Tickets are now on sale for the 7th Annual Great Alaska Duck Race, a statewide fundraiser supporting youth sports and local nonprofits.

The race is set for September 13th, with ducks floating from the Ship Creek Overlook Park Bridge in Anchorage down to the Bait Shack, just below the Bridge Restaurant.

Participants who purchase $100 worth of tickets will receive a “muck,” a mythical creature that’s part moose and part duck.

Organizers say the event is a fun way for the community to come together while supporting important programs across Alaska.

Columbus has lost a basketball trailblazer.

BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) – Local youth sports programs could be at-risk due to a lack of volunteers.

WVSSAC Executive Director sets the record straight on new NIL rule

Program organizers with the YMCA of Southern West Virginia have begun the search for dedicated individuals to step up as youth soccer coaches.

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YMCA COO Mat Bishop said not to worry if you are not an expert on the soccer field, as the role at this level is more about engaging with young players than securing championships.

“Don’t feel intimidated if you don’t know anything about soccer, especially in these younger age groups,” said Bishop. “Really, if you can teach someone to kick a ball, you can help us coach in that younger league. You’re giving them the fundamentals of what to do. We will give you the tools that you need to do that.”

Those interested in registering or just getting more information can do so online or by stopping by the YMCA of Southern West Virginia on East Main Street in Beckley.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.

READY TO PERFORM — More than 30 youth throughout Steubenville and the surrounding area will participate in the Sycamore Youth Center’s upcoming performance of “The Incredible and Death-Defying Expedition to Planet X,” at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday. The Guadalupe Theater Co. and area rock band Dear Other are producing the show.
— Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — The stage is set at the Sycamore Youth Center as music, laughter and adventure awaits.

On Thursday, the Guadalupe Theater Co., alongside local rock band Dear Other, will present “The Incredible and Death-Defying Expedition to Planet X.”

The original musical, written by Marc Barnes, will be performed Thursday through Saturday and is being led under the direction of Grace McKeegan. The cast includes more than 30 young actors from Steubenville and the surrounding area, supported by live music that promises to make this an unforgettable show for all ages.

“This production is family-friendly and will be a wonderful opportunity for our community to see the incredible talent of local young adults,” stated Bobbyjon Bauman, executive director of the Sycamore Youth Center. “We are thrilled to host this show and provide a space where the arts can flourish alongside faith and community.”

Performance times are scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Tickets can be purchased at the door at the cost of $5 for adults and $3 for children. There is a family cap of $20, officials noted.

Community members are encouraged to attend and enjoy an evening of fun, music and imagination, while supporting local youth engaged in the arts.

MARSHALL — Marshall’s Sounds of Summer festival is starting tonight with a new event. Two teams of emergency responders, from the Marshall Police and the Marshall Fire Department, will be competing for bragging rights on the softball diamond.

There’s plenty of anticipation leading up to tonight’s Battle of the Badges softball game, firefighters and police said.

“As we get closer to it, everyone is super excited,” said firefighter Brady Mellenthin, who will be among the MFD members playing in the game. “We’ve been doing Sounds of Summer for years, and it’s kind of fun to put a little twist on it.”

“I feel like there’s going to be a lot of people there,” said Sgt. Ben Rieke of the Marshall Police Department. Rieke will be leading the MPD team at the game. “Obviously the police department and the fire department are excited.”

The Battle of the Badges game is a new event for Sounds of Summer. The action will start this evening at the Amateur Sports Complex in Marshall. The event will also feature a meal by the Hitching Post that will raise funds for Marshall youth athletics.

“I think there’s going to be a really good crowd, and the weather’s looking nice,” said Brock Klaith of the Marshall Sounds of Summer committee. The softball game was a fun way to expand the festival another night, while helping a good cause, Klaith said. Rieke and Deputy Fire Chief Jake Olsen will be serving as coaches for the two teams.

Klaith and local responders said the event will have some surprises to add to the entertainment.

“It sounds like there might be some other games between innings,” or other fun twists to the event, Rieke said. However, firefighter Aaron Mathiowetz said, “Neither side knows what’s going to happen.”

There has been some trash-talking leading up to the game, though it’s all in good fun, responders said.

“You’ve always got a little rivalry between firefighters and police,” Rieke said. “But we love those guys.”

“There’s definitely a rivalry going on,” Mathiowetz said. “I think we’ve got a good shot at winning.”

Earlier this month, the MPD filmed a humorous video with officers on the ball field, challenging the fire department. Firefighters responded with their own video. Both clips have gotten some positive reactions and shares on Facebook.

Both teams have also been trying to get some practice in this summer to get ready for the game.

“We’re ready to roll,” Mathiowetz said of the firefighters’ team.

Rieke said MPD officers have also held a few practices together to prepare for the event.

“We’re going to win,” he said.

Klaith said organizers would like for the Battle of the Badges to become a regular event, possibly featuring other first responder groups from the area.

“We’re hoping this continues,” he said.

“We’re very appreciative of Brock for putting it on,” Rieke said of the Battle of the Badges.

“It’s a good community event,” he said.

Gates for the Battle of the Badges open at 5:30 at the Amateur Sports Complex. A fundraiser meal by the Hitching Post will be $10, and feature a hamburger, chips, coleslaw and beverage.

The562 is proud to announce Brian Ramsey and Tredway Lumsdaine & Doyle LLP (TLD Law) as its newest school-specific sponsors. Ramsey and TLD Law will sponsor all coverage of Millikan High School athletics throughout the 2025–26 school year.

Founded over 60 years ago, TLD Law is a full-service Southern California law firm with offices in Downey, Irvine, Long Beach and Beverly Hills. Its 20+ attorneys and 40+ professional staff provide comprehensive legal counsel to businesses and individuals across a broad range of areas including estate planning, trust and probate, business and corporate law, employment law, family law, real estate, civil litigation and taxation.

“We’re thrilled to welcome TLD Law as our newest sponsor and establish a connection with a Southern California firm that has ties to Long Beach,” said The562’s Publisher Andy Kerr. “We appreciate Brian Ramsey and TLD Law for making our coverage of Millikan athletics possible.”

TLD Law’s sponsorship will help support The562’s award-winning coverage of all Millikan athletics. Since The562 launched in 2019, we’ve produced nearly 4,000 stories, videos and photo galleries highlighting Millikan athletics.

Millikan fans have plenty to look forward to this year with reigning Moore League champions in baseball and softball along with rising programs like football. The school year kicks off with a full fall slate of Rams athletics starting with Friday’s football home opener.

The562 is still searching for additional funding for Millikan athletics. As a non-profit news outlet, The562 depends on reader support and sponsorships to cover the Long Beach community. If you’re interested in sponsoring The562’s coverage, email Tyler@The562.org or visit our Support page to get involved. Any donation to The562 is fully tax-deductible.