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Tug Valley Panthers expect a winning season
Coach Kyle Runyon takes the reins BY KYLE LOVERN MOUNTAIN CITIZEN NAUGATUCK, W.Va. — Kyle Runyon, who was an assistant coach for the Tug Valley Panthers for two seasons, is now leading the way as the first-year head coach in Naugatuck. He and his assistant coaches expect another winning season in 2026. Runyon knows his…
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Woman accused of attacking firefighters during Tug River rescue
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — A Huntington woman allegedly struck firefighters who waded into the Tug River to rescue her after she escaped Kentucky State Police custody Aug. 15. Vicki Lynn Venturino, 35, was charged with four counts each of obstructing a firefighter and battery on a firefighter, along with obstructing an officer and…
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Sexton takes Mingo concerns to governor
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — Mingo County activist Tara “Baby T” Sexton used West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s recent visit to Williamson City Hall to put a list of concerns facing southern West Virginia directly into the governor’s hands. “We brought the harsh reality of Southern West Virginia straight to the governor yesterday in…
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Morrisey brings water listening tour to Williamson
BY KYLE LOVERN MOUNTAIN CITIZEN WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — Gov. Patrick Morrisey brought his Water Listening Tour to Williamson Aug. 4, telling a packed town hall that reliable water, sewer and other infrastructure are fundamental to attracting business and improving life in southern West Virginia. Morrisey arrived in Williamson after stops in Wayne County and had…
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Mingo County arrests
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — The Mingo County Magistrate Court released these criminal complaints from various law enforcement agencies for the week of Aug. 2. Dominick T. Davidson, 30, of Akron, Ohio, and Ashley L. Rayburn, 44, of Matewan, were arrested by Deputies M. Tiller and J. May, with assistance from Gilbert PD officer…
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Sheriff investigates ‘heinous’ killing of family dog in Mingo County
BY ANNIE HOLLER MOUNTAIN CITIZEN MAHER, W.Va. — A Mingo County family is offering a reward for information after finding their Labrador retriever hanging from a utility pole near their home Aug. 9—what Sheriff Joe Smith called a “heinous act of violence.” Kris and Brittany Edminston and their two sons returned to their home in…
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My favorite football movies
With gridiron season nearly upon us, I thought about all the football movies made over the years. If you do the research, there are a lot more than you think, going all the way back to the 1920s. There are several great older black-and-white movies, like “Horse Feathers” with the Marx Brothers, “Knute Rockne-All American”…
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Claudine Dillon Obituary
Claudine Dillon 1982—2026 Claudine Dillon, 44, of Kermit, West Virginia, died July 29, 2026, in Lexington. Born May 28, 1982, she was the daughter of the late Woodrow Dillon and Edwina Dillon. Claudine was a beloved daughter, mother, sister, aunt and friend. She was known for her kind heart, unwavering strength and deep love for…
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Louisa woman jailed after allegedly striking, killing dog with her vehicle
BY ANNIE HOLLER MOUNTAIN CITIZEN MATEWAN, W.Va. — A Lawrence County woman was arrested July 28 on warrants stemming from three separate incidents in Mingo County, including one in which she allegedly struck and killed a dog with her vehicle. Courtney Jo Cooper, 21, of Louisa, faces two felony charges and several misdemeanor charges arising…
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Pike traffic stop triggers meth bust in Williamson
BY ANNIE HOLLER MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PIKEVILLE — A traffic stop in Pikeville on July 28 led to a methamphetamine bust at a Williamson residence, where authorities seized approximately 3 pounds of the drug and $19,357 in cash. Pikeville Police officers stopped a GMC Sierra on U.S. 119 after observing it traveling above the speed limit…
