West Virginia grants available for land protection

Posted: Jan. 16, 2018 | Source: AP News

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The West Virginia Outdoor Heritage Conservation Fund says it’s accepting grant applications for land-protection projects with up to $1.2 million that may be awarded.

According to the fund, projects can include wildlife habitats, working forests and farmlands, as well as hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation areas.

The fund has an 11-member board of trustees from the state divisions of forestry and natural resources, land trusts, outdoor recreation and sportsmen’s groups, and professionals in biology, ecology, forestry and public health.

Grant application forms are available online at www.wvcommerce.org/resources/conservation/ohcf/default.aspx.

Note: Fiscal Year 2018 Grant Applications will be accepted through January 31, 2018.

Paintings sought for 2019 West Virginia wildlife calendar

Graphic courtesy of the West Virginia Department of Commerce. The West Virginia Wildlife calendar for 2018 is now available for purchase.

Posted: Jan. 16, 2018 | Source: AP News

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is seeking paintings for its 2019 wildlife calendar.

The DNR says in a news release that the deadline for submitting original, color wildlife paintings is Feb. 19.

The statement says the paintings can depict game and fish species along with other wildlife, such as small mammals, bats, frogs, salamanders, snakes, songbirds, and turtles.

Artists can submit multiple entries. Paintings not chosen in previous years can be resubmitted. Each entry should include a high-quality electronic image that is 14.5-by-11.5 inches, although a print will be accepted. Electronic images can be emailed to Elizabeth.N.Akins@wv.gov.

A $200 prize will be awarded for each chosen painting, and the artist whose work is picked for the cover will get an additional $500.

Snow expected to affect afternoon commute

By: Anna Taylor | Posted: Jan. 16, 2018 | Source: WVAH

Snow is expected to continue to fall throughout the evening in the region, with the heaviest accumulation expected during the afternoon commute.

The latest round of winter weather has led to a number of school closings or dismissing early. Kanawha County Schools will be dismissing two hours early. Third Base and evening extracurricular activities also are canceled. Other schools districts closed for the day include Putnam, Cabell, Lincoln, Clay, Jackson, Mason, Harrison, Lewis, Gilmer, Barbour, Calhoun, Mingo, Wayne and Wirt. Wyoming County is dismissing at noon. Fayette County is closing three hours early.

In Ohio, the University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College are closed and all athletic events have been canceled, a school spokeswoman said. Meanwhile in Kentucky, Boyd and Elliott counties are closed.

A winter weather advisory is in effect until 6 p.m. Tuesday for areas in West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio.

West Virginia counties under the advisory issued by the National Weather Service in Charleston are Wayne, Cabell, Mason, Jackson, Wood, Pleasants, Tyler, Lincoln, Putnam, Kanawha, Roane, Wirt, Calhoun, Ritchie, Doddridge, Clay, Braxton, Gilmer, Lewis, Harrison, Taylor, Upshur and Barbour.

In Kentucky, counties under the watch include Greenup, Carter, Boyd and Lawrence.

Meanwhile, Ohio counties included are Meigs, Gallia and Lawrence.

Bob Aaron side streets covering Cross Lanes

A winter weather advisory is in effect until 6 a.m. Wednesday for Pocahontas County in West Virginia.

During a winter weather advisory for snow, periods of snow will cause travel difficulties. Slippery road conditions are expected. The National Weather Service advises drivers to be prepared for reduced visibilities at times.

In the Kanawha Valley, 2 to 4 inches of snow is expected. Some areas could see 5 inches. Kanawha County had less than an inch as of 8:30 a.m. The area can expect about an inch by noon and another 2 to 3 inches throughout the afternoon and evening. For the latest Eyewitness News Storm Team forecast, click here.

Doug Harlow Twitter Post 1-16-2018

The heaviest snowfall is expected between 3 and 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Four minor crashes have been reported in the St. Albans and Cross Lanes areas since 6:30 a.m., according to Metro 911. In Athens County, Ohio, emergency officials said the county is under a level two snow emergency. Emergency officials said only those who feel it is necessary to travel should be out on the roads.

A flight from Yeager Airport to Charlotte has been canceled. For flight updates, go here.

Send your weather videos and photos here.

