Joseph Payton
Reporter
Huntington, W.Va.
Joseph started at WSAZ in June of 2021. Previously, he spent three years as a Multimedia Journalist at WFIE 14 News in Evansville, IN. He grew up in Ironton, OH where he graduated from St. Joseph Central Catholic High School in 2014. He then attended Ohio University and graduated in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism News and Information.
WSAZ is the station Joseph grew up watching as a kid and it is a dream come true for him to be back home serving the community that helped raise him. In his free time, you can find Joseph on a golf course with friends, eating at Texas Roadhouse, playing Xbox, or watching some of his favorite teams; the Ohio Bobcats, the Ohio State Buckeyes, the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cincinnati Reds.
If you see him out and about, say hi! You can share story ideas with him via email at joseph.payton@wsaz.com
John Delawder spent more than an hour submerged in cold water at a marina, unable to pull himself out.
"We need people to come in and help us stay open. Try to remember we’re not a big corporation. We rely on those sales to stay open,” said Kolina Suhr.
"It just makes for a great environment on a Friday night when you can fill it and trying to keep those costs down to help families is a big piece," said Gallia Academy High School Athletic Director Adam Clark.
The 7-on-7 included several local teams including Ironton, Fairland, Jackson, Eastern, Boyd County, Notre Dame, Valley and Chapmanville Regional.
Troopers have identified the victim as Tamia Skye Prater, 24, from Ironton.
“To motivate herself by keeping her mother’s memory alive and including her in everything by dedicating her season to her mom. That is just so beautiful, so beautiful,” said Anissa Campbell.
Construction crews say they are on pace to have the facility completed by mid-September.
"Someone might tell you your dreams are too small or too big but I think she’s living proof that, from a small community, you can do anything you set your mind to,” said Long's friend and former teammate Alexis Wise.
The Ironton native ran a blistering 21.91 to finish third in the 200m final at Hayward Field on Saturday evening.
“If one child sees justice and we’re able to protect one child, it’s worth the money," said Lawrence County Prosecuting Attorney Brigham Anderson.
Ohio state Sen. Shane Wilkin announced $1.5 million from the capital budget will go to restore the historic theater.
A woman is facing murder charges after confessing to shooting her brother.
“I watched him go under two little girls and that’s when I was like, he has a camera,” said Shaelyn Bonner.
An expansion of Chesapeake High School will soon provide more resources for students and the surrounding community.
“Look what she’s had to go through to get to this point. Now, to be on the cusp of the Olympic Trials and just to be on that stage with them is something else,” said Kevin Richardson who coached Long at Ironton Middle School.
“One of the best friends a person could have. With the firefighters, there’s kind of a motto... first in, last out. That’s the way Jason was. Jason was the first one in, he’d be the last one out,” said Chris Gallian.
“Everybody has a part in it, and he makes us feel that way.”
“I have many, many patrons who count of that to fax their timesheets in weekly. Now, if their timesheets aren’t faxed in, they don’t get paid. So, that is a big problem for their families who are counting on that income," a business owner said.
“It’s not really about the stones. It’s about who is beneath them and the price that was paid and the legacy that they have. This is sacred ground."
“It was the way that they were raised. You went out and did what needed to be done, whether you came back or didn’t come back. They were the only ones who had the guts to do it.”
“We’re at a point now where we recently published a request for proposals for interested contractors who want to demo the building,” said Superintendent Greg Bowman.
“The good news is that many school districts have already done this and they’ve given us strong evidence about how helpful this is,” Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said.
“Her little sister went into the deep end of the pool and couldn’t swim very well. Big sister went to save her, and she ultimately died. There’s no greater love than giving yourself for your sister,” said Helen Cornell.
“All of the players have deemed eligible by the tournament committee," said WV District 1 Administrator Kim Vincent.
“You see people just gunning it trying to get out there, and it’s a problem we’ve had for a few years now, so I’m glad to see something being done about it,” the Coal Grove Mayor said.
156 years of continuous observance. Thousands gathered in downtown Ironton on Monday morning to pay tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the U.S. military.
Larger events will include an increased law enforcement presence with additional on-duty police officers in uniform to deter criminal activity. Salango says the intercom systems at the baseball and soccer fields will be upgraded.
“Collectively, we will ensure the shield that will protect the United States of America. God bless the United States of America. God bless our partners and go Herd!” said Marshall University President Brad D. Smith.
“Our goal is to make sure that people can live here in Portsmouth and be successful,” said Peggy Rice of the Portsmouth Metropolitan Housing Authority (PMHA).
“Towns around here have different boating activities and sternwheel regattas. We’ve not been able to have or house things like that. Hopefully, with the addition of this stuff, we can entice some of those people to come here."
“We really didn’t know what kind of money we would get. But we always talked about having a long range plan for the area,” said Rome Township Trustee Bob Mayo. “When they said $5.2 million... it’s still hard to comprehend.”
“We wanted a project that benefited everyone. Whether it was our residents or our businesses and attracting visitor spending. Every part of our project had something to attract everyone."
“It’s absolutely going to take a natural resource we have and beautify it and make it easier for folks to access it, use it, and enjoy it,” said Meigs County Economic Development Director Perry Varnadoe.
Police say the boys were taken into custody after a high-speed pursuit.
The state of Ohio’s award of $5.2 million to Ironton for riverfront development and renovations at the theater have Rick Jansen hopeful that the finishing touches can be applied to the building.
The grant money is part of the Appalachian Community Grant Program
“There’s a lot of energy here on this corner. We’re hoping this is just one more piece of the magic and with that energy; it just seems to keep feeding itself."
When it comes to running the state of West Virginia, Miller said he will run it as a businessman and not as a politician.
This week’s WSAZ Hometown Hero is Tracy Vickers. She is the beloved Director of the Salt Rock Senior Center.
A look back at the eight schools WSAZ visited in 2024 and the one school that brought home the trophy as Fired Up Friday champion.
“Everyone is passionate about getting all of these changes to take place. But, we really wanted to elevate this stadium back to the top spot in the state. The key thing is the safety of the kids and having a great place to play for years to come,” said Greg Jackson.
“I have students working all over the country now using skills that they learned in this program. With the grant being able to expand our knowledge and capabilities here, the sky is literally the limit,” instructor Tyler Waller said.
“I’ll get through this. I believe that. This ain’t stopping me. I just want to thank every single person that’s been praying for me and keeping me in their prayers. It’s definitely working,” Tay Thomas said.
Firefighters who pulled the man from the marina said hypothermia was likely due to water temperatures around 50 degrees.
“I think the community has been amazing,” said fifth grade teacher Candace Adkins. “It truly has been a community effort.”
“We always want to try and spark curiosity in the students. I know the 2017 solar eclipse sparked some curiosity,” said geometry teacher Aaron Watson. “Many of them remember it from 2017, but some of them don’t remember it. So this was a really big day for those students.”
WSAZ's Joseph Payton recently sat down with candidate Chris Miller. He started simply with “Why are you running for governor?”
“You put a lot of work into something and it’s just taken away from you all of a sudden. It was pretty hurtful at first, but I was alive. God took good care of me,” said Thompson.
More than $64 million is being spread out across schools in Southeast Ohio as part of the Appalachian Children’s Health Initiative. The funds will help schools address the health care needs of students in their districts.
The 2023-2024 Marshall women’s basketball season is one that will be remembered for a long time.
