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Sunday, November 9, 2025
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    First documented poltergeist in U.S. haunted this historic W.Va. town

    Lore and Legend Amanda Larch Hinchman -
    MIDDLEWAY, W.Va. — The Wizard Clip haunting, the first documented poltergeist in America, occurred in the late 1700s in the eastern panhandle of West...
    Festivals / Events

    First Lady invites community for gingerbread contest, mansion tree decorating

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia First Lady Denise Morrisey...
    State Parks, Forests

    West Virginia launches pet-friendly "West FURginia" state park ranger program

    1
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia officials have launched the...
    Hunting

    West Virginia governor declares November wild game meat donation month

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrissey has...
    Lore and Legend

    Biggest of the year, Beaver Moon will light November sky, recall early West Virginia history

    2
    BEAVER, W.Va. — For those who step outside on...
    History / Prehistory

    Prehistoric burial mound in West Virginia contains remarkable secret

    18
    SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Rising above the end of...
    Travel / Transportation

    How long does the autumn leaf change last in West Virginia?

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Although October is quickly coming to...

    Most Popular Stories

    Hot this week

    State Parks, Forests

    West Virginia launches pet-friendly "West FURginia" state park ranger program

    1
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia officials have launched the...
    Skiing and Snowsports

    Canaan Valley resort announces $6 million upgrade ahead of winter season

    0
    DAVIS, W.Va. — Officials at Canaan Valley Resort State...
    Lore and Legend

    Biggest of the year, Beaver Moon will light November sky, recall early West Virginia history

    2
    BEAVER, W.Va. — For those who step outside on...
    Festivals / Events

    First Lady invites community for gingerbread contest, mansion tree decorating

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia First Lady Denise Morrisey...
    Arts

    Horror film shot in West Virginia, ‘Self Help’ to hit theaters nationwide on Halloween

    3
    HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — A horror-thriller filmed in Huntington in...

    Popular Categories

    Economic Development127History / Prehistory120Hunting120Lore and Legend114State Parks, Forests112Arts108Higher Education98Agriculture91Wildlife / Conservancy81Landmarks / Museums75National Parks74Fishing73Festivals / Events65Travel / Transportation65Recreation64Botany and Forestry62

    Headlines

    Scenic trout stream lies hidden along I-77 / I-64 West Virginia Turnpike

    Economic Development David Sibray -
    PAX, W.Va. — Few motorists traveling the West Virginia Turnpike between Beckley and Charleston may know that one of...

    Bells at Concord University in W.Va. linked to strange phenomenon

    Lore and Legend David Sibray -
    ATHENS, W.Va. — Farmers in the countryside near Concord University in West Virginia sometimes speak of a strange winter...

    Naturalists share their favorite lesser-known New River Gorge hiking trails

    Hiking David Sibray -
    FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — On a soft summer morning in the New River Gorge, the forest comes to life with...

    Filmmaker says here’s why everyone should visit this West Virginia ghost town

    Travel / Transportation Will Reedy -
    THURMOND, W.Va. — Deep in the New River Gorge, the town of Thurmond is attracting attention worldwide. With four...

    The tale of Cale Betts's ghost still haunts the Calhoun County night

    Lore and Legend David Sibray -
    GRANTSVILLE, W.Va. — Nights in rural Calhoun County are counted among the darkest in West Virginia, so it's little...

    Horror film shot in West Virginia, ‘Self Help’ to hit theaters nationwide on Halloween

    Arts Clyde Craig -
    HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — A horror-thriller filmed in Huntington in 2024, "Self Help" is set for a nationwide theatrical release...

    Some mysterious W.Va. rock features may have sacred origins

    Landmarks / Museums Charity Moore -
    Editor's Note: If you're familiar with the outdoors in West Virginia, you've likely seen rocks piled in what might...

    Three little-known facts about West Virginia's moundbuilders

    History / Prehistory Charity Moore -
    The term “moundbuilder” is often used to describe two ancient cultures that archaeologists now know as the Adena and...

    Attractions

    West Virginia State Parks Foundation awarded $17,500 grant for forestry work

    0
    HURRICANE, W.Va. — The West Virginia State Parks Foundation...

    Six West Virginia landmarks added to the National Register of Historic Places

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Six landmarks across West Virginia have...

    Historic stone walls in Morgantown, West Virginia, added to the national register

    5
    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The National Park Service has accepted...

    Swing into autumn with West Virginia’s three new Almost Heaven swings

    3
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Officials at the W.Va. Department of...

    Communities

    West Virginia University expert shares tips to keep fall mums blooming longer

    0
    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The brilliant colors of chrysanthemums, or...

    Peak fall color in West Virginia: the science and spectacle of Appalachian autumn

    0
    DAVIS, W.Va. — When the first sharp chill settles...

    Three West Virginia resorts ranked among best in U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler

    3
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Top travel destinations in West Virginia...

    WVU president urges university to ‘think big’ in first State of the University address

    0
    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Michael T. Benson, new president of...

