W.Va. couple arrested for gross child neglect

October 4, 2023

BY CHRIS LAWRENCE SISSONVILLE — Two Kanawha County residents face charges of gross child neglect after the discovery of three children who were essentially held captive in two locations in the Sissonville community. Donald Ray Lantz, 63, and Jeanne Kay Whitefeather, 61, both of Sissonville, were arrested Monday night on felony charges of gross child neglect creating a substantial risk of injury. Kanawha County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a home on Cheyenne Lane in Sissonville Monday evening after a 911 call regarding the welfare of the children. Deputies found two ...

U.S. Marshals seek man wanted for sexual assault on rail-trail

October 4, 2023

CLARKSBURG — The U.S. Marshals Service requests the public’s assistance in apprehending 31-year-old Emilio Pascual Guzman in the north-central West Virginia area. Guzman is wanted by the West Virginia State Police for first-degree sexual assault. Guzman is accused of sexually assaulting a woman on the Caperton Trail near Star City Park on Sept. 20, 2022. Guzman is believed to have ties to Guatemala. His full name is Emilio Pascual Guzman, but he’s also been known to use aliases Tony Gabriel and Antonio Gabriel Mendez. He is described as 5-foot-8-inch male, weighing ...

Raleigh County deputy claims negligence following surgical procedure

October 3, 2023

A lawsuit filed in Monongalia County Circuit Court alleges doctors and medical staff at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital did not provide an appropriate level of care during a 2021 spinal surgery.  According to court documents, David D. Gentry suffered severe skin-tear injuries to his shoulder, arms and elbow region after hospital staff failed to recognize a note citing Gentry's allergy to adhesives.  Gentry, a former law enforcement officer in Raleigh County, was shot several times in the line of duty in June 1991. Former West Virginia Gov. Gaston Caperton awarded Gentry the ...

MPD targets female recruits with first-ever open house for women

October 2, 2023

The Morgantown Police Department hopes to grow and further diversify its ranks by hosting the first ever female-focused open house on Wednesday, Oct. 11, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., to encourage local women to learn more about working in law enforcement. The event will be hosted at MPD’s new ...

Police evacuate area around Dorsey Avenue after shots-fired call

September 29, 2023

Morgantown Police evacuated residents around Dorsey Avenue and Hite Street at about 9:30 p.m. Thursday after reports were made of shots fired in the area.  According to Morgantown Police Chief Eric Powell, the officers who responded spoke with witnesses in the immediate area who ...

Governor’s Highway Safety Program tells drivers to Click It. Don’t Risk It. in October

September 26, 2023

For more than a decade, the month of October has proven to be one of the most dangerous months for drivers in West Virginia with 309 total traffic fatalities from 2011-20. Some of these deaths may have been prevented had the vehicle occupants been wearing a seatbelt. In 2021, 40% of people ...