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Hometown Hero

  • Nominate a Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero

Hometown Heroes | Teens save animals trapped in barn fire

Hometown Heroes | Teens save animals trapped in barn fire

Updated: Mar. 31, 2023 at 11:32 PM EDT
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By Taylor Eaton
Rather than turning a blind eye, Gavin Leach, Logan Casey, and Caleb Pierson quickly decided to do something.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero | Eli Kiser and Hunter Lanham

Hometown Heroes | Eli Kiser and Hunter Lanham

Updated: Mar. 24, 2023 at 11:28 PM EDT
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By Marlee Pinchok
The off-duty EMS workers quickly jumped into action to save a woman trapped inside a burning home.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero | Doc Wilburn

Hometown Hero | Doc Wilburn

Updated: Mar. 20, 2023 at 9:55 PM EDT
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By Jim Treacy
Rain or shine, hot or cold, Wilburn, who’s 62, is hard at work to keep his community park in tip-top shape for the children to enjoy.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero | Krew Webb and Luke Saunders

Hometown Hero | Krew Webb and Luke Saunders

Updated: Mar. 3, 2023 at 5:45 PM EST
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By Andrew Colegrove
Both boys saved the young girl from drowning in a hotel pool.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero | Mike Dunlap

Updated: Feb. 24, 2023 at 9:49 PM EST
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By Matt Lackritz
"I’ve been honored many times in many ways, but nothing will mean more as this does,” he said.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero | Goldie Griffith

Updated: Feb. 17, 2023 at 10:16 PM EST
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By Lesya Feinstein
A special birthday party, all to celebrate her “99 plus one” big day, was where we caught up with our latest Hometown Hero.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero | Melissa Booton

Updated: Feb. 10, 2023 at 5:46 PM EST
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By Kimberly Keagy
“She does everything for the kids,” said Coach Sean Meddings, the Wayne High School basketball coach.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero | Jody Sowards

Updated: Dec. 16, 2022 at 9:14 PM EST
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By Andrew Colegrove
First year Huntington East Middle School Principal Jody Sowards, our latest Hometown Hero, never imagined he’d find himself dubbed a hero.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero | Ashley Elkins

Updated: Dec. 9, 2022 at 11:10 PM EST
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By Tim Irr
Our latest Hometown Hero is teaching young women to develop strong bodies and minds.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero | Dawn Baumgardner

Updated: Dec. 2, 2022 at 6:06 PM EST
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By Rob Johnson
The same qualities that earned Baumgardner a WSAZ Golden Apple have made her our latest Hometown Hero.
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Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero | Fox Heaberlin

Updated: Nov. 4, 2022 at 6:16 PM EDT
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By Jim Treacy
Fox Heaberlin has been volunteering at the Pumpkin House in Kenova for more than two decades.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero | Dylan Burko

Updated: Oct. 21, 2022 at 9:15 PM EDT
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By Kim Rafferty
Dylan's quick thinking helped save a woman injured in a car crash.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero | Teenager named first-ever West Virginia National Youth Ambassador

Updated: Oct. 14, 2022 at 5:36 PM EDT
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By Matt Lackritz
At just 16 years old, Hillary Gore has been chosen as one of eight National Youth Ambassadors in the country.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero | Kerry ‘Paco’ Ellison

Updated: Sep. 2, 2022 at 6:16 PM EDT
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By Kimberly Donahue
Burgers, ice cream and friendly conversation have always been part of the Dairywinkle’s business model. When record-setting flash flooding hit Campbells Creek in August, Paco Ellison made his restaurant a place for comfort.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero | Meleah Fisher

Updated: Aug. 19, 2022 at 7:50 PM EDT
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By Marlee Pinchok
This week's Hometown Hero pulled double duty for a week-- making sure a group of band students don’t fall behind after an unexpected obstacle.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Heroes perform water rescue

Updated: Aug. 12, 2022 at 10:51 PM EDT
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By Andrew Colegrove
A couple high school students helped prevent a drowning at Beech Fork.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero | Helmet Heroes

