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Hometown Hero

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Hometown Hero

WVVA Hometown Hero:  “Katie” Redden is a double-duty 1st Responder

WVVA Hometown Hero: “Katie” Redden is a double-duty 1st Responder

Updated: May. 10, 2023 at 6:24 PM EDT
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By Martin Staunton
Katherine Redden works as a paramedic and as a volunteer firefighter in Greenbrier County.

Hometown Hero

Susan Honaker

WVVA Hometown Hero: Mercer County Magistrate making a difference

Updated: Apr. 26, 2023 at 4:35 PM EDT
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By Martin Staunton
For the last 13 years, Susan Atkins Honaker has been serving in Mercer County’s magistrate court.

Hometown Hero

T.J. Cochran

WVVA Hometown Hero: Sheriff’s Deputy fights sex crimes and child abuse

Updated: Apr. 13, 2023 at 5:09 PM EDT
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By Martin Staunton
Sergeant T.J. Cochran has spent more than half of his life in law enforcement, with more than 30 years of experience. He’s worked in Virginia, North Carolina, and West Virginia where he was born and raised.

Hometown Hero

Joel Feltner

WVVA Hometown Hero: Joel Feltner is a multitasking first responder

Updated: Mar. 29, 2023 at 5:36 PM EDT
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By Martin Staunton
Once Feltner started, he never looked back. Now, he works not only as a volunteer firefighter, but he’s also a critical care paramedic, an athletic trainer for Midland Trail High School’s football team, and he’s part of the Fayette County Volunteer Swift Water, Rope, and Rescue team.

Hometown Hero

WVVA Hometown Hero:  Augustosky tackles Mercer County litter and more

WVVA Hometown Hero: Augustosky tackles Mercer County litter and more

Updated: Mar. 8, 2023 at 4:10 PM EST
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By Martin Staunton
Linda Augustosky not only helps to pick up roadside litter, she’s also a leader in the effort to rid the county of dilapidated structure. She even finds the time to inspire kids to develop a love for reading.

Hometown Hero

WVVA Hometown Hero:  Pharmacist adds love to every prescription

WVVA Hometown Hero: Pharmacist adds love to every prescription

Updated: Feb. 23, 2023 at 10:09 AM EST
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By Martin Staunton
Customers of the Bluewell Family Pharmacy in Mercer County stay loyal to their little pharmacy because of the love they feel from it’s owner, operator.

Hometown Hero

Patricia Daniels says she started working with the non-profit as a volunteer 36 years ago, when...

WVVA Hometown Hero fights for domestic violence victims

Updated: Feb. 9, 2023 at 6:24 PM EST
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By Martin Staunton and Melinda Zosh
Heroes by definition save people from all manners of misery and danger and the latest WVVA Hometown hero does both and even saves lives.

Hometown Hero

The day after Christmas 2022 could have ended tragically without the actions of 11-year-old...

WVVA Hometown Hero: Boy saves family from fire

Updated: Jan. 28, 2023 at 2:56 PM EST
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By Martin Staunton and Melinda Zosh
He was eager to use his phone and the new ear pods he received for Christmas, but instead, he found himself in a room filled with smoke.

Hometown Hero

WVVA HOMETOWN HERO:  SIBLINGS LEAD COMMUNITY EFFORT TO KEEP COAL CAMP CHRISTMAS PROGRAM ALIVE

WVVA Hometown Hero: Siblings lead community effort to keep Coal Camp Christmas Program alive

Updated: Jan. 13, 2023 at 8:26 AM EST
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By Martin Staunton
Siblings lead community effort to keep Coal Camp Christmas Program alive

Hometown Hero

Dr. Sam Heflin

Former Vet Center Director named WVVA Hometown Hero

Updated: Dec. 29, 2022 at 4:16 PM EST
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By Martin Staunton
Dr. Sam Heflin’s retirement from the U.S. Army in the late 1970′s was the start of a new career helping fellow veterans readjust to civilian life.
Precision Satellite and Radar
Precision Satellite and Radar

Hometown Hero

Puckett’s projects make him a WVVA Hometown Hero

Updated: Dec. 29, 2022 at 4:14 PM EST
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By Megan Brandl
His hard work and dedication to get several community projects off the drawing board and make them a reality for people in Princeton and Mercer County is why he was chosen as a WVVA Hometown Hero.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero celebrates Labor Day everyday

Updated: Dec. 28, 2022 at 3:15 PM EST
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By Megan Brandl
Her dedication and encouragement for all the mothers that come through the Labor and Delivery Unit at PCH is what makes Madelene Howard a WVVA Hometown Hero.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero: Randolph Jennings reflects on 99th birthday

Updated: Nov. 30, 2022 at 8:07 AM EST
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By Martin Staunton
Recognizing the things Rudolph Jennings accomplished in his 99 years of life seems fitting as he earns Hometown Hero accolades between Election Day and Veteran's Day.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero: Randy Hart shows a heart for helping strangers

Updated: Oct. 27, 2022 at 3:14 PM EDT
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By Martin Staunton
Personal loss prompts a Bluefield, West Virginia resident to step up and help parents pay for some of the expenses they incur caring for a seriously ill child.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero: Retired Educator Leads “God’s Army Against Hunger”

Updated: Oct. 13, 2022 at 3:59 PM EDT
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By Martin Staunton
Some of the best ideas are borrowed and that’s what Nyoka Money says lead her and others to start a ministry to feed children over the weekend.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero: Sheriff Brian Hieatt

Updated: Jun. 23, 2022 at 12:50 PM EDT
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By Megan Brandl
Sheriff Brian Hieatt, a Tazewell County native, is this weeks Hometown Hero.

