Lead Stories

Arizona Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Charge in Huntington

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – An Apache Junction, Arizona man pled guilty to possessing methamphetamine and heroin,  announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Clint Gentile, 39, pled guilty to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin. Read more

Operation Shutdown Corner: Law Enforcement Dismantles Multi-State Methamphetamine Pipeline from Southern California to West Virginia

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced a major takedown today of drug traffickers resulting in the dismantling of a multi-state drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for distributing pounds of methamphetamine from San Diego, California to West Virginia. Read more

Attorney General Morrisey Warns Metro Valley Consumers of Spike in Call Spoofing

CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey warned Metro Valley consumers Monday about a recent spike in phone calls they may receive from scam artists who are posing as Kanawha or Putnam county businesses.
 
Three businesses – two medical clinics and an automobile repair shop – reportedly received more than 600 calls from consumers questioning why a company representative had called the consumer’s phone asking for personal, identifiable information. Read more

The Fall International Film Festival at Huntington’s Keith Albee Performing Arts Center Oct. 3-6

HUNTINGTON, WV-The Fall International Film Festival will take place at the Keith Albee Performing Arts Center beginning Thursday, October 3rd through Sunday, October 6th, featuring six critically acclaimed films from around the world. This highly anticipated annual event will feature films from France, Germany, Japan, China, Lebanon and Mexico. Read more

OPINION COLUMN ... Mark Caserta: Stewart’s Wars: Should Marshall University President Gilbert resign?

(Editor's Note: Views expressed are those of the columnist, not HNN.  HNN's position is only displayed with EDITORIAL proceeding the article. We are open to columns or letters from diverse perspectives.) 

Just when you may think conditions couldn’t become worse in the city of Huntington, WV, it appears they may already be worse than any of us could have imagined. Read more

OPINION Columnist Mark Caserta: Huntington, WV. must elect a Christian conservative for mayor in 2020

Recently, certain political “pundits” have suggested that the fight for John Mandt Jr. and Stewart’s, of which I’ve been a part, will cripple my brother Scott’s chances for winning the 2020 Huntington, WV. mayoral election.

Not a chance, unless we listen to the same political prognosticators who told you Hillary would win in a landslide! Read more

ODNR’s Own Testing Confirms Worst Fears - Oil and Gas Brine contains Cancer-Causing Radioactivity

Beginning in April, 2017, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has been testing “brine” from conventional and horizontal oil/gas wells as well as brine coming to Ohio from out of state wells. The results revealed that all sources of waste contain high levels of Radium-226 and Radium-228, both cancer-inducing forms of radioactivity. Radium is especially treacherous because it is soluble in water. The human body treats it like calcium and deposits it into the skeleton where it causes painful debilitating tumors, broken bones and cancer that often metastasizes into other parts of the body. About half of all bone cancers result in death (NIH). Read more

Crusty, Slow Moving Stallone Despite Diminishing Psychicality Takes on Human Trafficking

Before f/x could endear superheroes routinely with advanced super powers, moviegoers cheered other humans empowered with extraordinary strength, reflexes, and precision air. Billy (Tom Laughlin) Jack,  a cross between an underdog crusader and diversity spreading martial arts guru , dominated the 70s followed by Sylvester Stallone drawing "First Blood" in the 80s. Read more

Public Hearing Monday on Big Sandy TIF Designaation

A public hearing has been called for Monday, Sept. 23 @ 6 p.m. to discussed proposed improvements to the exterior plaza at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena. The TIF project would include an outdoor serving area of the Arena's Convention Center. Two fountains would be included as well as benches. The meeting will be At Huntington City Hall. 