Homeschoolers push Tebow bill at West Virginia Capitol

By: MetroNews Staff | Posted: Jan. 16, 2018 | Source: WV MetroNews

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A Clay County woman said she believes her two homeschooled sons, ages 16 and 11, are academically on par with their peers in public schools and she wants to see them and other homeschoolers have access to the same extracurriculars.

It’s about homeschool freedom and a parent’s right to choose, argued Wendy Summers with the Christian Home Educators of West Virginia on Tuesday’s MetroNews “Talkline.” (more…)

Prep basketball roundup: Winfield girls beat Bridgeport

By: Staff Writers | Posted: Jan. 15, 2018 | Source: WV Gazette-Mail

Z.Z. Russell scored a game-high 17 points as Winfield built a big, early lead and coasted to a 50-39 girls prep win over Bridgeport at the East Fairmont Classic on Monday afternoon.

Sydney Cavender added 12 points for the Generals (9-2) with Lauren Hudson tossing in 10. Winfield led 28-14 at halftime.

Sarah Haynes led Bridgeport with 15 points and Rory Marple scored 10.

Sissonville 64, Herbert Hoover 42: Layla Arthur scored 24 points and accounted for 11 assists and nine rebounds as Sissonville topped Herbert Hoover in Clendenin on Tuesday night in girls basketball. Brooklyn Campbell also chipped in 15 points in the win for the Indians (10-1).

For Herbert Hoover (4-8), Allison Dunbar led the way with 19 points, followed by 14 points from Abi Melton.

Sherman 56, Scott 34: Dejah Busby poured in 26 points as Sherman won at home to remain unbeaten.

Amber Maloskey gunned in 15 points for the Tide (10-0).

BOYS

Logan (Ohio) 76, Capital 58: Bo Myers and Caidan Landes each scored 31 points as Logan (Ohio) topped Capital at the Martin Luther King Tournament in Zainesville, Ohio

For Capital (4-4), Kerry Martin Jr. led the way with 13 points, followed by 10 points from Nas Harris.

Woodrow Wilson 71, St. Albans 50: Mikey Penn produced 22 points to help Woodrow Wilson to a home victory.

Bryce Radford knocked down four 3s on his way to 20 points and Eddie Christian tacked on 13 for the Flying Eagles. Reggie Jackson made four 3-pointers on his way to 18 points to lead the Red Dragons, and Rodney Toler tallied 12.

Sissonville 64, Herbert Hoover 44: Nolan Woodrum buried five 3-pointers on his way to 19 points as Sissonville rolled to a road win.

Will Hackney had 18 points and Ethan Granata scored 14 for the Indians. Gavin Robertson led the Huskies with 17 points and Austin Stafford chipped in 11.

Lewis County 64, Poca 58: Bradley Smith scored 17 points as the Minutemen (3-6) topped Poca in Weston. Shawn Moran chipped in with 13 points as Lewis County goes 13-16 from the free-throw line.

For Poca (1-10), Evan McKneely led the way with 26 points, followed by 14 points from Bronson Skeens.

Cross Lanes Christian 61, Buffalo 37: Adam Ford fired in 14 points to lead Cross Lanes to a road win.

Dane Hicks added 11 points for the Warriors (10-4). Alec Hanshaw had 13 points to pace the Bison (3-5) and Jackson England donated 11.

Clay County 86, Fayetteville 66: Thomas Haverty scored 23 points to lead Clay County past Fayetteville at the MLK Classic at Webster County High School.

Isaac Workman added 20 points for Clay, while Nate Canfield and Hunter Jones both scored 12. Fayetteville was led by Luke Vass, who scored 27 points. Hunter Rinehart and Micah Bates had 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Webster County 85, Meadow Bridge 53: Tyler Gray recorded 27 points, five assists and five steals to lead Webster County to a win in the MLK Classic.

Cody Lowther added 16 points and six assists, while Pryce Gadd chipped in 13 points and Cole Taylor tacked on 12 for the Highlanders (6-3). Zach Yates led the Wildcats (4-5) with 14 points and Jared Gladwell added 11.

Winter weather advisory issued for much of region

By: Jeff Morris | Posted: Jan. 15, 2018 | Source: WVAH

After a dose of freezing rain and snow over the weekend, Round 2 of winter weather could be coming to the region.

