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
This historic freight station in Grafton is among city properties slated for rehabilitation.

WVU to embark on historic preservation initiative in Grafton

Historic Grafton, West Virginia, once an important hub on the Baltimore & Ohio Railway, will enjoy a boost in economic viability, according to officials at West Virginia University. Several historic and industrial districts in the community of some 5,000 residents, will be redeveloped by the university’s Northern West Virginia Brownfields Assistance Center, according to director … Read more

Restoration and preservation are increasingly popular development alternatives in West VIrginia.

Free W.Va. historic preservation webinars being broadcast

Investing in historic properties has never been more popular in West Virginia. The state’s tax-credit budgets for rehabilitating older buildings now exceed those of surrounding states, and investors are looking to cut costs by fixing older buildings rather than building anew. Looking for information on tax credits? Interested in the history of your own home? … Read more

An eastern box turtle traverses a lawn in West Virginia. (Photo courtesy W.Va. Dept. of Commerce)

W.Va. launches citizen science project to document box turtles

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources has launched a citizen science project to track the distribution of eastern box turtles and is asking the public to report sightings of the important but declining reptile. Reporting box turtle sightings can be done by using geographic coordinates on the division’s map at tinyurl.com/wvboxturtle. Submitting a photo … Read more

West Virginia maintains two food banks to distribute food to those in need.

West Virginia’s two food banks operating at full capacity

Following the closure of all non-essential businesses in West Virginia, the state’s two food banks have ramped up efforts to feed the vulnerable, according to the state Department of Agriculture. While precautionary measures have been taken, both food banks continue operations to serve the needs of those facing hunger in all West Virginia counties, Commissioner … Read more