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Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Thursday, Nov. 30  The WV Housing Development Fund helps hundreds of West Virginians become first-time homeowners. WV's own NASA whiz Katherine Johnson will be inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame. And WV's aviation industry continues to expand… on today's daily304. #1 – From WVHDF – Becoming a first-time homeowner is made easier thanks to the West Virginia Housing Development Fund.  The organization has financed nearly $90 million in new mortgage loans since July, thanks in large part to its competitive interest rates. The WVHDF's flagship Homeownership Program loaned just over $80 million, including $28 million in October alone, to 411 first-time West Virginia home buyers, helping them achieve the dream of homeownership.  As a state housing finance agency, the WVHDF can sell tax-exempt mortgage revenue bonds and offer below-market rates to qualified first-time home buyers. Borrowers may qualify for rates as low as 5.83 percent.  Prospective homeowners can contact the Fund at 800-933-8511 or visit www.wvhdf.com/home-buyers for more information on home loan programs. The organization also partners with more than 60 banks, credit unions, and independent mortgage companies across the state to offer our products.  Learn more: https://www.wvhdf.com/news-release-hundreds-become-homeowners-through-wvhdf-loan-programs   #2 – From WCHS-TV –  A West Virginia State University alumna that made her mark on the space industry will be inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame next fall. Mathematician Katherine Johnson played a vital role in helping NASA launch flights into space, and eventually to the moon in the 1960s. Her story was featured in the book “Hidden Figures,” which was also made into a movie. It's the latest in a long list of honors for Johnson. She also was the recipient of a Congressional Gold Medal and a presidential Medal of Freedom. Fairmont's NASA facility has been renamed to honor Johnson and a statue of her stands on WVSU's campus.  Read more: https://wchstv.com/news/local/wvsu-alumna-nasa-mathematician-katherine-johnson-to-be-inducted-into-national-aviation-hall-of-fame-space-moon-hidden-figure-congressional-golf-medal-presidential-medal-of-freedom-hidden-figures-dayton-ohio   #3 – From TIMES WV –  The holiday season means a lot of things — seeing loved ones, eating delicious food, decorating the house — the list goes on. It also often means traveling. A large portion of the angst that comes with travel can be entirely eradicated by using our local airports. North Central West Virginia Airport (CKB), however, offers more than just flights.  Aircraft manufacturing is a major industry on CKB property. Both Aurora Flight Sciences – a Boeing Company – and Lockheed Martin, two of the largest players in the industry, have a presence here. Between the two, there are pieces of aircraft being welded, painted, and assembled in Bridgeport every day. Maintenance is another key aspect of the industry. Pratt & Whitney houses a Center of Excellence for corporate turbofan and turboprop engine maintenance, and Engine & Airframe Solutions Worldwide offers a full-service repair facility. But all these businesses can't operate without people. Pierpont Community and Technical College hosts their Aviation Maintenance Technology program, and future pilots are trained through the Fairmont State University Aviation Center of Excellence, with a hangar connected to the CKB runway.   These all serve as an example of a rapidly expanding aviation industry in #YesWV. Read more: https://www.timeswv.com/community/community_columns/beyond-the-hustle-of-holiday-travel/article_53bc441c-7ffc-11ee-8682-0f5dbe17c7d8.html?fbclid=IwAR1kCQbnl3c3P6O9FMhoDA0FqTR3hvETjeEGCT4V72QSgamk4-xO8MpjaGo   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.  

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Wednesday, Nov. 29  The Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center has big plans for expansion. A fiber artist finds inspiration in WV scenery. And follow the Mercer County Candy Cane Trail for a chance to win prizes…on today's daily304. #1 – From WV NEWS – After rebranding seven months ago, the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center has continued its mission of supporting both workers and businesses throughout the state by providing training, job placement and more. MAMC Director Derek Scarbro said the manufacturing industry is experiencing a solid resurgence. “There are thousands of manufacturing jobs available in West Virginia both now and on the horizon with companies expanding and operations coming to West Virginia. So, there is great opportunity for a lot of good-paying, family-supporting jobs, and we're trying to rise to the challenge and help more West Virginians take advantage of that opportunity and help these companies grow,” he said. Earlier this month, the MAMC (formerly the Robert C. Byrd Institute) was awarded nearly $1 million in funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission to implement its Systems Maintenance, Automation and Robotics Technology Program in Cabell and Mason counties. Scarbro said he believes the SMART Program will be a game changer. “We heard from 26 manufacturers just in the immediate vicinity of Cabell County and the tri-state part of West Virginia who had a specific need for these skill sets like maintaining automated production lines, which are often some of the most highly paid, highly skilled jobs outside of management at many of these factories.” Read more: https://www.wvnews.com/news/wvnews/marshall-advanced-manufacturing-center-continues-mission-of-west-virginia-workforce-development/article_acc0b788-856e-11ee-ae7d-c7e0ef551d34.html   #2 – From WV LIVING – Fiber artist Mary Roy first tried hand embroidery in 2019 as a creative outlet to cope with the symptoms of her obsessive-compulsive disorder and the stress of her corporate job. She's been learning and stitching ever since. In 2020, she established her business, Appalachian Moon, which she rebranded earlier this year to Mary Stitches. Roy has been voted a 2021 “Best New Artist” runner-up by readers of WV Living magazine, an Emerging Artist Fellow by Tamarack Foundation for the Arts and an Artist-in-Residence at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Most of Roy's pieces are 8-inch hoops and take 25 to 30 hours to complete, depending on complexity. They are also thoroughly researched, which adds authenticity and helps Roy capture tiny details. Her three-layer New River Gorge hoop—one of her favorites—features the bridge, river, surrounding greenery, and female whitewater rafters. “It was fun to play with the different colors and textures, and the layering allowed me to create something with more movement and dimension,” Roy says. The piece has been featured in exhibitions at The Cultural Center, Tamarack Marketplace and Taylor Books. You can find her work on her Etsy page, MaryeStitches.  Read more: https://wvliving.com/embroidered-beauty/   #3 – From WVNS-TV – The second annual Visit Mercer County Candy Cane Trail hosted by the Mercer County Convention and Visitors Bureau is back and ready for the holidays. Through Jan. 8, 2024, peppermints and candy canes lie throughout Mercer County waiting for people to follow the trail of holiday cheer.  Sign up at www.visitmercercounty.com/candycanetrail to get a link to your mobile passport. Then visit the locations on the passport and check into them with your cell phone.  With every third check-in, participants have the opportunity to win various gift cards, a gift basket and a weekend trip to any West Virginia State Park.  Read more: https://www.wvnstv.com/news/local-news/the-visit-mercer-county-candy-cane-trail-returns/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.  

Nestled in the heart of Martinsburg, West Virginia, Main Street transforms into a winter wonderland during the festive season. Christmas on Main Street is a beloved local tradition, drawing visitors with its magical ambiance and holiday cheer.  Lined with twinkling lights and adorned with festive decorations, the street comes alive with the spirit of Christmas. Visitors can explore charming boutiques, indulge in seasonal treats, and experience an ice skating rink and a petting zoo! For more information click here: https://www.mainstreetmartinsburg.com/events  

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Tuesday, Nov. 28  Residents theorize about the mysterious “Peters Mountain Roar.” Savor the flavors of the WV Culinary Trail. And CAMC opens a new, state-of-the-art training facility for healthcare professionals…on today's daily304. #1 – From WV EXPLORER – Those who have heard the haunting "Peters Mountain Roar" say it will forever stay with them. "The roar of a thousand lions," some have called it. A meteorological phenomenon, the sound is most often experienced in the windward valleys west of Peters Mountain. Many theories have been proposed about its origin, though none have answered all questions about its magical influence. "Old timers called in the roar of a thousand lions," added Amy Cole South, who grew up near the mountain and operates Mountain Shadow Cabin, which lodges at least one scholar who has studied the sound. In the 1960s, Shirley Donnelly published a theory proposed by W.O. Raines of Gap Mills. Raines said the sound was created by high-level winds racing across the top of the mountain.  As to where on the mountain the sound emanates remains a mystery. Some believe it's created where the winds blow over rocky areas along the summit, as at Hanging Rock, the site of the Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory.  Read more: https://wvexplorer.com/2023/11/20/peters-mountain-roar-monroe-county-west-virginia/    #2 – From WV TOURISM –  Appalachian flavors meet global influences on the West Virginia Culinary Trail. Claim your FREE mobile pass today to start earning exclusive foodie prizes! Hand-selected by the current class of West Virginia Chef Ambassadors, this trail features 27 restaurants across the state. Looking for a sweet treat? Or searching for the perfect pasta? With spots available in all nine travel regions, a Culinary Trail check-in will be nearby on any adventure in Almost Heaven. Learn more: https://wvtourism.com/culinary-trail/ #3 – From WV EXECUTIVE – The Charleston Area Medical Center Institute for Academic Medicine has opened its new Center for Learning and Research. The center is designed to support the training of all types of healthcare professionals, serving as a learning environment for residents and students from affiliated universities around the state and beyond. It provides space for live, virtual and multi-site programs, supporting learners from nearly any location. The highlight of the center is a state-of-the-art simulation facility, providing learners an environment to practice skills and use new equipment, helping them safely transfer skills and knowledge to patient care.  “This is the preeminent center for training health care providers in our region,” says Sharon Hall, president of the CAMC Institute for Academic Medicine. “The center will promote a team learning environment, serving thousands of learners, staff and students annually from many disciplines. Our research teams will continue to promote innovation and evidence-based learning to serve our patients.” Read more: https://wvexecutive.com/training-tomorrows-health-care-providers/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.  

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Monday, Nov. 27  Discover knockout scenery, history and culture in southern WV. Learn how SEED SPOT helps WV entrepreneurs. And WV schools implement new technology to make safety a priority…on today's daily304. #1 – From ATLANTA MAGAZINE – The bar is set undeniably high for any visit to West Virginia.  The forested ridges and folds of the Allegheny Mountains, threaded with narrow valleys and winding rivers, offer knockout scenery, particularly in fall. And outdoor activities, such as hiking and whitewater rafting, abound. Travel east with, from the perennially cool small town of Fayetteville to the historic mountain town of Bramwell, to discover a trove of cultural offerings, from the anticipated (coal mine tours and mountain crafts) to the unexpected (a Cold War–era bunker and an acclaimed French restaurant). Visit www.wvtourism.com for more road trip ideas in Almost Heaven. Read more: https://www.atlantamagazine.com/southbound-articles/road-trip-guide-to-southern-west-virginia/   #2 – From WV BUSINESS LINK – If you are just learning about SEED SPOT you might be wondering why a Phoenix-based nonprofit wants to work with West Virginia entrepreneurs. With West Virginia's entrepreneurs and small business owners being the driving force behind the growing local economy, SEED SPOT can play a small role in supporting this emerging ecosystem. The nonprofit offers a supportive space and community for underrepresented entrepreneurs to test and refine their ideas, receive personalized, judgment-free mentorship from experts who reflect their own lived experiences, and receive the education and resources they need to build and sustain their ventures.  SEED SPOT's current programming options include a 2-day Launch Camp, an 8-week Impact Accelerator Program, and an Alumni Program. Learn more: https://wvbusinesslink.com/2023/10/31/seed-spot-in-west-virginia-nurturing-underrepresented-entrepreneurs/ #3 – From WV EXECUTIVE – Leaders of West Virginia's primary, secondary and collegiate level schools are turning to technology and increased security as they consider the possibility of gun violence in schools. BridgeValley Community and Technical College in South Charleston is in the process of installing a gunshot detection system, says President Casey Sacks. The technology will consist of strategically positioned sensors within buildings that will automatically transmit alerts through a platform if gunshots erupt. Other colleges and universities say they have added additional security cameras or police officers, while increasing the amount of training in preparation for potential shootings. With the goal of student safety, Governor Jim Justice announced the School Safety Initiative by the state Department of Homeland Security in 2022. The initiative aims to provide guid­ance to school personnel, students, par­ents and community members to detect and prevent school violence by recognizing threatening behavior in students and providing the tools necessary to seek assistance in the event of a crisis or threat. In addition to the state's school safety initiative, more than 50 West Virginia schools are implementing a live video analytics platform called ROC Watch that they will use to identify visitors and help administrators manage building access before guests enter the school's front office. Read more: https://wvexecutive.com/keeping-schools-safe/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.  

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Sunday, Nov. 26  Looking to relocate? WV's Advantage Valley has it all! WV Jumpstart sponsors a contest for skilled workers. And a new program is tackling childhood obesity by teaching healthy eating habits…on today's daily304.  #1 – From LIVABILITY – Are you on the hunt for a new place to call home? Look no further than Advantage Valley, WV. This stunning region, encompassing Charleston, Huntington, South Charleston, and Teays Valley, is brimming with everything you desire and more. Picture a wealth of career opportunities, picturesque landscapes, and inviting restaurants and breweries where you can unwind with friends after a productive day. Advantage Valley hosts an impressive lineup of major companies, as well as a thriving tech sector. Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, the region offers breathtaking views and a wealth of outdoor activities all year long. And for those moments when you're ready to indulge, visit exceptional craft breweries along Brewers Row in downtown Charleston. Watch the video to learn more! Learn more: https://www.livability.com/advantage-valley   #2 – From WV JUMPSTART –  Are you a West Virginia truck driver, electrician, welder, or another type of trade professional? Do your vocational skills help pay the bills?    Tell us what makes you proud to be a West Virginia skilled worker and snap a picture for a chance to win up to $12,000 deposited into a Jumpstart Savings Account!   The contest deadline is Dec. 31, 2023, so get those entries in now!   Learn more: https://wvjumpstart.com/contest   #3 – From WDTV Morgantown –  Healthy Kids Inc. Is the first cooking model of its kind in the state, and they are looking to fight childhood obesity.  “We have a group of trained, skilled chefs and nutritionists who help to prepare all our foods and the menus. Using local foods, the healthiest food that we can find, our goal is to make sure the youngest children are eating the healthiest food,” said Mandy Curry, Founder of Health Kids Inc. Healthy Kids Inc. has been in full-cooking operation for two years, and they supply food for 11 childcare centers across four counties and a private school in Fairmont, and they make between 1,000-1,200 meals a day.  Curry and her team have plans for the future to feed seniors, and they will expand their childcare center meals with the ultimate goal of building a fresh food coalition. Read more: https://www.wdtv.com/2023/11/08/healthy-kids-inc-fuels-youth-nutrition/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.  

