Podcasts about Lewisburg

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia. Today is Thursday, June 4, 2026. #1 – From TASTE! WV - Meet the chefs and restaurateurs who are shaping West Virginia's landscape Taste WV presents "Chefs and Restaurateurs," a spotlight on the innovative restaurateurs and talented chefs who are redefining Appalachian cuisine. Through a collection of deeply personal profiles and interviews, the piece showcases a rich diversity of flavors and backgrounds—from James Beard Award-winning chefs to local dining spots and international cuisine. Whether tracking self-taught visionaries, celebrating a decade of local success, or detailing the homecoming stories of chefs returning to light up downtown bistros, these features capture a shared dedication to fresh ingredients, community mentorship, and cultural heritage that is collectively elevating West Virginia's food scene to extraordinary new heights. Read more: https://www.tastewv.com/category/meet-west-virginia-chefs/ #2 – From WV ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Press room showcases economic development in the Mountain State The West Virginia Division of Economic Development reports a period of robust industrial expansion, corporate investment, and small business support across the Mountain State. Check out the latest news spotlighting major milestones in advanced manufacturing and technology, updates on initiatives aimed at empowering local entrepreneurs, and efforts to leverage the state's massive natural gas resources to drive international investment and secure long-term energy dominance. Read more: https://westvirginia.gov/news/ #3 – From THE REAL WV - Lewisburg gallery owner creates art meant to last for generations Jeff Davis, a retired West Virginia art educator and the owner of Hollyrock Gallery in downtown Lewisburg, has been named the "Real West Virginian of the Week." Raised with a deep reverence for the state's natural beauty, Davis funnels that lifelong Appalachian inspiration into creating slow, highly intentional, one-of-a-kind wood carvings and hand-painted art. Davis' story highlights a profound commitment to his craft, his former students, and the vibrant local arts community, showcasing the exceptional, enduring talent thriving within the Mountain State. Read more: https://therealwv.com/2026/05/15/real-west-virginian-of-the-week-at-holly-rock-art-works-jeff-davis-creates-art-meant-to-last-for-generations/ 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, June 2, 2026. #1 – From WV GOVERNOR - WV announces America 250 celebration plans Governor Patrick Morrisey has announced plans for a statewide America 250 celebration at the West Virginia State Capitol. The event will recognize the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary with historical exhibits, educational programming, performances, and community activities highlighting both American and West Virginia history. Officials say the celebration is designed to honor the state's heritage while bringing communities together through civic pride and cultural events. Read more: https://governor.wv.gov/article/governor-morrisey-announces-america-250-celebration-state-capitol #2 – From WV REN FEST - Renaissance Festival returns to Lewisburg The West Virginia Renaissance Festival is preparing for another season of entertainment and immersive experiences near Lewisburg. The festival features live performances, artisan vendors, themed food, costumes, and interactive attractions inspired by Renaissance-era culture and storytelling. Organizers say the annual event continues growing as a tourism destination while supporting local businesses and regional travel. Read more: https://www.wvrenfest.com/ #3 – From THE REAL WV - WV businesses compete in growing AI economy West Virginia entrepreneurs and technology leaders are continuing to push into the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence innovation. A feature from Black By God highlights startups and businesses developing AI-driven tools and competing in emerging technology sectors while building opportunities within the state. Leaders say the growth of AI entrepreneurship reflects West Virginia's expanding innovation ecosystem and the creativity of its business community. Read more: https://therealwv.com/2026/05/20/black-by-god-tech-west-virginia-businesses-compete-at-the-edge-of-ai-innovation/ 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.

Retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins sits down with former NYPD officer Jimmy Dennedy and NYC Brooklyn prosecutor Michael Vecchione for a gripping discussion on violent crime, justice, and redemption. Jimmy recounts the shocking murder of NYPD officers Rocco Laurie and Gregory Foster by the Black Liberation Army, while Michael reveals the challenges of prosecuting those responsible. The conversation then shifts to something unexpected—redemption. After retiring, Jimmy began working in prison ministry, where he witnessed firsthand how even hardened criminals, including mobsters, can change their lives. This episode dives deep into: The reality of cop killings in New York City The struggle to prosecute violent offenders Inside stories from mob cases Redemption and transformation inside prisons Get the book Hard Guys Cry. If you're interested in true crime, mafia history, and real law enforcement stories, this is an episode you don't want to miss. Subscribe for more mafia history and true crime stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to “buy me a cup of coffee” Subscribe to the website for weekly notifications about updates and other Mob information. To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent ‘Brothers against Brothers’ or ‘Gangland Wire,’ the documentaries click here.  To purchase one of my books, click here. [0:00] Hey, all you wiretappers, good to be back here in studio, Gangland Wire. This is Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective and now turned podcaster. And I have another retired cop here on the show, Jimmy Dennedy. Jimmy, I tell you what, I had it down, Dennedy, like Kennedy. And our friend who’s been on here several times, Michael Vecchione. Welcome, Michael. Welcome, Jimmy. Thank you very much for having us, Gary. Thank you. All right. Michael has several books out there. He’s, he’s prosecuted the mob. That’s how I got onto him. He prosecuted the, he had something to do with the mob cops, Louis Eppolito. And I can’t remember exactly now. I should have made a note on that, Michael. What was the name of that book? [0:48] The name of the book? Friends of the Family. Friends of the Family. Is that those two New York PD coppers that were in the pay of? Louis Eppolito and Louis Eppolito was one of the cops. And you know what, Gary? during the, when Jimmy, when you talk to Jimmy, Jimmy has a kind of a, an odd situation regarding Louie Eppolito. And, and it’s a good story. I think he should tell you, tell your listeners. All right. Great. We look forward to that, Jimmy and Jimmy Denity, who was a New York city policeman. And he has a book, tough dies to cry. Hard guys cry. Let me do that over again. Yeah. I said, I left, I had it written down here and he had Jimmy Denity is here with us. He is a retired New York City copper, and he has a book, Hard Guy’s Cry. So welcome, Jimmy. [1:34] Good morning. Thank you very much for having me. All right, Michael, you and Jimmy, did you guys work together a little bit on the job? Did you know each other back then? Yeah, we certainly did. We’ve probably known each other now for maybe 45 or more years. I got to know Jimmy because I got assigned a case involving, unfortunately, the death, the murder of two New York City police officers who were assigned to Jimmy’s precinct at the time in Bed-Stuy. And it was a case that had been tried twice before I got it. And there were hung juries in both of the cases. And the DA at that point was going to just simply decide to not prosecute it anymore. And the head of the policeman’s union went to the DA, the district attorney, and said, listen, just give it one more shot. So I was at the time the head of a group called the Major Offense Bureau in the Brooklyn DA’s office. And I got, I’ll never forget this. I was sitting at my desk and the boss of the unit, the bureau that I was part of, came into my office and said, come with me. We’ll go to see the DA. [2:41] I didn’t know. I thought maybe I was in trouble for some reason, but I sat down and he said, listen, I want to give you one more shot. I want to take this case to trial one more time and you are the guy that we want to do it. So I was happy to do it. I tried a lot of cases by that point. And, and the best part of the whole situation, Gary is I met Jimmy Danity. That was, he, we became fast friends and I got to tell you a little funny story. He had been involved in the two other trials. [3:11] But when he sat down with me, the first thing he said to me was, or one of the first things was, do you eat lunch? I said, yeah, of course I eat lunch. Why? He said, the guy that tried the case before you and the one before him, they didn’t eat lunch. And by the time the afternoon came, their energy was all waned, had waned. And he said, so here’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to have lunch on your desk every time you come back for the lunch break from the trial. And he did. There was a sandwich waiting for me every day when I came back, and he is the guy that brought it to me. But before the trial, we went out. Me, Jimmy, and detective from the Homicide Bureau, who was assigned to the case. [3:57] Tony Martin, went out to the scene. And again, another one of these scenes, which I’ll never forget. The scene was in the middle of Bed-Stuy on Troop Avenue. Jimmy, that was the, yeah. [4:10] Willoughby and Troop. Willoughby and Troop. So we’re on the street and the three of us are standing there right on the sidewalk. And we look around and I said to Tony, did you hit every one of these buildings looking for witnesses? Because there was a problem with the case with the witnesses. One had died in a very strange way. And so he looked around I don’t know if you remember this, Jimmy And he pointed to a building Diagonally across from the spot Where the two cops were shot And he said, Mike We never went into that building, And Jimmy and Tony went into the building, canvassed it and came up with two new witnesses. And so it was a wonderful experience working with Jimmy. He was a hard worker. He really was tied to this case in the sense that these guys were his friends. They were two guys who were gunned down for really no reason by a member of the Black Liberation Army at the time who was part of the Attica riots here in New York. He was actually one of the guys who started the Attica riots in New York. And he was out and he was with another guy. And we believe that they were going to meet another one of their fellow. [5:27] I don’t want to call them gang members, to set up a robbery. And that’s why they were in Brooklyn. And the case had so many ups and downs and twists and turns. And it was something which I obviously will never forget. But the best part about it, I’ll repeat myself, is that I met Jimmy Denity. And he and I have been friends from that point on until today. And so let me just get to the book because Hard Guy’s Cry to me was a labor of love. It really was. I got a call one afternoon and I’m sitting out on my deck and Jimmy calls me and we just got to talking and he asked me about doing a book about his life and his story. And I said, it’s great. There are lots of books out there about cops and street cops and what they’ve done on the street. He said, so he said, oh, but he started to now expand on it. And then he told me the second part of his career, which was the prison ministry in the federal prison and a state prison here in New York. And I said, Jimmy, you buried the lead. That’s the part of this book that I can sell to a publisher. Because Gary, you probably know this. You probably interviewed these guys who do books when they retire. This was just going to be one of those. Jimmy’s career on the street was terrific. [6:47] The only problem was there are lots of guys who have books out there like that. So when he told me the story about his prison ministry, I was working at the time with a partner of mine, Jerry Schmetterer, who has now passed away. And we both talked about it and we said, this is definitely a story. This is definitely a book. And it’s been a long journey, Jim, until we got to this point. We’ve had COVID. We’ve had the Minneapolis, the guy in Minneapolis who was killed and agents saying to us, nobody wants to publish a book about a good cop. Nobody wants to do that. You can’t sell this until I didn’t give up. I really didn’t give up. And I took the proposal and I rewrote it after Jerry died. And then I sent it out to a couple of publishers and one of them grabbed it and said, yes, I want to do this. And then believe it or not, Gary, his publishing company hit the skids in terms of being able to spend money. He went out of business. So I had one more shot and I gave it to the publisher of my novels. [7:55] And she finally is the one who said, yes, let’s do this. And then here we are today. [8:01] It’s really, again, I said this before, but it was a journey of love. It really was to tell this guy’s story. and we, I know I’m repeating myself, but we became such good friends that our families got to know each other. I went to Jimmy’s house for holidays. We really just became very good friends. And here we are. And I’m so happy that I was able to write this book because I really believe that the people who read it will say, wow, this is a great guy. This is a great guy. And he is. Interesting. Hey, Jimmy, I got a couple of questions for you. Now, you worked, that was the Rocco and Lori case, if I remember right. And everybody who worked big city policing at the time, that scared the dog shit out of us. It was like these guys just laid in wait for a couple patrolmen to walk by, stepped out and shot them. That was my impression. And I worked that kind of a neighborhood. And we were jumping. We were pretty jumpy for quite a while. And it wasn’t solved for a while. We knew it was some kind of a political act, or at least that’s what we’re led to believe. Did you guys feel the same way in New York? Let me just stop you for a second. The case that I did with Jimmy was Norman Cerullo and Christina Soames years later. The one that you’re talking about, Rocco Laurie and Gregory Foster, was much earlier. [9:21] Jimmy was involved in it because he was a good friend of Rocco Laurie. They went to the academy together. But I’m sorry to interrupt, but I just wanted to make sure that we were talking about the right thing. [9:33] So that kind of a case, you actually went through two of them. So tell us about your feelings about that. Did that, how did that affect your dealings on the street? I was in the academy with Rocco Laurie, right? And we had both come out of the Marine Corps at the same time. And we worked out together. We boxed together. And some of the guys were slacking off. The guy’s name was Mr. Clean. He was the instructor. He would say, okay, now you’re going to box with Denny or you’re going to box with Laurie. Of course, they were slacking. We weren’t slacking. Oh, God. That was me. They said, Jenkins, go over there and box with one of those guys. No brother in Lime. [10:12] So we became close we we knew his wife he knew that time it was my girlfriend but that was my wife we had gone out to dinner and he was a really good man in the academy i won the gun for physical fitness he won the gun for overall excellence and we got pictures with our guns together and stuff. So I was working at midnight with this guy, Victor Grillo, nice guy. And a job came over. Cops shot in Manhattan. We were in Brooklyn. It’s on the other side of the bridge. So we’re saying, wait. And that became the ninth precinct. That’s where Rocco worked. So we used to call him the Rock. I hope it’s not the Rock. And it turns out it was him. These guys executed him. They were basically a domestic terrorist group. They were robbing banks. They were killing cops for no reason. They just walked past them, turned around, opened up on them. And they shot them all over the face to the groin. And then they took their guns and shot them. And some of the guns actually wound up out in St. Louis or in West Area. [11:16] So did it affect me? Absolutely. I became, I don’t want to say callous, but I was very leery of everybody. [11:26] And I started, my niche was guns. I locked up a lot of guys for a lot of guns. But anything to do with it, Black Liberation Army or anything, I used to accumulate information, intelligence information, and my locker was full of it. I’d lock up a guy, and they used to have years ago the little address books. I used to take their address books, and they would ask me information, the FBI, the Major K-Squad, Jimmy, have any information on this guy? And which I did many times, right? Fast forward several years later, I’m out, and I’m having a few cocktails, and then i drove back to the precinct the 79th precinct to meet a friend of mine bobby perry, and while i was at the front of the desk there’s a place they could check your messages if anybody calls you messages so i’m checking my messages and it came over shots fired then it came over cop shot then it came over two cop shot then i drove down to my civilian car right it was dark, and it was like help you know radio card door is open you know I mean blood all over the place he also shot his friend right and he’s laying it dead with a gun in his hand his blood all over the place it was a nightmare so let me figure this out but now everybody name others coming down because he’s cop-killing students a doubleheader so to speak and then I see the blood going across the street and the blood stops. [12:53] So obviously somebody was shot. It’s not our guys. And then I assume he got into a car. [13:00] So I’m trying to figure, is he going to go to the Spanish neighborhood or deeper into the black neighborhood? And I said, let me go to the hospital. So I drive to the hospital to see if they need blood or anything. And out of the corner of my eye, when I passed Lexington Avenue, I see there had been a car accident. A guy hit parked cars. I kept going. And then I told Mike, you know, my father gave us a game when we were kids. It was called Game in the States. at a map of the united states and you had two little electric wires and you plug one into the state and there’s a list of capitals on the other side and when you hit that the light would go on you got the right answer and as god is the lord a light went off in my head just like it was the right state capital yeah went to the hospital and they did you know and then this guy paulie has ever seen him he’s crying he was in plain clothes anti-crime i said paulie listen to me Two things. Once, I want to come in the car. I’m going to go back to the scene. Because when I got there, there was a Spanish guy on the pool across the street. And he was a little biggazy type guy himself. But he used to give me information. He used to give me information on his competitors. Yeah. [14:10] Yes. So when he saw me, you know, he ran. Right? I wanted to come back and talk to him. But on the way back, I said, Paul, I’m going to stop at this accident scene. This is, it’s just there. Yeah. Go back there. Ambulance is starting to pull away fire truck was there pulling away so i went over there they said it’s an accident scene the guy’s injured i said what kind of injury is it the guy said well he dressed his wound because he won he refused medical aid this guy so i said i just dressed his wound i saw undress the wound let me look at it i’m not undressing the wound i went over and i just ripped it off and it’s a gunshot wound yeah right yeah so all he had a radio calls the sergeant down and they bring a witness from willoughby avenue she comes down she says that’s the guy who killed the two cops so we get him put him in the ambulance right in the ambulance he’s a big boy this guy right and he goes reach and grabs my gun from my holster so now it’s like an arm wrestle for the gun between me him and paulie saracena and during this arm wrestle necessary force was used and the necessary force was used until he dropped the gun or he got the gun from him. Goes to the hospital. He has a Derringer behind his belt buckle and he has police handcuff key. [15:38] These guys are the real deal. Yeah, that’s a real deal. They train for this stuff. They associate but others that train they shoot you know what i mean so it’s just uncanny that rocko was my friend and he was murdered in a double police homicide and then a few years later i lock up a guy from the same team that killed two of my friends you know it was a nightmare and then we went to trial and that’s how i met mike and it’s a very. [16:09] It’s pressing on your brain. Yeah. Something like this happens. And then, and I don’t have to tell you, Gary, but then you get other cases. So you’re making more gun arrests, but you still have this. You know what I mean? It’s, it’s tough. It’s tough. But it was. I just want to interrupt for one second. One of the, Jimmy mentioned her. They brought a witness back to the scene to identify the, the bad guy. And, uh, and she was a great witness. She was there when the shooting occurred. She was actually moving into the building that the shooting happened in front of. And so the case was, we had a couple of, she was the best eyewitness to the case. And as Jimmy and Tony Martin, the detective who were assigned together after the actual arrest, because we had, they had to get the case together and look for more witnesses, et cetera. [16:58] They went one day to see this particular young woman to talk to her and see what was, if everything was still good, if she was okay. Turns out she was in the hospital nobody knew this she had gone into the hospital we were told because she had a cold she died in the hospital gary from a cold which is what we thought turns out she had encephalitis but the thing was at the time we said who goes into a hospital number one with a cold and who dies from a cold so we at that point not me but i wasn’t on the case yet, but others. And then when Jimmy told me this later on, I said to myself. [17:42] It’s got to be some connection to the bad guys. Maybe they poisoned her. Maybe they did something and we looked into it. It turned out, Jimmy, what was the disease that she had? I think she had herpes viral encephalitis in the brain. It’s a possibility that it can be induced. Yeah. So that’s what we looked at. And the medical examiner at the time of the death never really looked. The DA who had the case at the time thought, ah, this is a slam dunk. We had this witness, that witness. Jimmy arrests the guy and he’s got the bullet, which another thing happened. He wouldn’t allow the medical people to take the bullet out of his leg. It was the cop’s bullet. Yeah. So we wouldn’t, he wouldn’t let him do it. So we had to go with a, an x-ray of the bullet at the trial instead of the bullet itself. But it was, it’s a case with, as I said before, excuse me, many twists and turns. And it’s the whole story is in the book. And I don’t want to take away from Jimmy’s story here, but I have a legal question. You couldn’t get a search warrant to take the bullet out of a person. Is that? [18:51] We tried, and you know what the judge said? No. Uh-huh, okay. I just, I never ran into that. I’ve heard that before where the bullet stays inside and you can’t get it. I just. [19:03] I tried. The judge wouldn’t give us the search, the ability to search, quote unquote, which meant taking the bullet out of his leg. Anyway, so that’s where we, that’s where we met. And it was, it was quite a case. And Jimmy, I understand you, you go through your career and you see all these horrible things and you’re harding yourself. And you know, the title of your book, hard girls, hard boys, hard men cry. I don’t know why I got hard guys cry. I don’t know why I can’t remember. I should remember from Norman Mailer’s tough guys don’t dance, but hard guys cry. And so you harden yourself all those years, but then something happened in your life. Apparently that changed, changed that. I know after I retired, partly what happened to me is I became a lawyer and I started dealing with people from not particularly criminals, but many times relatives of people who had gone to jail. And I worked for public defenders and really got to know people on the other side and realize that we’re just two sides of the same coin many times trying to get along and trying to get by. So what happened in your life that changed that, your attitude? [20:11] When I retired, there was an old man who was a farmer, and it was like a late-year-type situation. This farmhouse was falling apart. The second floor was owned by raccoons. He had electricity in one room and no running water, but he was the calmest, nicest, most spiritual guy you ever wanted to meet. Almost no teeth. He had one tooth. And there was Louis Adamski. We used to call him Louis the farmer. So I used to take care of Louis. was taking over my house for Thanksgiving, Christmas, driving down this long driveway, see how he’s doing. And I didn’t see him for a while. So I drove down the driveway one particular day and I said, Louie, I haven’t seen you. You haven’t called. He said, he had bladder cancer. I said, really? I said, wow. He said, you had two surgeries. I said, you’re going for follow-up treatment? And he said, I’m supposed to go every 90 days, but he had no insurance, zero, no Social services, nothing. And the doctors were suing him. And they wanted his farm. He owned one-tenth of his farm. It had about 80 acres. But it was heirs. Everybody in his family had passed away. I said, Louie, you got to get follow-up treatment. So there was a city that’s not about a half hour away called Newburgh, New York. And there was a urologist I was familiar with. So I told him the story. This guy has nothing. He said to me, if you will drive him, I will treat him like the president of the United States. [21:40] So for two and a half years, just about every month, sometimes twice a week, it all depends when his visits were, I would drive Louie. So it was like an all day affair almost because I have my own business, so I don’t show up for work. What do I care? So I take care of Louie all this time and my friends are patting me on the back saying, oh, you’re Louie’s angel. So one particular day we go in and… [22:03] He, if Louis checker, he calls me into the, uh, his consultation room and he says, so your friend’s cancer is back. She got to be kidding me. He said, yeah, I feel it on his prostate. He said, he has someone for biopsy Friday. This was on a Wednesday. I said, I don’t know how he’s going to get there. It’s an old day. I said, doc, listen, I’m married to this guy for two and a half years. I said, I’ll take him. He said, you sure? It was an old day. I said, doc, I don’t care. He said, all right. He said, I’ll tell you what, as long as you’re going to take them, your PSA is just borderline high. He said, I feel there’s nothing on your prostate, but if you’re going to take it, let me give you a biopsy too. I said, fine, I don’t care. So I take, we both get the biopsy. The next Wednesday, he calls them both of us in. I have cancer as well, worse than his, right? So he got radiation. I went out to New York City. There was a top flight surgeon in Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. And I told him the story like I’m telling you now. So he said, you got to cut that out of there. You don’t want it in there. So they cut me a half. They took it out. And in the recovery room, he comes in and he says to me, you weren’t Louis’ angel. Louis was your angel. He said, you had a C-grade cancer. It was starting to spread, but I got everything. [23:15] So he said, you would have been dead about a year and a half. He said, because you had no signs, no symptoms. By the time you had the symptoms, it would be all over. Yeah. So it changes the way you think that I was invited to go on to this, a religious retreat weekend, a Cresillo weekend. I didn’t want to go. I’m not a holy roller. It’s not my cup of tea, but I socially boxed in like friends. So then your wife has to go too. So my wife, Noraline said, oh, I’ll go. And I said, oh, yeah, now I got to go. So I go on this week. it’s it’s thursday friday saturday sunday you can’t bring a watch you didn’t have cell phones then right so you’re stuck there so i went and i hooked up for a couple of other ex-marines and this actor mike was poorly he was on the sopranos so i sit in the back like we’re just going to ride this one out oh we can write it out it turns out that it was very moving, it’s very moving and people spoke that thought they were like punks i knew them indirectly they had quite a story to tell and then, weekend was over and on the way back it was November and I was telling Mike I rolled the windows down it was like spring, spring in my mind you see things differently like these computer generated pictures you see what it is but if you stare at it long enough another picture comes out within the picture and kind of life came out of life for me I saw things differently, Then these guys asked me to go into the prison. [24:42] Listen, I say, listen, you’re a carpenter. You’re a plumber. You don’t know what these guys are. I’ve thrown these guys down stamps and shot a guy at my house. Crazy. Again, I’m socially boxed in. So we go up to the prison. It was 41 of us, 41 of us. It’s called the Kairos. It’s an interdenominational… [25:01] Prison ministry. So I sit in a big circle, piece of paper, it passes around. When you get it, you have to say who you are, where you’re from. So I get it. I said, my name’s Jimmy Danity. I live in Orange County, New York. I’m married. I have two children, and I retired from the Oak City Police Department. They booed me. I told Mike, it was like an old dog growling. Yeah. Yeah. I said, what am I doing here? So the next day, because you had to sleep up in the prison too, The next day, you’re at a table. So you have an inmate on either side. So there’s like maybe nine people at the table. And there’s three of us, six of them. And don’t ask them what they did. Never referred them as a prisoner, as a resident. They were like, guys, I grew up with their neighbor. I said, what did you do? You stupid. So it becomes, it was a religious weekend. But also, it’s practical life. And you guys were good. You know what I mean? I got along well with them. So we did every day and it was friday saturday sunday they finished and that’s it i’m done i’m done with this i said i’d do it and i’m saying i wonder if any of my guys would show up to a wednesday night they have a wednesday night follow-up at this organization i wonder if any of my guys would be there so you know what let me show let me go to one wednesday right all my guys. [26:22] Oh, my gosh. And that was the only, Gary, that was the only table where all of them showed up again. So that’s why he knew that this was the right thing for him. I’m sorry, Jim. I just want to know. And so this was still in the prison. Yeah. Back up the prison. Yeah. And they invited these guys. If you want, you can come to this follow up. At that time, every Wednesday at six o’clock, they could go into the chapel to this particular group meeting. So I just want to see if any of my guys are going to show up. They all showed up and then the volunteers drop off and then i said let me do another wednesday, and another wednesday and it comes like everybody wants to talk to you it’s like when you go into the pet store where puppies say they want you to pick them like pick me and it you get you wind up with a group i tell mike they’re my guys and then you wind up it’s a spiritual thing no question about it right it’s brand involved and everything but you go through life with these guys and a lot them have a lot of crazy situations yeah and one guy is a mafia guy and i think frankie and he wants to say jimmy this new guy he wants to talk to your jug it’s all right so he takes me behind this little interdenomination altar they got there right so i said hey don’t you he says remember me i said no he said you should you broke my nose so i said when did i break your nose He said. [27:46] Yeah, in the park on 53rd Street where we used to play hockey. He said, your brother, I remember you. I mentioned his name, his last name. I said, you were messing with the park attendant. I slammed a basketball in his face. You know what I mean? He never forgot it. They told Frankie, yeah, he was crazy before he went to the Marine Corps. I’d make guys in there. [28:04] I worked. Yeah. The drug cases that they had. [28:09] You know, I knew who their bosses were. I testified in Philadelphia against one of these guys’ big bosses. And it’s just, it was like almost an inside straight. It was like meant to be. It was meant to be. And then my parish priest, so then I started, I was in the denominational night. The Catholic guys had nothing. I started a Catholic night with a few other good guys, my friend Brian and a few other guys, right, on Thursday. So now I’m going there Wednesday and Thursday. So my parish priest said, the state maximum security doesn’t have anything like this. Let’s start one there. So I’m going Wednesday, the federal prison, Thursday to the state max. You know, and it, I did it for 25 years, two days a week. Wow. And if the guys in Brooklyn, where I was a cop, knew I was doing this, they say, wrong guy, definitely. Somebody else, you got the wrong guy. Yeah. It’s the way the good Lord leads you. Now, something changed in your life and it’s not like you had any control of it. It just, it changed. You opened yourself up. It seems to me like it. And you just didn’t have any choice but to go down this path. And you know what it is also, Gary, it’s also like you’re preventing crime. You’re doing the same thing only from the inside. From the inside, you want to change the way they think, the way they act. And there’s a million things I could tell you how I was able to change things in a prison. They’re going to stab somebody. The guy who was a rat. [29:32] And they didn’t like him. I didn’t like him. And I told him, listen, I like the guy. He said, you like the guy? Don’t get involved in this. I said, do what you want to do. I like the guy. They never touch the guy. Because if they do something like that, then they’re going to hurt you. [29:46] Gary, I think Jimmy should tell you, he’s talking about the effect he had on these guys. What really was the point of the prison ministry was to essentially make these guys, I think, better people and to change their lives. I think you should tell him, ask Jimmy, tell him the story of the Boston mobster because this one, this story has, it really hits home as to exactly what effect he had on someone who was one of guys that you might have on your show. someday. This guy was a really bad guy. And he was up there with Whitey Bulger, et cetera, in Boston. So I think it’s worthwhile to tell the story. And it really hits home in terms of how effective Jimmy was after being effective on the street, locking up these guys, what he did with the prison. So if you have a bit of time, I think it’s worthwhile to hear the story. Yeah, let’s hear it. I always want to hear stories about mobsters, anyhow. Yep. Go ahead, Jim. We were up at the federal prison, and it was during the holiday season, right? And the volunteer chaplain was Father Paul Papara, and he was giving a talk on forgiveness. So we had all these wise guys. It was a mess. They had all different guys. This particular time, a couple of wise guys, they had their arms folded, and they said, Father, you want me to forgive the guy that ratted me out? [31:05] He’s home with his family, and I’m here doing X amount of years left on my bid. So I raised my hand. so I said listen if this guy is lying and put you in prison for no reason shame on him he should rot in hell but if he just exposed what you did anyway you know you did it if you did it the good lord see you live in a fishbowl the guy just exposed you for what you did that’s, You have no bitch here, pal. Jimmy, this guy Jimmy, he’s a different name than him. Jimmy stands up and he says, listen, I’ve been in jail. I’ve killed people. I don’t want to, I forgive anybody. I want forgiveness. I’ll forgive anybody. So that was it. Eventually, Jimmy, a couple years later, goes home. So he called me at my office a couple years later and he wanted me to write a letter of reference to work at the docks with Homeland Security. I said, I don’t know how to write it. Put down that I was a prisoner and just what you thought of me. No problem. So I met him in the prison, stuff like that, right? [32:03] About a year after that or so, I get a call from him again. He says, hey, Jimmy, you got time? Hey, Jimmy. I said, good. I got all the time in the world for you. He said, what’s up, pal? He said, I was on a train platform. He says, and I see this guy. Him and his associate tried to kill me. They had stabbed me 13 times. He said, I already took care of his friend. And I walked up to him like a face-to-face with him. Then he recognized me the guy turned white and urinated all over himself because he knows he’s there jimmy says to me i put my finger on his face and i told him you know that thing you’re worried about right get out of here i forgive you i get the fuck out of here now and he says to me jimmy it would have been easier for me to clip this guy and to forgive the guy but i forgave him, And I’m saying, Jimmy, I’m so proud of you, I can’t, just, and he, for him to call me to tell me how he responded to that situation, you know, which was completely out of character to the old guy, the old Jim. He was very proud of himself, and I was very proud of him. [33:09] So that’s the story Mike has told. It was the story, quite frankly, Gary. Didn’t he have one of the Westies in there with him? They were some particularly brutal crew in New York City. Yeah, yeah, he did. [33:25] We had a few of them up there. We had Jimmy Coonan, who started the Westies. Oh, okay. Jimmy was there, and I was friendly with Jimmy because I knew guys that he knew. The guys at Otisville Prison is a high medium. [33:38] Lewisburg is a max so when guys behave even a max they could come down to the media so when he came down he never came to the services and stuff we were talking all the way on the side but another fellow was a Westie a tough guy you know what I mean they would, drive through jewelry stores, 50 miles an hour go inside and rob everything but they would go in there before with their girlfriends looking good dressed nice they knew where this stuff was and they would take everything and he wound up getting locked up for almost like a Lufthansa type thing at the airport only they got caught so he was at my first weekend in the prison and we became very close friends and I tried to help him and he responded very positively, and he’s sitting in a circle there’s a cross, whoever has the cross has the microphone, nobody interrupts when you’re done, the next guy talks, he was talking and we finished, the Spanish kid so the Spanish kid is talking and he’s talking, so I told him what are you talking for Rich he can’t be talking like that the kid’s talking so he didn’t come for a few months then he comes back right and we’re sitting there talking and then he has a cross and he puts his head down. [34:54] And he starts talking and he says, you know, something happened to me. You can’t explain it. You had a Spanish kid in the next cell, right? It was a new guy. They robbed the sneakers and the kid had no sneakers. I know he’s got his head down. Now I’m thinking maybe he robbed the kid’s sneakers, right? He says, I gave him my sneakers because I had an extra pair. And as he’s telling the story, his head is down. The floor is gray, but getting darker, the teardrops. He’s telling the story he’s crying and then he says maybe I’m not all bad after all yeah I said how can you think of yourself like that he eventually goes home so, we my wife Norley and I get invited to his wedding which is a no-no but the guy was home so and the wedding is on Mulberry Street in Little Italy. [35:46] Yeah so we go down at the wedding and we’re like the oddball there but He could introduce us to enough people, you know, and if you see change in people, it’s wonderful. If on the street, if you go to these religious retreats, people go jumping out like a gazelle. But in prison, if an elephant jumps in it, it’s a miracle. Yeah. I mean, if you see somebody that thinks that they’re ugly, they’re not ugly inside. So I found it very rewarding. And. They, I didn’t think they’d respond to retired law enforcement, but they responded well. Yeah. Because I spoke their language. Yeah. So it lasted 25 years, Gary. Yeah. I’ve got a couple of guys here in Kansas city that it’s not a spiritual kind of a thing, but I’ve become friends with them. And one guy told me, he’s fine. He said, he said, I can talk to you and you understand what I’m talking about. He said, all the rest of the people in my life anymore, cause he’s out of the life. He said, they don’t understand what I’m talking about. He said, I don’t have to get back into life, but I can talk to you and you know, you know, the people I’m talking about, you know what I’m talking about. I said, yeah, I do. [36:56] So obviously in case it was pretty obvious that we were, when we started to hear all these stories, when he told, told Jerry and I the story of the, the mobster who was crying because given the sneaker, that’s where the books, the title of the book comes from, art guys cry. But there’s one other guy in there that you should ask him about. And that is we had this, I don’t even know what to call him. He was really an oddball guy, a criminal in New York. He was a rich guy who owned a lot of, he ran art galleries and collected art galleries and collected paintings and got into the art world and was advising rich people as to what art they were buying. And it turns out he was basically a sadist. And he had another guy with him who he and the other guy wound up, he didn’t get charged with this, his partner did, wound up killing somebody. And when they found the body buried laying in the woods in upstate New York, he had one of those. [38:02] Sadomasochistic masks on him, his black mask. And this individual was one of Jimmy’s guys and he was a hardcore, am I right, Jimmy, in terms of not wanting help at all. He was just the kind of guy who, you know, if you help them, it was going to be a miracle. And he did. He helped them and it’s a miracle. And it’s worthwhile to tell the story about this guy. His name was Andrew Crispo. He’s no longer alive. And he was all over the newspapers here in New York City because of the whole masochistic, the sadomasochist activity that he was involved in. And that the picture of the dead body with that black mask on was all over the newspapers. And this guy, we have his picture in the book. If you see him, it’s butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He looked like the nicest guy in the world. Businessman. Turns out he was really one of the worst guys in terms of how he treated people. And Jimmy finally got to him. It was, to me, one of the more miraculous transformations when I heard all of the stories was this one because of what he was on the outside and what he became after Jimmy had him and he got out. He did not repeat his life the way that he was before here. Chris Bowe was a tough guy, right, Jimmy, in terms of getting to him? [39:28] Andrew, Sky Andre brought him down to one of our groups. And he asked me if he could bring his friend down the shirt. Everybody’s welcome, of course. And you’ve been around tough guys your whole life. Everybody’s a tough guy. You’re a tough guy. Everybody’s a tough guy. This guy had no muscle tone. He was like ashing in color. He looked like a raccoon. He had like rings around his eyes. And he was like creepy, creepy. So he came. And then he came for about seven years all the time. You get to know him, right? And he got grabbed for that sero-masochistic murder, but they couldn’t prove it. He got locked up, attempted kidnapping, the three-year-old daughter of the federal trustee. That’s why he was in jail now federal jail but he if you make a long story short he, doesn’t know who his parents are right and i’m not bleeding on i’m just telling you the way it is, he was dropped off at an orphanage as an infant and i was there for sentencing and this is what the judge said mr crispo he said before i sentence you i’d like you to know that i researched your history as a newborn you were dropped off in an orphanage right you remain there for 18 years where you were repeatedly beaten up and raped and. [40:47] But after leaving there, you managed to raise yourself up to get on the top of the art world, even owning a world-renowned art gallery in New York City. He said, for that, he said, I give you credit. However, then he banged him for seven years on the other thing. But he came down, and he had nothing spiritually. And if you sit with him and you talk with him, he kind of listened. He came around. [41:13] Like I told Mike, there was another guy. colombian guy his wife used to bring his daughter to work all the time so he came into the group a little late and he’s crying and then i said what’s the matter he said he said i’m not gonna see my daughter for two weeks i said well the comment told me once there’s a price for loving the price for loving is the absence of love you have to experience the love to miss it mr andrew who was sitting on our group andrew could you tell him a little bit about yourself oh yeah he said see the visiting room that you were in with your wife and the child, I’ve never been in there, and I’ll never be in there. And they said, there’s nothing worse than being alone, than being alone and no one cares. [41:56] And he came, and the rings went from his eyes, and then he became involved in all this other stuff. And he actually became a kind guy. He got involved with the church and things like that. And then he eventually went home. I’ll tell you the money he had. You need the money for an appeal? He sold one painting for $2.46 million. Oh wow the attorney’s fee that’s just one thing he had money but he had nothing yeah he had nothing and then when he went home he used to correspond you know and he’d write beautiful things thanks for the prayers thanks for your wife how’s your dog it’s not the same guy but he wasn’t like like what he’s tattooed tough guys he was like creepy tough and at the end when he left my opinion He was not. So if you can help somebody, it’s nice to help somebody if you can. Yeah. That’s interesting. That’s a true shift in the personality and to give somebody some spiritual hope in their life that they can, from what you’re describing to what he was to what he left when he left. That’s amazing. Exactly. That’s an amazing story. [43:01] There it is. Cry, The Journey of a Tough Cop from the Mean Streets to a Prison Ministry, Jimmy Dennedy and Michael Vecchione. Jimmy and Michael, I appreciate you guys so much for coming on and telling these stories. And guys, there’s a lot more stories just like this and better in the book. I’ll have links to get it down in the show notes. [43:22] And guys, you got anything last words you want to say? Anything you left out? [43:28] Gary, listen, keep getting those pension checks. [43:33] Yes, I will. I told my wife, Nora, put my feet in potting soil. If my toenail grows, that’s a sign of life. Keep getting that check. Really? [43:44] Thanks so much, Jimmy. All right. I just want to thank you. You’ve been terrific. And I hope that, I really mean this when I say this, people who get this book and read it or listen to it or however they want to get it into their, their mind, they’re going to love it because this guy’s story is just fantastic. And we touched on a few things, but we didn’t really touch, we didn’t get into the real meat that that’s there. And it’s, it was a, again, a pleasure to do this. So I’ve got one guy, I got one guy I talked to that has prison stories. I tell you what guys, there are so many great stories that come out of the penitentiary. It’s just, it’s amazing. I think part of these people don’t have much else current to talk about, so they tell stories from their past, and you get some great stories coming out of the prisons. Thanks a lot, guys. Gary. Thank you. God bless my friend.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia. Today is Tuesday, March 17, 2026. #1 – From SERVICE WIRE - Service Wire career fair offers opportunities for job seekers Service Wire Company will host a career fair on March 24 at the Valley Park Conference Center in Hurricane. The event gives job seekers the opportunity to meet company representatives, learn about career pathways and apply for open positions in manufacturing and related industries. Reserve a spot: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/service-wire-career-fair-tickets-1983910280053  #2 – From ADVANTAGE VALLEY - Succession planning helps West Virginia businesses plan ahead Advantage Valley provides resources to help business owners develop succession plans that ensure long-term stability and success. Strategies such as ownership transitions, employee buyouts and generational transfers can help preserve jobs, maintain local ownership and keep companies operating in their communities. Read more: https://advantagevalley.com/succession-planning/  #3 – From WORLD ATLAS - Discover some of the quietest towns in West Virginia A recent travel feature highlights several peaceful communities across the Mountain State, including Shepherdstown, Davis, Green Bank and Lewisburg. Known for scenic landscapes, historic downtowns and small-town charm, these destinations offer travelers a slower pace and authentic Appalachian experiences. Read more: https://www.worldatlas.com/cities/9-of-the-quietest-west-virginia-towns-s67y26.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.

