David Sibray
OAK HILL, W.Va. — Overlooking the New River Gorge in southern West Virginia, this up-and-coming community adjoining America’s newest national park has been ranked among the safest cities in the U.S. Reflecting on the achievement, its mayor says the result is one of the benefits of living in a small town where residents are neighborly. … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Members of the Kanawha Garden Club and the West Virginia Native Plant Society are urging gardeners and property owners across West Virginia to plant native species and have established April as Native Plant Month in West Virginia. The Native Plant Month proclamation by Governor Jim Justice was set February 20, 2023, according … Read more
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Students from 65 schools will participate in the 18th annual West Virginia Archery-in-the-Schools State Tournament on March 25, according to officials with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Chris Scraggs, the division’s archery-in-schools program coordinator, says the program has blossomed since the Covid 19 pandemic, and the tournament is being … Read more
TWIN FALLS STATE PARK, W.Va. — Superintendents at 12 West Virginia state parks completed training in February to become certified special natural resources police officers. The special paramilitary training, led by the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources Police, was completed at Twin Falls Resort State Park. It included classroom time and physical, defensive tactics, and … Read more
A volunteer group that helps maintain the scenic Dolly Sods Wilderness in northern West Virginia is looking for additional volunteers to help maintain its trails. The stewards serve as a resource for visitors, helping them have a safe and enjoyable wilderness experience while working to preserve Dolly Sods for future visitors, according to David Johnston, … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — With supply-chain faults apparent nationally, the West Virginia Department of Agriculture is working to bolster agricultural products by expanding the “West Virginia Grown” branding program. According to Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt, the department has launched a West Virginia Grown partner program to incorporate supporters of local agricultural products. The branding program … Read more
Digging and eating ramps in the spring is a traditional activity throughout West Virginia, notably within the Monongahela National Forest in its eastern mountains. While collecting ramps for personal use is permitted in the forest within established limits, the commercial harvest of ramps—including the re-sale of ramps collected for personal use—is prohibited, according to Kelley … Read more
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va.—One of the world’s first and largest outdoor-adventure resorts, Adventures on the Gorge can trace its roots back 50 years to the earliest days of whitewater rafting in the New River Gorge. The story is one of imagination, youthful determination, excellent timing, and a whole lot of luck. Paul Breuer was then a cash-strapped … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Officials at the W.Va. Division of Forestry are urging West Virginians to be cautious of burning amid dry, windy winter conditions. Assistant State Forester Jeremy Jones said high winds, warm temperatures, and a lack of rain and snow have conspired to create inflammable conditions. “Our winter hasn’t seen as much precipitation as … Read more
BEAVER, W.Va. — Say what you will about groundhogs, their ability to predict the arrival of spring is nowhere near as accurate as that of frogs: like clockwork, spring peepers will herald the return of light and warmth in central Appalachia in late February and early March. Triggered by rising temperatures, the tiny frogs (Pseudacris … Read more