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Saturday, Nov. 25  Coalfield Development helps put miners back to work. Learn some fascinating facts about the WV-grown U.S. Capitol Christmas tree. Learn how entrepreneurship is like hiking. And hunters, don't forget the Big Buck photo contest…on today's daily304. #1 – From CBS NEWS – In West Virginia's hollers, deep in Appalachia, jobless coal miners are now finding a seam of hope. “I wasn't 100% sure what I was going to do,” said James Damron, who was laid off two years ago from a mine.  Then Damron found Coalfield Development, and its incoming CEO, Jacob Israel Hannah. Coalfield Development is a community-based nonprofit, teaching a dozen job skills, such as construction, agriculture and solar installation. It also teaches personal skills. Participants can get paid for up to three years to learn all of them. “We want to make sure that you have all the tools in your toolkit to know when you interview with an employer, here's the things that you lay out that you've learned,” Hannah said. The program is delivering with the help of roughly $20 million in federal grants. Since being founded in 2010, it has trained more than 2,500 people, and created 800 new jobs and 72 new businesses. Learn more about the program at www.coalfield-development.org. Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/west-virginia-training-program-jobless-coal-miners-appalachia/     #2 – From WV EXPLORER  –  A West Virginia-grown Christmas tree harvested in the Monongahela National Forest will adorn the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., in 2023 — the third time a West Virginia tree has appeared on the grounds that look across the National Mall toward the Lincoln Memorial. The first and second occasions a tree from the Mountain State was used were in 1970 and 1976, according to officials at the U.S. Forest Service, members of which harvested the specimen during an idyllic autumn snow on November 1 from the Laurel Fork Campground in the Monongahela National Forest. The tree is a Norway spruce native to Europe. It is 63 feet tall and weighs about 8,000 pounds. It's estimated to be about 38 years old, based on its rings. It drinks about 5-10 gallons of water daily. The Shawnees have named it “Wa'feem'tekwi,” which means “bright tree.”After it completes its service at the capitol, the tree's wood will be re-used by the Shawnee at their ceremonial grounds in White Oak, Oklahoma.  Check out WV Explorer to learn more fascinating facts! Read more: https://wvexplorer.com/2023/11/11/facts-about-the-west-virginia-grown-u-s-capitol-christmas-tree/   #3 – From 3 STEPS 2 STARTUP – Entrepreneurship embarks on an incredible journey characterized by courage, innovation, and unwavering determination, akin to the adventurer navigating a challenging terrain.  3 Steps 2 Startup delves deep into the world of entrepreneurs, much like the hiker embarking on an inspiring trek, to grasp how they employ reason to identify opportunities, aspire to transform their vision into reality and endure the trials and tribulations of the entrepreneurial path. Click the link to learn more. Collaborating with 3 Steps To Startup and WVCAP (West Virginia Capital Access Program) can expedite your entrepreneurial success journey by providing essential support and resources. When it comes to financial matters, WVCAP plays a pivotal role in helping startups secure the funding they need for growth.  Read more: https://3steps2startup.com/2023/11/08/navigating-the-entrepreneurial-journey-the-power-of-reason-aspiration-and-endurance/   #4  – From WVDNR – Hunters, get your entries in for the Big Buck Photo Contest! Entering the Big Buck Photo Contest is easy! All you must do is take a photo of you and the buck you harvested during the 2023 hunting season, write a short account of your hunt and upload the photo to the Big Buck Photo Contest entry form. Winners will be selected and announced in January 2024. Prizes include lifetime West Virginia hunting licenses and West Virginia State Park stays. Visit the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources website to learn more. Learn more: https://wvdnr.gov/photocontest/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.  

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Friday, Nov. 24  Plans are in place for a new $65 million office building in downtown Charleston. Local business owners gear up for Small Business Saturday. And WV sees a trend in mushroom hunting and farming…on today's daily304. #1 – From WSAZ-TV – The Charleston Planning Commission has approved plans for a $65 million downtown office building. Mayor Amy Goodwin said the building will be constructed at the site of a building on Kanawha Boulevard previously owned by CASCI. “Right behind you is the old Sears property, a hotel is going there. Beyond that is the Macy's building. The sports complex is going to be built there. Poca Valley Bank is getting ready to do some movement on this property, so this entire area is going to be totally redeveloped,” Goodwin said during a press conference at the site. Remington Group bought and is managing the property. The old building is expected to be torn down by March 2024. Read more: https://www.wsaz.com/2023/11/09/renderings-released-new-65-million-office-building/   #2 – From WV NEWS – Local economic officials and business owners are gearing up for Small Business Saturday, which occurs annually two days after Thanksgiving. “West Virginia is largely made up of small businesses, and they are the heartbeat of our community and the engine force behind our economy,” said Kaylin Jorge, director of communications for the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce. Tina Shaw, president of the Marion County Chamber of Commerce, said Small Business Saturday is a big day for the small mom-and-pop businesses.  “It's really a day that the business community promotes everyone to shop small and stay in their community for their holiday shopping,” Shaw said. So if you plan on doing a little holiday shopping tomorrow, consider visiting some locally owned businesses and supporting West Virginia artists and artisans! Read more: https://www.wvnews.com/news/wvnews/small-business-saturday-thinking-small-helps-your-neighbors-win-big/article_5ee48144-83dd-11ee-b3a3-275792168dee.html   #3 – From WV PUBCAST – On an overcast but hot morning, a mushroom hunt began with a car ride to a secret spot near the home of West Virginia master naturalists Shawn Means and Amy McLaughlin. The pair run a boutique vacation rental called Lafayette Flats in Fayetteville, next to the New River Gorge Natural Park and Preserve. They lead eco tours for people who stay in their flats, pointing out unique flora, fauna and fungi in the area.  Fungi are especially popular on the tours. “Mushrooms have been so hot lately,” McLaughlin said. The couple's mushroom hunting expedition ends in the kitchen, where they prepare chanterelle ice cream sundaes out of a batch of delicately fried fungi sweetened with honey. However, if learning to identify the roughly 2,500 species that grow in central Appalachia feels daunting, those interested in fungi could try mushroom farming instead. It is safer, simpler and less subject to the vagaries of rainfall.   Kits will bring mushrooms safely and easily into your kitchen. For the thrill of a woodland hunt, hunt down a mushroom club. These are prolific in Appalachia.   Read more: https://wvpublic.org/appalachian-mushroom-experts-welcome-sprouting-newbies/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.  

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Thursday, Nov. 23  The WV Folklife Apprenticeship Program helps carry on the soul food tradition. Our nation's capital gets a second Christmas tree from the mighty Mon Forest. And California native settles in Hinton and opens Lucky Rivers Cafe…on today's daily304.  #1 – From WV PUBCAST – It's a warm spring afternoon at Manna House Ministries, a Second Baptist Church in Beckley, West Virginia. Xavier Oglesby is singing his favorite hymn as he prepares a macaroni salad in the church's kitchen.  From macaroni salad to biscuits to chitlins, soul food is a cooking style that is intrinsic to Black culture both in the South and Appalachia. More so than the food itself, it's the way a meal comes together that makes soul food, soul food. “When you think of soul food, that's the first thing you think of is Black folks. Because we were able to take nothing and make something out of it for a meal, and that's the way it is even today,” Oglesby said.  Oglesby has been cooking since he was a teenager, having learned from four generations of his family. Now, he is teaching his niece, Brooklyn Oglesby, how to cook soul food and family recipes. He's doing this through the West Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program. Folklife apprenticeship pairs are carrying on community-based traditional art forms and cultural practices — from fiddle instrument repair to mushroom foraging — all with the goal of passing on stories, skill sets and traditional knowledge.  “I'm hoping I can raise two sons that know how to cook,” Brooklynn said. “I'm hoping I can keep that going and teach my kids, and hopefully they'll be better cooks than me one day.” Read more: https://wvpublic.org/w-va-folklife-apprenticeship-pair-passing-on-family-soul-food-traditions/   #2 – From WV PUBCAST – It's going to be a wild and wonderful Christmas in Washington D.C. as West Virginia sends a second Christmas tree to the nation's capital this year. A 40-foot Norway spruce from the Monongahela National Forest is being placed on the Ellipse at the White House. It replaces the previous White House Christmas tree, which had to be removed after developing a fungal disease. The tree joins a 63-foot Norway spruce that will be displayed on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Both trees came from the Monongahela National Natonal Forest.  Read more: https://wvpublic.org/2nd-tree-headed-to-nations-capital-from-mon-national-forest/   #3 – From WV LIVING – After moving to West Virginia for college and deciding she wanted to stay here, California-born Sarah Gleason spent several years working as a volunteer and teacher.  Inspired by Anthony Bourdain's iconic book “No Reservations,” she decided to quit her teaching job and start cooking for a living. She started out working in a small restaurant in Hinton, until it closed during COVID-19, then bounced around a few restaurants in Lewisburg and Beckley—and even did a little catering out of her home. Now she's opened her own restaurant in Hinton, the Lucky Rivers Cafe. The menu features mouth-watering sandwiches like the Prime Rib Gyro and Gail's Pimiento Cheese, as well as the restaurant's signature Buddha Belly Bowl. We'd tell you the ingredients but the list is long and it will make you hungry, so you'll have to see for yourself at www.luckyriverscafe.com. Read more: https://wvliving.com/a-lucky-coincidence/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.  

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.  Today is Wednesday, Nov. 22 Generation WV seeks young professionals. Take your hiking to new levels with rucking. Elkins Area Shared Trails reveals plans for expansion. And hunters, the WVDNR wants your Big Buck photos...on today's daily304. 1 – From GENERATION WV – Generation West Virginia, the statewide organization dedicated to attracting, retaining, and advancing young people in the Mountain State, is accepting applications for the GWV Fellowship program. This program is focused on equipping young professionals with the skills needed to advance their careers and grow as future leaders in West Virginia. Fellows will participate in five in-person and four virtual sessions held at various locations throughout the Mountain State. These sessions allow Fellows to hone their skills, learn from industry leaders, build lasting relationships with their peers, and deepen their appreciation for the history and beauty of West Virginia. Applications for the upcoming class will close in April 2024. Generation West Virginia welcomes applications from prospective Fellows, as well as inquiries from employers interested in sponsoring an employee for the GWV Fellowship. To learn more about the program and how to get involved, visit generationwv.org/fellowship. Read more: https://generationwv.org/fellowship-program-accepting-applications-seeks-to-retain-young-talent-in-wv/      #2 – From WV EXPLORER – With its walkable towns and seemingly limitless hiking rails, West Virginia is ideally suited to “rucking,” an extremely accessible exercise growing in popularity both as a group pursuit and a solitary endeavor. Rucking, or simply walking with a weighted backpack, is relatively easy and inexpensive and can provide for dramatic weight loss. A form of exercise rooted in military training, it gains its name from the term “rucksack.” Levi Moore, an outdoor adventure instructor working to expand the pastime in the Mountain State, suggests starting with 5 to 10 pounds of weight in a sturdy, well-fitting pack. “Anywhere you can hike, you can ruck,” says Moore, who's become an adherent, thanks partly to the ease with which it can be accomplished. Read more: https://wvexplorer.com/2023/11/14/west-virginia-is-ideally-suited-to-this-easy-weight-loss-exercise/  3 – From WBOY-TV – Elkins Area Shared Trails has revealed their Master Trail Plan. EAST is a local volunteer organization that strives to bring people together through the development and stewardship of multi-purpose, human-powered trail systems. The plan looks to incorporate four different parcels of land that are in and around Elkins into its system, according to EAST Coordinator Jessica Sutton. “We have the Glendale Park which of course is owned and operated by the city of Elkins, Elkins Parks and Rec's commission. We have a piece of property called the Darby farm, which is managed by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, a parcel property that's adjacent to the rail trail that's owned by Davis Memorial Hospital, and then the Davis Elkins campus,” Sutton said. She added that all four areas were looked at by a professional trail and construction firm that created the master trail plan through evaluations based on existing assets, challenges, and the potential of the properties. Read more: https://www.wboy.com/news/randolph/elkins-area-shared-trails-collaborative-reveals-master-plan/  4 – From WVDNR – In West Virginia, acres of wide-open public lands await you for world-class hunting opportunities. This fall, hunters are invited to participate in the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Big Buck Photo Contest. Take a photo of you and the buck you harvested during the 2023 hunting season, write a short account of your hunt and upload the photo to the Big Buck Photo Contest entry form. Winners will be selected and announced in January 2024. Prizes include lifetime West Virginia hunting licenses to West Virginia State Park stays. Visit www.wvdnr.gov/photocontest to learn more!     Read more: https://wvdnr.gov/photocontest/  Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

The suburbs between Huntington and Charleston fill a plain that offers some of the flattest land in the Mountain State. Called Teays Valley, even many of its residents are unaware this unique topography was created by an ancient river that mothered today's rivers.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Tuesday, Nov. 21 The Secretary of State's office issues a warning to business owners regarding third-party solicitations. Outdoor pickleball courts are coming to Mylan Park. And WV Tourism launches its latest delicious initiative: the WV Culinary Trail…on today's daily304. #1 – From WV BUSINESSLINK – Attention, business owners! West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner is issuing an important notice regarding third-party solicitations to file 2024 Annual Reports on your behalf. According to Warner, the solicitations have the appearance of an official government form, but are not government approved, reviewed, or official notices in any manner. These are advertisements. Warner urges business owners to read the fine print in the solicitations. Third-party providers have been reported to charge businesses more than 500% of the statutory $25 fee and often advertise the wrong deadline for state compliance. Business owners can use free tools provided by the Secretary of State's Office to avail themselves of the most convenient and least costly filing method directly at Business4.WV.gov. Read more: https://wvbusinesslink.com/2023/11/09/urgent-notice-to-business-owners-beware-of-2024-annual-report-solicitations-from-third-parties/   #2 – From METRO NEWS – Outdoor pickleball courts are coming to Morgantown's Mylan Park thanks to a donation from a partnership of local enthusiasts. President and CEO of Visit Mountaineer Country Convention and Visitors Bureau Susan Riddle welcomed the announcement as pickleballers arrive for the 2023 West Virginia State Pickleball Championship. The Morgantown Pickleball Club has announced a name change to the Mylan Park Pickleball Club and has started a fundraising campaign for outdoor pickleball courts at Mylan Park. The donation of about $6,000 is “seed” money to start the project and garner interest from others who will donate to the effort. The new courts are expected to be completed sometime in 2024. Read more: https://wvmetronews.com/2023/11/12/campaign-started-to-build-outdoor-pickleball-courts-at-mylan-park/ #3 – From WV TOURISM – The West Virginia Department of Tourism has launched the West Virginia Culinary Trail highlighting must-visit restaurants across the Mountain State. Participants will earn prizes fit for a foodie by checking in at participating restaurants. By highlighting the many world-class and unique dining destinations available to travelers in West Virginia, the Culinary Trail will encourage visitors to add a savory stop to their next adventure. Inspired by the favorite stops of the current class of West Virginia Chef Ambassadors, restaurants across the state are included in this program. As new Chef Ambassadors join the program, the Culinary Trail will be updated to include their selections.  To get started, visit wvtourism.com/culinary-trail and register to have the West Virginia Culinary Trail mobile passport delivered straight to your smartphone. Then check in at each restaurant using GPS location.  As visitors work to complete the Culinary Trail, they can redeem their points on prizes. The top prize is a locally made charcuterie tray. Yum! Read more: https://wvtourism.com/release/wv-launches-culinary-trail/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.  