With Dylan Ripley & Todd Vincent – Managing Partners and Financial Planners, Cedarwood Financial Partners Overview Todd Vincent and Dylan Ripley join Mindy Diamond to share the reality of leaving Edward Jones, defending a two-year lawsuit, and still nearly doubling their business. A candid look at resilience, and what really happens when the firm pushes back. Listen in… > Download a transcript of this episode… NOTE: The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Diamond Consultants. Neither Diamond Consultants nor the guests on this podcast are compensated in any way for their participation. Watch… https://youtu.be/G5-oAHz5kWQ About this episode… For many advisors considering change, the concern about legal retaliation from their firm often lingers in the background. But what if you move and that fear comes to fruition? What will it do to your business? And what if – instead of derailing you – it ultimately becomes a catalyst for growth? Every transition comes with some risk and uncertainty—even when you dot every “i” and cross every “t.” And a non-Protocol move adds an extra layer of complexity. This episode's guests, Todd Vincent and Dylan Ripley, learned all that firsthand. Todd spent nearly 30 years at Edward Jones, and Dylan built his career there over more than a decade, eventually partnering with Todd in a multi-office practice overseeing close to $1B in assets. Over time, they realized they could do more for their clients – and grow the business faster – if they stepped outside the traditional firm model. In exploration, they liked the idea of having a support partner rather than building their own RIA and ultimately opted for Commonwealth Financial Network to launch Cedarwood Financial Partners. The transition itself went smoothly—that is, until they found themselves navigating a lawsuit from Edward Jones that lasted nearly two years. In one of our most candid episodes yet, Todd and Dylan walk through that experience with Mindy Diamond, sharing: The choice to leave Edward Jones—and what specifically motivated them to consider change. The initial transition—and when they learned they had “poked the bear.” The reality of defending a lawsuit—and how they worked through it. The value of messaging—and how partnering with a marketing firm was a gamechanger. Nearly doubling their assets under management, despite the lawsuit—and what key traits drove their success. It's an episode that answers the question on every advisor's mind, “What happens if the firm sues me?” and does so with candor and grace. Listen in to learn how resilience drives what comes next: how advisors can steady themselves, rebuild momentum, and grow on the other side of a challenge. Want to learn more about where, why, and how advisors like you are moving? Click to contact us or call 908-879-1002. Related Resources Top Tips for Setting Your Business Up for Success Years Before a MoveWhether you're just exploring what's out there or actively conducting due diligence, these insights will help you position your business and team for success, whenever the time is right. How to Avoid the Dreaded TRO: Legal Strategies for Advisors in TransitionAs TROs and lawsuits make headlines, two top attorneys who represented Merrill breakaways OpenArc, share how advisors can minimize risk, protect client relationships, and make a clean move with confidence. Dylan RipleyCEO / Financial Planner After serving his clients at Edward Jones for almost ten years, Dylan Ripley co-founded Cedarwood Financial Partners in 2022 following a tabletop discussion on how he and his partner could better serve their clients, scratching out their vision on a napkin. From that initial napkin chat, he began diligently working to make this vision a reality through extensive research and sweat equity. Dylan holds a Bachelor of Business Management from the Carlos Alvarez School of Business at The University of Texas–San Antonio. After joining Edward Jones, he earned the Accredited Asset Management Specialist certification through the College of Financial Planning. He has a passion to serve others and does so through his service to clients and his community involvement. He is a current member of the Rotary Club of Temple, serving on the board for two years. He's also a small group leader at his church and active in local Chamber of Commerce events. Most recently he was asked to serve on the advisory board for the Salvation Army of Bell County. Dylan and his wife, Cayleigh, have three children. When he's not serving his clients or community, he can be found experiencing the world with his family, chasing kiddos around a ball field, golfing, or attending any live concert he can.   Todd VincentChairman / Financial Planner Todd Vincent co-founded Cedarwood Financial Partners after serving his clients at Edward Jones for twenty-six years. Prior to Edward Jones, Todd served four years in the U.S. Army as a field artillery officer with the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas. Todd earned his Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry and Economics from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. He also holds a Master of Theology (ThM) from Dallas Theological Seminary. Todd and his wife, Stefanie, have three young adult children. As a family, they are active in their community and their church. They are an adventurous family who loves travel and outdoor activities. They reside on a 142–acre game ranch they share with others who desire rest, renewal, and recreation. Todd's favorite hobbies include camping, hunting, and riding his Harley-Davidson. Todd specializes in finding creative methods to produce retirement income and efficient wealth transfer strategies.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia. Today is Wednesday, January 28, 2026.   #1 – From WV SBDC - Businesses encouraged to learn social media tips to engage your customer base Online platforms offer many tools that any type of small business can utilize to learn more about their customers and their preferences. This information can be used to better serve your community and to create worthwhile outreach strategies in the future. The West Virginia Small Business Development Center suggests a few ways you can leverage social media to learn more about your online customer base. Read more: https://wvsbdc.com/social-media-tips-to-engage-your-customer-base/ #2 – From THE REAL WV - Winter Music Festival returns to Lewisburg The Lewisburg Winter Music Festival is set to return to downtown Lewisburg on Jan. 30–31, with more than 70 music acts performing across nine venues. Produced by the Southern Appalachia Musician's Association, the two-day festival blends live music with community support, with performances running nightly and proceeds directed toward nonprofit outreach and music education. Read more: https://therealwv.com/2026/01/20/lewisburg-winter-music-fest-returns-jan-30-31/?fbclid=IwdGRleAPc--dleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeoISMP4N85P7lFc4PbPlWxyUCIfdd4IBfV949z3gewpzyMFoCxAsaihFmqn4_aem_OU-VS7MZnDf_CDd6K0ITxg #3 – From AOL - North Fork Mountain Trail offers some of the most scenic views in WV One of West Virginia's most breathtaking overlooks comes with a steep climb over challenging terrain, but many hikers agree the view is worth it. In Pendleton County, North Fork Mountain Trail to Chimney Top is a 5-mile out-and-back hike that leads to a 360 degree view of the surrounding mountains--and the perfect opportunity to rest while you take in the scenery. Read more: https://www.aol.com/articles/dont-try-one-hike-west-192841589.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.  

