LEWISBURG W.Va. (WVDN) – Editor’s Note: A new year is here and at The West Virginia Daily News, we are taking a look back at the events of 2023 and all of the coverage we provided to our community. From breaking news to pottery classes, WVDN has been there for it all. Here are a few articles from 2023 that I felt was worth another look heading into the new year.
January
This article originally appeared on wvdn.com on Jan. 11, 2023
Carolyn Cleaton
LEWISBURG (WVDN) – At the first meeting of the Greenbrier County Commission in 2023, there were annual duties to be discussed including the appointment of County Commission president. Newly elected commissioner Blaine Phillips was seated and welcomed to the Commission as Lowell Rose stated, “In my 15th year serving as a Commissioner of Greenbrier County, I am proud to welcome the seventh commissioner partner, Blaine Phillips.”
Rose went on to compliment Commissioner Tammy Tincher for her “passion” as a county commissioner and stated that her interest at both the state and national levels of county commissioner activities makes her the ideal candidate for president of the Commission.
Her nomination was passed, and Tincher accepted, saying, “There is a lot going on, and the county is in a very good position,” pointing to the courthouse expansion and the broadband connection programs as current activities that bode well for the future.
Tincher then took the meeting on as the acting Commission leader. Committee assignments for the year were named for each member. One commissioner may participate as a voting member on some committees, although all of the commissioners may attend any committee meeting. Phillips was first selected to serve on the Greenbrier County Planning Commission, Region One Work Force and the emergency planning committee.
To read the full report, visit wvdn.com/116546/
February
This article originally appeared on Feb. 28, 2023.
WVDN
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. – Local specialty grocery store has announced that it will soon close.
In a post on social media, the store owner Franchesca Berry stated, “In life, we try our very best to reach our wildest dream. For me, having an international market was one of them. I have always dreamt that someday I’ll be a business owner sharing what I love the most, cooking and Oriental flavors.
“And so it did happen with the help of God and family. Perseverance and hard work always comes with a good outcome. I gave my all at Pinoy Store, I learned to love the town of WSS and I realized how my store is loved by many. With confidence I’d say, it was a success, a dream came true!
We appreciate everyone’s support over the couple of years and we will see you on my next business venture. When one door closes, another one opens.
“The town of White Sulphur Springs will be truly missed.”
March
This article originally appeared on March 31, 2023.
Sarah Mansheim
LEWISBURG, W.Va. (WVDN)- Traffic on Rt. 219 North near the interstate was light on Friday morning, March 31, as the city’s new Starbucks coffee shop opened its doors for the first time.
The new restaurant opened for business at 6 a.m. By 8 a.m., the drive-thru line was full, and the parking lot near the restaurant was full of cars.
Workers inside the restaurant told press that photos of the inside of the restaurant are forbidden, and that staff was not allowed to speak to the press.
Social media has been abuzz with people speaking out both for and against the corporate coffee shop. Those who are pro-”Starbies” are looking forward to their favorite drinks and treats that, up until now, they’ve had to purchase elsewhere.
The arguments from those against it mainly focus on the worry that the business will further snarl traffic on Rt. 219 near the interstate, and the concern that the new business may hurt smaller establishments.
Starbucks is located on Rt. 219 North adjacent to Walmart.
April
This article originally appeared on April 21, 2023.
WVDN
LEWISBURG, W.Va. (WVDN) – Greenbrier East High School has been named one of 10 national finalists in the 13th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition, receiving a $50,000 prize package.
Solve for Tomorrow is a national competition that challenges U.S. public school students in grades 6-12 to explore the role science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) can play in solving some of the most significant issues in their local communities. The competition engages students in active, hands-on learning applicable to real-world problems – making STEM more tangible and showcasing its value beyond the classroom. National finalists participating in this year’s competition have boldly entered their game-changing ideas to address reducing food waste and insecurity, helping unhoused refugees, subway safety, accessibility, water quality and more.
The Greenbrier East High School InvenTeam is inventing a Digital Junction Tracker (DJT) for caves. The DJT is a digital beacon and receiver that will give spelunkers a more reliable way to find their way out of A cave. It will also act as a tracking device for rescue teams to find spelunkers who have lost their way, are injured or become stuck in a cave and need to be retrieved. Ultimately, the goal of the digital junction tracker is to save lives.
GEHS pre-engineering instructor Kevin Warfield states, “Most lost spelunker incidents arise due to insufficient preparation and cave knowledge. We believe we can create a technological solution to prevent cavers from getting lost and help facilitate their safe return to the surface. Our team has discovered that low-frequency radio signals work best when establishing a deep underground connection. These frequencies are detectable above ground. Transmitters are also used for cave rescues as they generate and transmit electromagnetic waves that carry messages to the surface. However, the transponders do not transmit between 9-15 miles above the ground. We hope to implement that technology at shorter distances underground to develop our tracking system. The biggest benefactors of a technological solution to this problem would be cave explorers/spelunkers and search and rescue teams.”
