princeton w.va. – Two Mercer County residents have been indicted by the Mercer County Grand Jury on felony charges stemming from a case in which an 8-month-old infant overdosed on fentanyl.
The June 2024 Mercer County Grant Jury indicted Justin Ray Funk and Aspen Lanae Funk, both of Princeton on charges including: child neglect resulting in serious bodily injury; gross child neglect creating a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury; and unlawful possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, according to the indictments list released Friday by the Mercer County Circuit Clerk’s Office.
The case began Sept. 10, 2023 when Senior Trooper H.E. Ingraham was dispatched to WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital about a 8-month-old infant that had overdosed on fentanyl, according to court records.
Ingraham said in his reports that he spoke with the charge nurse who informed him that the infant had been brought in with “seizures,” but was found to have tested positive for fentanyl and was suffering an overdose.
“This Trooper was further informed that Naloxone had been administered and was successful in reversing the effects of the Fentanyl ingestion,” he said.
The infant was flown by helicopter to Roanoke Carilion Hospital in Roanoke, Va. Ingraham said on Sept. 12, 2023 he was told that the infant was off a ventilator and appeared to be recovering.
Troopers with the Princeton detachment spoke with the father, Justin Funk and the mother, Aspen Funk. Both were placed under arrest and taken to the detachment for processing and questioning, Ingraham said.
Child abuse resulting in injury is a felony with a possible sentence of one to 10 years in prison, according to the West Virginia Code.
— Greg Jordan, Bluefield Daily Telegraph
•••
Former 1st grade teacher waives preliminary hearing
clarksburg, w.va. – A former first grade teacher’s aide in Harrison County charged with felony sexual abuse has waived his preliminary hearing.
Victor Chess, 50, of Clarksburg, was working at North View Elementary School in late May when he was accused of having sexual contact with a 7-year-old female.
West Virginia State Police said Chess turned himself in at the Bridgeport Detachment.
Troopers said the investigation was initiated after a tip of possible sexual abuse was received.
Chess has been charged with first-degree sexual abuse, sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, or person of trust, and sexual abuse by a school employee.
— Mike Nolting, MetroNews
•••
GEAR UP Southern West Virginia hosting STEM Camp
GEAR UP Southern West Virginia (SWV) and West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech) will host a STEM Camp on Sunday, June 16, through Friday, June 21, at various locations on WVU Tech’s campus for rising 8th- and 9th-graders from Mercer, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers and Wyoming counties.
Students will study STEM, work on special projects, take field trips and learn about STEM careers from experts in their fields.
GEAR UP SWV’s primary purpose is to help students graduate from high school and succeed in postsecondary education.
Police issue more than 100 tickets in W.Va. work zone
charleston w.va. — Officers from six different law enforcement agencies stopped 146 vehicles and issued 105 speeding tickets in the Interstate 64 work zones between Barboursville and Huntington on Tuesday, June 11.
Randy Damron, Work Zone Safety spokesman for the West Virginia Department of Transportation, said Tuesday’s operation should remind motorists statewide to slow down in work zones.
“Work zone safety is about keeping every worker, every driver, and every passenger safe in every work zone,” Damron said. “We each play a role in getting everyone home safe at the end of the day.”
With hundreds of construction projects scheduled around the state in 2024, the WVDOT urges drivers to pay attention and obey traffic laws in work zones.
The enforcement event was a collaborative effort between local law enforcement and the WVDOT to increase safety and raise awareness in work zones.
Law enforcement agencies worked in concert during the operation, with some officers tracking vehicles on radar and other officers chasing them down. The fastest vehicle pulled over by officers was going 94 mph in the 55-mph work zone.
•••
Appalachian Power offers energy-saving tips
Extreme temperatures are expected across Appalachian Power’s service territory this weekend and into next week.
During this period of hot weather, air conditioners may be working hard to keep homes comfortable, which increases energy use and electric bills.
Appalachian Power encourages its customers to take steps to help save energy and money during this high temperatures event.
Energy saving tips include:
• Set thermostats just a few degrees higher, especially when you aren’t home.
• Avoid using heat-producing appliances such as ovens or dryers during the hottest parts of the day.
• Keep windows covered during the day, especially those facing south, to save on cooling costs.
• Ensure ceiling fans are spinning counterclockwise to push cooler air down.
• Unplug appliances and electronics when not in use.
Customers can find additional tips at AppalachianPower.com.
•••
“Diary of a Wimpy Kid” set for Raleigh Playhouse
The WV Collective invites the community to witness the creativity and enthusiasm of young talents in their 2024 Youth Theater Camp production of “Diary of a Wimpy Kid — The Musical.”
“Diary Of A Wimpy Kid — The Musical,” presented by WV Collective & SOOOOO DRAMATIC, is set to take The Raleigh Playhouse stage at 403 Neville St., Beckley, June 21-23.
Tickets are $5 for children and $10 for adults and can be purchased directly through the website at wvcollective.org/buy-tickets/.
Show times are:
June 21-22 at 7 p.m. — House open at 6:30 p.m.
June 23 at 2 p.m. — House open at 1:30 p.m.
City of Princeton sets public meetings
The Princeton City Council, Community Improvement Committee and Planning Commission have scheduled public meetings in June and July.
Upcoming meetings include:
• Monday, June 17: Princeton City Council will meet at 6:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 800 Bee St., Princeton, with an agenda review/work session in the Board Room at 6:15 p.m.
• Monday, July 1: The Community Improvement Committee will meet at 10 a.m., in the Board Room of the Municipal Building, 800 Bee St., Princeton;
• Monday, July 1: The Planning Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 800 Bee St., Princeton.
