Local News

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. Due to an abnormally dry spring, officials from the Morgantown Utility Board (MUB) are asking customers in the Greystone, Falling Waters, and Lakeview areas to voluntarily conserve water.

Due to the conditions, General Manager Mike McNulty said Thursday that the single pump used to supply that area was not able to keep pace with demand.

“We have added an additional pump that wouldn’t run at the same time into the mix, and we’re pumping about 100 more gallons per minute now,” McNulty said.

As of Friday afternoon, McNulty said use has plateaued, but the continued hot and dry conditions will continue to stress the system.

“We’ve sent messages to the customers in those areas saying we’d like for them to conserve all weekend if possible,” McNulty said.

At least through the weekend, McNulty is asking residents to put chores and recreational activities for the weekend on hold.

“Watering lawns, washing cars, pressure washing, and filling the pool,” McNulty said. “If everyone could refrain from doing those types of things, it would be a big help.”

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. Paul W. Gwaltney Jr. has been sworn in as the judge in Division 1 of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, serving Monongalia County. Fellow attorney James Hawkins provided opening remarks, Senior Status Judge Russell Clawges administered the oath of office, and his daughters Emily and Molly held the Bible.

In his remarks, Gwaltney said we are all products of our experiences and reflected on his hardworking family in Washington state. He said his father, a 45-year employee of the United States Postal Service, worked his shift, came to take a nap, then went to the local school to coach whatever sport was in season, depending on the season. His mother traveled for more than an hour on public transportation every day to sell candy in downtown Seattle.

He said he is a product of their hard work and sacrifice.

“I’m so grateful to the governor for entrusting this position to me,” Gwaltney said. “For the opportunity to serve my community in this fashion, I’m so grateful.”

As a criminal defense attorney specializing in child abuse cases, I traveled to jails to meet with clients to make sure I got all the facts. During this work, he met and began to work with another attorney, James Hawkins, who shared the same passion for his clients.

“I’ve spent many an hour at the regional jails, not over night but many an hour there,” Gwaltney said. “And I think because of that and my conversations with clients and their families, I do bring a different perspective to things.”

Hawkins said before he met Gwaltney, he saw his name frequently on sign-in logs at different jails across the state. Hawkins said that when he finally met Gwaltney in a courtroom and watched him work, he was completely impressed, and the two became friends and co-workers.

“Nobody will outwork him,” Hawkins said. “Go to court, do your prep, go to jail, start over the next day and on the weekends—that’s who he is.”

His previous experience as a criminal defense attorney will have an impact on his approach as a judge. After years of watching court proceedings where liberty or parental rights were in jeopardy of being lost, the importance of the work cannot be understated, according to Gwaltney.

“The case is the most important day in their lives—recognizing the significance of that,” Gwaltney said. “I hope that people will understand that I come to the court prepared with the desire to get each decision correct.”

Gwaltney said he will run for office in 2024.

MONONGALIA COUNTY, W.Va. Deputies from the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department found a deceased male while on routine patrol of the Birch and Darnell Hollow areas Thursday.

Sheriff Perry Palmer said deputies found a vehicle on a logging trail in a heavily wooded area. As deputies approached the vehicle, they found a deceased male about ten feet away.

The male has been identified as James Lanko, 62, of Point Marion, Pennsylvania.

The report said there were no signs of foul play, but the investigation is ongoing pending an autopsy.

Anyone with information about Lanko is asked to contact the sheriff’s department at 304-291-7260.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. Three have been indicted in connection with the discovery of a body over a hillside off Dry Run Road on July 5, 2021. Sarah Sherman, Isaiah Antonk, and Deaven Lamb have been charged with conspiracy to commit a felony and concealment of a deceased human body.

Police determined Jessie Lee Young Jr., 40, of Winchester, Virginia, died at a Morgantown apartment while doing drugs with at least two of the three accused.

Young’s body was placed in the backseat of his car and taken to the Dry Run Road location where he was left.

