Staff at the Monongahela National Forest are preparing to conduct prescribed burns in the area through June.
Staff at the Monongahela National Forest are preparing to conduct prescribed burns in the area through June.
Prescribed burns are planned fires meant to maintain a forest’s health and prevent overgrowth. They help improve habitats by removing invasive species, recycling nutrients into the soil and providing forage for wild game. It also helps to prevent more dangerous wildfires.
“What we’re doing is we’re trying to reestablish fire’s natural role in forest ecosystems,” Monongahela National Forest Fire and Fuel Planner Conor Shanahan said.
The areas scheduled for prescribed burns include units in Pendleton, Pocahontas and Greenbrier counties, totaling 1,251 acres.
The areas include:
Big Mountain Unit 9 and 10 in Pendleton County
Chestnut Ridge North/South Savanna Units 1 and 2 in Pocahontas County
Hopkins Units A, B and C in Greenbrier County
Brushy Mountain Units B2, B4 and B6 in Greenbrier County
These areas will be closed off during the day of the burn, and may be closed during the few days after for public safety.
“Our burns might be seen by the public but usually we post signs on roads the day of or the day before burning,” Shanahan said. “People may see or smell smoke, but besides that, they wouldn’t really have much encounters with any of our burning corps or fire.”
No specific dates have been announced as burns are scheduled for days with specific weather conditions and could be delayed because of temperature, humidity, smoke dispersion and wind.
Information and maps about the burnings will be available online when they begin.
Three people have been arrested in connection with a fire that destroyed a historic church in West Virginia, state police said.
Three people have been arrested in connection with a fire that destroyed a historic church in West Virginia, state police said.
Braxton Allan Miller, 18, of Charleston; James Dean Elmore, 19, of Beckley; and a juvenile boy were charged in connection with the fire at St. Colman Catholic Church in the Shady Spring area of Raleigh County, police said Wednesday.
The fire was reported Sunday morning but had started the night before, police said.
Miller and the juvenile were charged with arson and conspiracy, while Elmore was charged with accessory after the fact and conspiracy. All were being held. It wasn’t clear whether they had attorneys who could comment on their cases.
“We are deeply saddened to learn that the fire was considered an act of arson and was intended destroy this historic structure so important to the lives of many in the area,” Bishop Mark Brennan of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston said in a statement.
The historic church was built in 1878 on Irish Mountain and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, WCHS-TV reported.
On Nov. 5, 2020, a popular restaurant in Fayetteville, West Virginia burned to the ground. The Secret Sandwich Society was a destination for travelers, and a popular gathering place. Student reporter at the Fayette institute of Technology Bryson Saprio reports what the fire means for the community, and what’s next in rebuilding.
Fayetteville, a small town in the heart of West Virginia known for its rafting and outdoor community, hosts a variety of places to eat popular with residents and visitors.
The Secret Sandwich Society, a town favorite restaurant and a hotspot for the music scene in Fayetteville, was popular for their unique sandwiches and late night live music. The restaurant lived in a historic 100 year old building.
Lewis Rhinehart, the proud owner of the eatery, watched as it all went up into flames.
“We were operating at our highest level of efficiency that we had ever operated at,” he said. “And then on Nov. 5, it all burned down.”
“I mean, everybody was just in shock,” said Fayetteville Mayor Sharon Cruikshank. “Everybody was really devastated for Lewis and the staff. It was very upsetting.”
After dedicating years of his life into making Secret Sandwich Society what it was, Rhinehart was devastated and heartbroken.
“But in the weeks after that, you know, I just cried and cried and cried and cried,” he said. “I mean, it was terrible. Yeah. You know, I’d wake up and cry, go to the shower and cry. You know, it was just awful.”
The Secret Sandwich Society had live music performances five nights a week, bringing people to the area.
Losing the restaurant also meant the loss of a big part of the Fayetteville music scene, said Cruikshank.
“I think Secret became such a destination in itself just because of the music and the food,” she said. “So the fire was really devastating to us, because they brought such a neat vibe to the town.”
