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
Katherine Johnson and her family attended the dedication of a statue raised in her honor at West Virginia State University.

W.Va. State U. mourns gifted alumni Katherine Johnson

Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, pioneering NASA mathematician, and West Virginia State University alumna Katherine Johnson passed away today at age 101, according to university president Anthony L. Jenkins. Jenkins lauded Johnson as one of the school’s most gifted and generous graduates, for which the Katherine Johnson Plaza was named last year. “Today is a … Read more

One of the first Tru by Hilton hotel properties in West Virginia is expected to open in Beckley, West Virginia (WV).

Beckley tourism leaders welcome Hilton hotel, growth

Tourism industry leaders in Beckley, West Virginia, say they’re excited to welcome a Hilton-brand hotel to the community’s lodging mix, a sign of continued tourism growth and stability. The new hotel, part of the Tru by Hilton brand launched by Hilton Worldwide, arrives as the area is growing as a group travel destination, according to … Read more

A couple dines at Cafe Appalachia, a favorite new eatery in South Charleston.

South Charleston becoming a top W.Va. dining destination

A growing foodie’s paradise, South Charleston, West Virginia, may now boast the highest concentration of international restaurants in the Mountain State, according to some estimates. The city of 12,000 now boasts 60 restaurants, including nine Asian, five Italian, four Mexican, ten American, and four Mediterranian eateries, as well as four dessert shops and 36 chain … Read more

Farm manager Susanna Wheeler tends a garden at New Roots Community Farm near Fayetteville, West Virginia.

New River Gorge farm to launch online farmer’s market

Technology is providing a boost for farming and agritourism in the northern New River Gorge Region, thanks to a partnership between a central-Appalachian agricultural collective and a community farm initiative near Fayetteville, West Virginia. Turnrow Appalachian Farm Collective will host a community dinner and launch party at Arrowhead Bike Farm near Fayetteville on March 6 … Read more

A peregrine falcon surveys Harpers Ferry from a cliff on Maryland Heights.

Harpers Ferry closes some climbing areas to protect falcons

Officials at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park are temporarily closing some climbing areas on Maryland Heights to accommodate a pair of nesting peregrine falcons. A pair of the fastest birds in the world are eyeing the cliffs on Maryland Heights in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park as their nesting site. To provide the peregrine falcons … Read more

Putnam County, won first place with her representation of Dolly Sods.

Student quarter designs reveal iconic West Virginia images

What do West Virginia high school students think about when they consider iconic West Virginia images? The winning entries for the 2020 Create-a-Quarter-for-West-Virginia contest reveal much. In conjunction with Presidents’ Day, the sixth installment of the Student Artist Series, was emceed by West Virginia First Lady Cathy Justice, who established the series to promote the … Read more

A hiker balances on a log along a West Virginia forest trail.

Trail group changes name to Mountain State Trail Alliance

Four years after its founding, the New River Gorge Trail Alliance has decided to change its name to the Mountain State Trail Alliance to reflect the counties involved in the organization, according to organization president Bill Wells. “As the trail alliance expanded over the last few years, we realized that we had outgrown our original … Read more

Bookstores in West Virginia are holding their own against the onslaught of e-readers and other media.

Bookstores across West Virginia growing, diversifying

Opening a bookstore may not be the best way to turn a profit, but bookstores in West Virginia are doing well and diversifying, says an author who’s published a book on the matter. Matt Browning, the author of “Bookstore Explorer: West Virginia,” says thirty bookstores now exist in the Mountain State, often in areas where … Read more

WVU is funding 13 projects that increase or improve pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure in West Virginia.

WVU helps breaks ground for physical activity statewide

From Wheeling to Williamson, West Virginians will gain new and improved options to get active with a leisurely stroll or bicycle ride, thanks to a statewide project involving West Virginia University. The Center for ActiveWV has announced a slate of inaugural grant funding for 13 projects that increase or improve pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure in … Read more