Latest news with #59News
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Beckley Crossroads Mall evacuated due to ‘unconfirmed emergency'
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) – Customers and workers at the Crossroads Mall in Beckley were alarmed when they were told to evacuate the premises. Bradley Prosperity Volunteer Fire Department, along with EMS are currently on scene. The cause of the evacuation is still unconfirmed at this time. Stick with 59News for more info on this ongoing story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Fayette County veteran honored with bridge dedication
OAK HILL, WV (WVNS) – A Fayette County hometown hero has been recognized for his service and sacrifice for his own Darrell Lee Burgess was only 19 when he lost his life on the frontlines. A member of the United States Marine Corps during World War II, Burgess held the rank of Private First Class and was gunned down just two weeks shy of his 20th birthday. Now, more than 80 years later, the Oak Hill Main Street bridge is being dedicated in his honor. Fayette County Delegate Elliott Pritt told 59News that Burgess lost his life while protecting others around him.'He died on the gun. He was shot by a Japanese sniper in the head and was killed instantly,' Pritt said. 'But he was at his gun trying to provide covering fire for other marines in his platoon.' The dedication of the bridge came after the passage of a resolution sponsored by Pritt and Delegate Ridenour in the most recent session of the West Virginia Legislature. Located just near the dedication site for another highly significant historical figure, one Hank Williams Sr., the USMC PFC Darrell Lee Burgess Memorial Bridge will ensure that a local American hero is never forgotten. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Planned PEIA rate increases elicit concern from lawmakers and policyholders
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) – Hundreds of thousands of West Virginians with PEIA coverage are set to see rate increases in the coming months. With increases of up to 16% in premiums expected to impact certain West Virginia residents as early as July according to PEIA, members of the general public along with state lawmakers have voiced concerns regarding the coverage provider. While many say a change is in order, no one can seem to agree on how to appropriately address financial concerns associated with the program. 'We keep doing things that they tell us is going to fix the problem and then it ends up not fixing the problem,' Delegate Eric Brooks told 59News. 'We'll see what the options are when we get back down there. I think the governor is really pushing for a Special Session to deal with this before January when we have our next legislative session.' A bill introduced during the most recent session of the West Virginia Legislature – House Bill 2623 – would abolish PEIA altogether, though some detractors have characterized the legislation as reckless. The bill was under consideration by the House Committee on Health and Human Resources at the time the most recent legislative session was brought to a close. Governor Patrick Morrisey told 59News he has been working with the legislature to address issues with PEIA, citing an overall need for fiscal responsibility on the state level. 'We have a lot of tough challenges ahead. I've mentioned that we have PEIA that'll be coming up in the upcoming months,' said Morrisey. 'We've been diligently working on that and are starting to have conversations with the legislature. We want to get that right because we have to make sure that we help West Virginia reach her potential.' Several delegates have said they expect to be called in for a session to address PEIA specifically, and the governor says he hopes to address the issue in the coming months, though an official call for a Special Session of the legislature has yet to be made at this time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
State Fair of West Virginia moving forward with $30 million master plan
FAIRLEA, WV (WVNS) – As the State Fair of West Virginia celebrates and reflects on the past 100 years, they are gearing up for the future. State Fair CEO Kelly Collins told 59News they are moving forward with a $30 million master plan over the next several years. What does the State Fair of West Virginia Endowment Fund do? This money will help upgrade and modernize the fairgrounds. She said they have to make concessions in regards to logistics and infrastructure, much like cities do every day. 'Our first project is going to be restoration of the grandstand. It is in great shape, but we want to make sure that it stays that way. We want to increase our campaign and fix some of our camping lots and make them more accessible for folks. There is not a lot of hotel rooms. We have great hotel partners in Lewisburg, but we need more. So, we hope to enhance our campground. We have got some livestock facilities we also want to fix over the next couple of years,' said Collins. Collins said they will have to raise funds to make this plan a reality through methods such as private donors. Some of the other ideas for this money includes more handicapped accessible restrooms and other things to accommodate those with sensory issues. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Local fire department and EMS holds a boot drive to keep them financially afloat amidst uncertain times
MOUNT HOPE, WV (WVNS) – One local fire department set up at an interchange in Mount Hope to hold a boot drive to raise important funds to help them continue serving the public. The Bradley-Prosperity Volunteer Fire Department covers around 60 miles of Raleigh County, as well as offering emergency and non-emergency EMS transport services. 26th West Virginia ambulance service shuts down within 2 years Fire Chief, David Wriston told 59News it is tough for them financially, with Medicare and Medicaid payouts. He explained these reimbursements are becoming increasingly more difficult to collect because of the disqualifications in both programs. It can take 6 to 8 months after they provided a transport for them to get reimbursed, according to Wriston. 'It is incredibly important to have as many ambulances available as you can. Just because we are here at Bradley does not mean that we are only here in Bradley. We have been to Coal City, we have been to Ghent, we have been to other places. The need for ambulance transports is absolutely there. It is just [a matter of] the finances to keep it going,' said Wriston. Wriston and his department are very grateful for their county levy's financial support, but this boot drive helped them raise additional money to help them provide quality service while keeping them financially stable. The Bradley-Prosperity Fire Department will take the money from this boot drive and take it to their board of directors. These donations will help them with projects around the station, as well as filling the void when they are waiting for their reimbursement payments. Wriston said they are planning another boot drive around the Fourth of July. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
