WVPB Staff, Author at West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Tire Collection Events Scheduled Through End Of November

The collections are organized by the agency’s Rehabilitation Environmental Action Plan (REAP), which helps organize litter cleanups around West Virginia. The program has organized 13 tire events in October and November.

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is organizing tire collection events throughout the state.

The October events include:

Logan County: Oct. 7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Old KCity Lot on Enterprise Drive in Mount Gay
Jefferson County: Oct. 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kearneysville DOH Garage located at 1301 Old Leetown Pike, Kearneysville, WV 25430
Roane County: Oct. 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bowman Street Parking Lot in Spencer
Kanawha County: Oct. 15 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the parking lot at the intersection of C Street and 4th Avenue in South Charleston
Upshur County: Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. across from the City of Buckhannon Recycling Center at 395 Mud Lick Road
Logan County: Oct. 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Old KCity Lot on Enterprise Drive in Mount Gay
Cabell County: Oct. 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 800 Virginia Avenue in Huntington
Pendleton County: Oct. 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Pendleton County Economic Development Authority Lot located at 100 Thorn Creek Road in Franklin

The November events include:

Greenbrier County: Nov. 2 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the National Guard Armory in Rainelle
Logan County: Nov. 4 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Old KCity Lot on Enterprise Drive in Mount Gay.
Jackson County: Nov. 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the County Fairgrounds on Route 33 in Cottageville
Hampshire County: Nov. 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hampshire County Fairgrounds on Fairground Drive in Augusta
Wirt County: Nov. 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ellisons Dozer Service on Route 14 in Elizabeth

Car or light truck tires, 16 inches or less and off the rims are accepted, with a limit of 10 tires per West Virginia resident.

Further information on future tire disposal events, including regularly ongoing tire disposal events in certain counties, can be found at the DEP’s online calendar.

First Fall Foliage Map Released

The first signs of leaves changing colors are a little behind schedule, but starting to show in higher elevations, according to the first fall foliage tracker of the season produced by the West Virginia Division of Forestry.

To access the live leaf map, along with the latest updates, happenings and insider tips around fall in Almost Heaven, visit WVtourism.com/fall.

The first signs of leaves changing colors are a little behind schedule but starting to show in higher elevations, according to the first fall foliage tracker of the season produced by the West Virginia Division of Forestry.

The mountains of Pocahontas and Tucker counties, along with Spruce Knob are dotted with splashes of red, orange and yellow and should reach peak color the first weekend of October.

Species of maples are beginning to turn, including red and sugar. Oak and Hickory trees will follow soon behind.

“Due to the warmer weather West Virginia has experienced this month, fall color is a bit slower moving into the mountains this season,” said Division of Forestry Director Tom Cover. “However, fall color is, in fact, beginning to make an appearance in the highest elevations around the state. This once-a year-event won’t last long, so be sure to get out and enjoy it while you can.”

West Virginia is the third most forested state in the country and has plenty of trails to view the foliage. The West Virginia Division of Forestry and the Department of Tourism have put together a list of more than 1,500 miles of hiking trails in areas to get the best hiking and foliage experience.

Featured Hikes

Seneca Rocks Trail

Moderate | 3.6 out and back
Beginning at the Seneca Rocks Trailhead, this uphill climb rewards guests with an up-close-and-personal view of one of West Virginia’s best-known landmarks. This trail features benches along the way, as well as picnic areas and a visitor center.

Lindy Point Overlook

Easy | 0.8 mile out and back
Lindy Point Overlook is an easy hike that leads to the most iconic scenic overlook within Blackwater Falls State Park, overlooking the Blackwater Canyon at 3,000 feet below. There is a small parking area at the trailhead and dogs are welcome, as long as they are on a leash.

Whispering Spruce Trail and Spruce Knob

Easy | 0.6 mile out and back
Part of the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area, this trail peeks into the North Fork Valley of the Allegheny Mountains with exceptional views. Feel the west wind blow as you wind through windblown rock before coming to an open field full of scattered boulders.

Blackwater Falls Overlook

Accessible | 0.2 mile
This overlook is reached by taking the park’s Gentle Trail which is accessible for visitors using wheelchairs, mobility equipment and strollers. The paved path leads to a wooden boardwalk that gives expansive views of the park’s namesake falls.

Shavers Lake, Bail Out, 6,000 Steps and Cheat Mountain Ridge Trail

Moderate | 6.4 mile out and back
Take this Snowshoe Mountain trek to gain over 1,000 feet in elevation and be prepared for steep portions along the way. Following this route will lead to the Fire Tower, which can be climbed for additional autumn mountain views.

AllTrails Partnership

AllTrails and the West Virginia Department of Tourism are working together to offer hikers a free, one-year AllTrails Pro membership. With AllTrails Pro, users can download offline maps, unlock more map details and view 3D maps. For more official information on the partnership, visit wvtourism.com/alltrails/.

“We welcome all travelers to visit West Virginia this fall season to experience the incredible hiking, leaf peeping opportunities and more,” said West Virginia Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby. “Our forests and mountaintops come alive with hues of red, orange and yellow, creating beautiful views. We’re excited to team up with AllTrails to help travelers discover and explore the incredible fall hiking trails we have.”

