RSS Local News – The Panhandle News Network | WEPM & WCST

  • Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department Investigating Shooting Incidents at Two “Large New Year’s Parties” that injured three people January 3, 2025
    MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Three people were shot in two separate New Year’s Day incidents in Berkeley County, in what the Sheriff’s Department is describing as “large New Year’s Parties.” The first call came just before 1 a.m. when deputies were called to a shooting at 632 Koonztown Road in Hedgesville. An 18 year-old woman from…
    mkavalek@wvradio.com
  • New Morgan County Sheriff Johnnie Walter Talks about coming home; Challenges of Recruitment January 2, 2025
      BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. — Newly sworn in Morgan County Sheriff Johnnie Walter is looking to the future of the department even as he reflected on his career so far in law enforcement. After more than seven years as Chief Deputy in the county, He has decades of experience in law enforcement: As to what…
    mkavalek@wvradio.com
  • Wind Advisory in Effect for The Area on New Years Day December 31, 2024
    BALTIMORE, MD — The National Weather Service in Baltimore has issued a Wind Advisory for the area, effective during most of New Year’s Day. Among local emergency services advising preparedness, the Washington County Office of Emergency Management says residents should prepare for strong west to northwest winds expected from Wednesday into Thursday as a cold…
    mkavalek@wvradio.com
  • Berkeley County Senator Jason Barrett Named Senate Finance Committee Chair December 31, 2024
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. –Senate President-elect Randy Smith continues to make key changes in leadership. Smith, R-Preston, announced Tuesday that he’s chosen Senator Jason Barrett, R-Berkeley, to chair the Senate Finance Committee replacing Senator Eric Tarr. “The Finance Committee does some of the hardest work and heaviest lifting in the Legislature, and it’s a tough job,” Smith…
    mkavalek@wvradio.com
  • $35,000 in Reward Money Offered for Tips Leading to Conviction in Firefighter Death December 30, 2024
    BERKELEY COUNTY, W.Va.— On the four-year anniversary of Air National Guard firefighter Logan Young’s tragic death, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department has announced that an award fund of $35,000 has been created in order to generate more information on the case. At the time of his death, Young was a senior airman with the Martinsburg-based…
    mkavalek@wvradio.com
  • Arson Death of Senior Airman from 167th Still Under Investigation, Four Years On December 26, 2024
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — It has now been four years since Air National Guard firefighter Logan Young lost his life while fighting an arson fire near Kearneysville. Young, a senior airman with the Martinsburg-based 167th Airlift Wing, died while battling a barn fire in a rural area of Berkeley County in the early morning hours of…
    mkavalek@wvradio.com
  • Delegate-elect accused of threats gets bond lowered, home confinement December 26, 2024
    By Luke Wiggs WEPM MARTINSBURG, W.Va — Wearing an orange jumpsuit and shackled around the wrists, waist, and ankles, a delegate-elect accused of threatening his legislative colleagues had his initial appearance in court. Joseph de Soto also used an oxygen tank during the hearing, demonstrating what his lawyer contended is evidence that home confinement would…
    mkavalek@wvradio.com
  • Walter Sworn in as Morgan County Sheriff December 26, 2024
    BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. — There’s been a changing of the guard in Morgan County, as this week, newly elected Sheriff Johnnie C. Walter, Jr. officially took the oath of office. Family members, friends, and colleagues were on hand to watch, as was Walter’s predecessor, former Sheriff KC Bohrer, who served two years as sheriff.  
    mkavalek@wvradio.com
  • MPD Chief Talks About Investigation into Rash of BB Gun Property Damage Incidents in Martinsburg December 19, 2024
    MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Saying there have been more than 30 such incidents in the city since November, Martinsburg Police Chief Erin Gibbons says they are getting closer to closing in on a suspect accused of damaging windows around Martinsburg with a BB gun.  Gibbons says he asked for the public’s help, and the public came…
    mkavalek@wvradio.com
  • One Teen Charged, Another Could Face Charges After Firearm Reportedly in Vehicle at Spring Mills High parking lot December 18, 2024
    SPRING MILLS, W.Va. — One teenager faces a firearms charge and another juvenile could face charges after the first reportedly pulled a firearm out from under his shirt and placed it in a vehicle – in the parking lot of Spring Mills High School. The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department tells The Panhandle News Network the…
    mkavalek@wvradio.com