News

Hometown Hero: Kathy Gentry

Updated: Jun. 9, 2022 at 2:09 PM EDT
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By Joshua Bolden
For low income residents in McDowell County who need hand up not a hand out that is where SHED also known as Safe Housing and Economic Development comes in. Kathy Gentry is the executive director.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero: Phyllis Akers

Updated: Jun. 2, 2022 at 11:58 AM EDT
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By Joshua Bolden
The retired Mercer County teacher noticed that some were intimidated by line dancing class and wanted to give up Phyllis stepped up doing what she does best--teach and she teaches this slower paced course at no extra charge.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero: Pastor Allen Gross & ‘The Least of These’ Ministries

Updated: Apr. 28, 2022 at 1:31 PM EDT
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By Joshua Bolden
Pastor Gross the one of the leaders behind ‘The Least of These’ which is a ministry through the church.At the request of members of our community he and the team travel through the Two Virginias building ramps for the elderly and disabled.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero: Dr. Sarah Grose

Updated: Apr. 15, 2022 at 2:30 PM EDT
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By Joshua Bolden
Instructing the next generation is a team effort and behind every team is a team leader at Bluewell Elementary School that leader is principal, Dr. Sarah Grose.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero: Julie Hurley

Updated: Apr. 7, 2022 at 4:11 PM EDT
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By Joshua Bolden
"I think most people do what they love. Some people do one thing. Some people do a smorgasbord. I have learned to do the things I love and give it everything my whole heart.” --Julie Hurley

Community

Hometown Hero: Captain Dennis Smith

Updated: Mar. 9, 2022 at 3:18 PM EST
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By Joshua Bolden
“This is what He does. It may not have been food boxes but He sure would made a whole bunch of food appear in two baskets.”

News

Hometown Hero: Rocky Phillips & Steve Brooks

Updated: Feb. 25, 2022 at 2:37 PM EST
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By Joshua Bolden
The non-profit on Thorn Street in Princeton is filled with joy and in the middle of it all is Rocky Phillips and Steve Brooks who we met as they were preparing meals for folks over at Princeton Towers and our community in need.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero: Dr. Brittany Anderson

Updated: Feb. 10, 2022 at 4:21 PM EST
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By Joshua Bolden
Dr. Anderson would have stints in Mercer County as teacher for Memorial School and principal for Whitehorn Elementary before they consolidated into Bluefield Primary.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero: Kimberly Moore

Updated: Jan. 28, 2022 at 4:34 PM EST
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By Joshua Bolden
Jazzercise is known for its moving and grooving. It has also evolved over the last 52 years. Chat with Kimberly for a few minutes and you’ll realize this form of fitness is more than working out.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero: Betty Brainerd & The Wade Center

Updated: Jan. 19, 2022 at 6:08 PM EST
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By Joshua Bolden
Brainerd is the powerhouse executive director behind the Wade Center. While she may be the executive director, she will be the first to tell you educating our children and executing the mission of this place is not only a team effort, but a community one.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero: Kim Bay

Updated: Dec. 8, 2021 at 6:18 PM EST
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By Joshua Bolden
There’s something special about doing for others whether they’re on two legs or four and no one understands that more intimately than Kim Bay with the Mercer County Humane Society.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero: Alfred ‘Jack’ Repass

Updated: Nov. 24, 2021 at 6:15 PM EST
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By Joshua Bolden
With a buzz and snip Alfred ‘Jack’ Repass was born into the barber business--and serving our community for decades.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero: Dr. William Merva

Updated: Nov. 10, 2021 at 7:09 PM EST
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By Joshua Bolden
Piano keys and stethoscopes on the surface may not have much in common, but look a little closer and they both require a delicate touch. In this a edition of Hometown Hero Joshua Bolden introduces us to a doctor with a intricate musicality.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero: Shellie Simpson

Updated: Nov. 10, 2021 at 5:31 PM EST
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By Maria Sellers
Mercer county native Shellie Simpson, known to students as Dr. Shellie, is in her fourth year as principal at Brushfork Elementary School.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero: Cody Fuller

Updated: Nov. 10, 2021 at 5:27 PM EST
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By Maria Sellers
Bluefield native Cody Fuller was a student at Marshall University when he signed up to donate stem cells.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero: Vicky Lothery

Updated: Nov. 10, 2021 at 5:23 PM EST
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By Maria Sellers
For more than thirty years, Vicky Lothery has been working as a coder at Clinch Valley Physicians Associates in Cedar Bluff.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero: Stephen Eades

Updated: Nov. 10, 2021 at 5:14 PM EST
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By Maria Sellers
Stephen Eades has served the community of Ansted in public service roles for the past three decades.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero: Mike Goins

Updated: Oct. 28, 2021 at 9:02 AM EDT
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By Maria Sellers
Mike Goins has been working with the Bluefield Virginia Little League for nearly 30 years.
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