The West Virginia Department of Tourism’s live leaf tracker will be updated daily, featuring photos from social media.

WVPB Alum Giles Snyder Inducted Into MU Journalism Hall Of Fame

Giles Snyder is one of three Marshall School of Journalism and Mass Communications (SOJMC) graduates who will be inducted into the school's Hall of Fame Friday night in Huntington.

Giles Snyder is one of three Marshall School of Journalism and Mass Communications (SOJMC) graduates who will be inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame Friday night in Huntington. The other inductees are Kathy Cosco and Patricia Proctor.

“This year’s inductees are exceptional leaders in the field of journalism and mass communications,” Sandy York, interim SOJMC director, said. “It is a privilege to honor them and share their accomplishments.”

The first class was enshrined in 1985, and the latest honorees bring the number of inductees to 81.

“This year’s class of inductees is another perfect example that proves Marshall has one of the best journalism and mass communications programs in the country,” said Chris Dickerson, president of the SOJMC Alumni Advisory Board, which handles the nomination process. “We’re fortunate to have such a rich pool of candidates that represents successes in varied aspects of the field locally, regionally and nationally.”

Snyder, a 1987 SOJMC graduate, is a widely respected newscaster for NPR. Before taking that job in Washington, D.C., he spent 16 years working for West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Among his other accomplishments, he joined Beth Vorhees in the creation of the weekly radio news magazine show Inside Appalachia, which launched 20 years ago.

He also has written a humor column for the Martinsburg newspaper, and it has been recognized by the West Virginia Press Association and the National Society of Newspaper Columnists.

Cosco, a 1988 SOJMC graduate, is director of strategic marketing for Mountain Health Network. Her varied career has seen her work in public relations, marketing and government service. She has worked for several major companies, and she has served as a spokeswoman for a governor and helped with an election campaign for a U.S. senator. She also helped with the push that saw Huntington named as America’s Best Community in 2017.

Proctor, a 1987 SOJMC graduate, is the founding director of the Simon Perry Center for Constitutional Democracy at Marshall University. Following graduation, Proctor went to law school and worked as a law clerk and at various law firms before returning to Marshall in 2011. She has helped the university create a centralized pre-law advisory function. Proctor also has been honored for her legal work by Best Lawyers in America and by Super Lawyers.

Inductees need to have a connection to the SOJMC, such as being a graduate or a faculty member, and should meet at least one of two major criteria to be nominated:

A graduate of Marshall’s JMC program who has contributed to Journalism and Mass Communications as a profession. The nominee has made a contribution to the profession of journalism or has made a positive impact upon the profession.
Contribution(s) to Marshall University’s SOJMC. The nominee, either through talent, treasure or activity, has made an outstanding impact upon the school.

The school has an enshrinement dinner and ceremony each fall to honor the inductees. This year’s event is scheduled for Friday night in the Don Morris Room of the Memorial Student Center.

W.Va. Schools Recognized By U.S. Department Of Education

C.W. Shipley Elementary School in Jefferson County, Evans Elementary School in Jackson County and Culloden Elementary School in Cabell County were three of the 300 schools recognized as Blue Ribbon Schools nationwide.

Three West Virginia schools have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education.

C.W. Shipley Elementary School in Jefferson County, Evans Elementary School in Jackson County and Culloden Elementary School in Cabell County were three of the 300 schools recognized nationwide.

They join a group of 9,000 schools distinguished since the program was created in 1982.

The honors are given out based either on a school’s high-performing academics or by closing specific achievement gaps. All three West Virginia schools were recognized on the basis of their academics.

The program’s website says these schools have some of the “highest achieving students (the top 15 percent) in English and mathematics, measured by state assessments.”

The announcement was made by Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, who also visited WVU Wednesday to discuss mental health issues with students.

Cardona said in a statement that the schools recognized had gone “above and beyond to keep students healthy and safe” while the nation recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic while “meeting their academic, social, emotional and mental health needs.”

State Flags To Fly At Half Staff For Queen

Gov. Jim Justice has issued a proclamation — in accordance with a presidential proclamation — ordering that all United States and West Virginia flags on all state-owned facilities be displayed at half-staff immediately. The order continues through sunset on the day of interment, in honor and remembrance of Queen Elizabeth II, who died on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.

According to British protocol, the United Kingdom will be in mourning for 10 days and the funeral will be held on Sept. 18.

“Cathy and I send our deepest condolences to the Royal Family as they mourn the loss of their Queen, mother, and grandmother,” Justice said. “Queen Elizabeth II was a monumental figure not just in the UK, but for the world. As the longest reigning monarch, she saw decades of change and should always be remembered for all she gave to her country.”

The queen ascended to the throne on Feb. 6, 1952 and was the longest-reigning British monarch with her reign of more than 70 years.

WVU Student Tests Positive For Monkeypox; 8 Cases Statewide

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, West Virginia had eight confirmed cases of the virus as of Tuesday.

A West Virginia University student has tested positive for monkeypox, the university said Wednesday.

The student lives off campus and is isolating and recovering.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, West Virginia had eight confirmed cases of the virus as of Tuesday.

Monkeypox is spread through close, skin-to-skin contact. It is rarely life threatening but can produce a rash with pimples and blisters.

Symptoms can begin within three weeks of exposure and can last for two to four weeks.