West Virginia
Search for coal miner trapped in flooded West Virginia mine continues for third day
A coal miner remains missing and trapped after catastrophic flooding struck the Rolling Thunder Mine in Drennen, Nicholas County, in central West Virginia, over the weekend. The miner—a crew foreman whose name has not yet been released—was assisting his team to safety when he was caught by rising waters.
The torrent was unleashed deep inside the mine when an unknown pocket was struck. The incident occurred about three-quarters of a mile into the Rolling Thunder Mine, which is owned by Alpha Metallurgical Resources (AMR). Other crew members managed to escape, but the foreman was overtaken by the flood.
The accident was reported at around 1:30 p.m. Saturday to the county emergency management office; all other miners on the team have been accounted for. The area remains flooded and the extent of the devastation below ground is still unclear.
Rescue operations began promptly and have been complicated by challenging conditions such as murky water, unstable underground air pockets, and the sheer depth of the site. For three days, crews have coordinated with county officials, state agencies, and national cave rescue experts.
Divers are working to locate any air pockets that may have provided a temporary refuge for the missing miner. Teams have employed underwater drones to try and pinpoint his location while simultaneously pumping water from the flooded section and drilling boreholes to lower water levels more rapidly.
The complexity of the effort reflects both the seriousness of the situation and the persistent danger in the coal mining industry.
The West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety, and Training (OMHST) and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) have been present on the scene. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, while covering for the $2 billion mining corporation, has postured as a friend of the miners saying, “There is nothing that we would spare to try to save the life of the miner,” and assuring that all available resources, including national experts, are being utilized in the search operation. The company has not issued a single word on the disaster.
Nicholas County Commissioner Garrett Cole described the scene as one of relentless work and notes that while divers have entered the mine more than once, the process of pumping out enough water to allow exploration remains an immense challenge.
AMR has not answered critical questions about safety protocols and mine conditions at Rolling Thunder Mine. Backing up the governor, UMWA President Cecil Roberts and Region 2 Director Mike Dalpiaz have stepped in to divert and contain the anger of coal miners.
Roberts issued a statement that did not hold the company or the government responsible, saying, “This disaster is a reminder of the risks our miners confront daily, and we will do everything possible to support our brothers, their families, and the teams working underground now.”
Dalpiaz went further making the absurd statement that the UMWA, “stands ready to ensure that safety remains the priority, and we urge the company and regulators not to cut corners during this perilous search.”
AMR, with headquarters in Bristol, Tennessee, controls 11 underground mines and multiple surface mines in West Virginia and Virginia. The mine originally opened in 2005, employs about 25 workers, and extracts metallurgical coal, with property owned outright through Nicholas Contura LLC, an Alpha subsidiary.
Rolling Thunder’s coal seam extends along and below the drainage of TwentyMile Creek, with extensive historical records from prior operators. An engineering report prepared for AMR in February 2025 stated that “no significant hydrologic concerns” existed for further coal extraction at the property, which raises critical questions about the subordination of a mine safety evaluation that failed to anticipate this flood to the corporate and financial interests at AMR.
Once again, like every workplace disaster, the events at Rolling Thunder Mine show how the capitalism subordinates life-threatening risks faced by miners to the drive for profit.
Just days before the Rolling Thunder flood, on Thursday, November 6, 25-year-old Joey Mitchell Jr. was killed at Mettiki Coal’s Mountain View Mine in Mount Storm, Tucker County. Mitchell died before dawn while working underground; another individual was seriously injured and airlifted to the hospital.
While Governor Morrisey was quick to mourn Mitchell’s death and call for West Virginians to keep his family, friends, and fellow miners “in our thoughts and prayers,” details about the cause of the accident remain undisclosed, continuing the stonewalling policy among coal industry operators and local authorities.
According to reports, this was not the first fatality at the Mettiki Coal site. On January 16, 2014, Daniel Lambka, a 20-year-old worker was crushed to death in a coal feeder accident at the Mountain View Mine. MSHA officials detemined that the coal company has been negligent by failing to prevent the equipment from moving.
Mettiki Coal’s parent company, Alliance Resource Partners, also had safety violations at other operations.
In 2010, a roof collapse at the Dotiki Mine in Kentucky claimed the lives of two miners, Justin Travis and Michael Carter. That same year, the Dotiki operation accumulated 216 MSHA citations.
There have been at least three other mining fatalities in 2025 in West Virginia. These include:
- On January 29, Steven Fields, a 55-year-old drill operator, was killed at the Twilight Surface Mine in Boone County.
- In February, Billy Stalker, 46, a contractor with Wright Concrete Underground LLC, died in an underground incident.
- On August 26, Eric Bartram, 41, a preparation plant electrician, was fatally injured at the Marfork Preparation Plant in Raleigh County.
The number of fatal mine accidents in 2025 has been rising at an alarming rate despite the sharp reduction in mining employment. According to MSHA, fatalities reached 18 by early August, outpacing 2024, which had 12 by the same point. The industry is on pace for about 30 fatalities for 2025, matching 2022’s year-end total. The increase in death rates comes amid ongoing attacks on safety enforcement, including funding cuts, elimination of federal programs, and a drive to lower standards and oversight by MSHA and OSHA.
