Laura Bowen
Reporter
Parkersburg, WV
:no_upscale()/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/gray/b3bcdaf3-bdd1-41c8-917b-bd4092bdac9f.JPG)
An enthusiastic multimedia journalist dedicated to informing and connecting the public through clear, concise reporting.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/WLRCR6A375AF7GIS3KUG4BNYNI.jpg)
WTAP spoke with Vienna’s Chief of Police on how to make sure your kids are safe when out trick-or-treating.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/Z5NOR2UE3FGL7LMIEYFHR5X6X4.jpg)
Monitoring your kids’ online and social media presence is key to prevention.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/2BUVUXFXEVGYZDTQXKWPZYYBKM.jpg)
For a shelter with a notable part of its budget covered by fundraisers, the Fur Ball is especially important.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/NKUWDNWHCVGLBJV5DISVH5F4BQ.jpg)
Kids can enjoy some family-friendly scares at a haunted house that's been around for over 10 years in the area.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/6OVRFA5B5FAPZADMGBXZHY2AYI.jpg)
Pumpkins fell out of the sky at Vienna Elementary on Friday.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/WI5676FFT5FLNPVQ23F2E57NTE.jpg)
It all started when an officer noticed a vehicle driving down a one way the wrong way. Then, things unfolded quickly.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/TB3473INXNHJBKUTCZ7XDXEXVM.jpg)
It's a gallery that's supported local artists for 23 years.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/I5JI33T43VEPZGHDNTGKVO4WXY.jpg)
The owner of Louis Thomas Subaru says the shortage has "had a devastating impact on all operations."
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/ZVU67NUWVVFARLN2M2QUDXCPA4.jpg)
Woody Miller was the leading figure who pushed Parkersburg Homecoming forward when there were doubts that the tradition could continue.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/RFU7FZPOVBHHNMWUPQAH62IDM4.jpg)
The tours have continued as more than a tradition and more than a passing on of history. They're a home for people who feel different.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/WLPVRGU465EFJA2WVEZUUZKXGU.jpg)
Due to dry conditions, fires spread especially easy during this time of year.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/AAOYTU2TKZFI5MWTVALIGKCI5I.jpg)
Local collectors throughout the state will come to the museum with their artifacts and speakers will make an appearance too. There will also be activities for kids.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/FRMXW5T2INBVBABSTUYIQ6LKDM.jpg)
The team will be headed all the way to Oklahoma for the national soils competition after placing third at states.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/5RNMO5SKMNCM3N42UWZZHXMXZM.jpg)
A local officer talks about his career and what this special week means to him.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/AKBVLOWNTNCTJBLFJSKZC4IMEU.jpg)
The museum has been closed for two whole years and these locals are trying to reopen its doors.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/U2TZCYLIMNHBVJHSD4FTP6GLI4.jpg)
The festival will offer a haunted barn, a costume contest, kids activities, and more.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/JWCJBJOEZFG4FGTJK2GCQFG2LM.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/Y35C7J53MJGA5CVZBXVIRIC53Y.jpg)
Multiple fire departments showed up to fight the flames but not much was salvaged.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/DWTLMF5UENFWPHXICDXTWFXB6U.jpg)
People 65 and up came to Parkersburg City Park to get that extra dose on Friday.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/L5MUAAPUGZABDPSZDVUBF36G7E.jpg)
It was a Fort Frye High School basketball team that started it all.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/6KC24VXDEFFRHL2CHOF6HYKYKI.jpg)
WTAP spoke with a health department to clear up confusion over booster shots as well as get a look into how they'll be dealing out those extra doses.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/S6CG54I33NE3JNTMBVIMB4US7E.jpg)
It's the first year of the tour without its founder but her spirit lives on.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/NO3MMJ5VSRDBTOI564OM6A5J3A.jpg)
Our local United Way was just one of the United Ways presented with a big check.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/STAQRXMZTBFBHN25D7CZLG27OE.jpg)
Thanks to both every day locals and professionals, the mural on the side of Parkersburg Art Center is coming to life.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/SYQQ43WDZZA3PGMA2SM2BCUWGM.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/FSZWZPWA45F5HEWAZMHE2EGPMY.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/MOTQ352CJRBP7NKUIDXEB64OWY.jpg)
The school district is reaching out to the community because they want your stories of your memories in the school district to shape the story.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/6FE4OLR3UVDL7AJTXB5J2SIMUM.jpg)
Zak Huffman has started over five businesses in the area and he's just getting started.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/LSPJFS3EQZBGRFK6LMO64NLBGM.jpg)
The school is one of three in West Virginia being recognized.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/H5Q3RYMWPFBD7BM5UV3J2NPYPQ.jpg)
The testing site is free and runs three times each week.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/Y72FT2YPDBEXTPHLG56SXKP3OM.jpg)
One employer said her business is booming...but those resumes are lagging.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/4LOTUQAM6RFXZKB5JTOC53PPXM.jpg)
Reed Byers believes in systemic change and, he says, it starts with our youth.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/LR3GZ2AM7RF6ZLAMRUENRKKHF4.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/RPU5JEDKHBBEHGCJDK4PJI5IVU.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/NFMCC77NIRDADPNEY4GJWDWEQQ.jpg)
One boater rode his sternwheel about 140 miles to get to the festival.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/UXE7U3W5OBDRZA56245TKN4STQ.jpg)
Money will go towards services that help people with Alzheimer's as well as their families.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/JGPTZASQ3FHR3FY3H2RB6S2RFY.jpg)
Anyone, any age, any experience level is being called to help with a big mural project.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/IJJ37GN7E5B4NF7BWCQZB2H2GI.jpg)
From fireworks to pet parades and more, homecoming will have plenty to offer this year.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/2AOLLR6EJBDEBBUUASGMZPPUUE.jpg)
With few treatment beds open, some are left to wait.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/AHN3XMMEMNEANFGIGMXCLPRZTU.jpg)
The standoff at Rowan Apartments left nine families displaced. This family says community help has been a 'God-send.'
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/QCN27VBSHRD5VFNCR6BF6T6PZ4.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/5YFZLPU5GVD2LBGZWNOE4R253Y.jpg)
Organizers are inviting locals to spread some hope and color for World Suicide Prevention Day.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/Y7UX5O75F5A33IE4OYOT4EGR3I.jpg)
We talked to the competitors to see what the secret to winning is.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/VVJHOUZFKVA2BDLBR6J5TEDA6U.jpg)
It’s a competition some kids spend months preparing for and some take all year.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/F4YXVWFKAJEYJEEEW7DRLSRWSU.jpg)
The lids will be turned into flowers, celebrating the lives of those who've died by suicide.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/O7MO3S45W5CAXHFXKH23M6S3YU.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/XSPYKW3EIZP23HTRPKQILGSLS4.jpg)
The hospital system was hit by a ransomware attack during the early morning hours of August 15.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/7ADAA5K655CX7P6KEA64AR57YU.jpg)
Wirt County Schools joins a growing list of school systems implementing mandates.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/HVTDKH7HDJFQFOFWR72PKUFXVU.jpg)
The repaved track will include a guideline that will help those with visual impairments walk the trail.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/ACG76NTZ4JC6TI2MDDQAANGG2A.jpg)
A person has died after a motorcycle crash in Wood County.