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Monday, Nov. 20  The Mon Forest receives funding for several improvements. Can't make it out so watch the latest Folklore Music Exchange concert? You can watch it online! And Oglebay Park kicks off its annual Festival of Lights…on today's daily304. #1 – From WV EXPLORER – The Monongahela National Forest has received $1,092,000 million in funding from the Great American Outdoors Act to support three projects in the Allegheny Mountains of eastern West Virginia. According to Kelly Bridges, spokesperson for the Monongahela, the three projects include improvements to Tea Creek Mountain Bike Trail, repairs to Holcomb Bridge in Webster County and the installation of stream-crossing structures for trout fisheries in Greenbrier and Pocahontas counties. The investments are made from the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund established by the Great American Outdoors Act. The Great American Outdoors Act addresses the growing $7 billion backlog of deferred maintenance on national forests and grasslands.    Read more: https://wvexplorer.com/2023/06/08/monongahela-national-forest-trout-bridge-bike-projects/   #2 – From DAILY304 – The daily304 and Folklore Music Exchange are proud to present a Mountain State Music Concert from the Folklore Stage in Charleston, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.  Nov. 10th's guests include Grace Campbell and Dalchord. You can find the concert on the daily304 channel on YouTube. (And don't forget to like and subscribe!) It's a concert from your couch! Sit back, relax, and enjoy LIVE music from West Virginia. Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_xG81AkfFQ   #3 – From WEIRTON DAILY TIMES – Santa Claus has flipped the switch on the Christmas lights at Oglebay Park, ushering in the official start to the 2023 holiday season in the Ohio Valley. Bob Peckenaugh, president and CEO of the Wheeling Park Commission, highlighted what visitors to the park will see as part of the 39th annual Festival of Lights. New this year is the winter carnival near the Levenson Shelter. There's an acrylic ice rink, a small train ride and decorated trees there. A climbing wall, carnival food and fire pit can also be found at the spot. And at the entrance to the park leading to Wilson Lodge there is also something new — colored orbs in different shapes that create a dance The lights will shine each night from dusk to midnight through Jan. 7. Read more: https://www.weirtondailytimes.com/news/local-news/2023/11/making-spirits-bright-oglebay-turns-on-festival-of-lights-for-the-holidays/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Sunday, Nov. 19  Get the scoop on Appalachian arts and culture in the newest issue of YNST magazine. The Advantage Valley marketing team is hiring business coaches! And arts grants are available through the state, so get your applications in now…on today's daily304. #1 – From YNST MAGAZINE –  YNST (You're Not Seeing Things) Magazine is a print & digital media company dedicated to amplifying the unseen creative voices of Appalachia's arts & culture. See another round of Appalachia's unseen arts and culture with Issue 02 of YNST!  Discover the region's next music superstars, sustainable fashion designers, dynamic artists and photographers, West Virginia's food culture, transformational towns, poetry and more. All this wrapped into a colorful comfort for you to enjoy just in time for the holidays. Order now: https://ynstmagazine.com/product/issue-02/   #2 – From ADVANTAGE VALLEY – Do you have business experience and a desire to make a difference in your community? You're in luck!  Advantage Valley, a regional marketing and strategic initiative organization serving the Charleston-Huntington metro regions, has two full-time job openings for business coaches. Qualifications include a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in business administration, finance, or related field preferred. Preferred experience as a business owner, business coaching, consulting, or a related field. Advantage Valley offers a competitive salary, professional development opportunities, and a monthly stipend for health care, plus paid holidays, vacation, and personal/sick leave. To apply, submit your resume and a cover letter with the email subject line: FASTER WV Business Coach to dberry@te-associates.com. Application deadline is Nov. 30. Learn more: https://advantagevalley.com/were-hiring/ #3 – From WV ARTS, CULTURE & HISTORY – Artists and educators, now is the time to apply for a grant through the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History. Funding is available for a number of projects, including: Arts in Education Community Arts Project Support Cultural Facilities and Capital Resources Living Traditions: Folk Art Professional Development for Artists Visit www.wvculture.org to learn more and apply. Read more: https://wvculture.org/agencies/arts/grants/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.  

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Saturday, Nov. 18  A big city native is enjoying his relaxing new life in the Greenbrier Valley, thanks to Ascend WV. The WVU Innovation Corporation touts success with its new space. And Marshall makes a name for itself in cyber security…on today's daily304. #1 – From BLUE RIDGE COUNTRY – A Detroit native who moved to Washington, D.C. shortly after college, Michael Phillips is no stranger to traffic sounds. But it wasn't until he moved to White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, that he began hearing the friendly “beep beep” greetings honk. “It's much different from D.C.,” Phillips says of the tiny burg (population: 2,198). For starters, there are no skyscrapers—just soaring mountain peaks. Southern hospitality runs deep in White Sulphur Springs. But that's not why Phillips traded his metropolitan existence for a decidedly rural one. Instead, he owes his move to Ascend West Virginia. A collaborative endeavor between West Virginia University and the West Virginia Department of Tourism, Ascend seeks to boost local tax revenues by offering $12,000 in cash, plus other benefits, to telecommuters who relocate to one of five areas in West Virginia: Morgantown, Greenbrier Valley, Eastern Panhandle, Greater Elkins and the New River Gorge. From his new home in the Greenbrier Valley, Phillips works remotely as a deferral consultant to the United States Department of Veteran Affairs. A lover of the outdoors, he says moving to West Virginia was an obvious choice. “It's four hours from D.C. in case I need to meet a client,” says Phillips. “But I can also walk out my door and immediately see mountains. And in less than 10 minutes, I can be hiking in Greenbrier State Forest or paddling down the Greenbrier River.” Learn more at www.ascendwv.com. Read more: https://blueridgecountry.com/newsstand/magazine/seeking-the-wild-and-wonderful/    #2 – From WV NEWS – The West Virginia University Innovation Corporation is “in it for the long haul,” President Stacey Armstrong says. Eighteen months after the Mylan-Viatris plant in Morgantown was closed, the WVU Innovation Corporation provides 200 jobs and offers space for burgeoning businesses to expand their operations in the once-shuttered facility. The former plant was taken over by West Virginia University and WVU Medicine on April 1 after Mylan-Viatris merged with Pfizer's Upjohn and the plant's production line was moved to India. In the 18 months since the two entities have taken ownership of the facility, they have found four full-time tenants and have 12 signed leases. The Innovation Corporation also has plans to open a new diploma-based nursing program that would provide students with classes needed to become board-certified registered nurses. Read more: https://www.wvnews.com/news/wvnews/wvu-innovation-corporation-revitalizes-former-mylan-pharmaceutical-building/article_3288bad0-7cca-11ee-8348-e774b00630a6.html   #3 – From MARSHALL UNIVERSITY –  Dr. Josh Brunty loves that moment when his students solve a challenge on their own. It's that first moment when they don't need any guidance or prompts. When they take what they've learned, and they figure it out themselves. And he loves it when he sees those students a few years later. They've embarked on those cyber careers in which they're solving problems that he couldn't even imagine while they were sitting in his classroom. That's when he knows that teaching cyber security at Marshall University is changing lives and the world. And here at Marshall, it's just getting better all the time. Earlier this fall, Marshall celebrated a $45 million state contribution to a new facility that will house Marshall's Institute for Cyber Security. Meanwhile, after years of coaching highly competitive Marshall cyber teams, Brunty was named head coach for the US Cyber Team and will lead the team for the next year in international cyber competitions. Both are outcomes of an ongoing effort among Marshall's cyber education experts to establish one of the leading cyber programs not only in the region, but the country. “The new center is going to push our program into a completely different stratosphere,” Brunty said. “When you have a facility like that, it attracts the best students and employers. You're going to have the facilities to do the things you only dreamed of 10 years ago. That's the cool thing. These dreams become a reality when you have the space to perform them in. Read more: https://www.marshall.edu/moments/2023/09/06/marshall-cyber/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Friday, Nov. 17  WVSU celebrates the opening of its new Cybersecurity Innovation Center. Check out 5 reasons the Advantage Valley is a great place to live, work and play. And plan a winter lodge stay at WV state parks…on today's daily304. #1 – From METRO NEWS – WVSU celebrated the grand opening of its new Cybersecurity Innovation Center last week.  WVSU President Ericke Cage said bringing CIC to campus is based on a vision he had when he came to the university in 2021, and it's about innovation and taking WVSU into the future. The university collaborated with Marshall in a joint grant of $2.5 million through the United States Department of Education to help establish cybersecurity as critical infrastructure in the state. In addition, the Kanawha County Commission awarded the university a grant of approximately $764,792 for the effort back in March of 2022, and Cage said such funding helped significantly to establish the center there. Cage said they will continue to work with Marshall in cybersecurity research, and they plan to provide community outreach through CIC by establishing a Cyber Defender Camp for youth. Read more: https://wvmetronews.com/2023/11/08/west-virginia-state-university-welcomes-a-new-state-of-the-art-cybersecurity-hub-to-its-campus/   #2 – From LIVABILITY – The Mountain State is calling! It's easy to see why Advantage Valley is attractive to residents and businesses, with quality-of-life assets like the four distinct seasons and the Appalachian Mountains.  There are many reasons people choose this region -- the Huntington-Charleston metro area -- to live, work and play. It has an affordable cost of living. The diverse economy allows for a wide range of occupations, especially in manufacturing.  If you're looking to start your own business, ample resources are available for entrepreneurs.  There is an abundance of outdoor recreation practically right at your doorstep, from hiking and biking to off-roading, flatwater paddling and whitewater rafting.  And you can go to college for free! Any graduating high school student can have their entire tuition paid in full if they attend one of the region's community and technical colleges. Visit www.livability.com/wv to learn more.  Read more: https://livability.com/wv/charleston/where-to-live-now/3-reasons-to-move-to-advantage-valley-right-now/   #3 – From WV STATE PARKS – As fall fades to winter, grab your suitcase and explore the snowy beauty of West Virginia State Parks.  After a chilly day of adventures in Almost Heaven, unwind next to gorgeous fireplaces or relax in a beautifully furnished room. Our lodge parks have all the amenities you need, including full-service restaurants, banquet facilities and free WiFi. Some even have indoor swimming pools and spas, and of course the parks system has hundreds of miles of hiking trails, open year-round. Enjoy skiing and tubing at Canaan Valley Resort or sledding at Blackwater Falls. Visit the Christmas in the Park drive-thru lights exhibit at Chief Logan. Shop for holiday decorations at Hawks Nest's Christmas Shoppe. And, rumor has it that Santa may be visiting Twin Falls, Tygart Lake and North Bend. Visit www.wvstateparks.com to book your stay today!  Read more: https://wvstateparks.com/winter-is-the-best-time-to-enjoy-a-lodge-stay-at-west-virginia-state-parks/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Thursday, Nov. 16  Rural Advanced Air Mobility may be a game changer for WV's health industry. Looking for holiday gifts? How about WV themed Hungry for Humans? And a WVU researcher is studying how drone technology can combat invasive plants…on today's daily304. #1 – From VERTX – As the Vertx Partners team helped establish a West Virginia Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Advisory Council and hosted the inaugural WV AAM Coalition meeting at the WV High Technology Foundation, the team believes it's time to focus the conversation on Rural Advanced Air Mobility specifically and how it can positively impact a state like West Virginia. Some of those advancements include drone technology. With such a high proportion of the state isolated in rural areas where travel times to medical centers are inconvenient and/or roads are impassable, medical delivery drones have the opportunity to almost literally bridge a gap by delivering supplies such as insulin to patients in dire need of relief. Have you heard of air ambulance drones? You will soon! Medical electric vertical takeoff-and-landing vehicles may revolutionize healthcare response. eVTOLS repurposed as ambulances offer a more versatile and cost-effective alternative to helicopters. Plus, they're far quicker than ground-based ambulances. As Vertx looks to the future, the state's embrace of AAM could serve as an exemplary model, not just for its residents but for other healthcare systems across the nation. Read more: https://vertxpartners.org/rural-advanced-air-mobility-healthcare/?utm_source=Vertx+Partners&utm_campaign=ac74033026-_18_04_2022_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_78067557b9-ac74033026-587156483   #2 – From The Dominion Post  – It all started with Mothman and a Tudor's Biscuit World biscuit for local board game developer Lonely Hero Games' second project. Lonely Hero Games is the brainchild of West Virginia natives Christopher Kincaid and Jared Kaplan, and so far, has produced two successful board games — Bank Heist and Hungry for Humans, the second of which has been especially popular among West Virginians due to its uniquely Appalachian references to regional foods and folklore. Game cards themed after West Virginia cryptids like Mothman and the Flatwoods Monster provide special actions. If your monster's points drop below zero they starve and eat you; if it exceeds 20, the monster overeats and explodes. The player with the highest score wins. Players will recognize popular West Virginia restaurants like Pies and Pints and Black Bear Burritos, as well as state foods like the pepperoni roll and the West Virginia Hot Dog. You can order Hungry for Humans at www.LonelyHeroGames.com. Read more: https://www.dominionpost.com/2023/11/04/appalachian-cuisine-feeds-a-monstrous-hunger-in-west-virginia-board-game/   #3 – From WVU Today – A West Virginia University researcher has found a way to locate, access and destroy invasive plants more efficiently. Yong-Lak Park, professor of entomology at the WVU Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design, is researching the efficacy of dropping natural enemy insects on invasive plants using drone technology and artificial intelligence. With a $200,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture's Forest Service, Park will perfect what he calls the “bug bomb.” “We use a drone to detect invasive plants in areas that are not easily accessible. When we find them, we can't do much because nobody can get to the area,” Park said. “Why not use the drone and insects that feed off those plants? That's the idea behind the bug bomb.” Park's research sites cover six counties in West Virginia, including the area along the Ohio River which has the worst mile-a-minute weed infestation. He also collaborates with professionals in state and national parks in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. Read more: https://wvutoday.wvu.edu/stories/2023/11/09/bombs-away-wvu-researcher-combats-invasive-plants-by-deploying-insect-armies Read more: https://wvutoday.wvu.edu/stories/2023/11/09/bombs-away-wvu-researcher-combats-invasive-plants-by-deploying-insect-armies   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Wednesday, Nov. 15  Check out a reel of some of the great films to come from Almost Heaven. Applications are open for the Equipment Financing Program. Start the New Year off on the right foot with a First Day Hike at a WV state park or forest…on today's daily304. #1 – From WV FILM OFFICE – Take a peek at some of the many incredible projects filmed in West Virginia over the years. From 1925's “Stage Struck” to the Matthew McConaughey hit, “We Are Marshall,” the Mountain State boasts a rich film history.  