West Virginia

WV State Fire Marshal’s Office celebrates 115th anniversary

Published

2 years ago

July 12, 2024

Press Room

WV State Fire Marshal’s Office celebrates 115th anniversary

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) – The West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office is celebrating its 115th anniversary Monday.

The office was established by the state legislature on July 15, 1909 and was originally staffed by four fire marshals.

Current State Fire Marshal Kenneth Tyree, Jr., wrote a letter commemorating the anniversary.

Tyree said those original four “brave and dedicated people” covered the entire state, traveled many miles by train, car and on horseback and spent a lot of time away from their homes “because they believed in protecting the residents of this state from fire and its dangers.”

“I cannot mark this anniversary without recognizing the many whose shoulders we, as an agency, stand on: our families, the statewide fire service and law enforcement community of colleagues that we have had the pleasure to be associated with through our collaborations, partnership, and service to protect, to keep safe and help limit the risk from fire and other emergencies by our service in fire and explosion investigation, fire code inspections, fire code plans reviews, fire department evaluations, and various regulatory and licensing services,” Tyree said.

Tyree mentioned that Charles Ellison, the very first state fire marshal, was just 27 years old when he took office and set the precedent for all of the marshals to follow.

He also mentioned that the late Walter Smittle III, who passed away on August 25, 2022, was the longest serving marshal to date with 26 years of service from 1974 to 1999.

“He [Smittle] left a legacy and a mark of advancement not only on this State but throughout this Nation as one of the most decorated State Fire Marshals this nation has known,” Tyree said.

Tyree said he is closing in on his 10th year of service within the agency and to West Virginia.

“I am humbled and honored to be the 19th State Fire Marshal in West Virginia’s history in a land and state that I love,” Tyree said.

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West Virginia

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

Published

9 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

19 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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