In this episode of The Lauer Power Podcast, Chad sits down with Milla Cassidy — owner of Viva Travel in Lewisburg, fearless breast cancer survivor, and Captain of the Union County Breast Cancer Coalition.  Milla's journey is one of grit, hope, and relentless belief in living fully — even when life hands you the opposite. From building a thriving travel agency that sends others toward their dream destinations, to facing a breast cancer diagnosis that changed everything, Milla shares what truly matters: community, courage, impact, and refusing to let adversity write your story.  Listen as Milla opens up about: • The day she heard the words "you have cancer" • What fueled her fight and kept her moving forward • Turning pain into powerful advocacy • Leading Union County's breast cancer community with purpose • How travel reminds us to live boldly, even at home If you're looking for a conversation that reminds you what's possible when a human decides to stand up — this one will stay with you.    #breastcancer #cancer #adversity #motivation #travel #giveback #unioncounty #awareness #cancersucks #grit 

The famed hymn-writer lived in this house, 1869-75. Here, some of his best known hymns were written. His best-known hymns include "Shall We Gather at the River", "Christ Arose!", "How Can I Keep from Singing?" and "Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus".

The famed hymn-writer lived in this house, 1869-75. Here, some of his best known hymns were written. His best-known hymns include "Shall We Gather at the River", "Christ Arose!", "How Can I Keep from Singing?" and "Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus".

[SPONSORISÉ] Cette semaine, découvrez Crimes Paranormaux, une collaboration Minuit exclusive !

Cette semaine, découvrez Crimes Paranormaux, une collaboration Minuit exclusive !

[SPONSORISÉ] Cette semaine, découvrez Crimes Paranormaux, une collaboration Minuit exclusive !

[SPONSORISÉ] Cette semaine, découvrez Crimes Paranormaux, une collaboration Minuit exclusive !

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia. Today is Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025. #1 – From The Real WV – NRG Towns Launches Across the New River Gorge A new regional initiative called NRG Towns brings together 12 communities across four southern West Virginia counties to collaborate on branding, tourism, infrastructure, and identity projects in the New River Gorge region. The launch marks a strategic push for cohesion and shared opportunity. Read more: https://therealwv.com/2025/09/29/nrg-towns-launches-uniting-communities-across-the-new-river-gorge/ #2 – From Business Facilities – WV Moves “50 by 50” Energy Plan Into Motion West Virginia's “50 by 50” plan aims to increase the state's electrical generation capacity to 50 gigawatts by 2050—up from the roughly 15 GW currently produced. The policy includes generation, transmission, energy security, and long-term strategic development across coal, gas, nuclear, renewables, and microgrids. Read more: https://businessfacilities.com/west-virginia-sets-50-by-50-energy-plan-into-motion  #3 – From WV Explorer – Most Haunted Towns in West Virginia Looking for a chilling travel idea? WV Explorer lists the most haunted towns in West Virginia, with stories of ghostly encounters, historic haunts, and eerie legends in places like Lewisburg, Harpers Ferry, and Centralia—just in time for Halloween. But before you set off on your spooky road trip, head over to wvtourism.com to download your WV Paranormal Trail free mobile passport! Read more: https://wvexplorer.com/2025/09/28/most-haunted-towns-in-west-virginia/ 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 conversation, we're joined by Bucknell senior cornerback and Allstate AFCA Good Works Team honoree, Terian Williams II. After starting his career at Stanford, Terian transferred to Bucknell, where he quickly became a leader and was named team captain. Off the field, he founded the It Takes a Village Family Foundation, a nonprofit focused on empowering underserved youth and supporting families in need. From providing groceries and furniture during the holidays to supporting homeless fathers on Father's Day, Terian is making an impact in both Atlanta and Lewisburg. He's also a passionate advocate for student-athletes, recently serving as one of just seven athletes invited to the inaugural Athletes.org Leadership & Policy Summit. In this conversation, Terian shares his journey of leadership, service, and purpose—both on the field and in the community—and what it truly means to make a difference. Follow Bucknell Football: @bucknell_fb

Well, look what the Molerat dragged in. Folks in these parts call me Trader Red, and I heard tell that ya'll are newcomers to old Appalachia. Mind you, these hills aren't quite what they used to be…full of Super Mutants, Ghouls…things we call Scorched, and a cryptid or two might cross your path.But you're darn lucky to have little old me as your tour guide. See, I ain't from around these parts…I'm a backwoods Tennessee gal, through and through, but let's just say that Appalachia is my home away from home.Figure you guessed the whole Trader part, right? I'm the best at finding the things folks need…guns, ‘shine, and the odd doo-dad and thingamajig that might tickle your fancy. And finding those things means I go all over…from Morgantown to Lewisburg, and Berkeley Springs to Watoga, no one knows these hills like Trader Red.So, if you wanna see the sights, learn some history, and not get eaten at the same time, follow old Trader Red here as we wander through the Wasteland of post-war Appalachia, and maybe, just maybe, uncover some juicy tidbits and secrets along the way.

