New mayor in Beckley

Beckley has a new mayor and he’s no stranger to Beckley residents. Retired broadcaster Bill O’Brien was chosen by Beckley Council members in a special meeting Thursday night.

O’Brien, who will be sworn-in as mayor at 1 p.m. Friday in council chambers, replaces 25-year mayor Emmett Pugh who resigned as part of a settlement with the West Virginia Ethics Commission.

O’Brien will serve the remaining two and a half years of Pugh’s term. He was one of six people interested in the job.