Daniel Johnston recorded songs in his parents' basement in rural West Virginia that would eventually inspire artists such as Kurt Cobain, Beck, Wilco, and Sonic Youth. In this award-winning episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay explores the life, art, and enduring legacy of the late singer-songwriter and visual artist whose creative genius and struggles with bipolar disorder made him one of America's most influential outsider artists.
Marshall Breaks Ground On Flight School In Charleston
Listen
Share this Article
Federal, state and local representatives gathered at Yeager Airport in Charleston Thursday to break ground for the new Marshall University Bill Noe Flight School.
Jerome Gilbert, president of Marshall University, explained that the school learned the aviation industry needed new pilots because they have a federally mandated retirement age.
“It was after a thorough investigative and fact-finding process, Marshall committed to a flight school to produce commercial pilots with a bachelor’s degree,” Gilbert said
Credit Eric Douglas / WVPB
/
WVPB
Dignitaries including US Senator Joe Manchin and Jerome Gilbert, president of Marshall University, broke ceremonial ground for the new Bill Noe Flight School at Yeager Airport.
When the Bill Noe Flight School is fully functional, the program will produce 50 commercial pilots annually, he said. Classroom instruction will take place at the Marshall University South Charleston Campus.
Gov. Jim Justice also attended, and said the program will be an economic driver for the state and region. The state already exports more than $150 million in airplane parts annually.
“Just think of the employment, of the attraction to West Virginia that this is going to bring,” Justice said. “I congratulate Marshall, I can congratulate all of you who have done great work here.”
The flight school is named for Bill Noe, a Marshall graduate, pilot and the university’s executive aviation specialist for the new Division of Aviation.
The aviation school will include a 12,000 square-foot hangar with classes beginning in fall 2021.
Add WVPB as a preferred source on Google to see more from our team
The late singer-songwriter Daniel Johnston grew up in West Virginia and came onto the indie music scene in the 1980s. Last year, Johnston was inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame and he’s featured in the next episode of Us & Them. In this award-winning show, host Trey Kay learns about Johnston’s legacy which was partly shaped by his challenges with mental illness.
President Brad Smith told the governors the school has done well to weather major upheavals that have led the public to doubt the value of higher education.
The Tygart Valley United Way and United Way of Central West Virginia are launching United We Prepare, a statewide initiative to ensure communities are prepared to meet basic needs for food, shelter and power during disasters.
The Nelsonville Music Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. The Ohio-based festival over the years has hosted American music icons, like John Prine, Willie Nelson and Loretta Lynn, while also supporting regional artists. Inside Appalachia’s Abby Neff spoke with festival founder Tim Peacock to learn more.