Updated: Aug. 5, 2022 at 10:16 PM EDT
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By Andrew Colegrove
A team in need got help from some rivals.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero | Jackie Thompson

Updated: Jul. 29, 2022 at 11:32 PM EDT
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By Rob Johnson
Jackie Thompson, our latest Hometown Hero, reaches out in her own way to help fight hunger in the region.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero | Cheryl White

Updated: Jul. 22, 2022 at 10:58 PM EDT
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By Tim Irr
It’s never a surprise to find Cheryl White preparing food in her church kitchen -- a place she definitely knows her way around.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero | Amy Dowdy

Updated: Jul. 15, 2022 at 5:56 PM EDT
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By Kimberly Keagy
Dowdy was nominated as a WSAZ Hometown Hero for her outstanding work in the community and her commitment to keeping Greenup beautiful for all to enjoy.

Making a Difference

Hometown Hero - Brandon Hunt

Updated: Jul. 8, 2022 at 7:46 PM EDT
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By Jim Treacy
This weeks' SOMC Hometown Hero is a hard worker from Man, WV who tries to be a joy to anyone he encounters.

Hometown Hero

WSAZ Hometown Hero | Studio owner offers space to fellow business

Updated: Jun. 10, 2022 at 6:11 PM EDT
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By Sarah Sager
One dance studio would have been unable to make it this year without a generous hand that offered some help, and it came from a competing dance studio.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero | Selina Midkiff

Updated: May. 20, 2022 at 5:54 PM EDT
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By Joseph Payton
“I would not be the same person I am today without her,” said Jennifer Hicks.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero | John Forbush

Updated: May. 13, 2022 at 6:05 PM EDT
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By Matt Lackritz
“I think it’s not only changed us, but it’s actually even changed the public the view on what volunteer firefighters, EMS providers and cops actually do,” Chief Deputy for the Gassaway Fire Department Shane Dillenger said.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero | Hunter Workman

Updated: Apr. 29, 2022 at 8:20 PM EDT
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By Taylor Eaton
The 14-year-old uses his free time to give back in a special way.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Heroes | Brent and Lou Pyles

Updated: Apr. 15, 2022 at 6:31 PM EDT
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By Shannon Litton
Brent and Lou Pyles are part of the Ironton-Lawrence County Memorial Day Parade Committee.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero | John Milhoan loves being around sports

Updated: Apr. 8, 2022 at 6:10 PM EDT
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By WSAZ News Staff
John Milhoan has spent a lifetime in sports, and in education

Hometown Hero

Hometown Heroes | Kathi Jo & Beck

Updated: Apr. 1, 2022 at 7:35 PM EDT
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By Marlee Pinchok
A pup and his owner have made it their mission to brighten the lives of children.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero | Dancing Granny

Updated: Mar. 25, 2022 at 7:53 PM EDT
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By Andrew Colegrove
The daily ride to and from school is never monotonous for kids on one particular bus.

Making a Difference

Hometown Heroes | Derick Wolfe and Josh Gilliam

Updated: Mar. 4, 2022 at 7:41 PM EST
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By Emily Bennett
After Barbara Hensley got back on her feet, she wanted to do something special for the men who saved her life.

Local

WSAZ Investigates | DEP responds to cancer-causing chemical concerns

Updated: Feb. 19, 2022 at 12:02 AM EST
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By Brendan Tierney
DEP Cabinet Secretary Harold Ward released a video statement in response to our investigation on Friday.

Local

WSAZ Investigates | Officials refuse to answer questions about cancer-causing chemicals

Updated: Feb. 17, 2022 at 9:15 PM EST
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By Brendan Tierney
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and Gov. Jim Justice have not answered WSAZ's questions about the issue.

News

WVDOH responds to request for guardrail

Updated: Feb. 12, 2022 at 9:53 AM EST
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By Kelsey Souto
On Monday, February 7th, Lucas noticed two WVDOH workers out along the property line and in the road.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero | Deputy goes above and beyond

Updated: Feb. 4, 2022 at 6:15 PM EST
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By Sarah Sager
Being a sheriff’s deputy means some tough days on the job, but some days are tougher than others.

