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1-10 years in pen. Defense asked for home confinement. Judge: betrayed public trust. Mayor alderson Travis Copenhaver asked higher sentence. Convicted words for mayor as she exited. Monroe CountyMore >> UNION (WVVA) - A woman convicted of embezzling funds from the town of Alderson will spend the next 1-10 years in prison. Jacalyn Ann "Jackie" Villars, former employee of the Town of Alderson, learnedMore >> FAIRLEA, W. Va (WVVA)-- A man is charged with arson after a fire at a Greenbrier County gas station.State Police said Cory Bowyer of Ronceverte set fire to a truck while pumping gas around 5 PM SundayMore >> FAIRLEA, W. Va (WVVA)-- A man is charged with arson after a fire at a Greenbrier County gas station.State Police said Cory Bowyer of Ronceverte set fire to a truck while pumping gas around 5 PM SundayMore >> PARRIS ISLAND, SC (WVVA) -- In early May, a WVVA crew traveled to Parris Island with a group of West Virginia educators to learn what it takes to make a U.S. Marine. The journey started before off theMore >> PARRIS ISLAND, SC (WVVA) -- In early May, a WVVA crew traveled to Parris Island with a group of West Virginia educators to learn what it takes to make a U.S. Marine. The journey started before off theMore >> WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va (WVVA)-- 3 New Jersey men are arrested after a disturbance at the Greenbrier Resort Casino.Police said in a criminal complaint that resort security asked Sean, Martin, andMore >> WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va (WVVA)-- 3 New Jersey men are arrested after a disturbance at the Greenbrier Resort Casino.Police said in a criminal complaint that resort security asked Sean, Martin, andMore >> 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 >> CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Fayette County pill dealer who sold approximately 250 powerful prescription painkillers over a two-year period pleaded guilty today to federal drug charges, announced U.S. AttorneyMore >> CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Fayette County pill dealer who sold approximately 250 powerful prescription painkillers over a two-year period pleaded guilty today to federal drug charges, announced U.S. AttorneyMore >> BOISSEVAIN (WVVA) - A teenager was killed over the weekend after the dirt bike he was riding collided head-on with a truck. The accident happened around 4 p.m. on Saturday on route 657 near BoissevainMore >> BOISSEVAIN (WVVA) - A teenager was killed over the weekend after the dirt bike he was riding collided head-on with a truck. The accident happened around 4 p.m. on Saturday on route 657 near BoissevainMore >> MCDOWELL COUNTY (WVVA) - The McDowell County Sheriff's Department is investigating a murder that occurred in the early morning hours. Further details are not available this time. The Sheriff's DepartmentMore >> MCDOWELL COUNTY (WVVA) - A man is behind bars in McDowell County -- accused in the murder of an Avondale man. Wesley Payne, 54, of War has been charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of DonaldMore >> BECKLEY, W.Va. (WVVA)- A charity event in Beckley is working to raise money for the Women's Resource Center. The Chair-ity Auction will take place in Lewis Automotive Showroom in Beckley on May 17th.More >> BECKLEY, W.Va. (WVVA)- A charity event in Beckley is working to raise money for the Women's Resource Center. The Chair-ity Auction will take place in Lewis Automotive Showroom in Beckley on Friday. TheMore >>
BECKLEY (WVVA) – A road in southern West Virginia is the subject of a controversy with two very different sides.
The Coalfields Expressway project is at a halt until more funding is available for its construction. The road is said to cost upwards of $20 million a mile.
The environmental activist group the Sierra Club has an online petition asking to stop funding for the road, on the grounds that it will not be beneficial to the general public. They feel it will help the coal industry and construction will be hazardous to the environment.
Some politicians disagree. Rep. Nick Rahall of the United States House of Representatives says upon completion, the Coalfields Expressway will be a lifeline for people traveling through Southern West Virginia.
"I'm a true believer in that old saying, ‘if you build it they'll come.' And I really believe the building of transportation and highways causes small businesses to look to move into an area, even larger scale businesses to move in, so if you build it they'll come, and it means jobs," says Rep. Rahall.
The Coalfields Expressway would be a four lane modern highway, connecting Beckley to McDowell County.