-
BLUEFIELD Va. (WVVA) - The above slideshow was submitted to WVVA News via Facebook by Shirley Blackmon Grim. Shirley says this black bear visited her backyard on Sedgewood Street in Bluefield, Va., TuesdayMore >> BLUEFIELD Va. (WVVA) - The above slideshow was submitted to WVVA News via Facebook by Shirley Blackmon Grim. Shirley says this black bear visited her backyard on Sedgewood Street in Bluefield, Va., TuesdayMore >> WELCH (WVVA) - Motorcycle riders traveled from Welch to Bluefield to honor their fallen brothers. Riders from three counties came together for the third-annual motorcycle ride that honors fallen policeMore >> WELCH (WVVA) - Motorcycle riders traveled from Welch to Bluefield to honor their fallen brothers. Riders from three counties came together for the third-annual motorcycle ride that honors fallen policeMore >> Share in the emotion as area veterans visit the memorials and monuments of our nation's capital during the 2013 Always Free Honor Flight.More >> Share in the emotion as area veterans visit the memorials and monuments of our nation's capital during the 2013 Always Free Honor Flight.More >> ASBURY, W. Va (WVVA)-- Local farmers learn how they can save money while helping preserve the environment.Guests attended a farm tour at Stone Meadow Farms in Asbury, Greenbrier County, and learned changesMore >> ASBURY, W. Va (WVVA)-- Local farmers learn how they can save money while helping preserve the environment.Guests attended a farm tour at Stone Meadow Farms in Asbury, Greenbrier County, and learned changesMore >> WAR, W.Va. (AP) -- An addition to the Hatfield-McCoy Trail system in southern West Virginia is in the works. Hatfield-McCoy Trail Authority executive director Jeff Lusk says trail officials are collaboratingMore >> WAR, W.Va. (AP) -- An addition to the Hatfield-McCoy Trail system in southern West Virginia is in the works. Hatfield-McCoy Trail Authority executive director Jeff Lusk says trail officials are collaboratingMore >> HINTON (WVVA) - An arson charge against a Summers County man accused of setting the fire that destroyed a row of apartments in Hinton has been dropped. Billy Gill appeared in court Friday where the arsonMore >> HINTON (WVVA) - An arson charge against a Summers County man accused of setting the fire that destroyed a row of apartments in Hinton has been dropped. Billy Gill appeared in court Friday where the arsonMore >> MCDOWELL, W.Va.- A McDowell County man was arrested and is now in custody in the McDowell County Holding facility. On Thursday May 16th, 2013, The McDowell County Sheriff's Deputies arrested Jimmy RayMore >> RODERFIELD (WVVA) - A McDowell County man is now in custody after police say he intentionally burned down a mobile home he was living in. On Thursday the McDowell County Sheriff's Deputies arrested JimmyMore >>
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- Hundreds of eastern Kentucky miners who got layoff notices from Arch Coal this week are facing bleak prospects as they look for work in a region plagued by high unemployment.
Knott County Judge-Executive Randy Thompson says most of the available jobs in his county pay minimum wage or slightly higher, amounting to a huge pay cut for miners accustomed to making as much as $70,000 a year.
Thompson worries about an exodus of people from the region as mining jobs dwindle.
Jeff Whitehead, who heads a nonprofit group that matches employers with available help, says about 1,500 coal miners have been laid off in his 23-county region of eastern Kentucky this year. He says the retraining opportunities have included working as truck drivers and telecommunications linemen as well as in the health-care industry.