Warfield and the GEHS InvenTeam are excited to be among 10 national finalists who will head to a live pitch event on May 15 in Washington, D.C. Judges will select three national winners, each receiving $100,000 in prizes. One of the 50 state winners will be honored as the Sustainability Innovation Award Winner, receiving an added $50,000 prize package of eco-conscious classroom technology. The public will vote online for one Community Choice Winner from the pool of 10 national finalists, and Samsung employees will name one team for this year’s Employee Choice Winner. That honor earns the winning school an added $10,000 of Samsung technology on top of their national winnings.
To read the full report, visit wvdn.com/125580/
May
The article originally appeared on May 31, 2023.
WVDN
LEWISBURG, W.Va. (WVDN) – The James F.B. Peyton Foundation and The Lewisburg Foundation (LF) are collaborating to develop new landscaped parking spaces on the west end of downtown Lewisburg.
LF is purchasing the land that previously held True Value and developing the plan with Terradon Corporation and contracting with Boxell Solutions LLC to manage the construction.
Josh Polan, Jerry Janiga and TAG Galyean will donate landscape and architectural design services.
Boxell is also donating to the project and excluding all overhead and profit on their work.
Present plans show 30 public parking spaces, 28 trees and a retaining wall faced with historic bricks salvaged from the Church Street building recently demolished as part of the project.
LF membership funds will not be used for this capital improvement. Membership funds are used to plant, mow, water, prune, fertilize and replace downtown horticulture. Those cost now run about $50,000 per year and include a 10-year tree replacement program.
June
This article originally appeared on June 26, 2023
Scot Refsland
Unprecedented wildfires are currently sweeping through various regions of Canada, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake and severely impacting air quality levels.
Experts have cited unusual weather patterns and climate change as key factors exacerbating the fire situation. Amidst the blazes, Greenbrier County, WV, has been grappling with poor air quality as smoke drifts into the mountain state.
Air quality indexes have consistently reported dangerous levels of pollutants over the past few days, triggering health advisories and warnings for residents, especially those with respiratory conditions.
In light of the deteriorating conditions, health and emergency officials are recommending residents stay indoors, particularly those with pre-existing health conditions. They advise everyone to keep doors and windows shut, use air purifiers if available, and avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
July
This article originally appeared on July 5, 2023.
WVDN
Nearly a hundred musicians and audience members established a new attendance record for Alderson’s Open Mic at the Depot on July 1, 2023. Buoyed by visitors to Alderson’s wonderful July 4th activities, and great weather, there was a constant stream of people coming and going and listening to great music.
This was the third month in a series that runs from May to October on the first Saturday of the month from 6-9 p.m. Alderson Main Street hosts the event to provide family friendly activities, and a chance for local musicians to try out new material and learn from each other. Event organizer, Marcia Sutherland, said “The level of musician certainly increased this month, and we’re glad to provide the opportunity to showcase their talent.”
For more information on Open Mic at the Depot, visit Alderson Main Street’s Facebook page or contact Don Sutherland at donsutherland2003@yahoo.com
August
This article originally appeared on Aug. 30, 2023.
WVDN
WILLIAMSBURG W.Va. (WVDN) – On a hot Aug. 19, several volunteers from the Williamsburg and Trout area joined forces to clean a private cemetery between their communities, which had become overgrown.
A sign was also placed in the Maggie Cemetery which has many headstones that are not engraved, just a native rock to mark the site of a long-lost family member. The cemetery is large and permission and a key to access the property are needed to enter it.
Several area families have ancestors in Maggie Cemetery including Gladwell, Sizemore, Payne, Wood, Blankenship and Nicely among others.
This small group of neighbors made a lot of family members happy, showing respect and doing the hard work of clearing brush and weeds. Debbie Judy said, “You had to have seen it before to understand what a difference (improvement) this makes.”
Metal markers had been placed with the help of the Williamsburg District Historical Foundation in the mid-1990s and identified about 15 graves that lacked marked headstones. Over the years, even some of those markers did not withstand the assaults of mother nature and were lost from tree falls and overgrowth just burying the markers.
A full list of the marked graves is in a book called Williamsburg Cemetery Book and sold at the Greenbrier Historical Society in North House Museum, Lewisburg.
September
This article originally appeared on Sept. 27, 2023.
Rebecca Stalnaker
MEADOW RIVER W.Va. (WVDN) – According to a recent announcement, Phase I of the Meadow River Rail Trail is opening on Friday, Oct. 13. The section stretches from the trailhead near the Nallan post office to the large bridge near Burdette’s Creek.
The announcement further states that the trail will only be open to nonmotorized uses. Additionally, all individuals traveling on the trail are asked to remain on the trail surface. The reason for this is that the areas surrounding the trail are private property.