An autopsy revealed that Young died of cocaine and alcohol intoxication.

WASHINGTON DC – Tokamak Energy Inc., with operations in Bruceton Mills has been selected to participate in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) fusion energy development program. Senator Joe Manchin said the Bruceton Mills company is one of eight nationwide that will explore designs and research fusion power plants. Fusion energy could provide abundant, safe, non-carbon emitting energy that would contribute to the energy independence of the country.

“This marks a pivotal point for advancing U.S. commercial fusion technology with the announcement of the first selections for the new Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program, and I could not be prouder that Tokamak Energy was picked alongside only seven other companies from around the nation to help advance the future of fusion energy. With the passage of the Energy Act of 2020 and the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, Congress provided clear bipartisan direction and support for the Department of Energy to undertake an ambitious program to develop fusion technologies to be commercially deployable in the next ten years. I am genuinely excited by the potential of fusion energy and technology to transform our future and contribute to our energy and national security. West Virginia has always been America’s energy powerhouse, and Tokamak is only the latest example of the Mountain State upholding our legacy and helping America remain a global energy leader,” said Chairman Manchin.

As part of the program, workers will work side-by-side with personnel from the U.S. national laboratories and universities to address significant technical and commercial challenges in the design of a fusion energy plant.

“We are delighted to be selected by the U.S. DOE for its Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program. It’s a fantastic endorsement of the strength of our team, technology and path to commercial fusion energy, combining the spherical tokamak with high temperature superconducting magnets,” Warrick Matthews, Managing Director for Tokamak energy said.

Additionally, Tokamak Energy and General Atomics (GA) have agreed in a memorandum of understanding to collaborate in development of high temperature superconducting technology for fusion energy in other applications like aviation, naval, space and medical.

MONONGALIA COUNTY, W.Va. A team of investigators from the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) returned to Dug Hill Road, just outside Morgantown, to look for additional clues in a 2021 death investigation.

In June of 2021, the body was found by someone working on the land in that area. The person was wearing an LA Lakers jersey and black sweat pants and appeared to have dreadlocks. Due to the state of decomposition, investigators were not able to determine the race or gender of the subject.

An anthropological report released in March 2023 said the remains were likely those of a 14–23-year-old white male between 5-feet 6-inches and 6-feet tall.

The new information has been entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs).

This week, the team used metal detectors and cleared additional brush in an effort to find additional clues.

Information about the case can be left confidentially by calling 304-291-7218.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Multiple department responded to a fire at Finish Line Motors in Morgantown overnight.

Firefighters from Brookhaven, Cool Springs, Westover, Star City and Granville were dispatched at 2:51 a.m. The fire was reported contained around 3:30 a.m.

There is no damage estimate or information about a cause available.

DAVIS, W.Va. – Vandalia Health officials report a non-binding letter of intent has been signed with the Davis Health System for them to join the Vandalia network.

The Davis Health System is expected to add services for members of the community as a result.

“This announcement reassures the communities of Davis Health System that local health care will thrive and grow,” said DHS President and CEO Vance Jackson, FACHE. “Both Davis Health and Vandalia Health share a commitment to improving access and opportunities for better health across West Virginia.”

Both systems share the same values of providing high-quality care close to home.

“Davis Medical Center, Broaddus Hospital and Webster Memorial are providing critically needed services in their communities.  We will be proud to help them continue that tradition, and support them with services in the region,” said David L. Ramsey, CEO & President of Vandalia Health.

The transaction will close after due diligence is completed and all necessary regulatory and governance approvals have been received.

FAIRMONT, W.Va. – One person has died as a result of injuries suffered in a rollover crash in Fairmont this week.

Tuesday morning at 11:25, a car carrying Sandra Wyont, 54, failed to stop at the intersection of Locust Avenue and Oakwood Road. The car Wyont was in was hit by another vehicle, causing it to roll.

The intersection was closed for about two hours during the investigation.

No citations have been issued.

The investigation is ongoing.