Can we follow Jesus alone? John Mark explores the essential—but often overlooked—role of community in spiritual formation. Drawing from the life of Jesus and the early church, he shows how transformation doesn't happen in isolation but in the messy, beautiful tension between the ideal of community and its imperfect reality. Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 4v18-22; Matthew 9v9-13; Acts 2v42-47; Romans 12v15; 1 John 4v20This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Margreet from Drachten, Netherlands; Will from Lewisburg, Ohio; Bruce from Memphis, Tennessee; Abby from Sandpoint, Indiana; and Rebecca from Friendswood, Texas. Thank you all so much!If you'd like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

Hold on to your hat—this one's WILD – you may want to consider the Butterfly Wrap.In our final episode from the 2nd Annual King Brothers Rodeo Reunion, Doug Simcox sits down with Brian “Short Round” Seebock, Tommy & Coby King, - a table full of road warriors with decades of dust, laughs, and legendary rodeo tales. From the NFR and PBR tours to tricking greenhorns into working free rodeos, you'll hear it all.You'll quickly see that Doug loses control of the interview and the ride is on!

In this special third episode from the 2nd Annual King Brothers Rodeo Reunion in Lewisburg, Ohio, Beyond the Chutes host Doug Simcox visits with three generations of rodeo grit, glory, and grit-your-teeth storytelling.First up is bull rider Keith Knoch, who shares his 15-year rodeo journey, from hauling six guys in a truck to his standout year in 1983, to helmet-wearing long before it was the norm. Keith opens up about the head games of the finals, riding bulls coast to coast, and a barroom mechanical bull mishap that nearly sidelined his season.Then, fifth-generation rodeo stock contractor cowboy Coy Smith joins us to talk about carrying the King Brothers Rodeo legacy forward. From dressing up as Little Willie to producing full-scale rodeos while still riding bulls, Coy shares what it means to honor the past while leading into the future.Finally, Adam Tinch tells his story of rodeo dreams, Nebraska ranch work, and 1970s rodeo life with the King Brothers—complete with steel panels, cowboy crews, and wisdom forged from bucking stock and backroads.This episode is a time capsule and a tribute to the unshakable cowboy spirit.Kickback Ranch and Resort: https://kickbackranch.net/Wandering Gypsy RV Life: https://open.spotify.com/show/746s6L4oLDcSdQPR3AcU1F?si=e729c69f873f4b2cRodeo Roots Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6NP4RyUN0m5KWXpAq2HmGp?si=1bde1f2037d048ffKing Brothers Rodeo Reunion: https://www.facebook.com/KingBrosRodeoWestern Festival de St Tite: https://www.festivalwestern.com/Mountain Cove Rodeo Reunion: https://www.facebook.com/groups/729424520834071Here are some resources for Beyond the Chutes:Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093822821241Official Website:https://beyondthechutes.show/Spotify: https://shorturl.at/bvK35Apple Podcasts: https://shorturl.at/jnGV4YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/bdcju8nzParaSight SystemsCoupon: BTC023 for 50% off Mail In Test Kitshttps://www.parasightsystem.com/The IRA Projecthttps://www.facebook.com/groups/681292165259783#BeyondTheChutes #KingBrothersRodeo #CowboyWay #BullRiderLife #RodeoHistory #LonghornRodeo #WesternLife #RodeoPodcast #KeithKnoch #CoySmith #AdamTinch #CowboyLegacy #RodeoReunion #IFRStories #inourroots

Ep 198 - New Taxes and another gas station battle on deck for this week! If you like what your listening too, please subscribe and if don't mind, leave a positive review on your podcast app! We do not own the rights to any music used but sure enjoy the great sounds! Social Media : X @utwpod FB @utwpodcast email: underthewatertowerinfo@gmail.com Sponsors that make show happen: Brian Couch of Team Couch of Burch Realty - Cell 901-461-7653 Alley Ejlali Alfa Insurance - Office number 662-893-0928, Cell 1-843-324-0930  Skinner Tech Group - 662-399-2400  Rodman Properties- Ibuydesoto.com

Send us a textFor some students, college is just a short drive away. For others, it means crossing time zones, states or even coasts.In this episode of College Admissions Insider, we're diving into what it's really like to attend a college far from home. From culture shock to homesickness to learning how to fly solo (literally and figuratively), we're sharing stories and insights that can help you decide just how far you're willing — or excited — to go.Our guests are Bucknell students Clara Carroll, a senior from Sacramento, Calif., and Terian Williams, a sociology major originally from Atlanta, Ga. Both have first-hand experience navigating college life far from home, and they're here to talk travel, campus life, friendships and how going the distance helped them grow.

Step into the heart of rodeo history with this second episode from the 2nd Annual King Brothers Rodeo Reunion in Lewisburg, Ohio. Host Doug Simcox brings you personal, funny, and powerful conversations with the cowboys, cowgirls, secretaries, stock contractors, and trick riders who helped shape rodeo in the Midwest.Meet Debbie Tatkowski—married her husband Jim on horseback in front of a live rodeo crowd—and longtime rodeo hands like Roy Troutman, who takes us from his days riding hunters and jumpers to bareback broncs, and on to farrier work with world-class horses. Hear from rodeo secretary Laura of Lewisburg and legendary 3 Bar J Rodeo stock contractor Marcia Johnson.These are the stories of friendships forged in the arena, late-night drives home, lifelong love affairs with horses, and unforgettable reunions. Whether you rode bulls, carried flags, judged rough stock, or timed a barrel run—you'll find a piece of yourself in this episode.Presented by Parasite Systems, revolutionizing veterinary diagnostics with the power of sight. Learn more at parasightsystem.com.Kickback Ranch and Resort: https://kickbackranch.net/Wandering Gypsy RV Life: https://open.spotify.com/show/746s6L4oLDcSdQPR3AcU1F?si=e729c69f873f4b2cRodeo Roots Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6NP4RyUN0m5KWXpAq2HmGp?si=1bde1f2037d048ffKing Brothers Rodeo Reunion: https://www.facebook.com/KingBrosRodeoWestern Festival de St Tite: https://www.festivalwestern.com/Mountain Cove Rodeo Reunion: https://www.facebook.com/groups/729424520834071Here are some resources for Beyond the Chutes:Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093822821241Official Website:https://beyondthechutes.show/Spotify: https://shorturl.at/bvK35Apple Podcasts: https://shorturl.at/jnGV4YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/bdcju8nzParaSight SystemsCoupon: BTC023 for 50% off Mail In Test Kitshttps://www.parasightsystem.com/The IRA Projecthttps://www.facebook.com/groups/681292165259783#BeyondTheChutes #KingBrothersRodeo #RodeoReunion #RodeoHistory #WesternCulture #BarebackRider #BarrelRacer #TrickRider #StockContractor #IPRA #MidStatesRodeo #WomenInRodeo #RodeoCouples #RodeoLife #VeterinaryTech #ParasiteSystems #RodeoPodcast #HorseStories #AmericanCowboy #RodeoFamily #inourroots

Send us a textFor some students, their dream school might be right down the road. While for others, it's a road trip, train or plane ride away.On today's episode of College Admissions Insider, we'll talk about attending school far from home, what that means for your college search, and more importantly, your college experience.Our guest is with my colleague Cameron Walsh, a regional associate director of admissions at Bucknell. Read a transcript for this episodeIf you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, email podcast@bucknell.edu.Please note: Information presented in this episode was accurate at the time of recording, but may have since changed. Participants may have changed roles or no longer hold positions at Bucknell University.Links:Get to know Lewisburg, Pa.Info about applying to BucknellApplication dates and deadlinesPlan a visit to Bucknell@iamraybucknell, our student-run InstagramBuild a Bucknell Custom ViewbookLatest news for prospective studentsBucknell Virtual Welcome CenterWhen you visit campus for a preview session and guided tour, chat with our student ambassadors, or experience an interactive virtual tour of campus, you'll have a front-row seat as you explore this place we call home.This combination of in-person and virtual visit offerings means you can learn more about Bucknell in the way that fits you and your family best.We hope to see you soon — either on campus or online.

In this episode of Beyond the Chutes, host Doug Simcox sits down with Rick Bevington—roughstock cowboy turned respected pro rodeo judge—at the 2nd Annual King Brothers Rodeo Reunion in Lewisburg, Ohio.Rick shares his unforgettable journey from riding bareback horses, saddle broncs, and bulls across the Midwest in the late '70s to becoming a seasoned rodeo official with over 40 years of judging experience. You'll hear firsthand stories of riding three events, sleeping in the back of a pickup truck with 12 guys, hauling to Bass Lake and Cowtown, and how the rodeo game has evolved—from scoring systems and gear changes to today's rule shifts in the IPRA.Presented by: Parasite Systems – veterinary diagnostics that save time, money, and pets.Kickback Ranch and Resort: https://kickbackranch.net/Wandering Gypsy RV Life: https://open.spotify.com/show/746s6L4oLDcSdQPR3AcU1F?si=e729c69f873f4b2cRodeo Roots Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6NP4RyUN0m5KWXpAq2HmGp?si=1bde1f2037d048ffKing Brothers Rodeo Reunion: https://www.facebook.com/KingBrosRodeoWestern Festival de St Tite: https://www.festivalwestern.com/Mountain Cove Rodeo Reunion: https://www.facebook.com/groups/729424520834071Here are some resources for Beyond the Chutes:Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093822821241Official Website:https://beyondthechutes.show/Spotify: https://shorturl.at/bvK35Apple Podcasts: https://shorturl.at/jnGV4YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/bdcju8nzParaSight SystemsCoupon: BTC023 for 50% off Mail In Test Kitshttps://www.parasightsystem.com/The IRA Projecthttps://www.facebook.com/groups/681292165259783#RodeoLife #ProRodeo #BarebackRiding #SaddleBronc #BullRiding #TimedEvents #RodeoCowbo #RodeoJudge #WesternLifestyle #RodeoHistory #KingBrothersRodeo #BeyondTheChutes #BTCPodcast #RodeoReunion #MidwestRodeo #RoughstockRider #IPRARodeo #WesternHeritage #CowboyUp #BehindTheChutes #WesternPodcast #RodeoStories #LegendsofRodeo #OnTheRodeoRoad #InOurRoots

April 15, 2005. Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. After taking the day off work and leaving on a road trip, 59-year old Centre County District Attorney Ray Gricar fails to return home and is reported missing. The following day, Ray's abandoned car is discovered 60 miles away in the town of Lewisburg, parked across the street from an antiques mall. Over the course of the next several months, Ray's county-issued work laptop and its hard drive are discovered in the nearby Susquehanna River, but the hard drive is too damaged to recover any data. A number of different theories are pushed forward, which include Ray disappeared voluntarily, completing suicide by jumping into the river, or becoming the victim of foul play, possibly in connection to the infamous Penn State child sex abuse scandal. However, there is no conclusive evidence pointing to any of these theories and Ray Gricar is never found.  If you have any information about this case, please contact the Pennsylvania State Police at (814) 355-7545. Support the show: Patreon.com/thetrailwentcoldPatreon.com/julesandashley Additional Reading:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Gricar https://charleyproject.org/case/ray-frank-gricar http://old.post-gazette.com/pg/05109/490420-85.stm https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/04/the-hunt-for-ray-gricar-15-years-of-clues-theories-and-the-search-for-answers.html“The Serial Killer's Apprentice: And 12 Other Stories of Cleveland's Most Intriguing Unsolved Crimes” by Ray Gricarhttp://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/07/utah_detainee_isnt_gricar_but.htmlhttps://www.cnn.com/2015/04/15/us/ray-gricar-missing-prosecutor/index.htmlhttps://www.pennlive.com/midstate/2015/04/ten_years_later_ray_gricars_di.htmlhttps://www.centredaily.com/news/local/education/penn-state/jerry-sandusky/article42806712.htmlhttps://www.centredaily.com/news/article42828846.htmlhttps://www.wearecentralpa.com/news/podcast-gives-new-insight-on-district-attorney-ray-gricars-disappearance-16-years-later/https://www.northcentralpa.com/news/crime/no-answers-16-years-later-in-disappearance-of-centre-county-da-psp-says-case-still/article_8e33cc04-72d1-11eb-ab98-f30bcdaa197b.html

