West Virginia

Missing Pa. man found dead after vehicle discovered in W. Va. lake

Published

1 year ago

January 27, 2025

Missing Pa. man found dead after vehicle discovered in W. Va. lake

A Fayette County man who had been reported missing was found dead on Sunday after rescuers pulled his vehicle out of a West Virginia lake.

Kevin Lataille, 59, was pronounced dead after officials recovered a vehicle that was submerged in Cheat Lake, according to WTAE.

The Murrysville Medic One Dive Team said in a post on Facebook that they were called on Sunday to help locate a missing person and a car, adding that the vehicle might have gone over the side of the Interstate 68 bridge and into Cheat Lake.

“Ice rescue technicians walked along the interstate bridge locating car parts,” the post said. “Ice rescue personnel cut an access hole for divers which were deployed locating the vehicle in 12 feet of water under the ice. Divers were able to confirm the vehicle’s color, make and model, and also confirmed the vehicle was occupied.”

Lataille’s family also issued a statement, WTAE reported, saying that his vehicle had been recovered and his body found.

“We regret to inform you that Kevin has been found, but sadly, he has passed away,” the post said. “We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in the search efforts. The overwhelming support from friends, family, strangers, and those who distributed flyers, shared his missing person post, and prayed daily has been incredible. We are grateful to those who used drones, helped manage social media, and were there when we needed support the most.”

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West Virginia

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

Published

4 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

14 hours ago

July 7, 2026

Press Room

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

1 day 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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