News

CyberTip Leads To 20‑Year Federal Sentence For Wheeling Man

Community July 31, 2026

A single CyberTip led to a Wheeling man being convicted in federal court of producing and distributing child sexual abuse material online and being sentenced to 20 years in prison. Gage Heckman, 22, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey. The case began when the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children flagged suspicious activity on an Instagram account. That alert set off an immediate, coordinated investigation by federal and local authorities. Search warrants were executed, electronic devices were seized from Heckman’s South Wheeling residence, and ...

Flanigan Sworn In During Hometown Ceremony

Top Headlines July 31, 2026

WHEELING — A swearing-in ceremony for West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Justice Bill Flanigan of Wheeling was held Thursday at West Virginia Independence Hall Museum in downtown Wheeling. His first swearing-in ceremony was held in June in Charleston, but this hometown ceremony included ...

TANF Trouble: Lawmakers Scratching Heads As Clothing Voucher Program Comes To Halt

Top Headlines July 31, 2026

CHARLESTON - Two days prior to Gov. Patrick Morrisey promoting West Virginia's back-to-school sales tax holiday, the annual School Clothing Allowance program funded through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program went dark, leading lawmakers and advocates to ask why. Morrisey was ...

Playground Party Brings Fun, Awareness To YMCA Campers

Top Headlines July 31, 2026

WHEELING — Wheeling YMCA youth campers got the chance to play on bounce houses, eat grilled hot dogs and even enjoy water slides during a special Playground Party sponsored by Mountaineer Brewfest. The YMCA is set to receive a donation from proceeds from this year's Mountaineer Brewfest, ...

Tick Tock: Federal Judge Extends Deadlines In Case Over Justice-Owned Greenbrier

Top Headlines July 30, 2026

CHARLESTON — The clock is ticking as a federal judge once again extends deadlines at the request of the family of U.S. Sen. Jim Justice in a case that could determine whether the family maintains control of the historic Greenbrier Resort. U.S. District Judge Frank W. Volk issued an order ...

Wellsburg block party set for Friday

Community July 30, 2026

WELLSBURG – The city's Town Square area will be alive Friday night, with a block party organized by the Wellsburg Urban Renewal Authority. Activities are set for 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., to include live music by Shawn Villamagna, food from Taters Food Truck, Rusty Bull Tacos and Murphy's Ice Cream. The Carenbauer beer trailer will also be on hand, with additional local vendors also on site. Headline sponsors include Jimmy Willis, House of Delegates; the Kookie Jar; Puskarich Accounting and Tax LLC; Almost Heaven Family Dentistry; Carenbauer Distributing; and state Sen. Ryan ...