West Virginia
History Made: West Virginia advances to the school’s first ever NCAA Super Regional after defeating GCU – Blue Gold Sports
In a dominating fashion, the West Virginia Mountaineers go 3-0 in the Tucson Regional to advance to the program’s first ever Super Regional, defeating Grand Canyon University 10-6.
In Randy Mazey’s final season as a head coach and his twelfth at WVU, the program that was built from the ground back up to reach all new levels over the course of those twelve years has reached its biggest one yet.
In the first inning, West Virginia got the scoring started immediately scoring two runs off of a Reed Chumley sacrifice fly and a Grant Hussey rbi single. They would, however, leave the bases loaded to end the inning at a 2-0 score.
Grand Canyon would respond quickly in the bottom of the first, running Hayden Cooper, who got the start for WVU, off the mound before he could even record an out. Cooper let up three straight hits to start the game, bringing in one run and then walked the next two batters to bring in another run before being replaced by Aidan Major. Major was able to get out of a bases loaded jam with no outs by only giving up one run on a sacrifice fly-out.
The third run on the inning for Grand Canyon was also credited to Cooper. The Mountaineer starter’s stateline for the night finished at 0.0 innings pitched, three hits allowed, two walks, and three earned runs.
The West Virginia offense was on full display all night and continued into the second inning. After JJ Wethholt’s first hit of NCAA regional play, Logan Sauve, Sam White, and Reed Chumley all hit rbi singles to take back the lead and head to the bottom of the second inning with a 5-3 score.
After GCU did not score in the second, the Mountaineers continued to pile on the scoring in the third. After Wetherholt’s second of three hits on the night, Suave was able to drive in his third rbi of the night with a two rbi double, making the score 7-3 in favor of WVU. The catcher finished the night 3-5 at the plate with a team high three rbi and three runs scored.
Aidan Major would get the Antelopes to go three up, three down in the bottom of the third before his offense tacked on yet another run in the fourth from a Ben Lumsden rbi single to extend the lead to 8-3. It was Lumsden’s only rbi on the night.
Major was able to pick up a strikeout in the fourth innings, walked one, and did not allow a hit to get out of the inning scoreless yet again. Sam White would pick up his second hit and rbi in the game after ripping an rbi double down the left field line. Two batters later and Hussey would add the final run of the game for WVU when he drove in White with an rbi single.
Grand Canyon would get a run back in the bottom of the fourth and knock Major out of the game with a couple of hits and an rbi single to get the score to 10-4. Carson Estridge would replace Major and strikeout the first batter he faced to get out of the inning.
Major’s final line for the evening was 4.2 innings pitched, only two hits allowed, one earned run, two strikeouts, and five walks.
Estridge would pick up right where Major left off, recording four straight outs to start his game and would go all the way into the ninth inning before being pulled after allowing a single that would eventually score a run to his line.
In the ninth, West Virginia was holding on to a 10-4 lead when Maxx Yehl came into the game for Estridge after allowing a single. Yehl would let up a deep home run to right field to make the score 10-6 and a little more interesting. Yehl would then allow the very next batter to reach with another single.
The next move made by Randy Mazey was a power move for sure. Just two days after throwing a complete game and over 100 pitches, All Big 12 First Team pitcher Derek Clark was chosen to come out of the bullpen to get the final two outs.
Clark would have the first batter he faced lace a single up the middle to risk bringing the tying run to the plate for Grand Canyon. But Clark would ultimately get back-to-back strikeouts to end the game with a score of 10-6 and send West Virginia to its first ever NCAA Super Regional after a 3-0 outing in Tucson.
The Mountaineers will be paired up with another team on the road as a lower seed to compete in a three game series. When are where West Virginia will be playing will be decided after the conclusion of all Regional brackets on Monday.
West Virginia
West Virginia residents face rising utility costs, highest water bills in US
West Virginia residents may continue to see a rise in utility costs, according to a recent report by Move.org. The report ranks West Virginia as the state with the highest average utility bill, at $734 per month in 2025, surpassing the national average. Missouri and Alaska follow with $679 and $658, respectively. West Virginians are paying about $42 more per month compared to last year.
Delaney Eddy, state coordinator for West Virginia 211, a United Way helpline, noted the increased demand for utility assistance. “I can definitely tell you that the calls for utility assistance have definitely been high, that is one of our top needs that individuals call in for,” Eddy said. “We are seeing that individuals are needing assistance with that and have heard some individuals that have voiced that they have had an increase in their bills in the last couple of months for those utilities.”
The report also highlights that West Virginia residents face the highest water bill in the country, at $121 per month, well above the national average of $49. This increase may be due to a distribution improvement charge aimed at upgrading water quality.
Eddy encourages residents facing utility bill issues to reach out for help. “If people have questions about their utility bills and they have that termination notice, I would simply encourage them to dial 211 or they can text the zip code to 898211, speak with a call specialist and see what resources might be available to you,” Eddy said. “Also see if you might qualify for the dollar energy fund and we can provide that information to them and go from there to see about getting assistance on those bills.”
West Virginia
West Virginia Lottery results: See winning numbers for Powerball, Lotto America on Jan. 3, 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 Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
18-21-40-53-60, Powerball: 23, Power Play: 3
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
03-04-05-25-42, Star Ball: 03, ASB: 02
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Daily 3 numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
1-3-9
Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Daily 4 numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
6-5-7-4
Check Daily 4 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.
West Virginia
John “Nolan” Hays
John “Nolan” Hays
John “Nolan” Hays of Mineral Wells, West Virginia, passed away surrounded by loved ones on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025, in Parkersburg, West Virginia, at the age of 79.
