Rainelle administration seeks new leadership at police department

The City of Rainelle last week dismissed long-time police chief J.P. Stevens from the department for the reason that “the new administration wanted to move in a new direction,” according to a statement by Stevens. Dean Fankell’s appointment as the new chief of police was announced at the Monday council meeting by Mayor Jason Smith. “Let’s see what we can do for the town,” Frankell said, who previously worked as a member of the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Office before retiring in 2017. Stevens will continue working as police chief of Quinwood and as coordinator for Greenbrier County Toys for Tots.