April 15, 2005. Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. After taking the day off work and leaving on a road trip, 59-year old Centre County District Attorney Ray Gricar fails to return home and is reported missing. The following day, Ray's abandoned car is discovered 60 miles away in the town of Lewisburg, parked across the street from an antiques mall. Over the course of the next several months, Ray's county-issued work laptop and its hard drive are discovered in the nearby Susquehanna River, but the hard drive is too damaged to recover any data. A number of different theories are pushed forward, which include Ray disappeared voluntarily, completing suicide by jumping into the river, or becoming the victim of foul play, possibly in connection to the infamous Penn State child sex abuse scandal. However, there is no conclusive evidence pointing to any of these theories and Ray Gricar is never found.  If you have any information about this case, please contact the Pennsylvania State Police at (814) 355-7545. Support the show: Patreon.com/thetrailwentcoldPatreon.com/julesandashley Additional Reading:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Gricar https://charleyproject.org/case/ray-frank-gricar http://old.post-gazette.com/pg/05109/490420-85.stm https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/04/the-hunt-for-ray-gricar-15-years-of-clues-theories-and-the-search-for-answers.html“The Serial Killer's Apprentice: And 12 Other Stories of Cleveland's Most Intriguing Unsolved Crimes” by Ray Gricarhttp://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/07/utah_detainee_isnt_gricar_but.htmlhttps://www.cnn.com/2015/04/15/us/ray-gricar-missing-prosecutor/index.htmlhttps://www.pennlive.com/midstate/2015/04/ten_years_later_ray_gricars_di.htmlhttps://www.centredaily.com/news/local/education/penn-state/jerry-sandusky/article42806712.htmlhttps://www.centredaily.com/news/article42828846.htmlhttps://www.wearecentralpa.com/news/podcast-gives-new-insight-on-district-attorney-ray-gricars-disappearance-16-years-later/https://www.northcentralpa.com/news/crime/no-answers-16-years-later-in-disappearance-of-centre-county-da-psp-says-case-still/article_8e33cc04-72d1-11eb-ab98-f30bcdaa197b.html

April 15, 2005. Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. After taking the day off work and leaving on a road trip, 59-year old Centre County District Attorney Ray Gricar fails to return home and is reported missing. The following day, Ray's abandoned car is discovered 60 miles away in the town of Lewisburg, parked across the street from an antiques mall. Over the course of the next several months, Ray's county-issued work laptop and its hard drive are discovered in the nearby Susquehanna River, but the hard drive is too damaged to recover any data. A number of different theories are pushed forward, which include Ray disappeared voluntarily, completing suicide by jumping into the river, or becoming the victim of foul play, possibly in connection to the infamous Penn State child sex abuse scandal. However, there is no conclusive evidence pointing to any of these theories and Ray Gricar is never found.  If you have any information about this case, please contact the Pennsylvania State Police at (814) 355-7545. Support the show: Patreon.com/thetrailwentcoldPatreon.com/julesandashley Additional Reading:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Gricar https://charleyproject.org/case/ray-frank-gricar http://old.post-gazette.com/pg/05109/490420-85.stm https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/04/the-hunt-for-ray-gricar-15-years-of-clues-theories-and-the-search-for-answers.html“The Serial Killer's Apprentice: And 12 Other Stories of Cleveland's Most Intriguing Unsolved Crimes” by Ray Gricarhttp://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/07/utah_detainee_isnt_gricar_but.htmlhttps://www.cnn.com/2015/04/15/us/ray-gricar-missing-prosecutor/index.htmlhttps://www.pennlive.com/midstate/2015/04/ten_years_later_ray_gricars_di.htmlhttps://www.centredaily.com/news/local/education/penn-state/jerry-sandusky/article42806712.htmlhttps://www.centredaily.com/news/article42828846.htmlhttps://www.wearecentralpa.com/news/podcast-gives-new-insight-on-district-attorney-ray-gricars-disappearance-16-years-later/https://www.northcentralpa.com/news/crime/no-answers-16-years-later-in-disappearance-of-centre-county-da-psp-says-case-still/article_8e33cc04-72d1-11eb-ab98-f30bcdaa197b.html

HOST: Miranda Reiman  GUESTS: Kurt Kangas and Reese Tuckwiller Angus optimism is running high across the country, as strong feeder calf prices fuel record demand for bulls. In this episode, American Angus Association regional managers Kurt Kangas and Reese Tuckwiller share numbers from their sale season and sentiments of breeders in different parts of the United States. They cover everything from useful investments during this economic period to customer service and marketing that will keep programs relevant.Kurt Kangas works with Angus breeders in Montana, Wyoming and Alaska. He came to the Association in 2012 as regional manager for Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah before transitioning to his current position for Region 10.Kangas grew up in the San Joaquin Valley of California. He earned a degree in range sciences from Montana State University before doing range management consulting for ranches in southwestern Montana.  He then transitioned to working for Basin Angus Ranch in Hobson, Mont., for 10 years and played a role in their marketing, artificial insemination (AI) and calving. Reese Tuckwiller has served Angus breeders in the Northeast region as regional manager since 2019.Tuckwiller grew up on a registered Angus seedstock farm near Lewisburg, W.Va., and is a ninth-generation cattleman. He showed Angus cattle and served on the National Junior Angus Board as vice chairman. He graduated from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln with a bachelor of science in production management and had several herdsman and animal science internships before graduation.He previously worked for Western Sire Service as production manager and was the West Virginia University livestock judging coach. Full list of American Angus Association regional managersDon't miss news in the Angus breed. Visit www.AngusJournal.net and subscribe to the AJ Daily e-newsletter and our monthly magazine, the Angus Journal.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Sunday, May 11, 2025  Get onboard the solo travel trend with a getaway to the mountains of Almost Heaven…bring the kids out for a fun day of nature discovery at the Claudia L. Workman Wildlife Education Center…and tour working farms on the new Ripley Area Agritourism Trail…on today's daily304.   #1 – From WV TOURISM – West Virginia's beautiful mountain towns provide the perfect getaway for those traveling solo. The scenic landscapes with few distractions makes it effortless to escape the stress of everyday life and experience peace and relaxation.  From the quaint mountain town of Wardensville to historic Lewisburg to eclectic Fayetteville, West Virginia's towns offer plenty to see and do for solo travelers. Spend time alone in Almost Heaven and add to the nearly 11 million Instagram posts using #solotravel.  Read more: wvtourism-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/wvtourism.com/solo-summer-travel/amp/   #2 – From WVDNR – Looking for a fun, free and educational family trip or field trip this spring or summer? Just outside Charleston, the Claudia L. Workman Wildlife Education Center offers the perfect blend of hands-on learning, outdoor exploration and wildlife discovery.  Whether you're a teacher planning a group outing or a parent looking to spend quality time in nature, this hidden gem makes it easy to enjoy a day of fun and learning in the heart of West Virginia.  View interactive exhibits and dioramas, a working honeybee hive and a 1,500 gallon aquarium filled with native species. Explore more than 3 miles of hiking trails on the grounds showcasing the flora and fauna of the Forks of Coal Wildlife Management Area.  Make plans to bring the kids out for a fun day of discovery! Read more: https://wvdnr.gov/claudia-workman-center-2025/   #3 – From WV NEWS – The Ripley Convention and Visitors Bureau has initiated a unique opportunity to celebrate the importance of farming to the heritage, life and economy of Jackson County. CVB Director Brenda Mobley has coordinated a Ripley Area Agritourism Trail that will offer locals and visitors the opportunity to have a fun, engaging, and unique experience discovering many of the working farms in the county. Eight farms will take part in this inaugural trail event: Blooming Blessing Greenhouses/Nursery, Locust Ridge Farm Mums, Sweet Violet Farm, Kelly's Fresh Produce & More, Four Seasons Farm, Springhill Nursery, Given Flower Co., and Pauley Homestead. The Ripley Community Market and the Greene Center Farmer's Market are two other sites on the passport. The trail opportunity will last from May through October to take advantage of the various growing seasons. To participate, obtain a passport from the Ripley CVB at 107 ½ West Main Street, Ripley, from any of the eight locations or by visiting www.ripleycvb.com.  Read more: https://www.wvnews.com/jacksonnews/ripley-area-agritourism-trail-kicks-off-may-2/article_c2d4b7b6-56eb-4036-b8cb-bbbf08cf4a11.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.

On April 15, 2005, District Attorney Ray Gricar took the day off, got in his car, and set out on a quiet road trip—just a short drive to clear his head. But he never came home. His car was later found abandoned, his wallet and phone missing, and his laptop destroyed and dumped in a river. And then... nothing. In this episode, we explore the mysterious disappearance of Ray Gricar—a seasoned prosecutor who had spent decades putting criminals behind bars. Did he walk away from his life? Was he targeted? Or did he uncover something so dangerous it made him disappear? Listen as we dive into Pennsylvania, the case of Ray Gricar, and how to stay alive on vacation. We're on YouTube with full video: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLastTripPodcast Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thelasttripcrimepod/ And join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheLastTripPodcast Listen to this week's podcast recommendation, Tragedy With A View https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tragedy-with-a-view/id1689392628   Theme Music by Roger Allen Dexter Sources: https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=in4xAAAAIBAJ&pg=5789,304024&dq=ray+gricar https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jH4xAAAAIBAJ&pg=3826,3070043&dq=ray+gricar+car https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/missing-da-is-it-foul-play-or-did-he-commit-suicide/ https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/missing-da-is-it-foul-play-or-did-he-commit-suicide/ https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=iZYNAAAAIBAJ&pg=5334,210533&dq=ray+gricar+laptop https://web.archive.org/web/20110709151400/http://www.centredaily.com/2011/07/06/2818532/family-seeks-closure.html https://www.pennlive.com/midstate/2015/04/ten_years_later_ray_gricars_di.html https://www.pennlive.com/midstate/2015/04/ten_years_later_ray_gricars_di.html