Survivor of Club Babylon Shooting in 2009, Shot and Killed Early Saturday near Former Babylon

A Charleston man who survived a 2009 mass shooting inside Club Babylon in the 800 block of Fourth Avenue has died after shots were fired about 2:51 a.m. Saturday outside another night spot in the 800 block of Fourth Avenue. Sontezz Lomax, 39, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a press release from the Huntington Police Department. Another person has non-life threatening injuries from flying debris and has been treated at St. Mary's Medical Center.  Read more

Health professions student recruitment fair set for Sept. 27

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – High school and college students have the opportunity to explore careers in health professions at the 2019 College Student Development Program and Student Recruitment Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, September 27, at the Marshall University Memorial Student Center in the Don Morris Room. Read more

Marshall Beta Gamma Sigma chapter earns highest honors

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall University has received the Highest Honors designation with Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS), the international business honor society. This is the highest level of recognition a chapter can earn in BGS’ Chapter Honor Roll program, and it commends Brad D. Smith Schools of Business’ commitment to academic excellence, leadership and student success. Read more

Huntington Council, Finance Committee Meet Monday Sept. 23

Huntington City Council, its Finance Committee, and its Planning/Zoning Committee all meet Monday, Sept 23 at Huntington City Hall. The Council meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. The work session is at 6:45 p.

The agenda for council includes a housekeeping matter officially removing the residency requirements for city employees. It had been removed from the city charter in 2012, purchase of property on Ninth Avenue, and first reading of a fireworks ordinance.  Read more

Independent Living Council Meets in Oct.

The next WVSILC meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 2, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Conference Room on the 3rd floor at the Division of Rehab Services, 10 McJunkin Dr, Nitro, WV. The agenda for this meeting can be found at www.wvsilc.org Read more

Attorney General Morrisey Sues Johnson & Johnson Over Surgical Mesh Marketing

CHARLESTON—West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey filed suit against Johnson & Johnson and subsidiary companies Ethicon Inc. and Ethicon US, LLC, alleging the companies engaged in unlawful, unfair and deceptive marketing practices associated with their surgical mesh devices. Read more

ATF offers reward in explosives theft

ASHLAND, KY— The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Louisville Field Division, is requesting assistance from the public for information regarding an explosives theft.

Sometime between the afternoon hours of Friday Sept. 13, 2019 and the morning hours of Monday Sept. 16, 2019, unknown individual(s) broke into an explosive magazines on a construction site near Wheelrim Road in Campton, Kentucky and stole various explosives. The investigation is being worked by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance of the Kentucky State Police. Read more

Rambo's Back one more time

Sylvester Stallone heads back to the big screen for the fifth episode in the "Rambo" series which began in 1982 with "First Blood," where the Italian Stallion starred as a former Vietnam Green Beret created a muscular and rapid shooting mercenary.  "Last Blood , the last of the series, has John Rambo must retest his combat skills for one final mission.

Prior to the Rambo series, Stallone starred in the multi-sequel "Rocky" boxing franchise.  Read more

HMDA Special Call; Sale of Two Acres at Kinetic Park

HMDA will hold a special meeting Friday, Sept. 20 at 4 p.m. in council chambers to grant authority for the executive committee to execute sales documents on just over 2.0 acres of property at Kinetic Park. Read more

Follow the Constitution, Or Bring Our Troops Home

by Del. Pat McGeehan

Some sixteen hundred years ago, in the year 410 AD, barbarian armies underneath King Alaric captured the ancient city of Rome, ransacking and pillaging the center of the Roman Empire. The fall of the once-great capital sent terrifying shockwaves throughout the Western world, triggering Saint Jerome to lament that it was like “the bright light of all the world was put out.” Read more

Letter of petition calling for Stewart’s Original Hot Dogs to be reinstated at Marshall ballgames

 

This letter, along with a petition signed by over 4500 petitioners in less than 7 days, was delivered on 9.17.2019 to the office of Marshall University President Jerome Gilbert by Steven J. Davis of Concerned Citizens of Huntington, WV. and Mark Caserta, columnist and editor of Free State Patriot. Read more

Akron Woman Sentenced to Prison for Trafficking Heroin, Carfentanil and Methamphetamine