Whether you're looking for the perfect location for your next film project, or you're a crew member ready to undertake your next project, the West Virginia Film Office is ready to assist.  Watch the video on YouTube and visit www.westvirginia.gov/wvfilm to learn more.  Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-eOn8StAHE    #2 – From WV EDA –  At the core of the West Virginia Economic Development Authority's mission lies a profound commitment to bolstering the state's economy. The 2023 Equipment Financing Program is a pivotal instrument in achieving this goal.  By providing businesses with access to essential tools and machinery, the program facilitates productivity and efficiency enhancements, empowering entrepreneurs to expand their operations and remain competitive in today's fast-paced market. The 2023 Equipment Financing Program allows the WVEDA to provide existing small businesses within the state with funds for business development and expansion to industrial development agencies. The new loan program was created following the passage of Senate Bill 523 on March 10, 2023.  Learn more: https://eda.wv.gov/news/Pages/2023-Equipment-Financing-Program.aspx   #3 – From WV STATE PARKS –  Blackwater Falls. Tygart Lake. Cacapon Resort. Kanawha State Forest. Those are just a few of the West Virginia state parks and forests that will be hosting First Day Hikes on New Year's Day.  These free guided hikes, held annually on January 1, are part of a nationwide initiative led by America's State Parks to encourage people to get outdoors. It's an opportunity to enjoy the area's natural beauty while learning about park history and wildlife. Participants will receive a West Virginia State Park First Day Hike patch. To learn more, visit www.wvstateparks.com and click on Events, then Calendar Read more: https://wvstateparks.com/start-your-new-year-on-the-right-foot-with-a-first-day-hike/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Tuesday, Nov. 14  Need a break? Plan a quiet winter escape to a West Virginia state park. Congratulations to Oakwood BBQ, winner of the Build Up Berkeley Business Pitch contest. And the WV Division of Forestry urges West Virginians to use caution during fall fire season…on today's daily304. #1 – From WV STATE PARKS –  Get out and fill your lungs with crisp, clean mountain air and discover the beauty of Almost Heaven, West Virginia. Looking for some peace and quiet? Clear your mind and re-energize in winter's crystalline glow at West Virginia state parks. Amble among towering virgin hemlocks at Cathedral State Park, the state's largest old-growth forest. Hike to the top at Pinnacle Rock State Park and take in sweeping views of southern West Virginia from 2,700 feet above sea level. Or, make a weekend of it and enjoy a cozy cabin getaway at North Bend State Park.  There are plenty of options for a winter getaway. Visit www.wvstateparks.com to learn more and reserve your overnight stay.  Read more: https://wvstateparks.com/5-state-parks-you-should-explore-this-winter/   #2 – From THE JOURNAL – The Berkeley County Development Authority hosted the Build-Up Berkeley Business Pitch Competition at the Apollo Civic Theatre recently. Through this program, people in the community had the opportunity to take free classes through Blue Ridge Community and Technical College and present their business ideas. Contestants presented their business pitch in front of a panel of judges and whoever received the highest score won $10,000 to help fund their project. Oakwood BBQ received the top prize and also won another $1,000 for the People's Choice award, where people in the community voted online for their favorite business. “It's a wonderful feeling,” said James “JC” Henson, owner of Oakwood BBQ. “To have the local support to win the People's Choice, as well, means so much to us. Everyone works so hard. Some of us have full-time jobs in addition to the work we're doing at Oakwood. This will go a long way to take care of some of the projects we're working on.” In addition to the prize money, Henson also received a branding package provided by SC Studios and a one-year membership with the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce. For more information about Build-Up Berkeley, visit https://www.developmentauthority.com. Read more: https://www.journal-news.net/journal-news/build-up-berkeley-prepares-business-owners-to-make-an-impact-on-the-community/article_ca1f60f5-7b12-5dd1-9cad-c638c8a43dae.html   #3 – From MY BUCKHANNON –  The West Virginia Division of Forestry reminds residents that fall fire season continues through December 31 and asks that West Virginians use caution at this time.  In 2023 to date, West Virginia has experienced 916 fires, burning approximately 11,340 acres, with 114 of those fires happening since the start of fall fire season on October 1. “Right now, we are asking West Virginia residents to refrain from calling local county emergency services centers for smoke complaints in an effort to reduce false alarm calls that can pull resources away from local volunteer fire departments,” said State Forester and Director of WV DOF, Jeremy Jones. “However, if you see a fire or column of smoke rising from a specific place, please call 911 immediately.”  Debris burning is the single most common cause of wildfires in West Virginia, averaging more than 35% of all wildfires over the past 10 years. WV DOF reminds West Virginians to confine their outdoor burning to the hours of 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. per state code. Read more: https://www.mybuckhannon.com/west-virginia-division-of-forestry-reminds-residents-to-use-caution-during-fire-season/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.  Today is Monday, Nov. 13 The WVDNR reminds hunters to prioritize firearm safety. Discover the rich arts scene of the Advantage Valley. And it's time for Santa, sledding, and cozy cabin stays: Spend the holidays with West Virginia state parks...on today's daily304. #1 – From WV NEWS – Deer rifle season in West Virginia is right around the corner, and that means more people will be in the woods and carrying firearms. Officials with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources stress hunting and firearm safety as a way of preventing a tragic mistake or becoming a part of such an incident. “The DNR has firearm safety at the top of their list of priorities during the fall season,” said DNR Capt. Warren Goodson. “You have to think of it this way: You are carrying an item that burns gunpowder and shoots a projectile a long distance and has quite a lot of power behind it.” The WVDNR offers hunter education classes. To learn more, or to purchase a hunting license, visit www.wvdnr.gov. Read more: https://www.wvnews.com/news/wvnews/west-virginia-division-of-natural-resources-official-emphasizes-i mportance-of-rifle-safety/article_7d999c30-78db-11ee-8cbb-4f7e1abfefb5.html #2 – From LIVABILITY – There's more to West Virginia's art scene than alley wall murals or park sculptures. Here, art is a medium that can foster a higher quality of life and spark economic development.       Both aspiring and established artists in Charleston, Huntington and the Advantage Valley are sure to find opportunities, whether that means turning their side hustle into a career or using their work to invest in their community. Exposure to the arts starts early at the Huntington Museum of Art. Its Museum Making Connections program is wide-ranging, with initiatives that include hosting art classes, sponsoring community events and working with chemotherapy patients to provide an outlet for creative expression. Then there's ArtWorks!, an outreach program in which professional artists mentor underserved teenagers while they conceive and create art projects. Encouraging local artists is so important that Charleston and Huntington have both dedicated city resources to the effort through Charleston's Office of Public Art and Huntington's Arts Council. Also in Charleston is Arts Amplified, which supports artists by creating an online gallery and artists' registry, offering mini-grants, and acting as a liaison between artists and potential patrons. Visit Livability.com/wv to learn more about the Advantage Valley's vibrant arts community. Read more: https://livability.com/wv/charleston/experiences-adventures/explore-the-vibrant-arts-scene-in-the-advanta ge-valley/  #3 – From WV STATE PARKS – Many West Virginia State Parks offer a variety of activities and events during the holiday season. Gather up the family and enjoy a picture-perfect Christmas in a mountain winter wonderland. Hit the slopes at Canaan Valley Resort State Park for the skiing or tubing adventure of a lifetime. The kids will love Breakfast With Santa at Twin Falls Resort State Park. Take a break from cooking and feast on a Christmas Buffet at Pipestem Resort State Park. Plan a cozy cabin getaway for the family at North Bend State Park and take a snowy (weather permitting!) hike through the winter woods. Those are just a few of the holiday activities you can enjoy with your family at West Virginia state parks and forests. Visit www.wvstateparks.com to book your lodging today! Read more: https://wvstateparks.com/5-reasons-why-wv-state-parks-are-perfect-for-christmas-getaways/ Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.  Today is Saturday, Nov. 11 Explore the history behind West Virginia's iconic New River Gorge Bridge. A fire tower in the Monongahela National Forest will soon be open for overnight stays...talk about views for days! And plan a WV State Park adventure with your sweetheart...on today's daily304. 1 – From THE HISTORY PROJECT – What's the history behind the iconic New River Gorge Bridge? With the recent christening of America's newest national park at the New River Gorge, the landmark bridge that spans the chasm has become even more of an icon for West Virginia. The annual celebration of Bridge Day each October allows everyone to celebrate this treasure, which could have looked very different or could not even have existed at all. The History Project is the daily304's presentation of famous people, places and events that shaped West Virginia. Watch the video on YouTube, and subscribe to the daily304's channel so you don't miss out on an episode! Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=4MwWulnxtEkc70gE&v=hVcgNTc3Gdw&feature=youtu.be 2 – From WBOY-TV – Want to stay the night in an 80-foot fire tower on top of a mountain? An old Monongahela National Forest fire tower in Webster County is under construction to become a new overnight tourist attraction.     The Red Oak Tower is on top of Red Oak Knob near the Cranberry Wildlife Management Area. The 80-foot tower, built in 1964, is made completely out of metal and is the newest standing fire tower in the Mon Forest. It is also the second-tallest tower in the Mon Forest, second only to the 100-foot Olson Tower on Backbone Mountain in Tucker County. Matt Edwards, Recreation Manager of the Monongahela National Forest's South Zone, said the project is approximately 80-90% complete. Although there is no official opening date yet, Edwards said that he hopes that the rental can open for the 2025 season, which generally starts in April. Read more: https://www.wboy.com/news/webster/red-oak-fire-tower-in-west-virginia-being-converted-into-overnight- rental/?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=facebook.com&fbclid=IwAR0ql pchyk_k_A8IfieiR2LnNtrWSowz4mhJsyDTpP9OrimyZTIX89fqX6g 3 – From WV STATE PARKS – Treat your sweetheart to a romantic rendezvous at West Virginia state parks and forests! Whether you're looking for a winter escape now or planning ahead for a summer adventure, you're sure to find an itinerary you'll both love. Soar through the trees on the Pipestem Peaks zipline canopy tour. You can also book whitewater rafting trips on the New and Bluestone rivers from Pipestem Resort. Take a romantic ride and camp with your horse at Camp Creek State Park and Forest. Enjoy a ski getaway at Canaan Valley Resort and slide down the longest sled run in the east at Blackwater Falls State Park. Visit www.wvstateparks.com to learn more and book your Almost Heaven getaway today! Read more: https://wvstateparks.com/itineraries-for-adventurous-couples/ Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Friday, Nov. 10   Grant applications are open for the WV Outdoor Heritage Conservation Fund. Fairmont's Stumptown Ales expands its community outreach with a book club and trivia night. And Huntington officials want your input for the Riverfront Master Plan…on today's daily304. #1 – From MY BUCKHANNON – The West Virginia Outdoor Heritage Conservation Fund is now accepting grant applications for land-protection projects. Interested parties have until Dec. 31 to apply. Land-protection projects can include important wildlife habitats and working forests and farmlands, as well as hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreational areas. Applications for large and small grants will be accepted.  Applicants are reminded to complete their application and determine if their project qualifies for funding by using the OHCF's eligibility assessment tool and technical assistance manual, all available at commerce.wv.gov/outdoor-heritage-conservation-fund. Read more: https://www.mybuckhannon.com/outdoor-heritage-conservation-fund-accepting-grant-applications/    #2 – From TIMES WV – In the months since its summertime opening, Stumptown Ales has become a staple of Fairmont's bar and nightlife scene. Now, with its anchors in place, the brewery is expanding into community programming, from recurring book clubs to team trivia nights. Coupled with the same high-quality service, Stumptown Ales hopes the new programs can help spearhead a revival of fun and community engagement on Fairmont's East Side. Bartender Sarah Hutson, who oversees many of the brewery's events and programming opportunities, says the book club brings in 10 to 15 individuals each session and they're already on their fourth book. The bar has also expanded into more eccentric activities, such as tarot card readings, and, soon, pop-up kitchens hosted by local chefs. Read more: https://www.timeswv.com/news/local_news/with-new-programming-stumptown-ales-hopes-to-serve-fairmont-more-than-drinks/article_5ff1a952-78db-11ee-a968-978f952ac40a.html?utm_campaign=blox&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwAR3Jz__RRJgevxwQQOcoq0GSvXMq6UriVgLsHyHWuqcZZfehRSABozY19No   #3 – From WSAZ-TV – The Huntington Riverfront Master Plan is in its early stages of planning. The city of Huntington is preparing a new plan for the Ohio riverfront, focusing on Harris Riverfront Park near downtown and Adams Landing in the Guyandotte neighborhood.  Kenny Boggs is the owner of Schooners Bar & Grille and one of the owners of Adams Landing. He hopes that having more activities along the river will bring more money into the area. “The water is just -- it draws people to the restaurant, to the marina. It's what creates boat cells, it creates water cells, kayak cells. When people want to spend their recreational time, they're spending money,” Boggs said. Ally Layman, Huntington City Councilwoman for District 9, said the project is in its very early planning stages and everyone can have a say in shaping the direction of what activities people can enjoy.  An open house for community members will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Visitor's Center at Heritage Station. Read more: https://www.wsaz.com/2023/11/07/huntington-riverfront-master-plan-early-stages/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

