West Virginia Explorer West Virginia Explorer News
Browse

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

South Charleston becoming a top W.Va. dining destination

by David Sibray

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.
Agriculture

New River Gorge farm to launch online farmer’s market

by David Sibray

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.
Recreation

Harpers Ferry closes some climbing areas to protect falcons

by David Sibray

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.
Arts

Student quarter designs reveal iconic West Virginia images

by David Sibray

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.
Recreation

Trail group changes name to Mountain State Trail Alliance

by David Sibray

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.
Arts

Bookstores across West Virginia growing, diversifying

by David Sibray

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.
Recreation

WVU helps breaks ground for physical activity statewide

by David Sibray

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

A maintenance worker inspects a wrecked PRT at West Virginia University.
Communities

PRT track at WVU closes after Morgantown rockslide

by David Sibray

A rockslide that blocked Monongahela Boulevard and the public rapid transit track in Morgantown, West Virginia, today sent two West Virginia University students to the hospital. The highway and transit, also known as the PRT, was struck by boulders that had tumbled off a cliff that overlooks the Monongahela River on the university’s Evansdale campus. … Read more

A kitten peers out from behind a flowerpot in West Virginia. (Photo courtesy Sindy Strife)
Culture

West Virginia mountain community spearheads animal rescue

by David Sibray

Would-be pets are among the victims of decline in the coalfields of southern West Virginia, but one community in Mingo County has managed to spearhead a rescue effort that’s off to a remarkable start. Gilbert Happy Tails, to host its first “Fur Ball” fundraiser this month in Gilbert, West Virginia, has already received support from … Read more