West Virginia
West Virginia Strongman state championships show off strength and sportsmanship
KINGWOOD, W.Va. (WBOY) — The West Virginia Strongman Corporation State Championship was held in Kingwood on Saturday.
More than 70 athletes competed in competitions such as the deadlift, yolk walk, overhead and “sandbags of suffering” in hopes that they would punch their ticket to the national strongman competition later this year.
More than 200 spectators were expected to stop by the Craig Civic Center and watch the display of strength, sportsmanship and friendly competition.
Stewart Reed, one of the organizers for the West Virginia state Strongman Championships, spoke with 12 News about the unique environment of the competitions.
“Strongman is very much a community that cares about each other but still want to compete. It’s a way to express your strength and express a very fulfilling and rewarding hobby actually,” Reed said.
Athletes from eight different states were in attendance, ready to show off the hard work they had put in leading up to the competition.
This year’s competition was hosted by the Lift Hard Strength Club out of Preston County.
West Virginia
Woman sentenced for her role in drug trafficking ring linking West Virginia to Illinois
FAYETTE COUNTY, W.Va. (WCHS) — A woman who held a role in a drug ring linking West Virginia to Illinois will spend at least a decade in prison, prosecutors said.
Krystal Tankson, 41, of Chicago has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver methamphetamine, according to a news release from the Fayette County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
The release said the sentence was doubled as Tankson had previously been convicted of a federal drug offense. The woman must serve 10 years of that sentenced before becoming eligible for parole.
Prosecutors said in June 2021, an investigation into Fayette County drug activity was launched, leading confidential informants to make 20 separate purchases of fentanyl and methamphetamine over the span of four months.
Law enforcement officers seize more than a pound of fentanyl, two pounds of methamphetamine and about three ounces of cocaine along with $250,000 cash from a Fayette County residence. (Fayette County Prosecutor’s Office)
According to prosecutors, the investigation led to the seizure of about three pounds of illicit drugs and nearly $250,000 in cash.
“Tankson was directly involved in the transportation of large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine into the state,” the release said. “Tankson is the final member of the drug trafficking organization to be prosecuted.
Investigators determined Heather Hewitt to be the network’s leader. In 2023, Hewitt was sentenced to up to 90 years in prison and fined $25,000 for her role in operation.
CLAY COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) – A popular trail in Clay County has opened some major upgrades to the public.
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey celebrated the opening of the new Elk River Trail Visitors Center. The governor said the new visitors center was designed to look like a historic train depot.
The celebration also highlighted a more than 4-mile-long expansion to the trail. The expansion features a paved mile leading into Clendenin, along with benches and a gazebo overlooking the Elk River.
Morrisey said part of the trail will serve as an official Mountaineer Mile location.
Copyright 2026 WSAZ. All rights reserved.
MINGO COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) – A man is facing several charges, including grand larceny, after an attempt to steal a four-wheeler and leaving a victim critically injured in Mingo County.
According to a criminal complaint, Brandon Bragg and another man went to a home in Mingo County to steal a red four-wheeler worth more than $1,000 on May 18.
The two men pulled the four-wheeler from the residence with Bragg’s Chevrolet Silverado to Bragg’s home with a tow strap, the criminal complaint states.
The criminal complaint states the two men were able to pull the four-wheeler up the road to the top of Horsepen Mountain, but the four-wheeler wrecked.
The man with Bragg was then thrown from the four-wheeler onto the pavement, where he suffered life-threatening injuries — making him incapacitated due to those injuries, according to the criminal complaint.
The criminal complaint states Bragg then loaded the man into his vehicle and took him to another home.
After a witness at the scene called 911, Bragg left with the man still in his vehicle instead of waiting on EMS and without giving him medical aid, the criminal complaint states.
The man is currently in the hospital. According to the criminal complaint, his family states he’s being kept alive for organ donation.
Bragg was charged with grand larceny, conspiracy to grand larceny, crashes involving death or personal injuries under Erin’s Law, and abuse or neglect of an incapacitated adult.
His bond is set for $100,000, cash-only.
Copyright 2026 WSAZ. All rights reserved.
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