Courtesy
Owner of the Secret Sandwich Society Lewis Rhinehart sadi community support, and support from across the state, was overwhelming.
Community support and support from across the state, Rhinehart said, was overwhelming.
“The outpouring of support in those weeks after that, yeah,” he said. “So, in literally that day, in that evening. I got a phone call from [Sen.] Joe Manchin. I got a phone call from [Rep.] Carol Miller. I got a phone call from [Sen.] Shelley Moore Capito. I got letters from the Charleston City Council. It was really just incredible.”
Fayetteville showed its true colors after the building burnt down, said Adam Mathews — Rhinehart’s right hand man.
“When that building burned down everybody was just there for us,” Mathews said. “That was it. Yeah, it was very emotional. It was surreal.”
Cruikshank said the loss of the restaurant was a big hit to the community.
“It created a deficit of places for people to eat, when they were in the New River Gorge area,” she said. “Secret was a very successful business for Fayetteville. ”
After a year-long search for a new location to rebuild, Rhinehart settled on the same property.
“Then we really started revisiting the rebuild idea,” he said. “We closed on the deal for the building at the end of last November. So, what has been happening now is the building is designed and ready to go.”
The new restaurant design pays homage to the old building and imitates the nostalgic feel of the previous restaurant, but still adds elements of a modern layout. Rhinehart and Mathews added things into the new restaurant to increase speed and productivity.
“There was a silver lining to all this pain and stress and frustration and you know, everything,” Rhinehart said. “We are getting a building that we want now. We are getting a building that we can deliver the output and quality that we’ve always wanted.”
As construction starts, there’s a sense of anticipation growing, and an appreciation for the resiliency demonstrated this past year.
“Phoenix rising from the ashes type metaphor,” Mathews said. “I mean, it’s like everybody said that there’s irony or whatever in how we went out and there’s, you know, a great deal of symbolism to me and how we’re coming back.”
“I don’t think that it can happen too soon,” said Cruikshank. “I think everybody’s way past ready for [Rhinehart] to open up. So I think it’ll be a really nice homecoming. It definitely will be a town celebration.”
Rhinehart and his team say they’re planning to have their doors to their new restaurant open by this fall.
Bryson Sapio is a high school junior at the Fayette Institute of Technology. He reported this story as part of a project with Inside Appalachia to learn how to make radio stories.
Students will return to the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind next week following a devastating fire that destroyed the schools’ administrative building.
The West Virginia Department of Education said that over the next few days, key services and utilities will be restored on the campus. All this week, students were in remote learning.
The cause of the fire is undetermined, according to a statement released by the State Fire Marshal.
“This was more than a building to the school and the community, it was a part of the culture and tradition, and it is a significant loss to everyone,” State Superintendent of Schools Clayton Burch said.
The department of education said additional social-emotional supports are in place for students, faculty and staff.
“We will continue to work with our students and staff during this time of recovery,” said West Virginia Board of Education President Miller Hall. “We are eager for our students to return to campus so that their school year and activities can continue.”
The fire broke out early Saturday morning. Several West Virginia volunteer fire companies from the region came to help.
The building was one of the oldest structures on campus dating back to the 1800s. It was empty at the time of the fire and deemed a total loss.
Students attending the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind in Romney will be on remote learning this week following a devastating fire that destroyed the schools’ administrative building early Saturday morning.
No students or staff were harmed in the fire, and no students were on campus at the time of the incident. Officials say the building is a total loss, and the city of Romney is under a boil water advisory as a precaution until further notice.
The building dates back to the 1800s and housed historic artifacts. It was also the school superintendent’s residence and where all technology servers were located that powered the campus’ internet, phones and surveillance system.
“Thankfully, this is not a building that we utilize for our students,” said West Virginia Superintendent of Schools Clayton Burch during a press conference Monday morning. “[But] this building has the entire campus’ internet phone system that is essential for our teachers to be able to reach our students, even while they’re on remote [learning].”
Burch said with Gov. Jim Justice’s help, Frontier Communications, which is one of the leading internet service providers in the state, responded within six hours to arrive at Romney and find a solution.