Making a Difference

Making A Difference | More customers see services restored

Updated: Jan. 21, 2022 at 6:46 PM EST
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By WSAZ News Staff
James Buck and several of his neighbors lost their Frontier phone and internet service last Thursday.

Hometown Hero

Electrician and AEP work to bring power back to Kanawha County family

Updated: Jan. 4, 2022 at 9:14 PM EST
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By Kelsey Souto
The family is one step closer to having power restored.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero | Frank Rudder

Updated: Dec. 31, 2021 at 5:40 PM EST
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By Kimberly Keagy
Santa Claus is known for bringing joy on Christmas Day. But in Allen, Kentucky, it’s someone else driving a different big red sleigh. Frank Rudder is Santa’s right-hand man, making sure all the children’s wishes are heard loud and clear.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero | Patty Roush Freeman

Updated: Dec. 10, 2021 at 10:12 PM EST
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By Taylor Eaton
Freeman continues to twirl her way into the hearts of community members and leaves a lasting impact on all of those she has helped to coach and mentor through the years.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero | Conner Blevins

Updated: Nov. 12, 2021 at 7:41 PM EST
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By Marlee Pinchok
Conner strives to make sure everyone around him is safe and taken care of, and that’s why he is a WSAZ Hometown Hero.

Hometown Hero

Haunted Hometown Hero

Updated: Oct. 29, 2021 at 5:56 PM EDT
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By Andrew Colegrove
A haunted house in Ironton hosted a special event for kids who don’t always get to take in Halloween traditions.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero | Taylan Logan

Updated: Oct. 8, 2021 at 7:42 PM EDT
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By Emily Bennett
On Sept 18, not following grandma’s orders may have saved Judy Logan’s life.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero | Connor Thompson Day recognizes child who helps others in foster care

Updated: Sep. 10, 2021 at 11:13 PM EDT
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By Sarah Sager
A young boy in the Huntington area took his experience in foster care and turned it into doing good for others.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero | Rowan Zoeller

Updated: Sep. 3, 2021 at 6:44 PM EDT
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By Brendan Tierney
Rowan Zoeller has spent the past five years volunteering her Friday nights to help promote recycling at Live on the Levee.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero | Diamond Lewis

Updated: Aug. 6, 2021 at 9:23 PM EDT
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By Kimberly Keagy
Diamond Lewis remembers being taught as a kid: “Always be kind. You never know what someone else is going through.”

Hometown Hero

WSAZ Hometown Hero | Deputy First Class Bocky Miller

Updated: Jul. 19, 2021 at 2:57 PM EDT
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By WSAZ News Staff
Deputy First Class Bocky Miller created 'Operation Copsicle' as an outreach program to help build better relationships with children across Cabell County.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero | Katie Riedel

Updated: Jul. 10, 2021 at 8:23 AM EDT
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By Andy Chilian
Katie Riedel has taken the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to give back to the community when she started filling blessing boxes around the area last October.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero | Mark Christian

Updated: Jul. 2, 2021 at 11:07 PM EDT
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By Amanda Barren
South Point Schools Superintendent Mark Christian is our latest Hometown Hero for his dedication to the COVID vaccine effort during the pandemic.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero | Kyle Sniatecki

Updated: Jun. 25, 2021 at 7:07 PM EDT
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By Keith Morehouse
Kyle Sniatecki, a volunteer assistant for Marshall University's soccer program, is this week’s Hometown Hero.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Heroes save woman from burning home in Roane County

Updated: Jun. 18, 2021 at 6:08 PM EDT
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By Tori Yorgey
Linda Harris said she was on the ventilator for 13 days in the hospital after being flown there. It wasn’t until she woke up she found out, through her family members, that she was pulled from the fire by four men passing by.

Hometown Hero

Hometown Heroes hold special prom

Updated: May. 28, 2021 at 11:18 PM EDT
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By Andrew Colegrove
Not all heroes wear masks. Sometimes they can even be clad in prom dresses.
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