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Communities in West Virginia offer residents a welcoming atmosphere, affordable cost of living, and a strong sense of connection to nature and neighbors alike. From charming small towns to vibrant cities like Charleston and Morgantown, West Virginia communities provide friendly neighborhoods, excellent schools, and access to outdoor recreation right at your doorstep. Residents enjoy a slower pace of life, surrounded by the state’s beautiful mountains, rivers, and forests, as well as rich local culture, historic sites, and community events that bring people together.

 

With safe streets, local businesses, and a true spirit of Appalachian hospitality, living in West Virginia communities means enjoying a high quality of life and a supportive, tight-knit environment where everyone feels at home. Be sure to visit our Communities Travel Guide for information about communities in West Virginia.

Switching to compassion mode may be one way to manage COVID-19 anxiety.
Communities

WVU: Compassion may ease anxieties related to coronavirus

by David Sibray

Practicing social distancing is one way to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, but practicing emotional closeness may help alleviate the anxiety that the coronavirus can provoke. Julie Brefczynski-Lewis, a research assistant professor in the West Virginia University Department of Neuroscience, part of the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, said that “switching to compassion mode” may … Read more

Professors are advising social media users to question their biases and turn to local media for COVID-19 information.
Communities

WVU: Question biases, use local news for COVID-19 info

by Clyde Craig

As more people turn to social media and other online sources for updates on the COVID-19 outbreak, determining which sources are reliable becomes increasingly difficult. Two professors at West Virginia University are advising users of social media to question their own biases and turn to the local news media for information. Dana Coester and Bob … Read more

The governor and staff attended a video conference with the President early Monday.
Communities

COVID-19: W.Va. Governor declares State of Emergency

by David Sibray

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice joined state health, education, and emergency response leaders in Charleston today to update residents on precautionary measures being taken to protect the public from the potential spread of novel coronavirus. There are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in West Virginia, though it’s anticipated that the disease will be reported … Read more

WVU Dean of Health Sciences Clay Marsh, MD, is advising to take travel precautions.
Communities

WVU Dean advising travel precaution in face of COVID-19

by David Sibray

Though there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in West Virginia, Dr. Clay Marsh of West Virginia University is advising Mountaineers to employ precautions when traveling for spring break. The school’s Vice President and Executive Dean for Health Sciences, Marsh says non-essential travel should be limited, and he’s asking students, faculty, and staff to inform … Read more

West Virginia students learn about trout habitat during a field trip.
Communities

Program helps W.Va. students raise trout, learn about wildlife

by Will Reedy

Students in West Virginia are learning about environmental stewardship by raising trout in their classroom and releasing them into the wild. The interactive program, called Trout in the Classroom, is sponsored by Trout Unlimited and the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and is being funded by local supporters. The program was designed to teach … Read more

There are no reported cases of COVID-19 at WVU, but officials are concerned about the return to campus after travel.
Communities

WVU suspends in-person classes after spring break, moves online

by David Sibray

West Virginia University will temporarily suspend in-person classes the week following spring break then offer online class instruction or other alternative learning options beginning March 30 as it continues to monitor the threat of novel coronavirus. All other online-only classes will continue as originally scheduled. WVU President Gordon Gee made the announcement in a Tuesday, … Read more

Through October the lunch-and-learn series look at gardening in West Virginia.
Communities

Café Appalachia and W.Va. State U. offer gardening series

by Clyde Craig

Café Appalachia is teaming up with the West Virginia State University Extension Service to host a six-part series of gardening workshops through October 2020. The free Lunch-&-Learn events will begin March 26 with a session on raised bed construction and irrigation. Each session will take place from 10 a.m. until noon at Café Appalachia in … Read more

Audits aim to verify fruits and vegetables are produced, packed, handled, and stored in the safest manner possible.
Communities

WVDA reimbursing agricultural, handling practice audits

by Clyde Craig

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture is offering full reimbursement to fruit and vegetable producers who have completed its Good Handling Practices and Good Agricultural Practices programs. The audits are voluntary efforts that verify fruits and vegetables are being produced, packed, handled, and stored as safely as possible to minimize risks of microbial food safety … Read more

Bobwhite were heard across much of West Virginia until the late 1970s.
Communities

Justice announces five-year project to restore bobwhite

by Will Reedy

West Virginia has launched a five-year project to restore northern bobwhite quail, a native species that was decimated during the winters of 1977, 1978, and 1979. Governor Jim Justice announced the launch of the project today while mourning the song of the bird, which was once heard in pastures across the Mountain State. “There’s no … Read more