Known as Nolan to his family and many of his friends, as John to most people he met while living in Mineral Wells or through business connections, none of these were as meaningful to him as his titles of Husband, Grandad, Father, Brother, Cousin, and Friend.
Born at home in Gilmer County, West Virginia, on July 31, 1946, to his loving parents, John Newton Hays and Floda “Irene” (Groves) Hays, Nolan had a happy childhood on his family farm where he learned by his parents’ example what was important in life, played with his dogs and work horses (Pat and Mike), and school friends, many of whom he remained close to throughout his long life. He often said that he couldn’t have had better parents, better friends, or a better childhood.
Nolan was the only child of his parents’ marriage and had four older sisters-Viona, Jean, Betty Joe, and Marge. He maintained close and loving relationships with each of them and with their families. Nolan’s friends from his time in Glenville and Mineral Wells also became like family to him, and he loved each of them deeply.
Nolan attended Glenville High School, where he graduated in 1964 as a varsity letterman in football, baseball, and basketball. His friends recall that he was an excellent athlete and a wonderful friend.
From Glenville High, he went on to study at Glenville State College, where he met his extraordinary wife, Patricia Ann Greer.
Nolan made what he would call the best decision of his life when he married his wife, Patricia, on May 4, 1968. Their marriage has been a beautiful example of true love to the family, and their devotion to one another was unparalleled. Nolan and Patricia cared tirelessly for each other and remained devoted through each of life’s triumphs and trials for the entirety of their 57 years of marriage.
Soon after marrying, Nolan enlisted in the United States Army Reserves. He remained proud of his service to his country.
Nolan and Patricia had two sons early in their marriage, Joe and Shawn, of whom he was immensely proud. He was a loving, proud, and devoted father who was actively involved in every aspect of his sons’ lives, providing them with yearly family trips, coaching their sports teams, and being a vocal spectator at their events. Some of his most cherished memories were golfing with his sons, and he often said that a game of golf with them was the best gift he could receive. Joe and Shawn loved, respected, and admired their father deeply and felt that they were the luckiest kids in the world to have him as a father.
Nolan was an equally devoted grandfather to his four adoring granddaughters-Morgan, Caroline, Samantha, and Aniston-who esteem him as the best Grandad who ever walked the earth. He will be remembered by his granddaughters as the smell of cigar smoke, a sunny day on a golf course; as someone who would have died for them, who loved his family fiercely; as the best-dressed man in the room, a master of dry humor, a talented golfer, a gifted storyteller, and one of their best friends.
Nolan had a long and fulfilling career in banking and business. Throughout his career, he worked at various banks and savings & loan establishments; he retired from Williamstown National Bank, where he was senior vice president and served on the board of directors. He was known to give people a chance, to give them the gift of their first home or their own business, when no one else would.
Aside from family and friends, Nolan’s greatest passion was golf. He spent countless hours golfing with friends and even played the legendary course at St. Andrews in Scotland, where he traveled with his wife Patricia and friends. Nolan also loved the beach, where he spent much of his time. He loved to travel, and saw much of the world.
At home, he could be found on the front porch on nice days (when not on the golf course), smoking a cigar and talking to the neighbors who passed by. On game days, he could be found watching the Mountaineers play in his chair on the back porch.
Nolan was amazingly generous, unfailingly brave, and so very kind. He exhorted those he loved to be the very best they could be, and he had the kind of voice that people want to listen to.
Nolan was preceded in death by his parents, John and Irene Hays; his sisters-Viona, Jean, Betty Joe, and Marge; and his brother, Charles Newton, who died in childhood before Nolan was born.
Nolan’s memory is cherished by his peerlessly devoted wife of 57 years, Patricia Ann Hays; his two loving sons, John Joseph Hays and wife Kris (of Clarksburg, West Virginia) and Shawn Patrick Hays and wife Liza Taylor (of Whittier, California); his four adoring granddaughters-Morgan Virginia Hays Riddle, Caroline Olivia Hays, Samantha Jo Hays, and Aniston Patricia Hays Riddle (great-granddaughter); innumerable friends, cherished golfing buddies, and beloved family members; and his pet cat, whom he lovingly called “Pup.”
Nolan was a great man, and his family will carry on his memory and legacy with honor, gratitude, and love.
A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at 3:00 pm at the Leavitt Funeral Home, Parkersburg with Reverend Chuck Furbee officiating.
Visitation will be Tuesday 1-3pm at the funeral home.
Donations may be made in his memory to House to Homes, 827 7th Street, Parkersburg, WV 26101.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.LeavittFuneralHome.com.
-
Entertainment1 week agoHow the Grinch went from a Yuletide bit player to a Christmas A-lister
-
World7 days agoHamas builds new terror regime in Gaza, recruiting teens amid problematic election
-
Indianapolis, IN1 week agoIndianapolis Colts playoffs: Updated elimination scenario, AFC standings, playoff picture for Week 17
-
Southeast1 week agoTwo attorneys vanish during Florida fishing trip as ‘heartbroken’ wife pleads for help finding them
-
Business1 week agoGoogle is at last letting users swap out embarrassing Gmail addresses without losing their data
-
World1 week agoBest of 2025: Top five defining moments in the European Parliament
-
World1 week agoSnoop Dogg, Lainey Wilson, Huntr/x and Andrea Bocelli Deliver Christmas-Themed Halftime Show for Netflix’s NFL Lions-Vikings Telecast
-
News1 week agoDOJ says it may need a ‘few more weeks’ to finish releasing Epstein files