West Virginians are used to frequently hearing his name, whether as the county or university, but John Marshall is more than a namesake in the state's history. He actually played a role in the first famous Supreme Court trail involving the state and was an early explorer of its rivers and mountains. 

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.  Today is Thursday, Nov. 9 A new online platform provides free resources for students and job seekers. Applications are open for Charleston Roots--a program that provides relocation incentives. And meet the 2023 class of WV Wonder Women...on today's daily304. #1 – From METRO NEWS – Library patrons across the state can now have access to an online one-stop-shop for live student tutoring, test preparation, and job search help. The West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture, and History and the West Virginia Library Association have partnered with Tutor.com to launch a new program, Tutor WV. The new online platform provides free access to resources for students, test takers, and job seekers from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Students will have access to 200 subjects to study by grade level and by course, and they can connect with specific tutors to get homework help. Students also have access to drop-off review services for essays and math problems. For job seekers, Tutor WV provides live interview prep, help with job searches and applications, and drop-off resume and cover letter review. To get started, visit www.tutor.com/tutorwv and click “Connect Now.” Read more: https://wvmetronews.com/2023/11/05/west-virginia-department-of-arts-partners-with-wv-library-associati on-tutor-com-to-launch-tutor-wv/       #2 – From CHARLESTON AREA ALLIANCE – Looking to plant or come back to your West Virginia roots? The Charleston Area Alliance and the City of Charleston want to talk to you! They are seeking innovative people who value the outdoors but still need or want the amenities offered by a city – but without the waits, noise, and price tag. The Charleston Roots Initiative was designed for people who are looking to fill career opportunities that are growing or serve a need in the Charleston area. Incentives include a $10,000 relocation credit. The portal reopened on November 1, 2023. Applications will be reviewed in the order in which they are received and participants will be selected by a committee until all funds are exhausted. Apply now: https://charlestonareaalliance.org/charleston-roots/ #3 – From WV LIVING – Meet the 2023 Class of West Virginia Wonder Women. West Virginia Living magazine celebrates the barrier-breaking, obstacle-leaping, forward-thinking women who pave the way for true growth and change in West Virginia, women who get up each day with hope in their hearts and fire under their feet. Meet Wonder Women like Crystal Good, founder and publisher of Black By God; Dr. Sherri Young, public health guru; and the aviators--the women of the West Virginia National Guard's 130th Airlift Wing. From artists to medical professionals, activists to legislators, athletes to nonprofit leaders, they are the kinds of talented, hardworking, and innovative people that this publication has been proud to lift up and recognize over the past decade. Read all about them in the latest issue of West Virginia Living. Read more: https://wvliving.com/category/wonder-women/2023-west-virginia-wonder-women/ Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Wednesday, Nov. 8 Learn how AI--that's artificial intelligence--can transform your business. Middle schoolers flock to Science Adventure School. And make your voice heard at public broadband meetings held throughout the state…on today's daily304. #1 – From WV BUSINESSLINK – Can your business benefit from AI? Artificial Intelligence has emerged as a transformative force that offers tremendous potential for businesses of all sizes — as long as we understand how to use it to our advantage. The advent of AI has opened up exciting opportunities for small business owners to harness the power of AI and drive growth. AI has tons of different functional capabilities. One of those is generative AI, which refers to systems capable of generating text, images, video, 3D models, or other media in response to input of some kind.  Check out the WV Businesslink blog to find out how AI tools like ChatGPT can benefit your business, and learn how to get started with using AI. Read more: https://wvbusinesslink.com/2023/07/17/unleash-the-power-of-ai-for-your-small-business/   #2 – From WBOY-TV Clarksburg –  A place to explore outdoor skills and fall in love with science may sound too good to be true, but this is exactly what Science Adventure School is doing for middle schoolers across West Virginia. The free program offers the opportunity for sixth grade students to participate in sports and learn about the science behind them. SAS has four locations across the state: Summit Bechtel Reserve, WVU Outdoor Education center, Jackson's Mill 4-H Camp and Heritage Farms School. The program started as a pilot, taking inspiration from Adventure West Virginia as well as similar science programs across the country. “We just want to give the kids the tools they need to feel good about themselves confident empowered, able to handle failure and able to just handle the challenges of being a person and being a middle schooler in particular,” Program Coordinator Annie Harmon said. Check out www.scienceadventureschool.wvu.edu to learn more about the program. Read more: https://www.wboy.com/news/education/science-adventure-school-inspires-west-virginia-students-love-of-science/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=socialflow&fbclid=IwAR3ymGTilRnmlvqXW72UB_v2v27ajtc19vUlH7iW_0sqoNFWko76jE5mqho   #3 – From INTERNET FOR ALL WV –  The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 provides a historic $65 billion investment to expand internet access and use throughout the United States. Four federal agencies are leading the nation's Internet for All initiative with programs to support high-speed internet planning, data development, infrastructure, and adoption.  Make your voice heard! Plan to attend one of the public broadband meetings that are taking place throughout West Virginia in the coming weeks. Visit www.internetforallwv.wv.gov to learn more. Learn more: https://internetforallwv.wv.gov/events/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Tuesday, Nov. 7  Laury's celebrated chef shares what prompted him to immigrate to WV and why he loves living here. Download your mobile WV Waterfall Trail passport and earn prizes as you go. And get your tickets now to some fantastic Mountain Stage shows coming up…on today's daily304. #1 – From LIVABILITY – Laury's Restaurant has been a Charleston, WV fine dining staple since 1979.  Serving French-infused American steakhouse cuisine, Chef Ramin Mirzakhani has helmed the kitchen since 2000 and was nominated for a prestigious James Beard Award in 2023.  Livability spoke with Ramin Mirzakhani about why he and his family chose to live in Charleston and what they love about West Virginia. “My uncle was living in Charleston at the time when we immigrated here … [and we] ended up staying here because we fell in love with the people and the town,” he said. Mirzakhani says one of the things he loves most about living in Almost Heaven is the outdoor recreation. “I love hiking a little bit in the morning,” he said. “Also, people here are very, very friendly and are always helping each other, even if they don't know you. That's why I fell in love with it and decided to stay. Even coming from another country, as an immigrant you feel at home here, you're treated like one of them.” Read more: https://livability.com/wv/charleston/where-to-live-now/why-i-choose-to-live-in-the-advantage-valley/   #2 – From WV TOURISM – Chasing waterfalls takes on a whole new meaning in West Virginia with the first-ever statewide Waterfall Trail! The trail was created for travelers looking to get off the beaten path, reconnect with nature and discover more than two dozen waterfalls in Almost Heaven. The trail includes well-known falls such as Blackwater and Sandstone, but also features hidden gems like Finn's in the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve and Drawdy in Boone County.  Visit www.wvtourism.com/west-virginia-waterfall-trail to download your free mobile passport. Check in to waterfalls as you visit them and earn prizes along the way! Read more: https://wvtourism.com/west-virginia-waterfall-trail/   #3 – From MOUNTAIN STAGE – West Virginia Public Radio's “Mountain Stage” celebrates its 40th anniversary. Get your tickets today to join the live audience performances featuring some of the best performers from around the country. Upcoming shows feature a talented roster including Judy Collins, Joan Osborne, James McMurtry and more. Celebrate the holidays with the return of Bob Thompson's annual jazz celebration, “Joy to the World,” on Dec. 14 and 15.    Get your tickets now before they sell out! Order online at www.mountainstage.org.   Learn more: https://mountainstage.org/upcoming-live-shows/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Monday, Nov. 6  A solar project is bringing lots of jobs to north-central West Virginia. Manufacturers say #YesWV to the Advantage Valley. And learn how Opportunity Move can assist federal agencies in West Virginia…on today's daily304. #1 – From WDTV Fairmont – A large-scale utility solar project is bringing lots of jobs to north-central West Virginia. Mon Power says it has hired more than 100 labor union workers to help build its first of five solar fields that will help bolster and diversify the region's energy mix. The first solar site is located next to the Fort Martin Power Station in Monongalia County. The site is expected to be online and connected to the grid by the end of the year. Workers recently finished installing nearly 50,000 solar panels and are now completing the electrical wiring. Learn more about the West Virginia Solar Program here.  Read more: https://www.wdtv.com/2023/10/30/solar-project-bringing-lots-jobs-ncwv/    #2 – From LIVABILITY – Why do manufacturers say #YesWV? The Charleston-Huntington metro region known as Advantage Valley boasts a robust and growing manufacturing sector that employs more than 21,000 workers.  Manufacturers benefit from a deep supply of skilled workers, a strategic location, integrated transportation network and lower electricity and labor costs. The region has built growing manufacturing sectors in automotive components, aerospace and aviation, chemicals and polymers, metal fabrication, and food and beverage production. Some of those manufacturers include Chemours Belle Plant, Toyota Manufacturing West Virginia, Alcon eye care, and -- opening soon -- Nucor Steel in Mason County. Learn more about the advantages of living and working in Advantage Valley at www.livability.com. Read more: https://livability.com/wv/charleston/education-careers-opportunity/why-do-manufacturers-love-the-advantage-valley/   #3 – From WV ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – Check out Opportunity Move to learn how West Virginia is providing fiscal, business continuity, and workforce solutions for Federal agencies. Our state is positioned to assist your agency in mitigating risk, reducing your expense budget and providing upskilling, workforce recruitment and training opportunities. From real estate solutions to energy savings: West Virginia delivers relief for escalating lease and property costs, a high quality of living for your employees and a geographic location that supports long term strategic business continuity objectives of your agency. Learn more: https://westvirginia.gov/industries/opportunity-move/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Sunday, Nov. 5  Two WV Timber veterans are selected to fell the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree. WV motorists take advantage of  the DMV's online test option. And WV Explorer's founder shares his favorite Mountain State road trips…on today's daily304. #1 – From METRO NEWS – A couple of well-known timbermen in West Virginia have been selected for the honor of felling this year's National Christmas Tree in the Monongahela National Forest. Arden Cogar Jr. of Charleston and Ron Polgar of Elkins have been selected for their longstanding dedication to the forest industry in the Mountain State. Cogar is very active in Timbersports and is a past world champion. His family has been in the timber business in West Virginia for six generations. His late father Arden Cogar Sr. cut the White House Christmas Tree in 1962 for President John F. Kennedy and cut the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree in 1976. Ron Polgar is a 46-year veteran of the Monongahela National Forest staff and is a renowned botanist and  biological technician. He's also a noted sawyer and heads up the Forest Service program to teach the fading skill of cross-cut saw use to the next generation.  Gov. Jim Justice invites West Virginians to the State Capitol on Tuesday, Nov. 7, to send off the 63-foot Norway Spruce to the U.S. Capitol. The event begins at 5 p.m. with a parade down Kanawha Boulevard to the Capitol steps. Read more: https://wvmetronews.com/2023/10/28/two-mountain-state-timber-veterans-to-cut-u-s-capitol-christmas-tree-in-w-va/   #2 – From METRO NEWS – More West Virginians are taking advantage of the online driver's license knowledge test available on the state Division of Motor Vehicles' website. More than 80,000 knowledge tests have been taken online through the division's online services portal since its inception in Feb. 2021, according to DMV Commissioner Everett Frazier. Frazier said it's important to give West Virginia drivers this option. “We recognize that some people simply don't do as well with test-taking, and being able to do it securely from the comfort and convenience of home is a real benefit,” he said. Customers interested in taking the test must have access to a computer with a camera, mouse and keyboard. To access the test, visit the DMV website at www.dmv.wv.gov and click on the Online Services Portal at the top of the page. From there, choose the “Drivers” column, and then the link to “Register now.” Read more: https://wvmetronews.com/2023/10/28/thousands-use-online-drivers-license-knowledge-test-available-on-dmv-portal/   #3 – From WV EXPLORER – David Sibray, founder of West Virginia Explorer magazine, shares how the publication has helped people learn about West Virginia's natural and cultural landscape. “When I became a journalist in the '80s, I had immediately fallen into doing stories on the mystique of the outdoors. What ended up happening is I heard this thing coming along called the internet, and I realized this could give me the ability to reach more people than print had up until that time,” he said. Watch the interview on “Innovators and Entrepreneurs,” a bi-weekly segment of the daily304 that features discussions and wisdom from West Virginians who have built their companies and launched new ideas here in the Mountain State.  You can find “Innovators and Entrepreneurs” on the daily304 YouTube channel, and don't forget to like and subscribe! Read more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2ENvfa-2GE   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Saturday, Nov. 4 It's a day to celebrate business in #YesWV with progress on Weirton's new battery plant, a shooting facility in Ohio County, a groundbreaking for Alcon eyecare, and a major advancement for Northrop Grumman…and learn about programs to help your small business…on today's daily304. #1 – From MSN –  If you're driving through Weirton, you'll notice a lot of progress at the Form Energy site since its groundbreaking in May. The facility projects to generate 750 jobs by 2028. Founder and Chief Operating Officer Ted Wiley has been watching the progress with a close eye. “It gives me chills,” he said in August. “I drove through the Main Street in Weirton today, and I came up across the bridge and saw the factory come up and I see the future.” Vice President of the project Soufiane Halily says they've been working at a quick pace thanks to support from West Virginia and Weirton officials. “This time next year, we're going to be making batteries,”  Halily said. “There's going to be a bustling activity of people coming in and producing.” Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/form-energys-weirton-site-promises-growth-a-progress-report-on-the-fast-paced-construction/ar-AA1iUzAm   #2 – From WTRF-TV Wheeling –  Guntry, an indoor shooting facility, will open its second location at The Highlands in Ohio County, West Virginia. A state-of-the-art indoor shooting and training center, Guntry's mission is to provide a safe and welcoming atmosphere to anyone interested in shooting and personal protection – regardless of previous experience. The club will feature 25-yard lanes and 100-yard lanes. All shooting ranges will be climate-controlled and include industry-leading air handling and ventilation systems. There will also be a state-of-the-art, 340-degree interactive simulator, and an 80-person training room. A firearms pro shop will accommodate onsite gun storage and offer new, used and gun transfer sales, in addition to accessories and apparel. “Founded by seasoned law enforcement individuals, Guntry offers training and certification for members of law enforcement,” said Josh Jefferson, President of the Regional Economic Development Partnership. “We believe they will become the law enforcement training center for the entire region.” Read more: https://www.wtrf.com/ohio-county/indoor-shooting-facility-coming-to-the-highlands/   #3 – From THE HERALD-DISPATCH – Eye care manufacturer Alcon broke ground last week on an expansion of its medical device manufacturing facility at Greenbottom, near Lesage, in Cabell County. “We are adding about 70,000 square feet and the facility will be approximately 200,000 square feet,” said Jason Mangum, general manager of Alcon Huntington West Virginia. “We're also going through a renovation on the interior of approximately 50 to 60,000 square feet as well.” Mangum said the company will invest $70 million in its Huntington-area operation as it looks to consolidate with its other location eight miles away. Both operations employ around 500 associates and that level will be maintained following the consolidation. The new portion of the facility will manufacture intraocular lenses, which are artificial lenses used in cataract surgery procedures. Magnum said Alcon has a $65 million impact to the local community. Read more: https://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/alcon-breaks-ground-on-70-million-expansion/article_93624772-1bde-5f87-962e-07c4bdfced2c.html   #4 – From NORTHROP GRUMMAN –  The ground is shifting around Benjie Staggs, and he's excited about it. Staggs is director of Advanced and Development Programs for Northrop Grumman at the sprawling Allegany Ballistics Laboratory in Rocket Center, West Virginia. Outside his office, work is underway on an ultramodern 113,000-square-foot complex that will transform the production of advanced defense and strike missiles. Northrop Grumman's new missile integration facility is a “factory of the future,” where key energetic components for sophisticated missiles are produced on-site and come together under one roof. “We've produced rocket motors and other components here for years, but they were shipped elsewhere for assembly into a complete missile,” said Staggs, a West Virginia native with more than 20 years of missile experience with Northrop Grumman. “This is a totally new operation for ABL.” Read more: https://www.northropgrumman.com/what-we-do/advanced-weapons/new-factory-to-launch-new-era-in-missile-production   #5 – From WV COMMERCE – Are you a small business owner in West Virginia struggling to bring your innovative ideas to life? The Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs are here to help! Contact the West Virginia Small Business Development Center today to learn more about how SBIR and STTR can help your business thrive! Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=9DiVziOMUK4Vo_VP&v=v30JGAQr_7Y&feature=youtu.be   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Friday, Nov. 3 The first electric school buses are set to roll out of South Charleston in December. Ice, Ice, Baby…a Hampshire County natural wonder is now open for guided tours. And a Huntington native advocates for people with disabilities in TV and film…on today's daily304. #1 – From METRO NEWS – GreenPower Motor Company is prepared to deliver the first electric buses manufactured in the Mountain State and has released the full results from the pilot program. Vice President of Business Development and Strategy Mark Nestlen said the first four units are just the beginning of a growing market. “We look forward to December 13, which is the day that the four West Virginia-manufactured Nano Beasts will depart South Charleston,” Nestlen said. “They will be the first vehicles produced at that facility.” Overall, the company reported that by the fourth quarter of 2023, it had delivered 120 vehicles to customers nationwide, representing a six-fold increase from sales the year before.  As more entities learn about subsidies related to the Inflation Reduction Act more orders are anticipated, Nestlen said. “We're going to need another 60-plus people to come on board in Q1 to be well on track to the 200 number by the end of 2024,” Nestlen said. Read more: https://wvmetronews.com/2023/10/29/first-west-virginia-built-electric-buses-to-roll-off-the-line-in-december-following-successful-pilot-program/   #2 – From WV EXPLORER – One of West Virginia's most fascinating natural wonders, Ice Mountain, where winter ice can be found lingering in crevices until summer, is now open to guided hikes year-round. Long a puzzle to scientists who were determined to discover how its "ice vents" functioned, the mystery has been solved, though the phenomena and the remarkable plant life it sustains will likely attract visitors to the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia for years to come. Ice Mountain's refrigerating effect comes from inside its thick talus slope, a mass of boulders at the mountain's foot that traps the cold. In winter, cold air sinks into the talus, forming the ice. Once the weather warms, the air flows out of cold vents along the bottom of the slope, keeping the ice frozen until early summer. Ice Mountain boasts remarkable flora, such as dwarf dogwoods or bunchberries, more often found near the Arctic Circle, according to Steve Bailes, a docent for the Ice Mountain preserve,   For further information or tours, visit the Ice Mountain Preserve or Historic Hampshire.   Read more: https://wvexplorer.com/2023/10/30/west-virginia-natural-wonder-ice-mountain-tours/   #3 – From THE PARTHENON –  A blind Huntington native has claimed his corner of the film and television industry despite the challenges that he has faced. Joe Strechay is co-executive producer for season three of the Apple TV+ show “See.” One of his goals for the show was to change how blindness is seen by the world. “I create accessibility for people who are blind or have low vision on sets,” Strechay said. “When creating the set of ‘See,' the writers told me that we have to create an atmosphere of respect around blindness and disability.” Strechay has also been working on the new Netflix show ‘All the Light We Cannot See,' which will be released on Nov. 2. He is an associate producer and blindness accessibility consultant on that project. To ensure accessibility, he evaluates the accommodations for actors and background performers with all types of disabilities. He also recruits actors through his connections and networking. “Nothing about us, without us,” said Strechay. “I want to make sure people with disabilities have opportunities. Utilizing and representing communities is important.” Read more: https://marshallparthenon.com/32289/news/producer-joe-strechay-advocates-for-people-with-disabilities-in-the-entertainment-industry/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.  