Wayne Palmer, Trump’s nominee who was approved for Assistant Secretary of Labor for MSHA previously held executive posts in mining and mineral industry business associations.
Jordan Barab, a former OSHA official and publisher of the “Confined Spaces” blog who continues to tally the rising fatalities, stressing that they are neither accidental nor random but the direct product of deliberate corporate and government policies that place profits over lives.
Among the workplace deaths reported by Barab on Tuesday alone were 14 workers killed in the UPS plane crash in Louisville, Kentucky; a postal worker killed in a collision with a pick-up truck in Aliceville, Alabama; and a lawn maintenance worker was killed when his lawn mower rolled onto him in Bryan County, Oklahoma.
On Saturday morning, a postal worker in Allen Park, Michigan—a suburb of Dearborn—was found dead after becoming trapped in a mail handling machine at the United States Postal Service facility. The 36-year-old man, identified as a maintenance worker, was discovered by firefighters after his wife contacted authorities when he failed to return home following his shift.
He had been stuck in the machine for approximately six to eight hours before his body was found. As is the case with many workplace fatalities, the USPS facility remains operational, while federal authorities are conducting an investigation. No details about the circumstances leading to the accident have been released.
Seven months ago, Ronald Adams Sr. was crushed to death at the Stellantis Dundee Engine Plant in Michigan when a automatic hoist cycled unexpectedly during maintenance. The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) says the case is “still open” and Adams’s family and co-workers remains without answers from the company or the United Auto Workers although full production has resumed.
The rise in workplace deaths is taking place globally. As enormous wealth concentrates in fewer hands—with the billionaire elite soon growing into the trillionaire elite—workers are being killed and injured at alarming rates.
With the approval of both the Democrats and Republicans and the backing of the union officialdom, owners are being shielded while workers die, are maimed, or denied compensation and their families left with no answers.
This situation will not be reversed by either capitalist party or the union apparatus. Workers themselves must act—organizing independent rank-and-file committees to enforce safety, demand accountability and safeguard lives through direct intervention in the workplace.
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.
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
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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MORGANTOWN, WV — The American Institute of Architects West Virginia (AIA WV) recognized design excellence, honored distinguished service and celebrated emerging talent at its 2026 Design Awards Gala and Scholarship Benefit, held at Hotel Morgan in Morgantown.
The annual program highlights architectural work that demonstrates design quality and meaningful impact on communities across West Virginia and beyond. This year’s awards were determined through a blind jury process led by Christopher Meyers, FAIA, of Meyers+Associates in Columbus, Ohio. Projects were evaluated on clarity of concept, execution and long-term impact.
The program’s highest recognition, the Honor Award for New Construction, was presented to the Library and Active Living Center at Afton Ridge in Kannapolis, North Carolina, designed by Silling with design architect HBM Architects, and the Marshall County Health Department in Moundsville, West Virginia, designed by Silling.
Merit Awards for New Construction were awarded to the WVU Medicine Thomas Hospital Orthopedic Hospital Entry Addition in Charleston, West Virginia (Silling); Coalfield Elementary School in Welch, West Virginia (The Thrasher Group); and Northwood Health Systems in Wheeling, West Virginia (M&G Architects & Engineers with MSA Design).
Citations for New Construction were presented to Alderson Elementary School (The Thrasher Group) and the Oglebay Park Resort Wilson Lodge Porte Cochere (Mills Group).
A Merit Award in Renovation/Restoration was awarded to the Cabarrus County Courthouse – Phase 2 in Concord, North Carolina, designed by Silling with HBM Architects.
In the Interiors category, a Merit Award was presented to Building 2000 Renovation in Friendly, West Virginia (Pickering Associates), while Cedar Grove Elementary School (ZMM Architects and Engineers) received a Citation.
A Citation in Small Projects was awarded to the Cabell County Courthouse Clock Tower Restoration in Huntington, West Virginia (Edward Tucker Architects).
The Community Impact Award was presented to the Woody Williams Center for Advanced Learning and Careers in Barboursville, West Virginia, designed by ZMM Architects and Engineers, recognizing its impact on education and workforce development.
The 25 Year Award, honoring enduring architectural significance, was presented to the West Virginia Culture Center in Charleston, West Virginia, designed by Silling.
AIA West Virginia also presented the James L. Montgomery Award, the organization’s highest individual honor, to William E. Yoke Jr., AIA Emeritus, in recognition of a lifetime of distinguished service to the profession and lasting contributions to the built environment.
The evening also recognized the next generation of architects, with the West Virginia Foundation for Architecture (WVFA) awarding scholarships to ten students pursuing degrees in architecture. These awards reflect the Foundation’s continued commitment to supporting emerging talent and strengthening the future of the profession.
The AIA West Virginia Design Awards program underscores the role architects play in shaping communities through thoughtful, enduring design. This year’s recipients reflect a continued commitment to advancing the quality of the built environment while responding to evolving community needs.
Additional information, including detailed project descriptions and photography, is available in the Awards Gallery at www.aiawv.org.
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