Joseph Payton

Huntington, Ironton

Reporter at WSAZ-TV (Huntington, WV)

Reporter at @WSAZNews | Ohio U. ‘18 | St. Joe ‘14 Formerly: @14News | #OhioAgainstTheWorld [email protected]

Articles

Pikeville Medical Center announces upgrades to patient experience

1 week ago | wsaz.com | Joseph Payton

PIKEVILLE, Ky. (WSAZ) - Pikeville Medical Center’s new tagline “Focused on faith, focused on you” has driven several initiatives to enhance the patient experience. On Thursday, officials with Pikeville Medical Center discussed new mobile health care accessibility features that, CEO Donovan Blackburn said, puts control back into the patients’ hands.
Hail storm damages homes in Franklin Furnace, Ohio

1 week ago | wsaz.com | Joseph Payton

FRANKLIN FURNACE, Ohio (WSAZ) - The evidence of Monday’s hail storm can be seen all over Franklin Furnace where small holes dot the siding of numerous homes. “It got really dark over towards Wheelersburg and then, all at once, the rain started and it turned to hail,” said Janie Finley. “You could hear the hail hitting our porch and our stuff, and it was just terrible. It’s like you could not see beyond our driveway.”Finley assessed the damage around her Franklin Furnace home on Tuesday morning.
Mason County man arrested for attempted murder and arson

Aug 11, 2024 | wsaz.com | Joseph Payton

POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. (WSAZ) - West Virginia State Police troopers arrested a man on Saturday who allegedly physically assaulted a person and lit a residence on fire while that person was inside. Troopers responded to a disturbance call in Point Pleasant on Saturday. Troopers said Jason Ray Blankenship, 42, physically assaulted the victim on two separate occasions. Blankenship then allegedly set the residence on fire while the victim was inside.
Huntington business robbed at knifepoint

Aug 11, 2024 | wsaz.com | Joseph Payton

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - The Huntington Police Department is searching for an armed robber. Officers say a man went into a business in the 100 block of Washington Avenue just after 10:30 Saturday night. Once inside the store, Huntington Police say the suspect showed a knife and demanded cash. According to investigators, nobody was hurt during the incident and the suspect fled the area with an undetermined amount of cash.
Changes to I-64 traffic pattern near Guyandotte River Bridge to begin on Friday

Aug 7, 2024 | wsaz.com | Joseph Payton

CABELL COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Construction crews are set to begin the next phase of the Interstate 64 widening project. Beginning at 7 a.m. on Friday, August 9, mainline traffic in the westbound lane of I-64 will be shifted into contra-flow lanes at the 18-mile marker. Drivers will notice the shift in traffic as they drive across the Guyandotte River Bridge. Drivers who wish to use Exit 15 at the 29th Street interchange will not shift into the contra-flow lanes with the rest of traffic.
Herr Foods to open facility in Jackson, Ohio

Jul 29, 2024 | wsaz.com | Joseph Payton

JACKSON, Ohio (WSAZ) - Herr Foods will soon bring 75 new jobs to Jackson. The snack food company is investing $25 million into the old Jackson Industrial Rail site and will turn the existing warehouse into a processing facility. “I’ve always been a fan of Herr’s chips, but I’m a lot bigger fan now!” said Jackson Mayor Randy Evans. “Jackson County is known for food production. To bring more food production is just a plus. Everyone knows the Herr’s brand, so it’s not a no-name coming in here.
Hometown Heroes | David Grubb and Terry Hapney Jr.

Jul 19, 2024 | wsaz.com | Joseph Payton

WORTHINGTON, Ky. (WSAZ) - In April, we reported about a man who was rescued from a marina in Worthington, Kentucky. John Delawder spent more than an hour submerged in cold water, unable to pull himself out. But, thanks thanks to a man nearby who heard his cries for help, and the quick thinking of first responders, Delawder lived to tell his extraordinary story.
Downtown Ashland businesses urge community to shop local during street construction

Jul 17, 2024 | wsaz.com | Joseph Payton

ASHLAND, Ky. (WSAZ) - The city of Ashland’s downtown district is a work in progress. Construction crews finished installing roundabouts along Winchester Avenue in the early part of 2024. Additional streetscape improvements are set to be complete during the fall. While construction is ongoing, though, local businesses say they have struggled as a result. “I think it’s hard, definitely on the elderly people because of parking. You have to park blocks away and walk,” said Kolina Suhr of Broadway Books.
Ohio House Bill 147 equalizes high school athletic event ticket prices, heads to Gov. DeWine’s desk

Jul 15, 2024 | wsaz.com | Joseph Payton

OHIO (WSAZ) - Local high school sporting events are often part of the fabric of a small community. State lawmakers have passed Ohio House Bill 147, and it now heads to Gov. Mike DeWine’s desk to be signed into law. It aims at making admission into high school athletic events more cost-friendly for those who plan to attend. “It’s coming. It will be good for our students and hopefully take the burden off our families,” said Gallia Academy High School Athletic Director Adam Clark.
Ironton hosts 7-on-7 for local Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia schools

Jul 12, 2024 | wsaz.com | Joseph Payton

IRONTON, Ohio. (WSAZ) - On Thursday afternoon, 12 different teams descended upon Tanks Memorial Stadium for 7-on-7 football. Here are the highlights that include Ironton, Fairland, Jackson, Eastern, Boyd County, Notre Dame, Valley and Chapmanville Regional.