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Saturday, April 26, 2025  In Renick, The Mountain Table is more than a restaurant--it's a gathering spot where cultures convene…from scenic train rides to zipline aerial adventures, kid-friendly vacations abound in Almost Heaven…and WVU Health Systems announces a major investment in seven WVU Medicine hospitals across the state…on today's daily304.   #1 – From TASTE WV –  Tuesday nights are magical in the small community of Renick in northern Greenbrier County. It is then that friends and neighbors gather at The Mountain Table to eat food inspired by different cultures, drink locally crafted beers, wine and spirits, and perhaps play a game or enjoy live music. The Mountain Table is the brainchild of Alexander Durand and his partner Nadine Sonneville. What began solely as a coffee roastery has evolved into an oasis in the food desert between Lewisburg and Hillsboro that features not only the Tuesday dinners, but also breakfast three mornings a week. Looking ahead, Durand says they want to further increase coffee sales. That business increased 50 percent from 2023 to 2024 and they now feel ready to expand to a larger grocery store chain or all Food Lions.  “We would like to be open more days and maybe add wood fired pizzas or subs,” he says.  Read more: https://tastewv.com/cultures-convene-at-the-mountain-table/   #2 – From WV TOURISM – Planning a family getaway in West Virginia is simple, thanks to its breadth of unique adventures and local experts. With many destinations within a day's drive for over two-thirds of the US population, a road trip to Almost Heaven won't drive the kids crazy in the backseat. Whether your family is looking for a self-paced relaxation or a fun-filled tour, you'll be eager to try all these getaway ideas in West Virginia, from scenic train rides to adventure lakes, zipline aerial tours and more. Head over to wvtourism.com to start planning your Almost Heaven family getaway today! Read more: https://wvtourism.com/kid-friendly-adventures-the-best-family-getaways-in-west-virginia/   #3 – From WV NEWS – WVU Health Systems has announced plans to invest more than $460 million in projects at seven WVU Medicine hospitals in five counties across the state. While the projects are all subject to regulatory approval, WVU Health Systems President and CEO Dr. Albert Wright said the health systems' board of directors approved them all during a recent meeting. WVU Health Systems will be splitting the investment across a number of projects throughout the state in areas including pediatrics, surgery and cancer treatment. Between these projects and a $400 million investment made by WVU Health Systems in 2024, the network has committed nearly $1 billion to improving its West Virginia hospitals. Read more: https://www.wvnews.com/news/wvnews/commitment-to-our-mission-wvu-health-systems-announces-more-than-460-million-in-capital-projects/article_933be0bd-a61b-42e7-b291-62508e0e2728.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 Friday, April 11, 2025. Check out some of West Virginia's unique festivals devoted to comics, gaming, cryptids and more…plan a visit to Wheeling and discover a city filled with history, culture and recreational offerings…and be a part of the movement to drive progress and opportunity across the state: register now for Generation WV's Pathways to Progress conference…on today's daily304. #1 – From WV NEWS – West Virginia may be known for its scenic beauty and Appalachian culture, but it also hosts a thriving community of fans devoted to anime, comics, tabletop gaming, sci-fi, fantasy and cryptid lore. Throughout the year, the Mountain State comes alive with conventions, festivals, and gatherings that celebrate geek and nerd culture in all its forms. Mark your calendar for Causeacon on April 25-27. Beckley's first-ever pop culture convention includes all fandoms from anime to Star Wars, gaming and more. It's also a fundraiser for a good cause.  Additional events coming up this summer and fall include the West Virginia Renaissance Festival in Lewisburg, Pop Culture Con in Morgantown, the Mothman Festival in Point Pleasant, and more. Read more: https://www.wvnews.com/news/wvnews/cosplay-comics-and-conventions-west-virginia-s-nerdy-niche-explored/article_aee3a86b-5953-4d34-b8ea-17496febf7ca.html   #2 – From SOUTHERN LIVING – Lying on the border between West Virginia and Ohio in the state's northern panhandle is the charming town of Wheeling, West Virginia. Founded in 1769, Wheeling's prime location on the Ohio River made it a popular frontier town.  Today there's plenty to do in the city that once served as West Virginia's first capital. Take in a show at the historic Capitol Theatre, catch the Wheeling Nailers hockey team in action, visit the restaurants boutique shops at Centre Market and walk or bike Wheeling Heritage Trail. It's also home to Oglebay Resort, Wheeling Park and more. Visit wvtourism.com to learn more about this historic city and start planning your itinerary. Read more: https://www.southernliving.com/wheeling-wv-11700813   #3 – From GENERATION WV – Be part of the conversation shaping the future of West Virginia's workforce!  Generation WV's Pathways to Progress is an exciting, full-day conference designed to empower individuals, businesses, and organizations with the tools, knowledge, and connections to drive progress and opportunity across our state.  The event takes place May 8 at the Charleston Marriott Town Center. Join young professionals, employers, educators, and community leaders to explore strategies for workforce innovation, talent retention, and building a brighter future for West Virginia.  Register now! Read more: https://generationwv.networkforgood.com/events/80722-generation-wv-presents-pathways-to-progress-charting-a-course-for-wv-s-future-workforce   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.  

Seneca Valley is making history with every snap, pass and touchdown. In today's episode, we're talking about one of SV's newer sports, girls flag football. From its student-driven origins to its rapid success, this program is making a big impact on and off the field. Listen as we discuss how the team was formed, the excitement of the first season, how to get involved and more! IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL REVIEWAn overview of Seneca Valley's Girls Flag Football Team Growth of the sportHow SV's Girls Flag Football is impacting female athletesCoach Eden receives Good Neighbor Award from NexTier BankHow to learn more about Seneca Valley's Girls Flag Football Teamhttps://athletics.svsd.net/girls-sports/flag-football/overviewSPECIAL GUESTSMs. Heather Lewis, Athletics & Activities Director and Mr. Chris Eden, Health and Physical Education teacher at Ryan Gloyer Middle School and head coach of the Seneca Valley Girls Flag Football Team.Ms. Lewis, entering her 14th year as the District's Athletic & Activities Director, has previous experience as the chief operating officer for USA Field Hockey, a U.S. Olympic & Paralympic National Governing Body. As part of this role, she hosted major events for the International Federation of Hockey, supported the women's and men's national teams in international competition, and assisted in the reorganization of the Association's executive leadership structure. She also has previous experience as the head field hockey coach, head women's lacrosse coach, associate athletic director and assistant athletic director for Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa. Additional experiences include time spent as an official for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and president of the National Field Hockey Coaches Association.A former athlete herself, Ms. Lewis was a regional All-American and All-ACC and captain of the field hockey team, and regional All-American and NCAA champion for women's lacrosse, all while at the University of Maryland, College Park. Ms. Lewis has a bachelor's of science in zoology and a master's in kinesiology from the University of Maryland.Mr. Eden is in his 10th year of education and 5th year at Seneca Valley, where he teaches Health and Physical Education at Ryan Gloyer Middle School. He is passionate about helping others, promoting wellness through movement, and fostering health literacy among his students. Additionally, Chris enjoys exploring the many benefits of integrating technology into the classroom. Outside of teaching, he is passionate about the outdoors, working out and coaching football.

True Crime Tuesday presents: Chained Birds: Justice, Survival, & The Fight For Redemption Behind Bars w/ Author, Carla Conti! After three years in Europe, former journalist Carla Conti* wanted to settle her family in the suburbs of Philadelphia. But her high school friend Scott Powell, a lawyer handling a brutal prison stabbing case, needed a favor. Before she knew it, Carla became part of the defense team and was mired in the terrifying world of federal prison gangs, penal abuse, and corruption. Then, when she agreed to write a tell-all book on the violent machinations behind the court case — with Scott's client as an inside source — the stakes turned deadly. Two different prison gangs issued “hit orders” against the prisoner she and Scott consider a friend, and the former journalist and defense attorney were imperiled by association. CHAINED BIRDS is a true crime memoir of Carla's 10-year journey to advocate for federal inmate Kevin Sanders and help him re-enter society after prison. But the mission came at a cost as Carla struggled to balance her safety, along with Scott's and Kevin's, while writing the exposé on the horrific conditions that led to the shutdown of an experimental prison program in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. On today's TCT, Carla tells us all about the struggles Kevin went through inside the federal prison system, why he had trouble coping on the outside, The parallels between Kevin's deterioration and the deterioration of her life and the lives of the people around her, and much more! Get your copy of "Chained Birds...;" here: https://wildbluepress.com/chained-birds-carla-conti-true-crime/ PLUS: DUMB  CRIMES AND STUPID CRIMINALS WITH JESSICA FREEBURG! Check out the video of the Peruvian policeman making drug busts in a capybara costume during Valentine's Day:  https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cjr8wexly4xo?utm_source=fark&utm_medium=website&utm_content=link&ICID=ref_fark Check out Jessica Freeburg's website and order her new books:  https://jessicafreeburg.com/books/ and check out Jess on Tik Tok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@jessicafreeburgwrites There are new and different (and really cool) items all the time in the Darkness Radio Online store at our website! . check out the Darkness Radio Store!   https://www.darknessradioshow.com/store/ #crime #truecrime #truecrimepodcasts #truecrimetuesday #carlaconti #chainedbirds  #wildbluepress #scottpowell #jackgbear #steventremblay #kevinsanders #montanistas #aryanbrotherhood #lewisburgpenitentiary #pennsylvania #prisongangs#prisonreform #shank #kite #murder #rape #stabbing #truecrimebooks #thehole #behindbars #california #dumbcrimesstupidcriminals #TimDennis #jessicafreeburg #paranormalauthor #floridaman #drugcrimes #foodcrimes #stupidcrimes #funnycrimes #sexcrimes #dumbcrimes

True Crime Tuesday presents: Chained Birds: Justice, Survival, & The Fight For Redemption Behind Bars w/ Author, Carla Conti! After three years in Europe, former journalist Carla Conti* wanted to settle her family in the suburbs of Philadelphia. But her high school friend Scott Powell, a lawyer handling a brutal prison stabbing case, needed a favor. Before she knew it, Carla became part of the defense team and was mired in the terrifying world of federal prison gangs, penal abuse, and corruption. Then, when she agreed to write a tell-all book on the violent machinations behind the court case — with Scott's client as an inside source — the stakes turned deadly. Two different prison gangs issued “hit orders” against the prisoner she and Scott consider a friend, and the former journalist and defense attorney were imperiled by association. CHAINED BIRDS is a true crime memoir of Carla's 10-year journey to advocate for federal inmate Kevin Sanders and help him re-enter society after prison. But the mission came at a cost as Carla struggled to balance her safety, along with Scott's and Kevin's, while writing the exposé on the horrific conditions that led to the shutdown of an experimental prison program in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. On today's TCT, Carla tells us all about the struggles Kevin went through inside the federal prison system, why he had trouble coping on the outside, The parallels between Kevin's deterioration and the deterioration of her life and the lives of the people around her, and much more! Get your copy of "Chained Birds...;" here: https://wildbluepress.com/chained-birds-carla-conti-true-crime/ PLUS: DUMB  CRIMES AND STUPID CRIMINALS WITH JESSICA FREEBURG! Check out the video of the Peruvian policeman making drug busts in a capybara costume during Valentine's Day:  https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cjr8wexly4xo?utm_source=fark&utm_medium=website&utm_content=link&ICID=ref_fark Check out Jessica Freeburg's website and order her new books:  https://jessicafreeburg.com/books/ and check out Jess on Tik Tok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@jessicafreeburgwrites There are new and different (and really cool) items all the time in the Darkness Radio Online store at our website! . check out the Darkness Radio Store!   https://www.darknessradioshow.com/store/ #crime #truecrime #truecrimepodcasts #truecrimetuesday #carlaconti #chainedbirds  #wildbluepress #scottpowell #jackgbear #steventremblay #kevinsanders #montanistas #aryanbrotherhood #lewisburgpenitentiary #pennsylvania #prisongangs#prisonreform #shank #kite #murder #rape #stabbing #truecrimebooks #thehole #behindbars #california #dumbcrimesstupidcriminals #TimDennis #jessicafreeburg #paranormalauthor #floridaman #drugcrimes #foodcrimes #stupidcrimes #funnycrimes #sexcrimes #dumbcrimes

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, so here we are with a candymaker interview!  Have you ever driven past the small Purity Candy building on Rt. 15, between Lewisburg and Williamsport? I have, but I finally stopped, and learned that the candy is terrific. I got an interview with owner/candymaker John Burfeindt. He spills the beans on Purity's history, tells us about Arlene, the woman who worked at Purity for over 70 years, and talks about making black walnut brittle by hand. Literally by hand, with heavy rubber gloves on, because that stuff's hot!  Then we talk about a central PA staple, the five pound box of frozen haddock. Fry it, bake it, it's meant 'seafood' to generations of locals. I bought my first block and cooked a mighty pot of fish chowder for my in-laws, and I'll tell you about that (and about the Burns Day feast we had, drinking Scotch and reciting poetry; Cathy did a bold rendition of To A Louse.) What else? I had a beer from Lewisburg's Jackass Brewing that may have changed my mind about the place, and we take a trip on the Central PA Tasting Trail.  Next episode? Hell, I don't know. Got a lot of irons in the fire. See you in two weeks! Until then? TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT THE PODCAST! Seen Through A Glass is sponsored by the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. Come visit Centre County!   This episode uses these sounds under the following license: Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ "Champ de tournesol" by Komiku at https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/ arrow-impact-87260 Sound Effect found on Pixabay (https://pixabay.com) "Glow" by Scott Buckley | www.scottbuckley.com.au Music promoted by https: //www.chosic.com/free-music/all/ All sounds sourced by STAG Music Librarian Nora Bryson, with our thanks.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. Get started on your 2025 bucket list with these 25 fun things to do in Almost Heaven…register now for a free Build Your Business Workshop sponsored by Advantage Valley FASTER WV…and discover WV's natural beauty and charming towns on a road trip…on today's daily304. #1 – From ONLY IN YOUR STATE – January is a time when many people start planning their annual trips and activities.West Virginia has so many incredible places to get excited about, from Airbnb getaways and restaurants to hiking trails and annual events.  To help with your planning, the folks at Only in Your State have curated a list of 25 things to do in West Virginia in 2025 to inspire more state travel. The list is packed with suggestions on food to try, outdoor activities to tackle, beautiful places to stay and exciting events to attend. So get out your planners. This is one list you do not want to miss! Read more: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/experiences/west-virginia/25-things-to-do-in-2025-wv   #2 – From ADVANTAGE VALLEY – The Advantage Valley FASTER WV initiative is hosting free Build Your Business Workshops in Mason County and Kanawha County this month. The program, which stands for Fostering Advantages for Start-Ups & Entrepreneurial Resurgence, is your gateway to a wealth of business resources and support designed to enhance your entrepreneurial journey in our growing region.  To learn more, visit Advantage Valley online.  Register now: https://airtable.com/appVpr2yTQMIGq6Xf/shrOBZ7z052FQCmFn   #3 – From WORLD ATLAS – West Virginia is full of country roads leading to countless adventures. Its many outdoor offerings and historical sites make for thrilling road trips through the Mountain State.  From journeys through mines, treks across state parks, and self-guided tours in abandoned spaces, West Virginia is not lacking in things to do. Best of all, you can visit countless destinations on the weekend and throughout road trips, taking less than four hours. Check out some fun itineraries for road trips from Charleston to Lewisburg, Fairmont to Moundsville, and more! Read more: https://www.worldatlas.com/places/8-great-road-trips-to-take-in-west-virginia.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 Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. Join the broadband revolution! Learn where you can get the latest training in this rapidly expanding field in #YesWV…a repurposed coal mine serves as a training ground for the U.S. Army's high-tech training mission…and a beloved Lewisburg restaurant gets a new (and much bigger) location…on today's daily304. #1 – From JOBCASE WV – Big investments in broadband infrastructure are occurring throughout the Mountain State, and West Virginia workers have an opportunity to be part of one of the largest federally funded infrastructure investments in state history. The West Virginia Department of Economic Development's Office of Broadband is tasked with deploying local and federal broadband funds, including $1.2 billion in federal funding for broadband development in West Virginia. This historic investment in broadband infrastructure will support West Virginia's vision to achieve universal broadband access. Join the broadband revolution! Learn how you can get the latest training in construction, electric engineering, utility maintenance, cybersecurity, and more -- all in two years or less.  Read more: https://www.jobcase.com/articles/broadband-workforce-programs-wv   #2 – From WV DED – If you're a fan of action movies, you'd be pleased to know that some real-life military training exercises happened in West Virginia involving exciting emerging technologies. The United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command and the 101st Airborne Division partnered to host the military field training exercise and experimentation event, known as Driving Innovation in Realistic Training (DIRT) Days 23-001. Training took place at the Civil-Military Innovation Institute's Adaptive Experimentation Facility in Fola, West Virginia, which is actually a repurposed coal mining facility.  The event allowed soldiers to participate in and lead the development and field testing of emerging tactics and technology while bolstering their operational skill sets through challenging, realistic exercises.  Read more: https://westvirginia.gov/robots-in-yes-west-virginia-say-what/   #3 – From THE REAL WV –  For Neapolitan pizza lovers in southern West Virginia, last October was a downer. It was the day Hill & Holler closed the doors on the log cabin they'd called home since 2016. But they weren't closing for good; they were just moving locations. Owner Jody Wooten and his wife, Kate, wanted their own spot. They leased the previous space, which lacked the capacity to fulfill their vision for the restaurant.  The restaurant's new location, opening in February, has nearly double the space, two living room areas, a stage for live music, and a custom pizza oven direct from Italy. While the space is changing, the food is not. The menu features the same crowd-favorite Neapolitan pizzas, smoked wings, sandwiches, salads, appetizers, local brews, and more.  Hill & Holler's new location is 886 Washington Street in Lewisburg. Watch for the opening date! Read more: https://therealwv.com/2025/01/23/run-up-the-hill-holler-one-of-lewisburgs-favorite-restaurants-is-returning-soon/   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.  

