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Cops and Courts

Deputy Chief Eric Powell to lead MPD

A Morgantown Police Officer who's been with the department more than 20 years will serve as the department's interim chief. Deputy Chief Eric Powell will lead the department while Morgantown finds a replacement for Chief Ed Preston who is resigning from the department on June 30 after a little over nine years as chief, City Manager Paul Brake said. "Deputy Chief Powell has played an important role in maintaining the high standards of the department and has worked tirelessly for the community," Brake said. "He is an experienced police administrator and officer and I am confident in ...

One taken to hospital by helicopter after crash

A man who was ejected from his vehicle in a crash at the intersection of Gladesville Road and Grafton Road on Wednesday morning was taken to the hospital in a HealthNet helicopter. The two-vehicle crash was reported at 11:16 a.m., according to a 911 supervisor. The last units left the ...

Man charged with domestic assault

A Morgantown man is in jail after he allegedly pointed a gun at a woman’s head while drunk. Bobby G. Lemasters, 46, is charged with domestic assault, wanton endangerment and brandishing by the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department. On April 30, deputies were called to Lazzelle Union Road for a domestic dispute involving a gun. The victim told deputies Lemasters was intoxicated and pointed a .22 caliber gun at her head and threatened to kill her, according to a criminal complaint. She ran outside and locked herself in her vehicle until deputies arrived. She had a safe ...

Daily Report

Preston Sheriff Hemerick, Nathaniel Allen, 25, of Rowlesburg, no insurance, no inspection sticker, second-offense driving on revoked license, improper registration, May 6; Deputy Hovatter.

Bruceton Mills man charged with felony wanton endangerment after he allegedly fired shots

KINGWOOD — A Bruceton Mills man is charged with felony wanton endangerment afterhe allegedly fired shots April 21 because he was upset about a juvenile delivery driver’s speeding.Shane Ryan Benson, 34, is free on $10,000 bond. He was arrested this week. According to the criminal complaint by Preston Sheriff’s Cpl. W.T. McNair:A juvenile who had been delivering food for a local business was approached by Benson, in a brown Jeep, at the end of a driveway. They exchanged words regarding the juvenile’s driving.The juvenile followed the Jeep to the intersection of Eagles Nest Road ...

Preston Judge Steve Shaffer refused to grant sheriff candidate an injunction

KINGWOOD — Preston Judge Steve Shaffer refused Thursday to grant sheriff candidate Jason Peaslee an injunction to force the sheriff to remove a Facebook post.Peaslee’s attorney, Michael Cardi, of Bowles Rice LLP, argued that the post, which mentioned Peaslee’s campaign by name, was an attempt by Sheriff Dan Loughrie to influence the campaign.Peaslee, Chief Deputy Paul “Moe” Pritt and Joel Gordon are competing for the Republican nomination.“It really takes a tough skin to run for political office. Many things said are untrue. Many lies are told,” the judge told Peaslee.Both ...