    Culture

    The legend of the Vegetable Man: How a bloodsucking alien left its mark on West Virginia

    0
    FAIRMONT, W.Va. — A lesser-known encounter with an extraordinary...

    Professors at WVU trace Halloween through ancient, cross-cultural traditions

    0
    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — From cauldrons to candy corn, favorite...

    Account claims lost Swift silver mine delved near Big Sandy River in West Virginia

    4
    HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — One of the most appealing of...

    Shenandoah folk song: tracing the origins and meaning of a beloved American ballad

    4
    HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. — It’s fair to say that...

    Recreation

    Hatfield–McCoy trails system now connected to Virginia’s Spearhead trails

    0
    BRAMWELL, W.Va. — Off-road enthusiasts have even more ground...

    Monster trout contest returns to West Virginia as fall fishing season heats up

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia officials have announced the...

    Eight ghost towns in southern West Virginia worth visiting

    5
    THURMOND, W.Va. — One of the richest aspects of...

    2025 wild turkey hunting season in West Virginia to launch October 11

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Wild turkey hunting will return to...

    History and Prehistory

    Forgotten grave of priest sheds light on West Virginia’s religious past

    6
    GLEN DALE, W.Va. — Lone graves aren't rare in...

    How a violent West Virginia textbook battle helped redefine U.S. education

    2
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — In the spring of 1974, an...

    The U.S state that almost was: How West Virginia nearly became “Kanawha”

    3
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — When you think of West Virginia,...

    Wolves and panthers roamed the forgotten wilderness east of the West Virginia capital

    10
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Glance at a road map of...

    Lore and Legend

    Account claims lost Swift silver mine delved near Big Sandy River in West Virginia

    4
    HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — One of the most appealing of...

    Shenandoah folk song: tracing the origins and meaning of a beloved American ballad

    4
    HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. — It’s fair to say that...

    How an obscure, mysterious writer in West Virginia invented UFO lore as we know it

    0
    RIFFLE, W.Va.— The blockbuster Men in Black film franchise...

    Mysterious Wetzel County worm invasion wreaked havoc in West Virginia in 1918

    2
    LITTLETON, W.Va. — In the summer of 1918, a...

    State Parks

    Stargazing cabins open at Coopers Rock State Forest near Morgantown

    2
    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia officials today announced the...

    Chief Logan State Park in West Virginia debuts a fully accessible playground

    0
    LOGAN, W.Va. — Chief Logan State Park has unveiled...

    Scenic tram at Pipestem Resort State Park in West Virginia reopens

    0
    PIPESTEM, W.Va. — After two years of construction, a...

    West Virginia’s Farm-to-Table dinner series returns with scenic feasts, local flavor

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The highly anticipated Farm-to-Table Dinner Series...

    Hunting

    First section of autumn 2025 black bear firearms season opens in West Virginia

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Officials at the W.Va. Division of...

    West Virginia releases its 2025 hunting outlook and mast survey report

    1
    ELKINS, W.Va. — Officials at the West Virginia Division...

    West Virginia shifts future meeting time for natural resources to boost public access

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Officials at the West Virginia Division...

    West Virginia creates special access roads for hunters with disabilities

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia officials are reminding hunters...

    Fishing

    W.Va. officials expect more record-breaking fish amid growing trend

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Record-breaking fish seem to have become...

    West Virginia stocks monstrous trophy-sized trout in 44 lakes, streams

    0
    SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The W.Va. Division of Natural...

    W.Va. announces fall trout stockings and return of Monster Trout Contest

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia will begin fall trout...

    Record West Virginia blue catfish broken fourth year in a row

    0
    GALLIPOLIS FERRY, W.Va. — For the fourth year in...

    Hiking

    W.Va. Gov. celebrates expanded access to Endless Wall hiking trail

    0
    LANSING, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice and other state...

    Expert New River Gorge hiker shares her four favorite national park trails

    0
    FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — Which are the best hiking trails...

    Five reasons West Virginia is an ultimate winter hiking destination

    0
    FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — While West Virginia has gained worldwide...

    Endless Wall Trail named Best Hike in West Virginia by magazine

    0
    LANSING, W.Va. — The Endless Wall Trail has again...

    Skiing

    Snowshoe Mountain ski resort to open 50th season Nov. 27, 2024

    0
    SLATYFORK, W.Va. — Snowshoe Mountain ski resort in West...

    Snowshoe Mountain in W.Va. ranks among most affordable ski resorts

    0
    SLATYFORK, W.Va. — Snowshoe Mountain in the Allegheny Mountains...

    Snowshoe Mountain to open skiing, snowboarding by Thanksgiving

    0
    SNOWSHOE, W.Va. — In advance of a strong El...

    Canaan Valley rated one of top U.S. ski, winter destinations

    0
    DAVIS, W.Va. — More than a few magazines in...

    National Parks

    A hidden parkway travels beneath the New River Gorge Bridge in W.Va.

