Abby Lester
Weekend Anchor/Multimedia Journalist
Growing up in Oakvale, WV, Abby has been watching WVVA since she can remember. She was an intern in the Summer of 2023, where she found a new spark for broadcast media.
She started attending West Virginia University in 2018 where she received her bachelor’s in journalism with minors in communication studies and history. She then decided to continue her education at WVU, and in 2024, she received her master’s in journalism. While working on her master’s she worked for the WVU Alumni Magazine as a graduate assistant.
In her spare time, Abby enjoys crafting and going thrifting.
If you have a story idea for Abby, email her at ALester@wvva.com
As the theater teacher and cheerleading coach for PikeView High School one of her last wishes was to see her students make it to Disney World, and she taught all of her students no matter what ‘The Show Must Go On.’
Nikkia Dickerson, is the owner of a local daycare center who goes above a beyond to provide childcare services to her community.
With Spring moving at this time of year local shelters often overflow with puppies and kittens causing them to reach past max capacity.
Recovery efforts in Mercer County have been underway with National Guard members moving into Matoaka.
Toys for Tots are well known for helping to provide toys for children during the Christmas season, but with floods impacting much of the region they are starting toy distributions earlier this year.
With spring headed our way the Director of the Mercer County Animal Shelter says she always sees an influx of puppies and kittens this time of year, and with that expected increase, those at the shelter need supplies.
Pat Jordan is a Hinton resident that has went above and beyond to serve his community.
Mercer county’s emergency management director is urging locals to stay on-alert while out on the roads as we are near the first full week since flash flooding devastated parts of our region.
WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital is celebrating the grand opening of their fourth-floor renovation with private patient rooms.
Montcalm volunteer fire department is working to provide for the community.
A state of emergency has been declared for Mercer County due to the storms.
Due to the storms, if any City of Princeton residents are experiencing rising water levels near electrical systems can call the Princeton Fire Department.
Bluefield City Park is going to be getting an exciting new addition for the summer.
Local couples visited the Mercer County Courthouse Annex to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
If you have been wanting to add a furry member to your home those at the Tazewell County Animal Shelter, say they have many options for a sweet valentine.
Kevin Ross is a police officer with the Bluefield West Virginia Police Department who has been protecting and serving his community since 2016.
The American Heart Association in 2004 began its Wear Red Campaign to bring awareness and education to the importance of your heart health.
In celebration of the Black History Month, the City of Bluefield is preparing a range of events to educate and unite the community.
Two local universities are coming together for some competition with a great cause.
Since last March, the City of Princeton has successfully juggled traffic on one of its main streets and a major construction project.
Flu is now peaking in the area, and prevention is the best way to avoid the highly contagious virus as well as other respiratory illnesses.
In Mercer County, in Bluefield, the Tamarack Foundation has partnered with the Creative Community of Bluefield to bring new opportunities to local artists.
Kay Cornwell is the Student Support Coordinator with Communities in Schools Appalachian Highlands of Tazewell High School.
In Raleigh County a new hiking option is opened on the Piney Creek Preserve.
In its first-ever Stuff the Truck event, the Tazewell Police Department is hoping to change the lives of the town’s homeless pet population.
In Mercer County the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center is closing soon but you still have time to report damages sustained from the remnants of Hurricane Helene.
In Mercer County students from six counties gathered for the Regional Science Fair.
With less sunlight during the colder months, health experts see many struggling with seasonal depression.
The meeting started at 9 a.m. with a motion to move into an executive session that ended around noon.
The Mercer County Animal Shelter in the new year has had to call code red due to the large number of animals.
With the recent winter weather, some scheduled medical appointments are being cancelled, and they potentially won’t be rescheduled.
Holly Hale is an educator in Berlin McKinney Elementary School. Hale is a special education second through fourth grade ELA teacher.
The City of Princeton is preparing for the upcoming city municipal election.
The month of January brings Cervical Cancer to the forefront as doctors work to not just raise overall awareness but to inform the public and hopefully save lives.
In the mountain state, Mercer County Republican Delegate Marty Gearheart is returning to his role as majority whip, but this time, under a new administration.
For eight years the Bluefield West Virginia police department has had Thor by their sides.
With more snow on the horizon, the City of Bluefield is issuing an important reminder to make sure to move your cars from the street so plows can clear the road.
WVVA asks shoppers what they are buying before the next winter storm
Governor Jim Justice has declared a State of Emergency for all 55 counties in West Virginia due to the anticipated impacts of Winter Storm Blair.
January is one of the coldest months of the year in the two Virginias and before a winter storm hits you want to be ready.
Born at 2:24 p.m., parents Brooklin Bishop and Billy Lester welcomed their final child to their family.
A car collision happening on Rt. 20 near Pipestem State Park shuts down Rt. 20.
With the new year just a few days away, local leaders in Bluefield, West Virginia are getting ready for a beloved tradition of the annual Lemon Ball Drop.
The American Red Cross reports 1 in 22 house fires started by Christmas trees end in a death.
Major improvements are headed toward Monroe County Schools with the help of more than $4,000,000 in grant funding.
The Holiday of Lights is a popular, free attraction in Bluefield, West Virginia that brings people to the city from all over the country.
For the past three years, staff at WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital have come together to sing Christmas carols and spread holiday cheer throughout the halls of the hospital for those who need a holiday pick-me-up.
A group of around 20 volunteers banded together sorting toys, preparing food, organizing clothes, blankets and more.
In August of 1969 the groundbreaking ceremony was held for the East River Tunnel which would change traveling in the area forever because the only way to cross the mountain before that was on the curvy and treacherous Rt. 52.
