West Virginia

Local designer creates mural of West Virginia at Point Park

Published

2 years ago

June 5, 2024

Local designer creates mural of West Virginia at Point Park

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) – A ribbon cutting for a new mural of the state of West Virginia at Point Park in Parkersburg took place Wednesday morning at Point Park in Parkersburg for the work done by a local Vienna designer.

The mural created by Diana Wilson, is in collaboration with Downtown PKB and the City of Parkersburg to establish the state in positive light.

Wilson, a graphic designer and the owner of dDesigns, said that the mural is symbolize the pieces of West Virginia.

“I wanted to kind of bring in pieces of West Virginia and really symbolize the state and kind of what we want to represent,” Wilson said. “I wanted to bring in the some the adventure, the nature side of it. just really make something our locals can be proud and wanted it to give a bright flair.”

Wilson also added that she would be excited to do another mural for the city in the future.

“I would love to have some more mural,” she added. “I think it’s awesome to get a piece of my artwork up here and leaving a footprint on the city.”

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West Virginia

Fairmont woman admits to trafficking drugs in north central West Virginia

Published

10 hours ago

April 2, 2026

Press Room

Fairmont woman admits to trafficking drugs in north central West Virginia

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — A Fairmont woman has pleaded guilty in federal court for trafficking meth in north central West Virginia.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia announced via press release that Michelle Gallo, 57, of Fairmont, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of meth and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime.

According to court documents, Gallo admitted to working with others to sell meth and other drugs and had firearms with her during this work.

Gallo faces 10 years to life in prison for the drug charge and five years to life for the firearms charge.

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West Virginia

West Virginia school enrollment falls again, with Northern Panhandle counties hit

Published

22 hours ago

April 1, 2026

Press Room

West Virginia school enrollment falls again, with Northern Panhandle counties hit

OHIO COUNTY, W.Va. — New data from the West Virginia Public School District shows student enrollment continues to drop statewide, with noticeable losses in counties across the Northern Panhandle.

In Marshall County, enrollment is down by more than 2.5%, a loss of more than 100 students. Neighboring Ohio County is also seeing a decline, reporting a 3% drop that continues a trend of shrinking classrooms.

“But declining enrollment is happening statewide and, of course, that happens here as well so we just continue to work really hard to make sure that we continue to provide the best programs available for our kids,” Ohio County Schools Superintendent Dr. Kim Miller said.

Statewide, the declines are part of a larger trend that can affect school funding because enrollment numbers play a key role in how much money counties receive, and whether they receive money at all.

“We don’t get state aid formula because of the amount of tax revenue that we bring Marshall County and a few other counties do not. So we are independently funded in that manner,” Marshall County Superintendent Shelby Haines said.

The decline is often linked to factors such as population loss, lower birth rates and families moving out of state.

“When you have West Virginia dollars leaving our state, that is certainly a challenge,’ Miller said. “We want to be able to retain as many dollars as we can, so we can provide the best educational opportunities for our kids.”

Education leaders say they have noticed the decline but have not had to adapt yet and are still providing the highest quality education for the students they have now.

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West Virginia

Arizona baseball drops midweek home game to West Virginia

Published

1 day ago

April 1, 2026

Press Room

Arizona baseball drops midweek home game to West Virginia

It’s hard to defend free bases.

Arizona pitchers struck out 16 batters and only allowed five hits on Tuesday night, but they also issued 10 walks and hit two batters in a 7-4 loss to West Virginia at Hi Corbett Field.

“We gave them pretty much all seven runs,” UA coach Chip Hale said. “They did a good job of base running and putting some pressure on us, but the walks, the hit batsmen, the error, those things kill you.”

Arizona (9-19) fell to 0-9 this season when walking six or more batters. Last year, in reaching the College World Series, the Wildcats only walked six or more six times, and still won four of those games.

“It wasn’t like they they batted you around,” Hale said he told the five pitchers who threw Tuesday. “We just gave them those free ones, and then you advance them with some passed balls and some wild pitches, and that’s what winning teams take advantage of.”

Arizona led 2-0 on a 2-run home run by Carson McEntire, his team-leading 6^th of the season, but West Virginia scored seven times over the next three innings with only the last two coming via a hit. The others scored on a wild pitch, fielding error, passed ball, hit batter and groundout.

Yet the UA also had some very good pitching. Jack Lafflam threw two scoreless innings to start, with one hit allowed and two strikeouts, but Hale said the true freshman “didn’t feel great” so he was pulled as a precautionary measure. Matthew Martinez struck out six over 2.1 scoreless innings and another true freshman, Benton Hickman, struck out four over the final two innings including two after loading the bases with one out in the 8^th.

The Wildcats finished with seven hits, two by McEntire, who drove in three and is tied for the team lead with 19 RBI.

Arizona remains home to host ASU for three games beginning Thursday night. The finale on Saturday night is on ESPN2 but also happens to coincide with the Final Four.

“I would hope we can put some stuff on (the scoreboard) between innings,” Hale said.

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