In this episode of "What Makes You Wonderful," we chat with Philip McLaughlin, the marketing director for Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg, West Virginia. We dive into some of their upcoming events, starting with "The Complete History of Comedy" by the Reduced Shakespeare Company, which is set to premiere on Friday, Nov. 3, at 7 p.m.   We also discuss another captivating show scheduled for next week, "Rock with Rachmaninoff," featuring the incredibly talented Barbara Nissman.  For more information: https://www.carnegiehallwv.org/

Nucor Steel looks to women and recovery program graduates to help fill 800 job openings. A new disc golf course transforms an old flood plain in Ceredo. And the Charleston Coliseum and Convention center sets new venue records--#YesWV!...on today's daily304. #1 – From METRO NEWS – Nucor Steel West Virginia Vice President and General Manager John Farris says he has no doubt the large steelmaker will be able to fill the 800 permanent jobs that will be created with the completion of the $3 billion sheet steel plant to be under construction soon in Mason County. Farris said one of the goals is to target more women for employment. “We're currently putting together an RFQ (Request for Qualifications) to have on-site child care,” Farris said on MetroNews “Talkline.” “At the premise of that is we want to encourage more women to choose steelmaking as a career and obviously that's (on-site child care) going to appeal to families at large.” Farris said Nucor has also been engaged with the state's Jobs and Hope program that helps those coming out of substance use disorder get jobs along with ongoing talks with Marshall Addictive Medicine for second chance employment. Jobs will be posted on Nucor's website, www.nucor.com/westvirginia. Read more: https://wvmetronews.com/2023/10/25/nucor-employment-goals-include-hiring-more-women-and-working-with-recovery-programs/   #2 – From WCHS-TV –  A new outdoor recreation option is now available in Wayne County thanks to a major land reclamation project in the form of an 18-hole disc golf course. The new track – located at 1597 B Street – is an anomaly in the Mountain State as the landscape is relatively flat, but heavily wooded fairways and sheer length provide ample challenge for advanced disc golfers. The Wayside Disc Golf Course was designed by West Virginia Disc Golf Hall of Famers Johnny Sias and Phil Bryant. The land remained unused for years as part of a flood plain of the Ohio River, but local officials and volunteers saw value in the property. Ceredo Mayor Paul Billups expects the course to make an economic impact as players stop at restaurants, gas stations and area businesses. He said Ceredo's newest addition also pairs well with the town's ballfield and pickleball courts, giving residents and visitors another option for recreation and physical activity. Read more: https://wchstv.com/news/local/land-reclamation-project-brings-new-disc-golf-course-to-ceredo-west-virginia-johnny-sias-phil-bryant-paul-billups-wayside-economic-impact-armco-ashland-rotary-huntington-barboursville-park   #3 – From WSAZ-TV–  The Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center Complex has hosted more than 650 unique events, welcomed more than one million visitors, and sold over $27.1 million in tickets since January 2021. Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin joined the Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center Board to make the announcement. Earlier this month the complex hosted three sold-out shows and one at 90 percent capacity in the span of one week, resulting in new venue records being set. “Two and a half years ago we decided to change the way we operate the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center Complex. Through our continued partnership with OVG360 we have seen more big-name concerts, comedy shows, family events and – more folks packing the Coliseum and Convention Center and the Municipal Auditorium,” Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin said.  “Now, more than ever, it is imperative we invest in our future, so that we can continue to capitalize on the energy, excitement, and positive forward momentum.” The average annual food and beverage earnings have also doubled as compared to pre-pandemic data. Read more: https://www.wsaz.com/2023/10/26/charleston-coliseum-welcomes-more-than-1-million-visitors-since-jan-2021/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Students, design a dog-themed ornament for display at the Culture Center! WVU Tech partners with local contractors to open a Construction Management learning space. And discover natural beauty, recreation and more in Tucker County…on today's daily304. #1 – From WBOY-TV Clarksburg – It's time to get creative! West Virginia students are invited to design their own dog-themed Christmas ornaments in the 19th annual First Lady Student Ornament Competition. The contest is inspired by West Virginia's Friends With Paws school therapy dogs as well as Babydog, Governor Jim Justice's dog. Students from every grade, whether public, private or home-schooled, are eligible to participate, according to a release from the Office of First Lady Cathy Justice. Winners will be invited to virtually join the Joyful Night Celebration, an early December holiday event held at the State Capitol, where officials will show the ornaments and the Christmas tree. The winning classes will also receive a gift card for class supplies. All submitted ornaments will be displayed at the Culture Center in Charleston over the holidays. Read more: https://www.wboy.com/holidays/west-virginia-students-invited-to-create-dog-themed-ornaments-for-competition/?ipid=promo-link-block1   #2 – From METRO NEWS  – West Virginia University Institute of Technology has partnered with some regional contractors to welcome a newly-renovated, first-of-its-kind in the state Construction Management learning space. WVU Tech's Construction Management program joined Jarrett Construction last week for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new space, which is expected to help expand the now only 3-year-old program and attract more students to the construction industry. The project was made possible through funding contributions from Jarrett Construction, as well a work crew able to get it done in time provided by Rob Moyer, the facilities manager at Tech. Jarrett Construction Services President John Jarrett is a former graduate of WVU Tech who has been in the construction industry for 40 years. He said the school is doing a great job training educated, experienced students to enter the workforce, and the company wanted to do something to support their efforts in return. Read more: https://wvmetronews.com/2023/10/24/wvu-tech-cuts-the-ribbon-on-renovated-space-for-its-new-construction-management-program/   #3 – From BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS –  When it comes to unforgettable hikes, the Allegheny Mountains are not to be overlooked. Situated in eastern West Virginia, Tucker County offers access to the alluring Alleghenys, the lush Monongahela National Forest, and quaint mountain towns to create lasting memories. Blackwater Falls State Park is a great place to take in the seasonal changes, as it offers over 20 miles of hiking trails and a 57-foot cascading waterfall as a centerpiece.  Explore over 47 miles of trails in Dolly Sods Wilderness. This natural area leads you through a diverse range of ecosystems, from open meadows to dense forests, and provides opportunities to discover the region's unique ecosystems.  Tucker County is also home to excellent biking, fishing, climbing and other outdoor recreation. End your outdoor adventures with a stop in Davis, Thomas, or Parsons. These charming mountain towns all offer their own taste of West Virginia, with welcoming restaurants, breweries, and places to stay. Visit www.gettuckered.com to learn more.  Read more: https://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/sponsored-content/wild-and-wonderful-trails-in-tucker-county-wv/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Tuesday, Oct. 31  The WV Dept. of Ag seeks more funding for its FARMacy program promoting healthy eating. In honor of National Coaches Day, consider a business coach to help your startup. And WV gets two grants to develop its tech industry…on today's daily304.   #1 – From METRO NEWS – Department of Agriculture Commissioner Kent Leonhardt continues to push for more funding for a statewide healthy-eating initiative focused on West Virginia grown products and producers. Leonhardt spoke on MetroNews ‘Talkline' about the department's West Virginia Grown program, which was developed in 1986 and designed to market the state's grown and made products from local farmers and producers He said while WV Grown partners with “FARMacy” programs created by non-government organizations and nonprofits that help outsource fresh foods to communities and families, they are still only limited to select areas due to limited funding. “If we had more funding we could support the farmers markets better, we could actually have more coordinators out there and building up the FARMacy programs,” he said. However, he said they have seen improvements in people's health through partnering with the different programs, as the food that the initiatives gather that gets sent out to people in boxes even includes recipes they can follow to know how to cook the food in specific meals. Read more: https://wvmetronews.com/2023/10/22/west-virginia-department-of-agricultures-wv-grown-program-looks-to-expand-2/   #2 – From 3 STEPS 2 STARTUP – National Coaches Day, celebrated Oct. 6 of every year, holds special significance for entrepreneurs and startup owners. In the fast-paced world of business, having a coach can be a game-changer. It's about a dynamic exchange of knowledge, support, and accountability. Entrepreneurs and startup owners often face unique challenges and uncertainties. Having someone coach you in this context can make all the difference.  Coaches offer valuable industry insights and expertise that can help you navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship. A coach helps you stay accountable to your goals and maintain laser-sharp focus on what matters most for your business. And coaches assist in making critical decisions.  Thinking about launching your own startup? Partnering with seasoned coaches from 3 Steps To Startup and WVCAP (West Virginia Capital Access Program) is an incredible opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs like you who want to fast-track their startup's growth. Read more: https://3steps2startup.com/2023/10/01/national-coaches-day-leveraging-coaching-relationships-for-entrepreneurial-success/   #3 – From WBOY-TV Clarksburg – An investment from the Economic Development Administration will go toward the development of West Virginia's technology sector and create future economic opportunities for West Virginians. Two Tech Hub Strategic Development Grants were awarded to West Virginia as part of the CHIPS and Science Act's Tech Hubs Program, the West Virginia Advanced Energy and Industrial Technology Manufacturing Hub and the West Virginia Digital Identity Tech Hub. Tech Hubs, or Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs, are diverse groups of “public, private, and academic partners focused on manufacturing, commercializing and deploying cutting-edge and critical technologies, “The bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act will help make the United States a global leader in the semiconductor industry again and will enable West Virginia to compete in the industry,” Sen. Joe Manchin said. Read more: https://www.wboy.com/news/west-virginia/2-grants-awarded-to-west-virginia-to-develop-its-tech-industry/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.  

Despite its name in West Virginia lore, the story of the Greenbrier Ghost is less about a ghost and more about a visage of a deceased woman who comes to her mother in a series of dreams,  to rectify what has been done to her in what became one of America's most shocking court tales.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.  Today is Monday, Oct. 30  Nucor Steel courts locals with job opportunities. Expanded forest management projects are set to tackle a wide range of projects throughout WV. And the Preston County Chamber honors Haines Farming and Custom Meats with Emerging Business Award…on today's daily304. #1 – From METRO NEWS –  Point Pleasant native Jay Jackson and his wife Kayla had to leave Mason County about a decade ago for work. The couple, both Point Pleasant High School graduates, ended up in Virginia Beach but now they're coming home. Jay landed a job at the new Nucor Steel West Virginia Plant that's just getting under construction along state Route 2 in Apple Grove. Jackson, who was at the recent groundbreaking for the plant, said he's glad to be home. “I knew what this was going to mean to the community, what it would mean for our family. This is where we always wanted to have our family and raise our kids and this is going to allow us to be able to do that,” he said. Hannan High School senior Miranda Kate Smyth said maybe she and her classmates can get jobs at Nucor one day. “It's going to open up a lot of big opportunities for our small county. It's great. It's going to help our community grow even more,” she said. Read more: https://wvmetronews.com/2023/10/22/mason-county-natives-students-say-nucor-spells-opportunity/   #2 – From WBOY-TV Clarksburg – The West Virginia Division of Forestry has announced the expansion of forest management projects across 322,000 acres of managed land in West Virginia. The expansion will cover cover a variety of activities including cleanup and removal of invasive species and abandoned mine land reclamation support. Through a public-private partnership with EQT, guided in part by Natural Resource Conservation Service Practice Standards, the WVDOF and West Virginia Division of Natural Resources will have access to increased forest management resources as well as improved habitats for wildlife and improved water quality by providing additional natural filters between areas that receive chemical treatments and waterways. Read more: https://www.wboy.com/wv-outdoors/west-virginia-forestry-management-sees-expansion-to-conservation-efforts/ #3 – From WV NEWS –  The Preston County Chamber of Commerce has selected Haines Farming and Custom Meats for its Emerging Business Award. Haines Farming and Custom Meats is a family owned, small business that offers amazing customer service, made from scratch lunch specials, delicious homemade desserts and farm-raised fresh meats and produce at their store located in Bruceton Mills. Paul Haines, owner and operator, attributes their success to the heart and integrity that they've put into their business. “It goes to show that a good work ethic and being humble to who you are and what you do pays off,” Haines said. Steve Wotring, Chamber vice president and Bruceton Mills resident, said Haines Farming has been a wonderful addition to the Bruceton Mills community and the surrounding area. “The business has continued to grow and expand and has quickly become a favorite place to shop for fresh meats and produce, as well as a place to grab a delicious lunch. Their very personal staff has brought down-home goodness to all who stop by,” Wotring said. Read more: https://www.wvnews.com/chamber-selects-emerging-business-award-recipient/article_dfd203dc-67d4-11ee-83b2-d32dde329702.html   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Sunday, Oct. 29   Bridge Valley officials tout the success of its dual enrollment program. The WV School of Osteopathic Medicine establishes a program at Fairmont State. And learn about famous art that was inspired by the Mothman legend…on today's daily304. #1 – From METRO NEWS – Bridge Valley Community and Technical College in South Charleston is making some positive strides for a few new efforts to increase and retain enrollment, as well as transform the overall student experience. The dual enrollment program the college has launched this year allows high school students to take a Bridge Valley course while still in high school if there is a teacher at that high school who has a certification allowing them to be an adjunct to Bridge Valley. Bridge Valley President Casey Sacks said there are a total of 34 high school students taking advantage of the dual enrollment in some form or another and from various districts.  Sacks said they have been doing work on process mapping around the recruitment and admission teams, as well as a reorganization of student affairs.  “I think a lot of this work has been what has driven some of our enrollment increase, because it has led us to a better job of communicating with people who are interested in the college, so it's something that we all recognize that we're going to continue doing moving forward,” Sacks said. Read more: https://wvmetronews.com/2023/10/09/bridge-valley-seeing-success-with-new-dual-enrollment-program-efforts-to-standardize-student-experience/    #2 – From METRO NEWS — The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine is establishing the Pre-Osteopathic Medicine Program at Fairmont State and Frostburg State universities. The programs are designed to provide a firm foundation for students interested in osteopathic medicine, including the skills and credentials needed to gain admission and ultimately success in osteopathic medicine school, according to WVSOM President James Nemitz. “These are pipeline programs to educate students about what osteopathic medicine is and to provide them with a pathway to help them be successful at achieving acceptance at medical school,” Nemitz said. The WVSOM campus is located in Lewisburg and was founded as the Greenbrier College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1972. Through the Statewide Campus, WVSOM maintains locations throughout the state used by students in the final two years to complete clinical rotations. The institution is nationally recognized for the number of DOs that graduate from WVSOM and work in rural settings. “We're an attractive institution, especially for students who come from rural areas,” Nemitz said. “And we're experts in training those students to be rural medical providers.” Read more: https://wvmetronews.com/2023/10/22/osteopathic-school-of-medicine-inks-deals-with-fairmont-state-frostburg-state/   #3 – From WBOY-TV Clarksburg – The Legend of Mothman has inspired tons of West Virginians and artists, and items from beers to baseball uniforms have been created using the cryptid's image. Mothman is best known for its presence at the Silver Bridge in Point Pleasant in 1967, right before the bridge collapsed, killing 46 people.  The legend was widely unknown and forgotten even by the residents of Point Pleasant until John Keel, a prominent journalist and UFOlogist, immortalized the tale in “The Mothman Prophecies” book in 1975. One of the best-known visual art pieces associated with Mothman, the painting “Mothman” by comic book artist Frank Frazetta, was created around 1980.  And of course, one of the most recognizable and famous Mothman-inspired artworks is the Bob Roach Mothman Statue in Point Pleasant. The stainless steel figure was created in 2003 and has become a main attraction for the town and a must-see during the Mothman Festival every year. Learn more about the legend -- and the artwork it has inspired -- at the Mothman Museum in Point Pleasant.  Read more: https://www.wboy.com/news/west-virginia/the-3-most-famous-artworks-inspired-by-west-virginias-mothman-cryptid/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.  

