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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.

Pendeleton County, Potomac Branches Region
Communities

Forest Stewardship program announced in eastern panhandle

by Clyde Craig

The West Virginia Division of Forestry is announcing a sign-up period for the Forest Stewardship program counties in the Chesapeake Bay watershed in the state’s eastern panhandle. The program assists landowners with the management of forest on properties in Grant, Hardy, Morgan, Hampshire, Mineral, Berkeley, Pendleton, and Jefferson counties. According to a release from the … Read more

A horse-drawn carriage tours the historic ground of Capon Springs Resort.
Communities

Capon Springs offers 30-percent state resident discount

by David Sibray

Capon Springs Resort is offering a 30-percent discount on vacation packages for West Virginia residents in association with the state’s West Virginia Strong program, initiated by the governor in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. The offer will provide the discount to guests who reserve lodging for at least two nights between August 3-September 2 … Read more

Seed packages received from unknown sources without solicitation should not be planted, says WVDA.
Communities

WVDA urges public to not plant foreign seed packets

by Clyde Craig

Officials at the West Virginia Department of Agriculture are urging state residents not to plant foreign seeds following reports of unsolicited seeds being received in surrounding states. Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt said seeds could pose an environmental threat. “Like other states, we have been made aware of reports from people in West Virginia that … Read more

The grant to will fund development of a comprehensive plan to connect the university to the Internet2 national backbone.
Communities

National Science Foundation awards Shepherd $100K

by David Sibray

The National Science Foundation has awarded a one-year $999,000 planning grant to Shepherd University to develop a comprehensive plan to cost-effectively connect the university to the Internet2 national backbone. “This planning grant will support Shepherd’s exploration of the feasibility to connect to Internet2,” said Dr. Robert Warburton, dean, College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. … Read more

A baby raccoon closely watches photographer Gary Bendig. (Photo courtesy Gary Bendig)
Communities

W.Va. Wildlife Center resumes regular hours, rates

by David Sibray

The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources announces that the West Virginia Wildlife Center at French Creek has resumed regular admission rates and hours of operation. The Wildlife Center features native and introduced animals and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., though some COVID-19 restrictions remain in place, according to Zack Brown, assistant … Read more

The Byrd Telescope glows red in the darkness at Green Bank.
Communities

Signals from space: WVU develops AI to detect radio bursts

by Clyde Craig

West Virginia University’s Duncan Lorimer might be the “godfather of the fast radio burst,” but a pair of international students have taken exploring these mysterious cosmic flashes to a new level. In 2007, Lorimer was credited for helping discover fast radio bursts—the intense, unexplained pulses of energy, light years away, that pop for mere milliseconds. … Read more