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Clyde CraigClyde Craig

Clyde Craig is a staff writer for West Virginia Explorer. Born in Parkersburg, West Virginia, he traveled with his family across the globe with the U.S. Army before returning to the Mountain State in 2011. He has been a writer with the explorer since 2018. He can be reached at 304-575-7390 or at craig@wvexplorer.com.
Governor Jim Justice today signed a bill that established Bluefield State College.
Communities

After 125 years, Justice signs bill founding Bluefield State

by Clyde Craig

One hundred and twenty-five years after the bill that established Bluefield State College was penned, Governor Jim Justice today signed the legislation during an event at the West Virginia capitol. Justice made the ceremonial gesture alongside college administrators, staff, students, and alumni on hand at the Governor’s Reception Room in Charleston, West Virginia. Penned in … Read more

Shepherd University's Appalachian Studies program is accepting fiction competition submissions by May 1.
Arts

Shepherd opens 2020 Appalachian fiction competition

by Clyde Craig

The Appalachian Studies and Communities at Shepherd University is accepting submissions by May 1 for its 2020 West Virginia Fiction Competition. The competition was created to encourage writers and storytellers whose talent and creative writing ability is distinctive and promising and to foster an appreciation of Appalachian culture and values represented in the diverse writing … Read more

Guests gather on a summer evening at Stonewall Resort.
Attractions

Culinary events hosted at Stonewall Resort through March

by Clyde Craig

Early spring is sure to be great for foodies in north-central West Virginia, where Stonewall Resort is set to host three culinary events in addition to weekly themed dinner options. Late February and March is an ideal time to escape the end-of-winter humdrum, says Andre’ D’Amour, general manager at the luxury resort located in Stonewall … Read more

A portrait of Charles Washington, Founder of Charles Town, hangs in his home, Happy Retreat.
Focus

Charles Town, W.Va., settled by youngest Washington brother

by Clyde Craig

Visitors to West Virginia may be inclined to think of backwoods mountaineers when they think of the Mountain State, but the incredibly diverse state is far more posh than that. Charles Town, in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia, was founded in 1787 by Charles Washington, the youngest brother of George Washington. The younger Washington … Read more

A farmer surveys pasture and cropland in eastern West Virginia.
Agriculture

W.Va. State U. to host spatial analysis workshop for farmers

by Clyde Craig

The extension service of West Virginia State University will host a workshop series on sustainable production management through spatial analysis beginning Feb. 25, 2020. The series is ideal for producers who own or lease land for agricultural purposes, according to Dr. Annette G. Ericksen, assistant director for agriculture and natural resources at the university. “This … Read more

Medical students train in acupuncture at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine.
Communities

Osteopathic school trains in acupuncture technique

by Clyde Craig

An old practice is being put to new use in the Mountain State, thanks in part to the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine at Lewisburg, West Virginia. The school is training members of approved health-related professions to use the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association protocol, also known as acudetox, a form of acupuncture in which … Read more

A field of hemp in West Virginia greets the dawn.
Agriculture

West Virginia submits hemp plan to U.S. Dept. of Agriculture

by Clyde Craig

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture has submitted the state’s plan to regulate industrial hemp to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and officials are working toward the most business-friendly outcome possible. Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt said his office will continue to work with producers, who in 2019 produced a remarkably successful crop. “There is … Read more

Fraternity and sorority members show higher academic performance than West Virginia University students at large.
Communities

WVU fraternities and sororities maintain above-average GPAs

by Clyde Craig

Fraternity and sorority life might be perceived as a distraction, but West Virginia University has announced that members of such organizations show higher academic performance than students at large. The fall 2019 average for such students was 3.240 compared to 2.969, according to Matthew Richardson, director of the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life. “The … Read more