West Virginia

Swift water training results in numerous rescues as flood waters raged – WV MetroNews

Published

1 year ago

February 22, 2025

Swift water training results in numerous rescues as flood waters raged – WV MetroNews

BECKLEY, W.Va. — Unlike most natural disasters West Virginia’s Natural Resources Police had plenty of time to plan and react to the most recent high water event in southern West Virginia.

“We knew we were going to get flooded somewhere, but we didn’t know exactly where. But we were prepared enough that when I left for work on Saturday morning I had a trailer hooked up to my vehicle with a boat knowing we would be deployed somewhere,” said Sgt. Dennis Feazell of the West Virginia Natural Resources Police.

All DNR law enforcement members are specifically trained in swift water rescue to some degree as part of their day to day duties.

A man and his dog are successfully pulled out of harm’s way by Natural Resources Police Officers as flooding raged through the West Virginia coalfields
PHOTO: NRPO Association

“We regulate the commercial whitewater industry, so we’ve always had a swiftwater rescue team. But with the rise in non-motorized watercraft like kayaks, we made a decision a couple of years ago to train all of our guys in swiftwater rescue and that keeps the public safe,” Feazell said.

The training paid of when the rainfall started. Feazell was working in the area of Mercer County around Oakvale and Spanishburg initially.

“The calls started rolling in and we worked all over Mercer County on the first night. We were hearing that McDowell County was getting hammered, but there was just no way to get in there to see if we could help anybody. That was a rough situation,” Feazell said.

Instead by Monday he was redirected to work on Marrowbone Creek in Mingo County.

“In my experience in the first 24 hours we were part of pulling out and rescuing 25 to 30 people just in my little section,” he explained.

Initially those they were helping were in immediate danger. Some were stranded in their vehicles as the water swept them away. Others were in houses where the water was rising and there was no way out.

“Those first eight hours a lot of them were in peril,” said Feazell. “We rescued one man in Oakvale from the back of his truck and it washed away. There were others in Spanishburg where I was working whose homes were filled up with water.”

Overall, Governor Patrick Morrisey noted in Friday’s media briefing first responders, which included Natural Resources Police, pulled more than 130 people out of harms way in which their homes or vehicles had become surrounded by water.

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West Virginia

Morrisey appoints Shane Stack to House District 4 seat – WV MetroNews

Published

7 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

18 hours 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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West Virginia

11 Marshall student athletes suing NCAA over new rule – WV MetroNews

Published

1 day ago

July 7, 2026

Press Room

11 Marshall student athletes suing NCAA over new rule – WV MetroNews

Peyton Ilderton and Meredith Maier with the WNIT trophy (Photo from Bill Cornwell)

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Eleven players in various Marshall University sports are suing the NCAA over its new eligibility rule.

The student athletes are seeking an injunction in Cabell County Circuit Court over the new five years to play five seasons rule approved last month.

The lawsuit was first reported by the West Virginia Record.

The players say the new rule cuts them off because they graduated high school in 2022 and played four seasons and are now being denied a fifth season.

The lawsuit alleges the rule violated West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act and the covenant of fair dealing.

The players want to play again in the 2026–27 sports year.

The players include Meredith Maier, Peyton Ilderton, Dewain “Boogie” Trotter, Bryce Blevins, Cam Harthan, Bailey Fisher, Johanna Strom, Blessing King, Paige Simpson, Ryan Holmes, Momo Diop and Hannah Wyler.

The student athletes are represented by Beckley attorney Steve New.

Similar lawsuits have been filed in other states. The NCAA has said making another change would create chaos.

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