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Saturday, Oct. 28  Charleston's Amtrak station gets $6.4M in accessibility improvements. Make winter plans to go sledding at Blackwater Falls. And the WV Waterfall Trail gets 2 new additions…download your mobile app and go waterfall chasing!...on today's daily304. #1 – From METRO NEWS – Amtrak officials united with officials from the City of Charleston, congressional representatives and U.S Senator Joe Manchin at the Amtrak station in Charleston to announce the most recent project pulling in approximately $6.4 million in accessibility improvements.  “We want to ensure everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of passenger rail and be able to travel,” Amtrak Executive Vice President of Strategy Planning Dennis Newman said during the Oct. 12 ribbon cutting ceremony. The upgrades feature a new 800 foot long concrete platform with all new lighting, guardrails, signage and a storm water system, improvements which make for a more accessible, sturdier, brighter and safer surface to get on and off the train, and which comply with Americans with Disabilities standards. Other upgrades made to the station include two new entrances, a renovated waiting room and restrooms, a newly-installed fire system, a new HVAC system, and expanded parking areas with new pathways leading to the station. In addition, crack repairs were made to the building's exterior walls and a new roof and fascia were added. Read more: https://wvmetronews.com/2023/10/12/charleston-amtrak-station-welcomes-over-6-million-in-ada-accessibility-upgrades-and-improvement-projects/   #2 – From WV STATE PARKS –  Experience the thrill of racing down more than a quarter mile of fresh mountain snow on the sled run at Blackwater Falls State Park. The longest sled run on the East Coast, the sled run at Blackwater Falls State Park is a must-do every year. Create cherished memories and experience wintertime fun with friends and family at Blackwater Falls. The sled run is open mid-December through February.  Skip the line and purchase online. Better yet, book an overnight stay at the lodge or in one of Blackwater Falls' cozy cabins. Learn more at www.wvstateparks.com. Learn more: https://wvstateparks.com/things-to-do/blackwater-falls-sled-run/   #3 – From WV TOURISM –  The West Virginia Waterfall Trail has added two sets of falls, Cranberry Creek Cascades and Little Whitestick Falls, part of the newly opened Piney Creek Preserve and Recreational area in Raleigh County.  The waterfall trail has added 11 cascades over the past six months with more plans to expand in the near future. “When we announced the waterfall trail last summer, we never imagined the excitement it would generate,” said West Virginia Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby.  Since its formation, the popular trail has exceeded 60,000 check-ins with visitors from 49 states & 23 countries.  Get started on your own WV Waterfall Trail. Visit www.wvtourism.com/west-virginia-waterfall-trail to download a free mobile passport. Check in and earn prizes as you go! Read more: https://wvtourism.com/release/new-cascades-wv-waterfall-trail/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.  

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Friday, Oct. 27   West Virginia is ranked one of the top states for retirement. Appalachian Bee Collective transforms the landscape of former mining communities. And Northrop Grumman's new missile integration facility takes WV to new heights…on today's daily304. #1 – From MSN – West Virginia, adorned with Appalachian beauty and a cost of living that's music to the ears of those on a fixed income, has been ranked as the most affordable state to retire by Bankrate's “Best and Worst States to Retire” list. West Virginia's compelling blend of affordability and amenity makes it a magnet for those seeking a tranquil and cost-effective retirement. The state's relatively light tax burden, low cost of living, and tax-friendly policies towards retirees contribute to its top ranking for affordability. But it's not just about the money. West Virginia also ranked third best overall for retirement, scoring high in wellbeing, weather and crime categories. This signifies that it's not just an economical choice but also a place where retirees can enjoy a high quality of life. Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-xl/news/other/west-virginia-emerges-as-the-most-affordable-state-for-retirement-in-2023/ar-AA1ihJ8n   #2 – From DAILY YONDER –  Dakota Lukach and Jazzlee Molineaux work together in their bee yard, about a 45-minute drive from Bluefield. The couple never expected to become beekeepers but are now two of the 100 beekeeper partners in the Appalachian Bee Collective. The Appalachian Beehive Collective began with a two-fold mission: to provide a sustainable income for coal-dependent West Virginia counties and to educate those same counties about the importance of pollinators.   Eligibility for partnership begins with a five-week beekeeping course where students learn the art and science of beekeeping. Prospective beekeepers then apply to become partners with the collective.  Once accepted into the collective, these “newbies” receive the hive hardware and a nucleus of bees for each hive. They also receive protective clothing, hive tools, smokers, new bees' nutrition and disease and parasite control medication. ABC takes care of all expenses as well as continual mentoring and advice. Mentor and head beekeeper Mark Lilly recounts many success stories from the program. Beekeeping has allowed some participants to quit their part-time jobs and work from home, he said. Visit www.abchoney.org to learn more. Read more: https://dailyyonder.com/beekeeping-project-provides-income-and-promotes-land-restoration-in-southern-west-virginia/2023/10/17/   #3 – From NORTHROP GRUMMAN –  The ground is shifting around Benjie Staggs, and he's excited about it. Staggs is director of Advanced and Development Programs for Northrop Grumman at the sprawling Allegany Ballistics Laboratory in Rocket Center, West Virginia. Outside his office, work is underway on an ultramodern 113,000-square-foot complex that will transform the production of advanced defense and strike missiles. Northrop Grumman's new missile integration facility is a “factory of the future,” located such that key energetic components for sophisticated missiles are produced on-site and come together under one roof. “We've produced rocket motors and other components here for years, but they were shipped elsewhere for assembly into a complete missile,” said Staggs, a West Virginia native with more than 20 years of missile experience with Northrop Grumman. “This is a totally new operation for ABL.” Read more: https://www.northropgrumman.com/what-we-do/advanced-weapons/new-factory-to-launch-new-era-in-missile-production   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.  

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Thursday, Oct. 26  Mylan Park Sportsplex is set to get new turf and fields with state grant money. The Lane Innovation Hub opens possibilities for WVU engineering students. And Elk City Bistro moves into Charleston's West Side…on today's daily304. #1 – From METRO NEWS –  The Mylan Park Sportsplex near Morgantown can take its next step in development with money from a state grant. Gov. Jim Justice delivered a $3.5 million check from the West Virginia Water Development Authority Economic Enhancement Grant program to Mylan Park officials. The money will be used for new turf for existing baseball and softball fields and the addition of two new turf playing fields. Mylan Park Foundation Board President Ron Justice said the end result will be seven total fields, all with artificial turf. The multipurpose field will get the turf treatment and two additional baseball/softball fields will be added there. “The local kids get to benefit from all of this,” Ron Justice said. “Our high schools play here in youth baseball and softball, so this is really a good day for us.” Read more: https://wvmetronews.com/2023/10/15/mylan-park-baseball-softball-fields-set-for-major-upgrade-through-state-grant/ #2 – From WVU TODAY– West Virginia University students training to be the engineers of the future or pursuing all kinds of other educational goals have opportunities to explore their ideas at the Lane Innovation Hub, a 9,500-square-foot industrial space located at the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources. The facility combines three main workshops dedicated to advanced manufacturing, rapid prototyping and electrical prototyping, with an additional lab area for metal additive manufacturing methods. It's a place where anyone connected to the University can design, build and fabricate anything they can conceptualize. “The Lane Innovation Hub plays a crucial role in our commitment to fostering innovation in research, entrepreneurship and hands-on opportunities for our students,” said Pedro Mago, Glen H. Hiner Dean of the Statler College. “It is not just a facility, but an exceptional space that attracts students who are eager to explore the numerous opportunities it offers.” Read more: https://wvutoday.wvu.edu/stories/2023/10/16/wvu-offers-students-gateway-to-world-of-possibilities-at-lane-innovation-hub #3 – From WV FOOD GUY – A local chef with experience at several top-notch restaurants is opening her own place inside the space formerly occupied by Gonzoburger on Charleston's West Side.  Donesha Barrett – who has worked in kitchens at Le Bistro in Huntington, Bridge Café & Bistro in Hurricane and The Block in Charleston – says she hopes her new Elk City Bistro will be ready to welcome guests at 207 West Washington St. as early as next month. “We'll offer contemporary, causal food that represents Elk City through a creative menu using local ingredients,” Barrett said. Stay tuned to the Food Guy for an opening day and sneak peek at the new restaurant's menu! Read more: https://www.wvfoodguy.com/post/local-chef-opening-a-new-restaurant-in-old-gonzoburger-space?fbclid=IwAR13FIblmxSTDRXFdK8ra7n1x_Cq3z_sYkWupiiPpUpgK3jTlDmSDSWYRI8_aem_AZsdAyvBrdMujfrDQaYWBacmg6itd2qN-32W3tfq1aDNum8kxitkWWEw82GvOGwJnTU Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Wednesday, Oct. 25 The federal government taps West Virginia communities to host a regional hydrogen hub. Bluefield seeks youth entrepreneurs for a popup shop on Small Business Saturday. And now you can book tee times online at WV state parks…on today's daily304. #1 – From THE INTELLIGENCER –  After more than two years of anticipation, President Joe Biden is set to announce that parts of West Virginia, southeast Ohio, and Pennsylvania will play host to a regional hydrogen hub. Officials said the Appalachian Hydrogen Hub will be one of the largest of the seven proposed hubs, using natural gas to produce hydrogen in a process called blue hydrogen. The project represents a more than $925 million investment. There will be no single location for the Appalachian Hydrogen Hub. Instead, the hub will consist of linked assets – or production nodes — connected between West Virginia, southeast Ohio, and parts of Pennsylvania spread across hundreds of miles. West Virginia locations include Belle, Follansbee, North Point Pleasant, Washington (near Parkersburg) and Fairmont. The Appalachian Hydrogen Hub will create an estimated 18,000 construction jobs and 3,000 permanent jobs. The hub will partner with the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub, which includes more than 40 partnering companies in the natural gas, energy, and manufacturing sectors; West Virginia University and Marshall University; local transit authorities; and the federal National Energy Technology Laboratory.   Read more: https://www.theintelligencer.net/news/top-headlines/2023/10/follansbee-hopedale-chosen-as-nodes-for-appalachian-hydrogen-hub/    #2 – From THE DAILY TELEGRAPH – Bluefield officials are hoping to engage area youth in entrepreneurship. As part of that effort the Bluefield Economic Development Authority has announced plans for the Youth and Small Business Saturday Pop Up Shop, an event that will be held this year in conjunction with Small Business Saturday in Bluefield on Saturday, November 25. BEDA Executive Director Jim Spencer said officials are currently gauging the interest of youth and young adults who would like to participate in the youth pop up shop this year. “The goal is to build the next generation of entrepreneurs,” Spencer said. “We've done pretty well with entrepreneurship activities in Bluefield with the food truck and all. So why not work with the younger generation?” Any parent or adult who would like for their child to participate in the Youth and Small Business Saturday Pop Up Shop is asked to contact Spencer by email at jspencer@bluewv.org. Read more: https://www.bdtonline.com/news/youth-involvement-sought-for-pop-up-small-business-saturday-program/article_fd24e902-6849-11ee-9641-cfa2ef681310.html   #3 – From NEWS & SENTINEL –  Players know a bad day on the golf course is better than a good day at work. So the state of West Virginia has announced a partnership with NBC Sports Next and GolfNow to offer an online tee time booking service at the courses at West Virginia state parks. Golfers can directly book tee times at Cacapon, Canaan Valley, Pipestem and Twin Falls through the GolfNow website and app. “As a lifelong golfer myself, I am incredibly excited to announce this partnership with GolfNow,” Gov. Jim Justice said. “Our state parks are one of our state's most valued treasures and I'm excited that we now have a new way to attract golfers from around the country to come and experience all of the beauty and goodness our great state has to offer.” For more information, go to golfnow.com and WVstateparks.com/golf. Read more: https://www.newsandsentinel.com/news/business/2023/10/west-virginia-teams-with-online-service-to-book-tee-times-at-state-parks/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.  

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Tuesday, Oct. 24  Marshall's School of Medicine joins forces with Logan Medical Center to open a rural residency program. A new nonprofit group aims to promote astrophotography in West Virginia. And disabled athletes benefit from an innovative new adaptive bike at Snowshoe…on today's daily304. #1 – From METRO NEWS – Marshall University's School of Medicine has partnered with Logan Regional Medical Center to welcome the nation's first separately-accredited rural surgery residency program. Officials with the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and Marshall Community Health Consortium joined Logan medical center staff last week to cut the ribbon on the developing program, which took in its first residents in July. Senator Rupie Phillips (R-Logan) said it's creating new opportunities for the entire region. “It opens up a lot of doors for all areas of West Virginia, and eastern Kentucky and western Virginia, I think this is just great,” Phillips said. “And having the access to some surgeons and being able to get them to say, ‘hey, I trained in rural areas, I'm going to stay in rural areas.” Read more: https://wvmetronews.com/2023/10/10/marshalls-school-of-medicine-and-logan-regional-medical-cut-ribbon-on-new-rural-surgery-residency-program/   #2 – From THE REAL WV – Night sky photographers, rejoice! The West Virginia Astrophotography Association has recently emerged as the first and only official nonprofit astrophotography organization on the East Coast. At the heart of the WVAA's mission is the idea that astrophotographers can be a big part of each other's growth and inspire beginners to take up this incredible art form. The organization aims  to support astrophotographers of all levels, and its primary focus is on providing online resources and engaging in public outreach. The online platform will serve as a hub for astrophotographers and interested parties to connect, share tips and tricks, and access valuable information to start or advance their journey in this captivating field.  You can check out and join the free online discord right now, where everyone shares daily images, takes part in weekly photo competitions, collaborates with others on projects, along with many other things.  Read more: https://therealwv.com/2023/10/10/astrophotography-takes-a-giant-leap-forward-in-the-mountain-state/?fbclid=IwAR2WgNzwiWmeHnoDdEDYeqr6d7nMgacxnPGbzLDQkDrp5c5pIs4vh-4lxeA   #3 – From WAMU-FM –  A small adaptive sports non-profit in West Virginia has added a rugged downhill wheelchair to its fleet of mountain bikes, so even those with severe mobility limitations can experience the speed and thrill of a trail ride. Carol Woody is the woman behind the adaptive programming as the director of Challenged Athletes of West Virginia, a nonprofit partner of the resort. CAWV already had a fleet of handcycle mountain bikes, but that wasn't good enough for Woody. Handcycles require considerable skill and strength. Enter the Cimgo, an all-terrain downhill wheelchair produced by the French company, Tessier. The Cimgos are “pilot driven” she explains, so the rider is safely strapped into a modified race car seat – with an instructor standing on foot-pegs at the back, in control of the steering and hydraulic disc brakes. The pilot also wears a waist strap “that is hooked into the braking system, so that if anything happens, that the pilot comes off of the equipment, it engages a safety brake, so that the bike would not be rolling down a hill or mountain without their pilot.” Visit the Facebook group Challenged Athletes of West Virginia to learn more. Read more: https://wamu.org/story/23/10/11/using-technology-to-open-up-wilderness-trails-to-people-with-disabilities/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

In our newest episode of What Makes You Wonderful, we get the chance to talk about the 3rd Annual 4-State Food Truck Festival on Saturday, October 28th in the heart of Downtown Martinsburg. Food trucks hailing from the neighboring four-state regions will vie for the coveted $500 grand prize and the prestige of being crowned champions.  You can experience delicious food, beverages, live music, and the expansive KIDS ZONE. For more information go here: https://www.mainstreetmartinsburg.com/events  