“Within 24 hours, live lines ran for our tech guys to begin setting up a new system,” Burch said. “So today, teachers have access to phones, internet, which means we can connect with the students.”
Burch said the goal was to ensure there wouldn’t be disruptions to school.
Michael Talbert, the acting assistant special agent with the Washington field division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was also present at the press conference. Talbert said the investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing and further comment cannot be made at this time.
“I have the utmost confidence … that we will be able to bring this to a reasonable conclusion in the next little bit through our large scale fire investigation,” Talbert said. “There’s great work being done on this campus.”
Counseling services have also been offered to students. The schools serve 74 students and has 120 staff members.
Alerts about the fire on Saturday first came in around 6:12 a.m. Firefighters from several West Virginia volunteer fire companies responded to the scene, including Romney, Augusta, Springfield, Slanesville, New Creek, Fort Ashby, Burlington and Ridgeley.
Following news of the incident, Justice asked for prayers on Twitter and said, “This is absolutely heartbreaking news for the Romney community and all the staff, students, and alumni that are part of this great institution.”
The West Virginia Superintendent of Schools Clayton Burch along with investigators from the State Fire Marshal’s office are expected to provide an update on the fire at the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind Monday morning at 10:30 a.m.
In the latest press release from Romney Fire Company, fire department operations creased around 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon, and US Route 50 is now open in both directions.
Investigators have remained on the scene and continue their work.
Gov. Jim Justice issued a statement on Twitter Saturday, “This is absolutely heartbreaking news for the Romney community and all the staff, students, and alumni that are part of this great institution. Please join me in praying for the safety of all the first responders who are fighting this fire.”
Romney Fire Company
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The administrative building of the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind in Romney, W.Va. caught fire early Saturday morning. The West Virginia Department of Education said the building is a total loss.
Updated on Feb. 26, 2022 at 11 a.m.
The West Virginia Department of Education said that all students and staff at the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind are safe after a fire broke out early Saturday morning on campus.
No students were on campus at the time of the fire. The WVDE said students were transported to their homes for the weekend.
“It is important that no students were on campus during this traumatic event,” State Superintendent of Schools Clayton Burch said in a press release. “Nonetheless, this is a major loss and students will have many questions when they return. We will provide the necessary supports for both students and staff, and we will work closely with state officials that are investigating.”
“We are shocked and saddened by the loss of this iconic building but are grateful no one was hurt and there were no additional losses,” State Board of Education President Miller Hall said. “Fire and emergency crews arrived immediately, and the Department of Education, Board of Education and the WVSDB sincerely appreciate their swift response.”
The WVDE said the building is a total loss.
Original Post:
There is a working fire at the administrative building of the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind at 301 East Main Street, Romney.
Lt. 1-A Bryan Beverage with the Romney Fire Company said the initial alert of the fire came in around 6:12 a.m. Saturday morning and work to contain the situation is ongoing as of 10 a.m. Officials are reporting US Route 50 is shut down.
Several volunteer fire companies are on the scene, including Romney, Augusta, Springfield, Slanesville, New Creek, Fort Ashby, Burlington and Ridgeley.
There is also additional support from fire companies in Allegheny County, Maryland and Frederick County, Virginia, which are filling in for local assignments at the West Virginia stations while firefighters work to contain the fire.
Romney Fire Company’s Chief G.T. Parsons said the situation is “under investigation by the state fire marshal’s office, and units will be there for an extended amount of time.”
“Today is a sad day for our beloved community,” the Romney Fire Company wrote on its Facebook page. “The WVSDB has been an anchor of our small town for over a century. The last fire that destroyed a building on campus was on September 12, 1971 … The school and campus date back prior to 1850.”
Additional information will be released on Romney Fire Company’s Facebook page.
Eastern Panhandle Working Fires, which is a Facebook page that provides information and updates on working fires and other incidents in Jefferson, Berkeley, Morgan, Hampshire, Hardy, Mineral, Grant and Pendleton counties, posted photos of the incident early Saturday morning.