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – An Akron, Ohio, woman was sentenced to federal prison for a drug trafficking crime, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Azriel Irene Westfall, 21, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine.  Westfall must also serve a three year term of supervised release after her prison term. Read more

Attorney General Morrisey Statement on the Death of Roane County High School player Alex Miller

CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey joined other state and local leaders in expressing his sorrow over the death Friday evening of Roane County High School senior Alex Miller during his team’s football game against Clay County.  Read more

Opioid Awareness Summit kicks off in West Virginia

HUNTINGTON, W.Va.— A collaborative effort to educate high school students about opioid awareness will bring thousands of students to Marshall University’s Cam Henderson Center at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 18, for the Game Changer Opioid Awareness Summit. Thousands more will watch online. Read more

Marshall to induct three business leaders into business Hall of Fame

Marshall University's Lewis College of Business Executive Advisory Board will welcome three business leaders into its Hall of Fame on Friday, Sept. 27.

 The 2019 Hall of Fame inductees are Dr. Kathy D’Antoni, Michael G. Sellards and Rick Slater. They will be honored during the Lewis College of Business’ 2019 induction ceremony at 7 p.m. in the Brad D. Smith Foundation Hall, with a reception to precede the ceremony at 6 p.m.  Read more

Fall, Holiday, and some 2020 Movies Coming

Brace yourself superhero fans and space franchise affectionados, you're cinematic horizons are lean, that is unless you're privy   to exploring expanded universes and newly introduced characters.    After "The Joker" stars Joaquin Phoenix in a captivating look at the super-villains dissent from failed comedian into madness. Don't  expect roman numerals as this kicks off a series of "one shot" DC Universe stories.  Read more

Attorney General Morrisey Leads Coalition in Support of Energy Rule

CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey led a coalition of officials from 20 states in supporting the Trump Administration’s pro-coal, Affordable Clean Energy rule as it faces a challenge in court by Democrat attorneys general. Read more

Robert C. Byrd Forum on Civic Responsibility to take place Tuesday

HUNTINGTON, W.Va.—Marshall University will host the 2019 Robert C. Byrd Forum on Civic Responsibility at 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 17, in the Francis-Booth Experimental Theatre at the Joan C. Edwards Playhouse on the Huntington campus. Read more

Land Reuse Committee to Consider Various Properties

The Huntington Land Reuse Commission will meet at 1:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at Huntington City Hall, according to Crystal Perry, demolition specialist Huntington Dept. of Planning and Development.  Read more

HMDA Meets Monday to Discuss Flint, ACF property transactions

The Huntington Municipal Development Authority meets Monday, Sept. 16 at 4 pm in Council Chambers at Huntington City Hall. The agenda, which is below, includes discussion of two major land purchases and sales --- the purchase of ACF and the sale of Flint Properties lot to Marshall University for construction of a baseball field.

Read more

Police Hunt for Shooting Suspect

Huntington Police are searching for a Huntington man who has been charged in connection with a shooting that occurred Tuesday, Sept. 10, in the 1700 block of Artisan Avenue. Read more

New Board of Governors members sworn in at Marshall; New health sciences parking garage announced

HUNTINGTON, W.Va.- New Board of Governors members were sworn in today at the board’s regular meeting on the Huntington campus.

Appointed by West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, Christopher “Chris” Miller, William “Bill” Noe and Sandra Thomas will serve the university for a four-year term ending in 2023. Read more

Marshall to dedicate Stephen J. Kopp Hall

HUNTINGTON, W.Va.—Marshall University will officially dedicate its newest building, Stephen J. Kopp Hall, in a ceremony set for 3 p.m., Friday, Sept. 13, at the Marshall University School of Pharmacy, located at 1538 Charleston Avenue. Read more

Marshall-Ohio game to work toward zero waste

HUNTINGTON, W.Va.— The football match-up this weekend between the Thundering Herd and the Ohio Bobcats will be waste free to the extent possible. Read more