WEBSTER SPRINGS — Mountaineer Journal has launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist the family of Sarah Beckstrom, the 20-year-old West Virginia National Guard member who died Thursday after being shot in an ambush-style attack near the White House.
The fundraiser was created under the direction of Mountaineer Journal publisher Caiden Cowger, who said that 100 percent of all proceeds will go directly to Beckstrom’s parents to help cover potential funeral costs and other immediate expenses.
Caiden
WASHINGTON — The suspect accused of shooting two National Guard members near the White House drove across the country from Washington state to carry out the attack, federal officials said Thursday.
At a news conference, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said the two Guard members remain in critical condition, adding,
“All hearts go out to the victims and their families.”
Authorities identified the suspect as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, an Afghan national who previously
WASHINGTON — The Afghan national accused of shooting two National Guard members just blocks from the White House previously worked with multiple U.S. government entities, including the CIA, during his time as part of a partner force in Afghanistan, according to intelligence officials familiar with the matter.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, entered the United States in September 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, the Biden administration program that resettled tens of thousands of Afghans following
CHARLESTON — Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced Saturday that state employees will receive a half-day off on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving.
“In gratitude for the hard work and dedication from our state employees, it is fitting to provide them some additional time to spend with their families and loved ones,” Morrisey said in a statement.
The governor’s office noted that the proclamation applies only to state workers and does not affect private businesses, local governments or others not
WASHINGTON — A bipartisan panel of policy experts told lawmakers Thursday that China’s escalating campaign against religious groups — including a new wave of arrests targeting members of an underground Christian congregation — poses a growing national security threat to the United States and demands a forceful response.
Former Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, who served as U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom during the Trump administration, urged Congress to reframe Beijing’s
Carolyn Ann Johnston, age 82, of Buckhannon, WV went home to be with the Lord on Monday, November 17, 2025. She was born on December 31, 1942, in Newlon, WV. Carolyn was the cherished daughter of Marvin H. and Clarice England Page of Newlon, WV.
Carolyn is survived by her loving husband Kenneth, of Buckhannon, WV, whom she married on February 1, 1961. She is also survived by three sons: Kenny, Khris and wife Kelli all of Buckhannon and Terry and Tricia of Bridgeport; six grandchildren: Kade
Earl W. Hamilton, 91, passed away November 4, 2025.
Born in Coalton, WV, Earl was a resident of Stow since 1960, and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. Earl had been a Captain with the Stow Fire Department, retiring in 2000. Earl then began working part time for Ron Marhofer Chevrolet until he was 82 years old! Besides working, he enjoyed hunting, yard work, fishing, scuba diving, flying in the Akron Flying club, member of the local VFW #4378/American Legion, biking and spending time with his loved
SWISS — A mine foreman missing since Saturday has been found dead inside the Rolling Thunder Mine near Swiss in Nicholas County, officials said Thursday.
Steve Lipscomb was discovered by a two-man search team around 7:37 a.m., Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced during the 2025 Governor’s Energy Summit in Charleston.
Morrisey said rescue crews were able to enter the mine around 6 a.m. Thursday after water levels receded enough to allow safe access underground.
“This morning’s news is absolutely
HUNTINGTON — The Amazon Customer Service Center on Kinetic Drive in Huntington will close by May 2026, a company representative confirmed via email this week.
Despite the closure, all associates at the facility will retain their positions, wages and benefits, according to the statement. The company did not provide additional details regarding the reason for the closure or plans for the facility’s future use.
The Huntington center has been part of Amazon’s customer service operations for several
CHARLESTON — Del. Elias Coop-Gonzalez (R-Randolph) is encouraging community discussions about using West Virginia’s charter school program to preserve Harman School in Randolph County, citing legislation passed earlier this year that extends the application window for schools seeking conversion.
“Earlier this year, I wrote a bill to help save the Harman School in Randolph County, and it passed,” Coop-Gonzalez said. “Last December, I authored a detailed article about how to save the school while
