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David Sibray

David Sibray is the founder, publisher and editor-in-chief of West Virginia Explorer, a news and travel magazine devoted to the state’s history, tourism, outdoor recreation and economic development. For more information, he may be reached at 304-575-7390 or at editor@wvexplorer.com

SensorHubb provides a platform that integrates with environmental sensors to continuously monitor commercial refrigeration and storage units.

Communities

West Virginia trust invests in SensorHubb in push for tech growth, safer food

September 16, 2025 by David Sibray

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust has made a $400,000 equity investment in SensorHubb, formally known as Fides Food Service Solutions LLC, a technology company based in Ranson that specializes in food safety monitoring for the hospitality and food service industries. The deal is intended to give the company the resources it … Read more

Once completed, these stargazing cabins will add a total of 12 cabins and supporting facilities to Coopers Rock State Forest.

Attractions

Stargazing cabins open at Coopers Rock State Forest near Morgantown

September 15, 2025 by David Sibray

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia officials today announced the opening of the first five stargazing cabins at Coopers Rock State Forest, adding a new way for visitors to stay overnight and experience one of the state’s most popular outdoor destinations. Dillard Price, acting chief of West Virginia State Parks, said the new A-frame cabins are … Read more

David Sibray At Poke Hollow Trail in West Virginia

Culture

A West Virginia hike with a haunting: Twin Falls trail honors Polk Hollow legend

September 13, 2025 by David Sibray

SAULSVILLE, W.Va. — While reports of the Polk Hollow Monster haven’t reached the frequency they had in the 1970s and ’80s, there’s no doubt in the minds of a few locals that something haunts the vicinity of the hollow in Twin Falls Resort State Park. State officials even developed a hiking trail, the “Poke Hollow … Read more

The Bluestone Gorge erupts into brilliant color at Pipestem Resort State Park.

Communities

This scenic West Virginia county enjoys three full months of fall foliage color

September 12, 2025 by David Sibray

HINTON, W.Va. — Halfway along the Appalachian range from north to south, West Virginia enjoys one of the longest and most colorful fall foliage seasons in the U.S. But, as a result of its geography, one West Virginia county in particular boasts what may be the longest leaf change in the region. Renowned for its … Read more

West Virginia Paranormal Trail: Visitor at the Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum

Culture

West Virginia paranormal trail expands to include a theater, tavern, and cavern

September 10, 2025 by David Sibray

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Officials at the West Virginia Department of Tourism have announced the expansion of the West Virginia Paranormal Trail with four new haunting locales. Twenty-one paranormal sites are now part of the trail, according to Chelsea Ruby, cabinet secretary for the department. In just three months of the trail’s opening in 2024, she … Read more

Berkeley County Courthouse in West Virginia

Communities

Mills Group to breathe new life into historic courthouse in Martinsburg, West Virginia

September 9, 2025 by David Sibray

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Two of the most recognizable landmarks in historic downtown Martinsburg are about to get a second life, thanks to one of the state’s best-known architectural and preservation design firms. The former Berkeley County Courthouse at 100 West King Street and its neighboring annex, long symbols of the county’s civic past, will be … Read more

Could this piece of silver found near Ripley, West Virginia, point to a larger lode?

Culture

Legend of a lost silver lode in Jackson County, West Virginia, might be more than lore

September 7, 2025 by David Sibray

RAVENSWOOD, W.Va. — Legends of a lost silver lode in Jackson County, in western West Virginia, may hold more truth than rumor—at least according to a former resident who claims not only to have uncovered historical evidence but also a silver nugget of his own. “I’ve always said there’s something to these legends,” says William … Read more

Chief Logan State Park ADA access Playground

Attractions

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

September 7, 2025 by David Sibray

LOGAN, W.Va. — Chief Logan State Park has unveiled a new, fully ADA-accessible playground, offering children of all abilities a welcoming space for play and recreation. Designed for children ages 2 to 12, the playground features a rock-and-rope climbing unit, a multi-slide play structure, swings with ADA- and infant-accessible options, and a wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round. Dillard … Read more

The rugged western counties of West Virginia almost became part of the state of Kanawha.

Culture

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

September 6, 2025 by David Sibray

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — When you think of West Virginia, the name might conjure up images of mountains, forests, and waterfalls—wild and wonderful—a place apart from Virginia, its larger neighbor to the east. But the name West Virginia was not inevitable. In fact, in the early days of twha River that flows through the heart of … Read more

Culture

The forgotten grave of the Pickens leper: isolation in the West Virginia mountains

September 5, 2025 by David Sibray

PICKENS, W.Va. — In a remote section of the Allegheny Mountains of northern West Virginia lies a solitary grave, marked only by two weathered stones. It belongs to an immigrant who died in isolation, far from his homeland. His story opens a haunting window into a forgotten chapter of American history, where public health, immigration, … Read more

For nearly 60 years, West Virginians have gathered in this park to eat from the wild

West Virginia high school closed for 13 years is becoming apartments

Five stunning photos capture summer in West Virginia’s state parks

Behind the walls of West Virginia’s massive Gothic prison, now a tourist attraction

Two unbanded peregrine falcons confirmed at New River Gorge Bridge

Weight-loss drugs are changing American bodies; Fashion may be changing with them

West Virginia elk are roaming farther as restored herd grows

Injured athletes may be hurting their recovery by trying too hard, WVU researcher says

Ancient spirit ‘underwater panther’ carved in stone survives in West Virginia

Fall begins Tuesday in West Virginia with temperatures in the mid-90s

They thought it was morning fog, then this West Virginia train hit a burning trestle

West Virginia’s mysterious island will glow by candlelight for two nights this fall

Six weeks of legendary whitewater are about to begin on the Gauley in West Virginia

West Virginia trails conference looks to turn outdoor recreation into community growth

West Virginia fishing record broken for third time in little more than a month

More women are taking up hunting and fishing; these West Virginia workshops may be helping

David Sibray

West Virginia trust invests in SensorHubb in push for tech growth, safer food

Stargazing cabins open at Coopers Rock State Forest near Morgantown

A West Virginia hike with a haunting: Twin Falls trail honors Polk Hollow legend

This scenic West Virginia county enjoys three full months of fall foliage color

West Virginia paranormal trail expands to include a theater, tavern, and cavern

Mills Group to breathe new life into historic courthouse in Martinsburg, West Virginia

Legend of a lost silver lode in Jackson County, West Virginia, might be more than lore

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

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

The forgotten grave of the Pickens leper: isolation in the West Virginia mountains