and as Mayor of Williamstown, she’s an icon. If we had a Mount Rushmore, her face would be on it” said Cosenza.

Cosenza and Colombo share their favorite memories with Jean Ford.

“Going to New York City with Mel and Jean and my lovely wife Lori and having dinner at the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center and listening to the orchestra and dancing on that fabulous dance floor. That’s one of the greatest memories I have being with Jean. We laughed and we just had a wonderful, wonderful time.” said Cosenza.

“At one time, I was interested in bringing West Virginia water and just give us an example of what other people are doing and she actually was, for a small lady she just went into my face and said you better not do that and I said why jean and she said basically what people believe this is our water, we should be able to control our own water. She was just a great person. She always had the ability to be direct one way or another, positive or negative, but her negatives were always positive, so that’s a good thing.” said Colombo.

Arrangement for the services are still being determined at this time.

Rest In Peace Jean, you will be missed by many.

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West Virginia

Chemical emergency at Kanawha County plant – WV MetroNews

Published

14 minutes ago

April 22, 2026

Press Room

Chemical emergency at Kanawha County plant – WV MetroNews

State Route 25 is blocked near the plant.

THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY AND WILL BE UPDATED:

INSTITUTE, W.Va. — The Institute Fire Department has called a precautionary shelter-in-place for those living in close proximity to the Catalyst Refiners plant.

According to Kanawha County Emergency Manager C.W. Sigman said there was an incident involving an acid-based material at around 9:30 .am. Wednesday.

According to Sigman, most of the material which was spilled was inside a building and it largely contained and the shelter-in-place is precautionary.

Emergency crews are on the scene treating multiple patents at the plant. The extent of injuries is not known.

A media briefing has been scheduled for 2 p.m.

CAMC/Vandalia confirmed they were preparing for patients as is WVU Medicine Thomas Hospital where they’ve activated their Incident Command Center.

The plant is located between Institute and Nitro. The roadway is shut down on 1st Ave S in Institute from New Goff Mountain Rd to Kilowatt Rd.

The shelter-in-place is for a one-mile radius of the plant and includes the West Virginia State University campus.

The shelter-in-place put into effect for St. Albans was lifted at 10:30 a.m.

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West Virginia

PSC hears public comments on possible WV American Water takeover of Lincoln PSD

Published

12 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Press Room

PSC hears public comments on possible WV American Water takeover of Lincoln PSD

CHARLESTON, W.Va (WCHS) — The West Virginia PSC held a public comment hearing on Tuesday regarding West Virginia American Water taking over Lincoln Lincoln Public Service District.

Only one person spoke out sharing what they’d like to see done if West Virginia American Water acquires the Lincoln PSD.

“If the company wants to get to folks who really need water, they should be looking at areas where drilling well is nearly impossible, like mine, which is actually closer to the lines than some of the places they mention in their filing. My neighbors and I live closer to the main water lines than the proposed Sugar Tree Road extension or the one and a half miles out to the campground that they plan on serving,” a Lincoln PSD customer shared during the meeting.

Lincoln PSD issued a boil water advisory on January 26th, and it wasn’t lifted until March 31st, leaving some customers not able to use what was coming out of their faucets.

Just last year, the Lincoln County Commission voted to move forward with the dissolution of the Lincoln PSD, but, in September, the district filed a petition to stop the sale to West Virginia American Water. Soon after in November, PSC staff submitted a request asking the applicants to give specific financial information.

West Virginia American Water issued the following statement at Tuesday’s meeting:

“West Virginia American Water has been working collaboratively with the Lincoln County Commission and the Lincoln County Public Service District Board regarding the possible acquisition of the Lincoln County Public Service District. The proposal would involve the purchase of the 2,532-customer system. We appreciate the opportunity for public input and look forward to continuing to work through the Public Service Commission’s review process.”

Lincoln PSD customers received a letter in the mail this week stating that the system violated drinking water monitoring requirements. The utility noted what was done to correct the situation and added that customers are not at risk.

Customers were also alerted Tuesday night of a boil water notice tonight due to a recent inspection concluding that the utility is not currently meeting the minimum disinfection requirements for surface water facilities.

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West Virginia

Former WVU QB Will Grier is Headed Back to Where His NFL Career Started

Published

1 day ago

April 21, 2026

Press Room

Former WVU QB Will Grier is Headed Back to Where His NFL Career Started

One of the best quarterbacks in recent memory to come through West Virginia, Will Grier, is approaching his eighth year in the NFL, which is quite the accomplishment for a backup. According to multiple reports early Tuesday morning, Grier is headed home, signing a free agent deal with the Carolina Panthers.

Grier was selected in the third round (100th overall) by the Panthers in 2019 and, at the time, was viewed as someone who could potentially be the future face of the franchise. That plan got messed up pretty early as Ron Rivera was fired during his rookie season, ultimately replaced by Matt Rhule. That offseason, the Panthers decided to cut ties with Cam Newton and bring in Teddy Bridgewater, giving Carolina a completely different direction at quarterback.

Following his second season with the Panthers, Grier was let go and began bouncing around the league. He spent time with the Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, and then back to the Cowboys in 2024 and 2025.

Although he has only played in two regular season games in his career, Grier is widely viewed as a tremendous veteran quarterback who can bring depth to a room and serve as an extra voice for the starter to lean on. In this case, he and former Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett will fill that role for Bryce Young.

Where Grier ranks among WVU QBs in the NFL

Nov 23, 2018; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Will Grier (7) celebrates during the second quarter against the Oklahoma Sooners at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images | Ben Queen-Imagn Images

Statistically, he’s not going to catch anyone unless he somehow gets thrown into a starting role at some point, but as far as longevity goes, he’s been able to stick around in the NFL longer than most former Mountaineer quarterbacks.

Geno Smith (still active) is entering his 14th year in the league, and Jeff Hostetler made it 13 years. Those are the only two WVU quarterbacks who played longer. Marc Bulger played eight years, so as long as he makes it through this season and plays in 2027, he’ll surpass him. The others? Charles Seabright (six years), Oliver Luck (four years), Pat White (one year), and Fred Wyant (one year).

Grier will forever be remembered as one of the best to ever suit up for the Old Gold and Blue, tossing for 7,354 yards and 71 touchdowns in just two seasons in Dana Holgorsen’s offense. Following the 2018 season, he finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting, marking the highest finish for a Mountaineer since Steve Slaton in 2006.

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