    5
    FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — Nearly all who cross the towering...

    Organizations join forces to apprehend New River Gorge vandals

    0
    GLEN JEAN, W.Va. — Two organizations in West Virginia...

    Grandview panoramas showcase New River Gorge at its widest, deepest

    0
    SHADY SPRING, W.Va. — Perched more than 1,400 feet...

    Park ranger lists the four must-see attractions in the New River Gorge

    0
    THURMOND, W.Va.—Visiting America's newest national park? There are countless...

    Kayaking

    W.Va. flatwater trail commission set to build connections

    0
    Established a year ago, West Virginia’s flatwater trail commission...

    Flatwater paddling expanding quickly across West Virginia

    0
    West Virginia is growing rapidly as a destination for...

    Kayaks opening Guyandotte valley to new exploration

    0
    The valley of the Guyandotte might be counted among...

    June 1 float supports West Fork, now prime kayak-fishing destination

    0
    The West Fork River is fast becoming one of...

    Whitewater Rafting

    Cool autumn weather could super-charge Gauley River rafting

    0
    The return of autumn could result in an end-of-season...

    Gauley River whitewater rafting season begins Sept. 6

    0
    One of the most scenic rivers in the U.S....

    Help build guide to booming West Virginia paddling events

    0
    Paddling sports such as kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are...

    Eventful and colorful, October ideal for rafting in West Virginia

    0
    October may be the biggest month yet when it...

    Biking

    New Parkersburg-area trail designed for intermediate level bikers

    0
    Already among the most popular destinations for mountain biking...

    Piney Creek trails attracting dozens daily; trail map unveiled

    0
    Hikers, bikers, and runners in growing numbers are venturing...

    Gorge resort introduces electric-assist mountain bike adventures

    0
    Imagine peddling less and riding faster. The new electric-assist...

    New trail to historic mill ruin to open Saturday in Beckley

    0
    Officials in Beckley, West Virginia, on Saturday will open...

    Recent Posts

    First documented poltergeist in U.S. haunted this historic W.Va. town

    Lore and Legend Amanda Larch Hinchman -
    MIDDLEWAY, W.Va. — The Wizard Clip haunting, the first documented poltergeist in America, occurred in the late 1700s in...

    West Virginia-made comedy "Ambrosia!" nominated at Delaware film festival

    Arts Clyde Craig -
    BECKLEY, W.Va. — The momentum behind "Ambrosia!"—an award-winning West Virginia–made screwball comedy—continues to build as filmmakers announced that the...

    West Virginia reinstates fishing agreement on Kentucky border waters

    Fishing Will Reedy -
    FORT GAY, W.Va. — West Virginia has reinstated its reciprocal fishing agreement with Kentucky, allowing Mountain State anglers to...

    Fall study to provide insight into trout harvest rates, movement in West Virginia

    Fishing Will Reedy -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Biologists in West Virginia will be studying trout harvest rates during the state's fall trout-stocking season...

    Canaan Valley resort announces $6 million upgrade ahead of winter season

    Skiing and Snowsports David Sibray -
    DAVIS, W.Va. — Officials at Canaan Valley Resort State Park in northern West Virginia say they're gearing up for...

    First Lady invites community for gingerbread contest, mansion tree decorating

    Festivals / Events Bianca Bosworth -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia First Lady Denise Morrisey is inviting students, educators, and artisans from across the state...

    West Virginia launches pet-friendly "West FURginia" state park ranger program

    State Parks, Forests David Sibray -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia officials have launched the West "FURginia" State Park Ranger program, a pet-friendly initiative designed...

    West Virginia governor declares November wild game meat donation month

    Hunting Will Reedy -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrissey has declared November "Wild Game Meat Donation Month" in the Mountain State. The...

    Biggest of the year, Beaver Moon will light November sky, recall early West Virginia history

    Lore and Legend David Sibray -
    BEAVER, W.Va. — For those who step outside on Wednesday to look up, the full moon that rises over...

    Prehistoric burial mound in West Virginia contains remarkable secret

    History / Prehistory Amanda Larch Hinchman -
    SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Rising above the end of this city’s central avenue, the prehistoric Criel Mound—one of the...

    How long does the autumn leaf change last in West Virginia?

    Travel / Transportation Bianca Bosworth -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Although October is quickly coming to a close, trees across West Virginia continue their dazzling transformation...

    Hatfield–McCoy trails system now connected to Virginia’s Spearhead trails

    ATV Touring David Sibray -
    BRAMWELL, W.Va. — Off-road enthusiasts have even more ground to cover in central Appalachia. The Hatfield–McCoy Trail System announced...
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    West Virginia Explorer Webzine is an online publication that celebrates the Mountain State's rich culture and natural beauty. Readers enjoy travel tips, hidden gems, outdoor adventures, local lore, and community news. For more than a quarter century, we've been the No. 1 trusted guide for exploring West Virginia.

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    Headlines

    Scenic trout stream lies hidden along I-77 / I-64 West Virginia Turnpike

    0
    PAX, W.Va. — Few motorists traveling the West Virginia...

    Bells at Concord University in W.Va. linked to strange phenomenon

    0
    ATHENS, W.Va. — Farmers in the countryside near Concord...

    Naturalists share their favorite lesser-known New River Gorge hiking trails

    0
    FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — On a soft summer morning in...

    Filmmaker says here’s why everyone should visit this West Virginia ghost town

    16
    THURMOND, W.Va. — Deep in the New River Gorge,...

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