Rick Steelhammer

After decades of resting in anonymity, new light is now being shed on the identities of the "unknowns," killed aboard the USS West Virginia at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Thanks to advances in technology and an enduring commitment to identify the remains of American servicemen, family DNA has been used to identify 13 of the USS West Virginia's 35 unknowns, including Fireman 2nd Class William Paul Kubinec of Garrettsville, Ohio.

After decades of resting in anonymity, new light is now being shed on the identities of the "unknowns," killed aboard the USS West Virginia at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Thanks to advances in technology and an enduring commitment to identify the remains of American servicemen, family DNA has been used to identify 13 of the USS West Virginia's 35 unknowns, including Fireman 2nd Class William Paul Kubinec of Garrettsville, Ohio.

After decades of resting in anonymity, new light is now being shed on the identities of the "unknowns," killed aboard the USS West Virginia at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Thanks to advances in technology and an enduring commitment to identify the remains of American servicemen, family DNA has been used to identify 13 of the USS West Virginia's 35 unknowns, including Fireman 2nd Class William Paul Kubinec of Garrettsville, Ohio.

The Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory at the crest of Peters Mountain in Monroe County, West Virginia is now closed due to structural safety concerns. The observatory has sheltered volunteers monitoring the migration of hawks, eagles and other birds of prey for decades. But in November 2024, an inspection by U.S. Forest Service personnel, made at the request of observatory volunteers, concluded that the lookout's decking and support beams were unstable.

The West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles plans to make available by late December 2024 a new smartphone app that allows West Virginia residents to store driver's licenses and other identification credentials on their mobile phones to verify their identities for airport security screening, age-restricted product purchases and other identify checks. The app is designed to streamline interactions with government agencies, including Transportation Security Administration PreCheck Checkpoints, and various businesses and services. Made available through a partnership between the DMV and IDEMIA Public Security North America, the new app was announced Dec. 10, 2024 by Gov. Jim Justice.

A 73-year-old hangar that was once home to the West Virginia Air National Guard's first F-51 Mustang fighter squadron has been transformed into a small air terminal, new quarters for an aeromedical evacuation squadron, and an improved physical fitness facility. A ribbon cutting ceremony for the recently completed $25.6 million renovation project was held on Dec. 12, 2024 at Charleston's McLaughlin Air National Guard Base, home of the 130th Airlift Wing.

The state DMV plans to make available a new smartphone app that allows West Virginia residents to store driver’s licenses and other identification credentials on their phones to verify their identities.

A 73-year-old hangar that was once home to the West Virginia Air National Guard's first F-51 Mustang fighter squadron has been transformed into a small air terminal, new quarters for an aeromedical evacuation squadron, and an improved physical fitness facility. A ribbon cutting ceremony for the recently completed $25.6 million renovation project was held on Dec. 12, 2024 at Charleston's McLaughlin Air National Guard Base, home of the 130th Airlift Wing.

By Rick Steelhammer [email protected] The Tri-State's TRUSTED news source. Click here to stay informed and subscribe to Herald-Dispatch.

With a combined 99 years in public service in Kanawha County, the two Rutherford brothers are ready to take their last call — almost.Both Kanawha County Sheriff Mike Rutherford, 73, and Metro 911 Executive Director Johnny Rutherford, 67, are retiring from their positions at the end of 2024.Mike will be going to Metro 911 as executive director.