The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory from 6 p.m. Monday to 6 p.m. Tuesday for multiple counties in Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia.

Snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are expected in northeast Kentucky, southeast Ohio and much of the West Virginia lowlands with slippery road conditions possible. (more…)

New dawn for West Virginia – Reasons to hope and believe

By: Greg Kozera | Posted: Jan. 15, 2018 | Source: The State Journal

Just over six years ago, my wife, Lynnda, had a very serious car accident, rolling her car several times. The seat belt she wore and the airbags saved her life, but she still had a serious head laceration and a broken neck. A trauma team of five doctors came in to examine her at CAMC. Their faces were stern. No one was smiling.

Greg Kozera

Greg Kozera, photo courtesy of Shale Crescent USA

As they were leaving, Lynnda whispered, “Doc.” The head trauma surgeon stopped and came back to Lynnda. He had to put his ear over her mouth so he could hear her whisper, “We have a trip to Disney World with the grandkids planned for the middle of next month. Is there any reason I can’t go?” This stern doctor suddenly broke into laughter. He responded, “It might be a little uncomfortable if you are driving.” I said, “I have plane tickets.” “Then no problem,” was his answer. (more…)

WV man gets more than six years in jail for child pornography

Posted: Jan. 14, 2018 | Source: WSAZ

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) — A Kanawha County man was sentenced last week for child pornography, according to the FBI.

Stephen Lee Rhodes

40-year-old Stephen Lee Rhodes of Clendenin, West Virginia previously pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography. He was sentenced to six years and three months in federal prison, was ordered to serve 20 years on probation, and will be required to register as a sex offender.

According to the FBI, Rhodes admitted back in June of 2015 that he had received on his computer a video of a minor engaged in sexual acts. He also admitted to having a large collection of child porn images and videos on computers at his home.

The investigation found that Rhodes was using a peer-to-peer file sharing program to download, receive and distribute child pornography. FBI agents seized his computers and other digital storage devices before arresting Rhodes in March 2017.

UPDATE: Man rescued from vehicle after driving into creek in Elkview

By: Kelsey Hoak | Posted: Jan. 13, 2018 at 11:53 p.m. | Source: WSAZ

ELKVIEW, W.Va. (WSAZ) — UPDATE 1/12/18 @ 11:26 p.m. 
One man was rescued from his vehicle after driving into a creek in Elkview.

It happened Friday just after 10 p.m. along Little Sandy Road.

When crews arrived on scene, water was up to the vehicle’s windows.

A water rescue team had to pull the man out of the back window and onto a boat.

The man was trying to cross the creek a couple miles upstream when he told crews his vehicle got swept away.

Firefighters tell WSAZ the man called 911 himself and remained on the phone with a dispatcher for about 30 minutes while he waited for crews to arrive. He couldn’t get out himself, the doors were stuck while the water was rising.

The man is expected to be okay.

Clendenin, Frame and Pinch Volunteer Fire Departments responded.

ORIGINAL STORY 1/12/18 @ 10:46 p.m. 
Emergency crews are on the scene where a vehicle has gone into a creek in northern Kanawha County.

Crews tells WSAZ that the vehicle went into the water along Little Sandy Road in Elkview.

At least one person is in the vehicle. They were the one to call into 911.

Clay woman bags huge bear with long-distance shot

Courtesy photo: Bears weighing nearly 500 pounds aren’t common in West Virginia, and when Chelsea Mullins of Bomont downed one with a 252-yard shot in early December, it created quite a stir. The bear weighed 489.6 pounds and measured 7 feet from nose to tail.

By: John McCoy, Staff Writer | Posted: Jan. 13, 2018 | Source: WV Gazette-Mail

You never know what you might encounter while deer hunting.

For Chelsea Mullins, it happened to be the biggest bear she, or any of her friends, had ever seen. And make no mistake, they’d seen a bunch of them.

“I’m an experienced bear hunter,” said Mullins, a 22-year-old dental assistant from the Clay County town of Bomont. “I’ve now killed three, and I’ve been along on a lot of hunts.”

All of those hunts, however, were with hounds that treed the bears so they could be shot. The bear Mullins killed on Dec. 2 was different.

“We couldn’t use hounds for this hunt because it was during [West Virginia’s firearm season for buck deer],” she explained. (more…)