Robert Castillo
Multimedia Journalist
Robert Castillo is from WVVA’s stomping grounds- Bluefield, West Virginia. He graduated from Bluefield High School in 2017 and went on to study Broadcast Journalism at Marshall University. Robert graduated Cum Laude from Marshall in May of 2021.
Robert has enjoyed watching WVVA since he was a kid and gained his love for the industry watching the newscasts.
During his time at Marshall, Robert was involved with the school’s radio station, WMUL and newspaper, The Parthenon. He was also a reporter for the student produced newscast- MU Report.
In his spare time, Robert likes to watch sports, play video games, and collect sports cards. He is an avid animal lover and has one cat. Robert’s favorite place to be is any beach.
This year the church is expecting to make around 2,000 of the sweet treats.
WVU was left out of the tournament in favor of the University of North Carolina’s team, despite many experts believing WVU should have made it in.
The clinic’s wait list had grown to over 500 but now we’re told it’s down to about 300.
A protest calling out several policy decisions by President Trump and his administration
A company based around producing affordable and sustainable housing is now planning on putting together their first order by October of this year.
Donations are still being accepted and all money goes towards helping flood victims.
Patterson teaches special education at Tazewell Primary School.
Joseph DeFelice, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator for HUD visited Welch and Bradshaw among other areas to learn more about flood damage.
At the top of the list is the city’s Safe Streets For All plan which is being made possible thanks to around $31 million in federal and state funding.
The planned structure would house the Tazewell Farmers Market as well as other events.
The superintendent says they’ll be taking things slow on Monday as a way to make sure students are doing okay not just physically but mentally.
12 pounds of fentanyl were among the drugs confiscated.
The cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the U.S. only behind lung cancer.
Bobby Bowman, the emergency management director for McDowell County says supplies needed include shovels, push brooms and disinfectant cleaners.
February flood victims are encouraged to visit the center for face to face assistance in applying for aid which can range from mold mitigation to replacing essential items.
WVVA is looking at some of the lesser known areas hit by flooding.
21-year-old Malachi Ruffin was arrested on Feb. 27 after campus security reported seeing an altercation between two female roommates and Ruffin on cameras.
Scott Long’s home on River Drive suffered extensive flood damage. Some of that damage includes ruined furniture and water soaked floors.
The details for establishing a disaster recovery center as well as other planned work for the agency are still being worked out.
Cochran’s lawyers filed for a motion of acquittal and asked for a new trial for Cochran, saying the popularity of the case likely tainted the jury who ultimately convicted her
McDowell County residents are continuing to deal with what is believed to be the worst flood damage the county has ever seen.
The group dropped off items such as cleaning supplies and shovels among other items.
Brewster says crews have been working diligently to identify damaged lines in hard hit areas like Bradshaw and Jolo.
Deputy Chief Jeffrey Lawson died on Monday after falling ill on the way to a house fire in Jolo.
In an effort to provide some sort of relief, two restaurants less affected by flooding are going out of their way to give out meals free of charge.
The food and supplies have been crucial to people dealing with the flooding aftermath.
Those affected by the flooding can now call 888-929-4966 for assistance.
Organizations from across the state and country are in McDowell County to aid in flood recovery efforts.
Agencies from as far as Marshall and Pocahontas counties were in McDowell County on Monday to help out where they can.
“We have several, I don’t know an exact number but we do have that,” said McDowell County Commissioner, Michael Brooks.
The company Mountain Transit Authority will be offering rides three days a week, starting on Monday Feb. 14.
Callen is accused of shooting and killing Leona Edwards at a home on Gardner Loop Road after she exited her vehicle on Jan. 4 2024.
Former Princeton Police Sergeant Christopher Chad Butler is accused of having sexual relations with a child.
The school will be consolidating Fall River, Kimball and Welch Elementary Schools.
Dr. Ingrida Barker says there was a misunderstanding after the game that left the public and an assistant football coach with a bad taste in their mouths.
Those with the clinic say they are in desperate need of veterinarian help to assist with spay and neuter surgeries.
A dilapidated home in the City of Bluefield is set to be torn down next week and some of the credit for the demolition is being given to an area resident.
The district’s goal is to help create more affordable housing and offers tax incentives to building contractors, investors and banking institutions.
So far eight have been torn down, including one on North College Avenue that came down on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, members of the Bluewell Public Service District announced bids are now being accepted to take on a water project for the area.
Greg Puckett, the executive director for Community Connections says he believes a contributing factor to the decrease is the amount of Narcan being found in communities.
The community health needs assessment is done by the hospital every few years and it’s used to create new services as well as to see what health problems the community is facing at any given time.
Court is meeting to decide whether or not Natalie Cochran will be eligible for parole after a period of time or if she will spend the rest of her life in prison without the chance for parole.
Prosecutors allege she poisoned him with insulin in fear of him finding out about a Ponzi scheme she’s currently serving 11 years in prison for.
The Natalie Cochran Trial is in its eighth day, and the State and Defense have rested their cases.
The Natalie Cochran trial has started back up after not being held on Friday because of scheduling conflicts.
Natalie Cochran's trial is expected to resume on Jan. 27.
On Day 5, the State of West Virginia rested its case, and the defense is now calling their own witnesses to take the stand.
WVVA’s Robert Castillo is providing the latest updates in the trial that has entered its fifth day.
WVVA will bring you the latest updates as Day 4 of the trial progresses.
