A West Virginia coal miner died on the job on Friday, according to Gov. Jim Justice.

The miner has been identified as Colton Walls, 34, of Bruceton Mills, NBC affiliate WSAZ reports. He leaves behind a wife and three children.

Walls worked as a longwall electrician at the Arch Coal, Leer Mining Complex in Taylor County, which is less than two hours from Pittsburgh.

“Our miners are the backbone of West Virginia, and every loss we experience hits us to our deepest cores,” Gov. Justice said. “The heart and soul of West Virginia are found in our coal miners, and today, we grieve the loss of one of our own. I’m told that Mr. Walls was truly dedicated, hardworking, and brave, and I know he’ll be dearly missed by many. It’s moments like these that remind us of the incredible sacrifices made by those who have the courage to be a miner. So, please hold his family and loved ones close in your hearts tonight. Cathy and I will continue to keep him and all our other miners in our prayers.”

The West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety, and Training and the Mine Safety and Health Administration are handling the investigation.

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BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) -Friday afternoon Morgantown’s West Virginia Academy will be throwing it’s Third Annual Fall Fest. The event will take place at the Mon County Event Center, located at Mylan Park. For an event that officially marks the conclusion of the school year’s first term. WVA is the state’s first public charter school and has been recognized for their excellence both locally and nationally; and this afternoon they look forward to giving back to the community that’s helped establish them as one of the best schools throughout the wild and wonderful. The event will feature plenty of fall festivities such as games, pumpkin carvings, and even a scarecrow contest. Leaving school officials like, Heidi Treu, hoping to not only help celebrate the fall season, but also showcase their students in a big way.

” The biggest thing is that we want community members to see what we learn throughout the term. This is a chance for the students to show off . They create games of everything that they’ve learned from science to history, to even math stuff is in there. We like them to show off, but also to have some fun. We’ve got some Scarecrow’s; we’ve got some food. We’ve got some activities obviously, our Book Fair, everything like that. So, it’s really exciting.”

Although this afternoon’s event is completely free, there’s still ways to give back to the educators that put so much in to students everyday.

” Everybody knows that teaching is hard and it is day in, day out, really working hard. This is kind of their reward at the end of the term to get excited to see the kids in a new light. To have fun with the students at the very end of a long term. So, all of the proceeds go directly to our teachers. It goes to our Faculty Senate and just teachers. It’s not for administration or anything else and this is all their idea. They brought it in and anything that you see here when you purchase; it goes directly back into their pockets and in the classrooms.”

Apart of what makes fall fest special for those at WVA is the chance is gives to celebrate their students. Showing them how much they are appreciated and admired.

” It’s the growth of the students, we really have seen our students step up as leaders not only in the community, but in the school. It’s been wonderful to see them grow for these past three years and we can’t wait to see our first graduating class next year and see what they become. It has been really rewarding for me. We have had scarecrows in different areas of the building. Students have been opening doors and getting scared because the older kids like to put them on for the younger kids and scare them. So, I think they’re just excited to see the whole event and come and play. Last year it was very successful, lots of treats, lots of fun activities; and we expecting the same this year.”

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Mike Monaco and Kirk Morrison will be on the call once again for this week’s West Virginia game against Oklahoma State on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. EST. This is the same broadcast duo that called the Backyard Brawl last month.

If you like offense, this game is likely going to be right up your alley. Oklahoma State does have one of the best running backs in all of college football in Ollie Gordon II although he’s yet to hit his groove. The Cowboys’ passing attack is one of the best in the country with a very experienced Alan Bowman at quarterback and some receivers that have produced at a high level throughout their careers such as Brennan Presley, Rashod Owens, and De’Zhaun Stribling.

West Virginia’s defense has had issues through the first month of the 2024 season defending the pass, allowing over 250 yards per game, but so has Oklahoma State. As a matter of fact, the Cowboys are allowing a full 20 yards more through the air than WVU. Bryan Nardo’s defense hasn’t been able to stop a thing ranking 15th in the Big 12 in pass defense and 16th (dead last) in run defense.

Buckle up folks, this one could feature a ton of yardage and points.

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