Birch River Fire Chief dies in hit-and-run accident

The Birch River Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief was fatally injured in a hit-and-run accident that occurred Wednesday, June 24, at 6:29 p.m.

BRVFD fire Chief Robert Cottrill, 46, of Widen-Dille Road was traveling west on Widen-Dille Road near Birch River in a 2008 Kawasaki Teryx Utility Terrain Vehicle when it was struck by a 2008 Dodge Durango driven by Jerry Shannon Adkins, 38, of Mill
Creek Road, Birch River.

Cottrill was killed as a result of injuries sustained in the crash.

According to the Nicholas County Sheriff's Department, the Durango was stolen earlier that day in Braxton County. Adkins and a passenger in the vehicle, Christopher Watson Summers, 33, of Stoney Creek, Braxton County, fled the scene following the accident.

Summers was picked up a short time later while hitchhiking on Widen-Dille Road by a Nicholas County Sheriff's Deputy. Adkins turned himself in to Braxton County law enforcement authorities on Thursday, June 25.

 

 

 

 

Raging in Summersville Rhonda Vincent got the 29th edition of Music in the Mountains Bluegrass Festival off to a blazing start when she appeared with her band The Rage on Wednesday, June 24, 2009. Vincent played an afternoon and evening show. Highlights of the shows included Kentucky Borderline, Muleskinner Blues and Jolene. Above, Vincent and banjo player Aaron McDaris rip through another number for the appreciative crowd.

 

 

 

 

Richwood man dies in crash

A Richwood man died in a traffic accident that occurred early Thursday morning, June 25, in the Monongahela National Forest near Richwood.

According to the Nicholas County Sheriff's Department, Robert S. Holcomb, 22, was traveling south on Route 76, Cranberry River Road, in a 1999 Jeep Cherokee. The driver lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a curve. The vehicle overturned, and Holcomb was killed instantly.

Drexel McMillion, owner of Drexel's Service Station on Oakford Ave. in Richwood, was an uncle of Holcomb's and employed him on a part-time basis as a mechanic. "He was a fine boy," said McMillion. "He would do anything for you and bent over backwards to
help everyone."

Deputy S.K. Neal was the investigating officer.

 

 

 

 

County teen dies in ATV accident

A Nicholas County teenager died Saturday, June 27, in an accident which occurred while he was riding a four-wheeler in Webster County.

The victim was identified as Roy Cody Corbitt, 13, of Alderson Church Road near Craigsville.

A spokesman for the Webster County Sheriff's Department said that Corbitt was riding an ATV shortly before 7 p.m. with a group of others on a trail in the woods in the Mill Run area of Curtin, a few miles east of Webster Springs. The spokesman said the accident happened when the four-wheeler went out of control after going around a curve and plunged approximately 250 over an embankment.

He was pronounced dead at the scene from injuries sustained in the accident. The ATV was located about 100 to 200 feet further down the embankment.

Corbitt was a junior member of the Craigsville Volunteer Fire Department.

Mark Riffle, a Craigsville Volunteer Fire Department fireman, said the entire department thought highly of Corbitt. "He was always helping out with bingo and other fundraisers of the department."

 

 

 

 

Music and fireworks to highlight Summersville July 4th

Celebration

Fireworks and music will highlight the Independence Day activities in Summersville on Saturday the Fourth of July.

Once again the Summersville Convention and Visitors Bureau is sponsoring a spectacular fireworks display to light up the night sky. The fireworks will be set off in Northside Development off U.S. Route 19 at dusk on Saturday evening around 9 p.m.
Beginning at 7 p.m. there will be musical entertainment in front of the John W. Eye Big Sandy Superstore in Northside. Local singer and musician Adam Young will perform first followed by Rob Lane and the band Alibi.

There will also be food vendors on hand selling treats such as popcorn and cotton candy.

Co-sponsoring the fireworks and entertainment with the CVB are the City of Summersville, Northside Development and others.

The rain date for the fireworks will be Sunday evening, July 5.

Also on July 4th across U.S. Route 19 at the Gateway Shopping Center, Soundwaves Music store has scheduled a full afternoon and evening of music with some local rock bands and a nationally-known rock musician. The groups will play in front of the former Goody's department store.