Zach Lyons and Stoney Keeley run through the rosters at the Senior Bowl and give you the 4-1-1 on players before the practices start. Sponsored by Lyons Ford in Lewisburg, TN and Mark Spain Real EstateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zach Lyons and Stoney Keeley run through the rosters at the Senior Bowl and give you the 4-1-1 on players before the practices start. Sponsored by Lyons Ford in Lewisburg, TN and Mark Spain Real EstateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia's congressional delegation has changed significantly since the election but what do the changes mean for the state. We hear from residents of Eastern Kentucky about federal tariffs, and a music festival in Lewisburg has been supporting recover efforts for seven years. The post A Change In W.Va.’s Congressional Powers And A Music Festival For Recovery, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. Check out eight amazing destinations in Almost Heaven where you can experience an unforgettable winter getaway…Did you make a New Year's resolution to start your own business in 2025? Learn how the WV SBDC can help you achieve your dream…and anglers, it's time to read up on West Virginia's updated fishing regulations…on today's daily304. #1 – From WORLD ATLAS – West Virginia's scenic beauty, historic charm, and outdoor adventures make it an ideal state for a magical winter getaway. From the quaint streets of Lewisburg to the rugged outdoor adventures in Fayetteville and the snow-covered slopes of Snowshoe, the Mountain State promises an unforgettable winter experience.  Nicknamed “Almost Heaven” for its breathtaking landscapes, towering peaks, and crisp mountain air, West Virginia invites visitors to enjoy a truly serene winter escape. Check out the story in World Atlas highlighting eight destinations in West Virginia that offer endless opportunities for a memorable winter vacation -- from skiing down the Appalachian Mountains to savoring local cuisine. Read more: https://www.worldatlas.com/destination/8-best-destinations-for-a-winter-vacation-in-west-virginia.html   #2 – From WV SBDC – Since 1983 the West Virginia Small Business Development Center and its network of partners has helped construct a statewide ecosystem to foster the spirit, support, and success of thousands of entrepreneurs and innovators. The WV SBDC provides tools, training and connections for successfully starting and growing a small business.    Are you interested in starting a small business or growing your existing small business in #YesWV? Contact the WV SBDC to learn how they can assist you in achieving your dream. Just visit wvsbdc.com and click on “Become a client.” Learn more: https://wvsbdc.com/about-wv-sbdc/   #3 – From WVDNR – Every year, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources releases an update to the state's fishing regulations. While most regulations remain consistent from year to year, occasional changes are implemented to better maintain the health of our state's fisheries, protect game fish species and their habitats, and enhance the angling experience.  On their website, the WVDNR will walk you through updates to the 2025 Fishing Regulations Summary, show you how to navigate them easily, and explain how to use them to plan your next fishing adventure. Read more: https://wvdnr.gov/2025-fishing-regulations-guide/   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.  

Steve Kopesky and Ted Rubinstein on Jimmy Hoffa - part 2YesterdaySteve Kopesky and Ted Rubinstein return with more on the fascinating life of Jimmy Hoffa.Jimmy Hoffa (born February 14, 1913, Brazil, Indiana, U.S.—disappeared July 30, 1975, Bloomfield Hills, near Detroit, Michigan) was an American labour leader who served as president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters from 1957 to 1971 and was one of the most controversial labour organizers of his time.The son of an Indiana coal miner who died when Hoffa was seven, Hoffa moved with his family to Detroit in 1924. He left school at age 14, worked as a stock boy and warehouseman for several years, and began his union-organizing activities in the 1930s. Initially the business agent for Local 299 in Detroit, Hoffa by 1940 had become chairman of the Central States Drivers Council and by 1942 president of the Michigan Conference of Teamsters. In 1952 he was elected an international vice president of the Teamsters, and five years later he succeeded Dave Beck as international president.Known throughout the trucking industry as a tough and knowledgeable bargainer, Hoffa successfully centralized administration and bargaining in the international office of the union. He also played a key role in the creation of the first national freight-hauling agreement. His efforts helped make the Teamsters the largest labour union in the United States.Known to have long associated with organized crime figures, Hoffa nevertheless survived a series of governmental prosecutions until 1967, when he entered the federal prison in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, to begin a 13-year sentence for jury tampering, fraud, and conspiracy. Hoffa refused to resign as president of the Teamsters while in prison and kept his position until 1971. U.S. Pres. Richard M. Nixon commuted Hoffa's sentence in December 1971, stipulating that he could not engage in any union activity until 1980. Hoffa, however, fought the restriction in court and was widely believed to have covertly continued his efforts to reestablish a union position.On July 30, 1975, he disappeared from a restaurant in suburban Detroit under circumstances that have never been fully determined. He was said to have had an appointment at the restaurant with Anthony Provenzano, a New Jersey Teamsters official and former Mafia figure, and Anthony Giacalone, a Detroit mobster; both later denied having encountered Hoffa, who was never seen again. He was legally declared “presumed dead” in 1982.Tags#hoffa#kennedy#mccarthyhearings#teamsters#truecrine#vanishedBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-opperman-report--1198501/support.

Steve Kopesky and Ted Rubinstein on Jimmy Hoffa - part 24 hours agoSteve Kopesky and Ted Rubinstein return with more on the fascinating life of Jimmy Hoffa.Jimmy Hoffa (born February 14, 1913, Brazil, Indiana, U.S.—disappeared July 30, 1975, Bloomfield Hills, near Detroit, Michigan) was an American labour leader who served as president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters from 1957 to 1971 and was one of the most controversial labour organizers of his time.The son of an Indiana coal miner who died when Hoffa was seven, Hoffa moved with his family to Detroit in 1924. He left school at age 14, worked as a stock boy and warehouseman for several years, and began his union-organizing activities in the 1930s. Initially the business agent for Local 299 in Detroit, Hoffa by 1940 had become chairman of the Central States Drivers Council and by 1942 president of the Michigan Conference of Teamsters. In 1952 he was elected an international vice president of the Teamsters, and five years later he succeeded Dave Beck as international president.Known throughout the trucking industry as a tough and knowledgeable bargainer, Hoffa successfully centralized administration and bargaining in the international office of the union. He also played a key role in the creation of the first national freight-hauling agreement. His efforts helped make the Teamsters the largest labour union in the United States.Known to have long associated with organized crime figures, Hoffa nevertheless survived a series of governmental prosecutions until 1967, when he entered the federal prison in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, to begin a 13-year sentence for jury tampering, fraud, and conspiracy. Hoffa refused to resign as president of the Teamsters while in prison and kept his position until 1971. U.S. Pres. Richard M. Nixon commuted Hoffa's sentence in December 1971, stipulating that he could not engage in any union activity until 1980. Hoffa, however, fought the restriction in court and was widely believed to have covertly continued his efforts to reestablish a union position.On July 30, 1975, he disappeared from a restaurant in suburban Detroit under circumstances that have never been fully determined. He was said to have had an appointment at the restaurant with Anthony Provenzano, a New Jersey Teamsters official and former Mafia figure, and Anthony Giacalone, a Detroit mobster; both later denied having encountered Hoffa, who was never seen again. He was legally declared “presumed dead” in 1982.#hoffa#kennedy#mccarthyhearings#teamsters#truecrine#vanishedBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-opperman-report--1198501/support.

Steve takes some calls in the first segment (Larry from Lewisburg and Dan). Then in the second segment: We are joined by Mike DeCourcy of the Sporting News and BTN to talk CFP and a little college hoops.

After three years in Europe, former journalist Carla Conti just wanted to settle her family into the suburbs of Philadelphia. But her high school friend Scott Powell, a lawyer handling a brutal prison stabbing case, needed a favor. Before she knew it, Carla became part of the defense team and mired in the terrifying world of federal prison gangs, penal abuse, and corruption.Then, when she agreed to write a tell-all book on the violent machinations behind the court case — with Scott's client as an inside source — the stakes turned deadly. Two different prison gangs issued “hit orders” against the prisoner she and Scott now considered a friend, and the journalist and defense attorney were imperiled by association.CHAINED BIRDS is a true crime memoir of Carla's 10-year journey to advocate for federal inmate Kevin Sanders and help him re-enter society after prison. But the mission came at a cost as Carla struggled to balance her own, Scott's, and Kevin's safety while writing an exposé on the horrific conditions that led to the shutdown of an experimental prison program in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. CHAINED BIRDS: A True Crime Memoir-Carla Conti Follow and comment on Facebook-TRUE MURDER: The Most Shocking Killers in True Crime History https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064697978510Check out TRUE MURDER PODCAST @ truemurderpodcast.com

We start with the CDT's Jon Sauber to discuss Penn State football and some men's hoops before Saturday's game with Purdue; then in the second segment: Gregg Wetzel joins us to discuss Friday night's Class 3A district championship game between Lewisburg and Danville.

The Sporting News' Mike DeCourcy joins Steve to discuss some early season college hoops and then we talk college football news and Mike's thoughts on some of the  Big Ten football teams; Then Gregg Wetzel joins the show to discuss Lewisburg's game with Mount Carmel on Friday night in the District 4 Class 3A semifinals on 100.9-FM The Valley.

This episode was recorded on October 6th, 2024 at Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg, WV. The lineup includes Kyshona, American Patchwork Quartet, The Brother Brothers, and Stephanie Lambring. https://bit.ly/4fjALTN

Today's poem is Lonely Women by Choi Seungja, translated by Won-Chung Kim and Cathy Park Hong. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, guest host Leslie Sainz writes… "I learned how to enjoy my own company while living in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. One evening, I decided to enter the Campus Theatre, an art-deco movie house known for showing a captivating mix of new releases, classics, and indie films. And it was there, sitting comfortably in a dark room, while staring at an anachronistically large screen, that my loneliness peeled off me in layers, alongside strangers coupled and lonely all the same."Celebrate the power of poems with a gift to The Slowdown today. Every donation makes a difference: https://tinyurl.com/rjm4synp