Robert Castillo
Multimedia Journalist
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Robert Castillo is from WVVA’s stomping grounds- Bluefield, West Virginia. He graduated from Bluefield High School in 2017 and went on to study Broadcast Journalism at Marshall University. Robert graduated Cum Laude from Marshall in May of 2021.
Robert has enjoyed watching WVVA since he was a kid and gained his love for the industry watching the newscasts.
During his time at Marshall, Robert was involved with the school’s radio station, WMUL and newspaper, The Parthenon. He was also a reporter for the student produced newscast- MU Report.
In his spare time, Robert likes to watch sports, play video games, and collect sports cards. He is an avid animal lover and has one cat. Robert’s favorite place to be is any beach.
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Rachel Sawyers says they’re hoping to lease to own the former Veterinary Associates building on Cumberland Road.
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A potential leash law for Mercer County took a step back during the Mercer County Commission meeting on Tuesday.
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This is the first time the court has gone to a location outside of Charleston to hear oral arguments.
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The school set a goal of bringing together 500 donors to donate money to benefit the Concord University Annual Fund.
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Virginia Delegate Will Morefield says the project would be a big help when it comes to diversifying jobs in Southwest Virginia.
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Tazewell County leaders on hand say this plant is a move in the right direction because they don’t want to solely rely on coal moving forward.
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Public health care leaders in the Two Virginias say there are some defenses to reduce your chances of getting sick. Vaccination tops their list.
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It’s unclear right now if the commission plans to move forward with removing Jones as sheriff.
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Sept. 10 marked the beginning of National Suicide Prevention Week.
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Sawyers says the biggest hurdle is finding the right place. She says once that part is figured out they can move on to the next step which is funding.
The first reading for the potential leash law will happen on Sept. 26 at 3:30 pm in the commission meeting room.
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Clyburn or as some call him, “Mossy” has been involved with the department since its inception 50 years ago.
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Porterfield’s mother, Brenda Rucker is pleading for anyone who saw what happened to come forward to police with information.
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The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality tested the water in George Miller’s pond last month.
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Staff with the Green Valley-Glenwood Public Service District were at Glenwood Lake Thursday using a motorboat and rake to gather algae off of the lake’s surface.
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Grants Supermarket will once again be sponsoring adoption fees and will be giving away a free bag of dog or cat food.
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The city of Bluefield, West Virginia has unveiled two new electric charging stations that can charge four vehicles at one time.
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Residents of the Nubbins Ridge area of Mercer County say they’ve been trying to get water access in their community for at least 25 years.
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Bailey helped establish an ornamental horticulture program at MCTEC and served 28 years on the MCBOE.
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County leaders consider the picturesque place one of the most beautiful spots along the Brush Creek Falls Trail.
Commissioner Greg Puckett says he’s received numerous complaints from community members over the last few months about dogs on the loose.
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Both LaRue and Waldron can be found playing on both sides of the ball.
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Hotel Thelma’s owner, Reverend James Mitchell says workers from the City of Bluefield recently came and got rid of thick vegetation at the back of the property.
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The annual Beaver-Graham game is just one week away and the clear bag policy for the big game will be carried over from last year to this year.
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Bellepoint was just one area hit hard by 100+ mile per hour winds on Aug. 7. Some homes managed to avoid any serious damage from falling trees but 76-year-old Elizabeth Niswander’s home wasn’t so lucky.
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Glassblowers with the Hot Glass Academy, of Georgia, are in Fairlea showing West Virginians their craft.
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Residents of the Browning Lambert Mountain area say they’ve been trying to get access to public water since at least 2016.
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The USDA says in 2022 the honey industry in West Virginia generated more than 273,000 pounds of honey with a total price for sales worth more than $1.4 million.
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racey says they’re working to finish setting up cash registers, testing equipment and installing menus.
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Archer says workers with the Green Valley-Glenwood Public Service District have been treating the algae and grass in the lake with two different chemicals.
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Tailgating spots have officially sold out and times have been solidified for events like the lemonade festival, 5K race and the Shriner’s Carnival.
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Showalter says the current playground equipment was put into place in 1998.
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Aug. 10, 2023 made 13 years since Crystal Cantrell was found dead in the Bluestone River Along Gardner Road near Spanishburg.
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Aaron Beeman, the president for the Mercer County Firefighter’s Association previously asked the commission for $450K for the volunteer departments.
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Butts says the biggest questions mark they hope to address is whether the damage was caused by a tornado or just straight line winds.
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Gunnoe says severe weather safety protection actually begins with you at home.
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Culbertson says she is still haunted by seeing her home consumed by the fire.
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Teams representing the now consolidated Welch Maroon Wave and Gary Coal Diggers teed off for a friendly competition to benefit three groups in McDowell County.
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Chief Dennis Dillow says right now it’s hard to keep officers at his department due to low pay, high stress and seemingly relentless scrutiny.
Wheeling Island Stadium has been the host for the championship games since 1994.
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The new, state-of-the-art equipment will feature license plate readers and have the capability to help police identify wanted individuals using their photograph.
A 5K race, a carnival and a golf tournament are just a few of the events planned for the week leading up to this year’s Beaver-Graham game.
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West Virginia State Senator Chandler Swope says The Ridges is likely the largest single economic development project Mercer County has seen in 100 years.
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McComas is described by those who lived there as being self sufficient when it was at its peak.
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A Tazewell County man is still without answers after an investigation by the Virginia Department of Energy determined no oil, gas or coal production in the area is having any effect on oil getting into his pond.
The department’s celebration event is free and open to the public. It will be held at the East River Volunteer Fire Department on Oakvale Road at 2 pm.
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Those with the Green Valley-Glenwood Public Service District are working to get other chemicals to treat the grass but they have to be careful to find the right chemical so they don’t kill aquatic life.
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Sheriff Hieatt says every school in the county has at least one resource officer.
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About six months ago, Doug Repass says he and his wife found fossils resembling a sea shell while they were walking and looking at rocks.
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