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.
Gov. Jim Justice issued a “State of Preparedness” for all 55 counties in West Virginia on Sunday ahead of the remnants of Hurricane Ida following the latest forecasts from the National Weather Service. Ida is forecast to hit the Gulf Coast later today as a category-four storm, with remnants predicted to reach the Mountain State … Read more
An investigation into diseased birds found in the eastern panhandle has concluded that reports of affected birds have declined since July, according to the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources. As a result, the division is lifting its recommendation to not feed birds in the area, as long as bird feeders are cleaned weekly with soapy … Read more
West Virginia University researchers will drill three miles into the ground near Morgantown to test the potential of geothermal energy in the region this fall. They may help reduce the university’s carbon footprint and decrease its energy costs, according to Nagasree Garapati, visiting assistant professor of chemical and biomedical engineering. Garapati and her research team … Read more
Create Buckhannon has been named the winner of the 2021 West Virginia Vanguard Agriculture Competition, a statewide contest sponsored by the Robert C. Byrd Institute at Marshall University that honors innovation and ingenuity in agriculture. The annual award recognizes a West Virginia entrepreneur or organization whose idea has the greatest potential to solve logistical challenges … Read more
To help create even more natural habitat for wildlife around the state, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is encouraging landowners to join its Wild Yards program. The program, which has 300 members around the state, recognizes the efforts of landowners who landscape for wildlife use, according to Jim Fregonara, a wildlife biologist for … Read more
Wildlife enthusiasts and outdoor lovers who want a chance to see West Virginia’s growing elk herd up close and in a natural setting may now book a seat on a guided elk viewing tour organized by West Virginia State Parks. W.Va. Division of Natural Resources Director Stephen McDaniel says applicants for the tours should register … Read more
Women landowners who wish to learn more about forestry in West Virginia and network with other women involved in woodlands management can now register for the W.Va. Division of Forestry’s “Women Owning Woodlands” workshop. The event led by women instructors provides women landowners with an opportunity to ask questions, practice skills, and connect with woodland … Read more
After several days of battling a blaze in scenic Pendleton County—notably home to Seneca Rocks—the W.Va. Division of Forestry declared the South Mill Creek fire in patrol status. “Patrol status” means that no active fire threatens to get out of control, although smoke and hot spots may be visible, and firefighters will continue to monitor … Read more
A warm winter led to a decline in syrup production in West Virginia in 2021, though state Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt said the industry continues to grow statewide. “Weather remains a key factor for how successful our maple seasons end up,” Leonhardt said of the low yield reported this week. “If it is too … Read more
West Virginia University plans to fully reopen its campuses this fall, according to school officials who attribute the decision to continued decreases in cases of the pandemic and the knowledge that vaccines are safe and effective. COVID-19 numbers within the U.S. and West Virginia have significantly decreased as the number of vaccinations has increased, according … Read more