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Monday, Oct. 23  Boo! Celebrate spooky season at West Virginia State Parks…Charleston seals a 5-year deal hosting a major pro cycling event…and Wood County Development leaders look back to a year of successes…on today's daily304. #1 – From WV STATE PARKS – It's spooky season at West Virginia State Parks and Forests! Check out some of the fun, family friendly activities coming up, from Full Moon Hikes and Bat Crafts to Costume Parties and Trick or Treat. Find more events and activities at www.wvstateparks.com. Click on “Events” and “Calendar.” Plan to stay over a night or two so you can enjoy the many recreational opportunities and amenities our parks have to offer! Read more: https://wvstateparks.com/5-wv-state-parks-to-visit-this-halloween/   #2 – From  METRO NEWS – The City of Charleston sealed a deal that will make it the epicenter of professional cycling for the next five years. On May 15-19, 2024, the Capital City will host the USA Cycling Pro Road National Championships. This will be the first of a series of yearly championships as part of the USA Cycling national event expected to take place until 2028. Charleston Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin said that the rural, rugged landscape the Mountain State has to offer is what has gotten quite the draw over the last several years. “They call us the mountain state for a reason, we have more trees than we do people, but by the way, that is what is attractive to this organization, the terrain that we have, our beautiful scenery that we have,” said Goodwin. The event will draw in national elite cyclists, from Olympians to World Tour professionals alike, as well as up-and-coming and rising stars in the cycling community, and just two months ahead of the Summer Olympic Games. The cyclists will compete in the professional Road Race, Time Trial and Criterium race categories. Read more: https://wvmetronews.com/2023/10/11/city-cvb-officials-announce-usa-cycling-pro-road-national-championship-to-come-to-charleston/   #3 – From NEWS & SENTINEL  – This year has been one of building for what is to come, said the executive director of Wood County Development at a recent meeting highlighting development in the area. The development office has had 57 leads and prospects and completed over 142 project follow-ups over the last year, said Wood County Development Executive Director Lindsey Piersol.   One example she cited was West Virginia University at Parkersburg and the Ross Foundation purchasing the former Ohio Valley College campus to create the WVU-P Technology Center. The site will focus on degrees in computer science, computer information technology, bachelor of applied technology and cybersecurity and networking as well as growth in mechanical engineering. The college hopes to place 25 technology based incubators at the facility.    Piersol mentioned job growth at Mister Bee Potato Chips and Fontaine Modification. She also brought up the new Discovery World Museum in downtown Parkersburg, which has had over 37,000 guests come in since opening in April.   Small businesses are the backbone of the local economy.   “For every dollar spent in the community, 80 cents stays within a local business,” Piersol said.   Read more: https://www.newsandsentinel.com/news/business/2023/10/development-agencies-see-big-things-in-store-for-wood-county-in-near-future/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Sunday, Oct. 22  Preservation Alliance is accepting applications for grants to save historic buildings. An expansion at Marshall's flight school will open a new course for rotorcraft pilots. Check out 4 reasons to visit Almost Heaven this fall (as if you needed a reason!)...on today's daily304. #1 – From WV EXPLORER – The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia is accepting applications for its new Saving Historic Places Grant, designed to save certified historic buildings in rural West Virginia communities from “demolition by neglect.” According to Danielle Parker, executive director for the statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to historic preservation in the Mountain State, funding will be provided for building emergencies, building stabilization, and pre-development costs. To qualify for the grant, buildings must either be individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places or listed as contributing structures in a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places. Completed grant applications are due Friday, November 17, 2023. Read more: https://wvexplorer.com/2023/10/05/grant-to-save-preserve-historic-buildings-west-virginia/   #2 – From WSAZ-TV – Marshall University's Board of Governors approved a new multi-million dollar expansion at the Bill Noe Flight School in Charleston, and this is just another step in setting this school apart from the rest. The nearly $15 million expansion to the flight school is expected to bring a new hangar and helicopter to the school. The helicopter purchase would be used to begin a third academic training course of study that would be the only school in the region with a training program for rotorcraft pilots. Bill Noe, Chief Aviation Officer at Marshall University, said the expansion comes at the perfect time. “There is such a need for rotorcraft aviation professionals, and that touches everything. It touches law enforcement, the medical field, pipelines, powerlines. The need for rotorcraft helicopter pilots is as much if not more than the fixed-wing airplane,” he said. Read more: https://www.wsaz.com/2023/10/12/multi-million-dollar-expansion-approved-mus-bill-noe-flight-school/   #3 – From TRAVEL OFF PATH –  Looking for a unique U.S. getaway this fall? Plan a road trip to Almost Heaven, West Virginia.  With almost all of the state being located within the Appalachian Mountains, you can enjoy beautiful mountain scenery as you drive, and the fall foliage is beautiful. It's home to America's newest national park, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. The state is also home to a number of beautiful state parks, such as Babcock State Park. It's a state rich in history, with sites like Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (famous for John Brown's raid) and The Greenbrier Resort, which dates back to 1778. Get started on your West Virginia getaway! Visit www.wvtourism.com or www.wvstateparks.com for information on lodging, events and attractions. Read more: https://www.traveloffpath.com/4-reasons-to-visit-this-underrated-but-stunning-u-s-state-this-fall/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Saturday, Oct. 21  State Fair director leans on a lifetime of experiences to make the event a huge success…Celebrate a winter wonderland of fun in Almost Heaven…and Weston sets its sights on becoming Halloweentown…on today's daily304. #1 – From WVU MAGAZINE –  It's been only a decade since Kelly Tuckwiller Collins took over as the fourth director of the State Fair of West Virginia, but some of those years have been marked by circumstances that could qualify her for a juggling act on the main stage. On top of being pregnant during two Augusts —one with twins — she's also been forced to make decisions about how to keep the fair afloat during two years of a global pandemic.  Of the lifetime of experiences that prepared her to lead one of the state's largest and longest events, plus a property that hosts multiple events throughout the year, Collins credits her West Virginia University Sports Communications internship as the one that trained her to meet the day-to-day hiccups and outright emergencies that come with the territory. Last year's State Fair was one of the largest in its long history, with record weekday and general attendance, sold-out concerts and fairgoers leaving comments about the wonderful time they had with their families and friends. “That's really the best measure of success — how people viewed the fair,” she said. “I am lucky to get to do what I do because it is a fun job. My job is to make people smile and provide an atmosphere [where] they can make memories with their friends and family. It's a lot of smiling faces.” Read more: https://magazine.wvu.edu/stories/2023/07/23/fair-game-kelly-collins   #2 – From ONLY IN YOUR STATE – You already know how magical West Virginia can be in the wintertime, but if not, here's a sampling of some of the incredible activities you can put on your winter bucket list in West VirginiaAlmost Heaven.  Whether your preference is snow sports, holiday lights gazing, or sitting by the fire in a cozy cabin, there's a winter wonderland getaway for you. Hit the ski slopes, go snow tubing or even ziplining. Tour a drive-through light display. Take in an indoor Christmas tree display. Go for a romantic horse-drawn sleigh ride through snow-blanketed hills and meadows. Check out the list and locations at Only in Your State. And for more winter getaway ideas, visit www.wvstateparks.com or www.wvtourism.com. Read more: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/west-virginia/things-to-do-in-west-virginia-in-winter/   #3 – From WV HUB –  The Weston HubCAP team has set its sights on becoming “Halloweentown USA” through the placemaking grant opportunity provided this fall through the HubCAP V funding. Larry Haddix, owner of H&M Motors in downtown Weston, got the idea after working with various other community groups to generate support for a trunk or treat during Weston's trick or treat night. More than 3,000 people attended the event last year, which included fireworks, City planners think Weston could coordinate with Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum haunted season and Hearsemania to go all-out for a major Halloween celebration. “Weston is really pulling out all the stops to make Weston a family favorite this Halloween season,” Mayor Harrison-Edwards said.. The investment in decorations this year will have a long term impact on Weston by serving as the start of creating “Halloweentown USA.” For anyone interested in learning more about “Halloweentown USA” or the Weston HubCAP V group, email hubcap@cityofwestonwv.com. Read more: https://wvhub.org/2023/10/westons-hubcap-v-team-is-working-to-create-halloweentown-usa/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Friday, Oct. 20  Gestamp announces a major green investment, bringing 100 more jobs to the South Charleston area…Looking for a high-wage, in-demand career? Enroll in a course on machine technology or welding… and get the scoop on economic development in #YesWV…on today's daily304. #1 – From WV GAZETTE MAIL – Gestamp plans to invest nearly $70 million in its South Charleston stamping plant for an upgraded line to produce components for electric vehicles. “Today, we are announcing that we are investing $69.5 million in this facility to upgrade our presses [and] introduce robotic laser equipment and welding equipment to satisfy our customers,” Gestamp U.S. President John Petroni said in an Oct. 11 announcement. “In addition, we'll be adding 100 new positions to man all of our new equipment and prepare ourselves for the growth in electric vehicles.” Petroni said the company worked with the West Virginia Department of Economic Development and was awarded a $7.5 million incentive to locate the expansion in West Virginia. “This combined $75 million investment and expansion means so much to this community and to our state, especially the creation of 100 additional jobs,” said Michael Graney, executive director of the Department of Economic Development. “This means Gestamp will now provide 500 West Virginians a high-paying, benefit-rich, career here in South Charleston.” The company said the investment will take place between 2023 and 2025, and will prepare the South Charleston facility for the next wave of electric vehicles. Read more: https://www.wvgazettemail.com/business/gestamp-plans-to-invest-69-5m-for-upgrades-at-south-charleston-stamping-plant/article_a896d578-2ebd-508a-9e5e-3f395fcc8a79.html   #2 – From MARSHALL –  Looking for a high wage career that's in demand? Perhaps you want to earn nationally recognized certifications?  Enroll in a training program at Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center and learn the skills necessary to achieve nationally recognized certifications and earn college credits toward an associate degree along the way. Machinist Technology/CNC and Welding Technology courses feature hands-on practical experiences in a shop environment, guided by instructors who are certified in their fields.   Seating is limited. Learn more at www.mfg.marshall.edu. Read more: https://www.mfg.marshall.edu/education-training/career-skills-programs/   #3 – From WV ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT –  West Virginia's diverse economy has moved beyond our history of resource extraction to include a robust array of products and services.  Visit the West Virginia Department of Economic Development online to learn about the key industries that have taken a foothold here and learn why leading companies make their home in the Mountain State. You can also sign up for our newsletter. It's free and packed with vital information about the state of West Virginia and its evolving incentives.   Learn more: https://westvirginia.gov/thriving-industries/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Thursday, Oct. 19  Plan your WV leaf-peeping excursion around scenic Mercer County…WVU seeks to “IgniteWV”  entrepreneurs…and discover the beauty of the New River Gorge in fall…on today's daily304. #1 – From GREENVILLE ONLINE – For a family-friendly spot that exudes classic fall activities, Mercer County, West Virginia might make your cozy, pumpkin, outdoor dreams come true.  The region has a host of options for soaking in fall color and making memories that can last a lifetime.  Go waterfall hunting at Camp Creek State Park and Forest. (Don't forget to download your WV Waterfall Trail digital passport.) Hike to the observation deck at Pinnacle Rock State Park to take in the fall color. Visit the charming and historic small towns of Bramwell and Princeton. Or get spooked at Lake Shawnee Abandoned Amusement Park's Dark Carnival.  Find more things to see and do at visitmercercounty.com. Read more: https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/upstateparent/2023/10/06/fall-weekend-getaway-consider-mercer-county-west-virginia-hiking-waterfalls-pinnacle-rock-state-park/71070805007/   #2 – From WVU – West Virginia University is renewing efforts to promote prosperity in West Virginia with a new statewide competition that challenges promising entrepreneurs and empowers them to succeed. IgniteWV is funded with $200,000 in grant support from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation and evolved from the West Virginia Business Plan Competitions hosted previously by WVU. Its goal is to provide budding entrepreneurs with the education, skills, contacts and motivation necessary to create viable start-up companies in the Mountain State. The program is open to anyone interested in registering or growing a business in West Virginia. The competition features two tracks — one for Main Street, community-oriented businesses that need technical assistance funding, and another for technology and innovation-focused businesses that are seeking investment.  Read more: https://wvutoday.wvu.edu/stories/2023/10/10/benedum-grant-fuels-wvu-efforts-to-promote-entrepreneurism-via-ignitewv   #3 – From LOOTPRESS – People who travel long distances to take in Sandstone Falls in Summers County are in for a spectacular visual experience. But the falls are not the only attraction for this scenic community. There's a visitor's center a few miles away that provides information galore on a variety of topics including hiking trails and nature walks, as well as some of the history of the region, and how it played out during the early days of river commerce and timbering. “Miles of trails … offer an excellent means of discovering New River Gorge history, as well as its plant and animal life,” said Rudy Paugh, a retired park ranger with the New River Gorge National River of the South District at Sandstone and Grandview. “Trails feature old coal towns, waterfalls, geological formations, and scenic views of the gorge.” The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve ecompasses a wide swath from Fayetteville to Hinton and offers a wide range of recreation, including whitewater rafting, fishing, rock climbing, hiking and more. Visitors are encouraged to check out the local shopping and dining scene as well.  Learn more at www.newrivergorgecvb.com or www.exploresummerscounty.com. Read more: https://www.lootpress.com/hiking-trails-offer-pathways-to-charming-scenery/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Wednesday, Oct. 18  Starlink high-speed internet is now available throughout West Virginia…State agencies and higher-ed institutions team up to tackle a shortage of veterinary technologists…and an advanced manufacturing work-study program is putting students to work faster…on today's daily304. #1 – From WVPB – About 5,000 Space-X Starlink satellites are now orbiting the earth, able to provide internet service to the highest mountain and deepest hollow. Del. Daniel Linville, R-Cabell, chairs the House Technology and Infrastructure Committee. He said Starlink now has the capacity to clear its West Virginia waiting list and offer internet service everywhere — except for the restricted Green Bank Observatory area. The service offers an immediate option for any West Virginian to get connected.    “It's true broadband speeds,” Linville said. “Your kids can game online if they wish, or you can stream movies or do telehealth or education or anything that you would need to do.” Monthly rates begin at $90. Some households may qualify for the FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides a $30 monthly discount regardless of internet provider.  Learn how to connect to Starlink at www.starlink.com. Read more: https://wvpublic.org/internet-from-space-now-available-throughout-w-va/   #2 – From WDTV – West Virginia University, West Virginia State University and the West Virginia Department of Agriculture have developed a new initiative called Vet Start, designed to address the shortage of veterinary technologists in the state. The four-year program will better prepare students, giving them more hands-on experience to make them career ready by the time of graduation.   Cheat Lake Animal Hospital will also provide assistance with this project. Co-owner Dr. Jesse Fallon believes that this program will benefit all clinics around the state. “We need folks that are trained, that are licensed, and who can help us take care of our patients better,” Fallon said. “So the more veterinarian technicians we have, the better skilled veterinarian technicians we have, the better veterinarian medicine we can provide.” Read more: https://www.wdtv.com/2023/10/09/new-vet-tech-program-vet-start/   #3 – From WV GAZETTE-MAIL – Madelyn Ward says she was talking to her hairstylist about trying to find a pathway to a career without going into massive student loan debt and was surprised when she had the perfect solution. “She mentioned her husband was in an advanced manufacturing training program at BridgeValley Community and Technical College in South Charleston. She said it might be a perfect fit for me and it really got my attention, so I looked into it,” Ward said. Ward was one of 20 students the Kanawha Valley Federation of Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) chapter chose for its inaugural 2023 cohort.  Students in the 2023 BridgeValley Advanced Manufacturing Technology program applied for and were selected for a paid, part-time position with Toyota West Virginia, Nucor Steel West Virginia or Kanawha Scales and Systems. Ward was one of three students to sign a letter of intent to participate in the work sponsorship program with Nucor. “Being able to go to school, work at the same time and graduate debt-free was a big factor for me,” she said. “Being able to graduate with a degree while making good money and have the opportunity to get a good job with good benefits at Nucor is really awesome. It's really a blessing for me and my son.” To learn more about the FAME program, visit pcda.org/fame-usa. Read more: https://www.wvgazettemail.com/business/manufacturing-apprenticeship-program-offers-wv-students-debt-free-pathway-to-high-paying-jobs/article_ba233013-c925-5328-b548-bc06bf6f32c0.html?es_id=4c0e1e97f5   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Get ready for a literary adventure on this week's episode of the What Makes You Wonderful podcast! We're diving into the pages of the West Virginia Book Festival at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center this Saturday, October 21. Join us as we explore the world of books, meet talented authors, and discuss the power of storytelling. Don't miss this exciting event that celebrates the joy of reading! You can find more information here: http://www.wvbookfestival.org/