Project developers wish to remind trail users that they have no control over the motorized use restriction.
To keep up with the Meadow River Rail Trail project, follow the Facebook page @Meadow River Rail Trail.
October
This article originally appeared on Oct. 5, 2023.
Susan Linton-Smith
WEST VIRGINIA (WVDN) – A time-lapse beacon of information and connection: As I sit here looking through the archives from the 1800s of The West Virginia Daily News (formally The Greenbrier Independent) and reflecting on the enduring importance of newspapers throughout the years. Here, at The West Virginia Daily News, we are recognizing National Newspaper Week October 1-7. As The director of operations, I’ve also worked at The West Virginia Daily News for close to 20 years. I thought this would be an opportune time to celebrate The West Virginia Daily News and other newspapers’ remarkable contributions to society.
Today information is just a click away, newspapers have remained a steadfast source of reliable news. They have chronicled historic events, provided in-depth analysis and given a voice to the voiceless. One cannot overlook the impact newspapers have had on holding the powerful accountable with investigative journalism. Newspapers have uncovered corruption and exposed social injustice and, throughout history, newspapers have fiercely challenged authority and fought for civil rights and freedom of speech. They have been the guardians of truth, acting as a check on those in power in fostering transparency.
The West Virginia Daily News has been instrumental in your community as your local newspaper. We have been the heartbeat of your community by capturing the pulse of everyday life. We have celebrated the achievements of community members, covered local events and issues and connected neighbors in a shared narrative. In an ever-changing world, newspapers have provided stability, anchoring communities by preserving their unique identity.
The West Virginia Daily News has acted as a bridge across generations, from grandparents sharing newspaper clippings with their grandchildren to supplying local classrooms with newspapers for educational purposes. The digital revolution has undoubtedly transformed the media landscape of all newspapers. The West Virginia Daily News continues to adapt and thrive. We have embraced digital by expanding our audience’s reach while preserving the integrity of traditional journalism by complementing our print editions with online versions, engaging our readers in a new and exciting way!
As we celebrate National Newspaper Week, let us all recognize the invaluable role that newspapers play. The West Virginia Daily News and other publications have stood the test of time. Let us cherish newspapers and their legacy, and with your continued support, their existence will continue in society. Happy National Newspaper Week!
November
This article originally appeared on Nov. 6, 2023.
Rebecca Stalnaker
MONROE COUNTY W.Va. (WVDN) – The Monroe County Family Support Center recently announced its grand opening date for Dec. 1. The site is currently being renovated and an Open House event is scheduled for that day from 1 to 5 p.m. The organization will begin taking donations of a variety of items at that time.
According to the official event page, the center will provide the area with a food pantry, clothing closet, household and baby pantry, after-school programs, recovery and prevention programs, and more. Additionally, it will provide training for job skills, parenting skills, and life skills.
The Monroe County Family Support Center is a team of individuals under the direction of Michelle McFall and the Coalition for Children and Families Inc. The center is designed to provide families with a one-stop shop for services and support.
The Monroe County Family Support Center is located at 390 North Street at the Corner of the IGA parking lot in Union. For more information, send an email to monroecountyfsc@gmail or call 304-994-0868.
To read the full story, visit wvdn.com/130124/
December
This article originally appeared on Dec. 7, 2023.
Brandon Baker
RONCEVERTE W.Va. (WVDN) – The old Rexall Drugstore in Ronceverte is about to get an overhaul that will include drastic improvements to the old building that is located right in the heart of downtown.
Let’s call it the “Rexall Overhaul.”
Seriously though, Shane Wagner and Danielle Yorgy, who live in Colorado, bought the old building that sits near Rudy’s and used to be the home of the pawn shop, and the two have big plans for the space.
There is a ton of room, as the building looks much larger on the inside than it does on the outside. There is a lot of work that needs to be done, but the couple is willing to do it and eager to get started.
“The upstairs is apartments,” Yorgy said.
“We’re going to fix up some structural stuff that needs done in the back, and then we’re going to fix up the apartments and get those livable and rented,” she added.
With all the space at the bottom of the building, she sees several different options.
“So, we are going to rent those (the apartments) and then down here we might do like an Airbnb for those, too, and I think we will have some available for when we come to visit so then we can use it,” Yorgy said.
“There are also three commercial spaces here too. We may lease those out for local businesses or maybe start a business of our own,” she continued.
When asked if there were any thoughts on what that self-business would be, Yorgy had some nice ideas.
“Maybe like a coffee shop, a local wellness center, we have lots of ideas,” Yorgy said with a laugh.
“We may try to do a bed and breakfast kind of feel, so when you open up, there will be steps to come down to kind of like a lobby area, and then you have the six or more units upstairs and this (downstairs) would be a good little meeting space and can do the coffee shop type thing. We do have a lot of ideas,” Wagner agreed.
To read the full story, visit wvdn.com/131148/
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