Tag: Ripley

$3.2 Million Slated For Water Upgrades in Marion, Jackson Counties

The Environmental Protection Agency allocated $3.2 million to water infrastructure improvement projects in Marion and Jackson counties on Monday.

Millions of dollars in newly secured federal funding aim to bolster rural water infrastructure for two West Virginia communities.

On Monday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its allocation of $3,229,000 in federal funding toward water improvement projects in Marion and Jackson counties.

Specifically, the funding aims to improve wastewater treatment plants and water meters in the cities of Mannington and Ripley.

Across the state, aging water infrastructure and budgetary issues related to population decline have jeopardized local drinking water and wastewater services. But, in recent years, hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding have been allocated toward water projects in West Virginia.

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., who oversees federal spending as a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, said the investment would “support vital water infrastructure upgrades in both cities.”

Through these upgrades, state officials hope to further bolster water access for two of the state’s rural communities. “I look forward to seeing the positive impacts of the investments,” Manchin added.

W.Va. Celebrates Fourth Of July Statewide

Major celebrations are taking place throughout the state for the Fourth of July.

West Virginia will have a variety of events throughout the state celebrating the Fourth of July during the long weekend. 

Some of the activities around the state include the Snowshoe Independence Day Celebration, Fayetteville’s Fourth of July Heritage Festival, the Shepherdstown Parade, the Fourth of July Car Show in Chester, the Grande Parade in Alderson, and fireworks displays all across the state. 

There will also be festivities in Ripley. The city professes to have the nation’s largest small town Independence Day celebration.

Additionally, the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta begins on June 30 and will go until the Fourth with festivities all weekend for everyone across the state and out-of-state to enjoy. WVPB will also have an informational booth at the event.

Visit the West Virginia Tourism website for more events. 

March 15, 1950: Cedar Lakes Deeded to State Board of Education

On March 15, 1950, the 231-acre Easter Farm in Jackson County was deeded to the state Board of Education by Oliver Kessel, a prominent citizen of Ripley. Work soon began on what would become the Cedar Lakes Conference Center.

A year before, the legislature had moved the idea forward by authorizing a camp and leadership training facility for students. The project was the brainchild of West Virginia’s Future Farmers of America, Future Homemakers of America, and the Board of Education’s vocational division.

The camp officially opened in 1955. It was named two years later for the site’s predominant features: two beautiful lakes and an abundance of native cedar trees.

Cedar Lakes has grown into an impressive facility with 30 buildings on 450 acres, cottages, classrooms, a crafts center, a cafeteria and chapel, a superintendent’s house, and a modern motel-style lodge. Softball, swimming, tennis, fishing, hiking, miniature golf, and canoeing are also offered. An estimated half-a-million people visit Cedar Lakes each year.

And, since 1963, Cedar Lakes has been home to the Mountain State Art & Craft Fair, West Virginia’s largest outdoor craft event.

December 16, 1897 : Last Public Hanging in West Virginia

On December 16, 1897, John F. Morgan was hanged in Ripley for the murder of Chloe Greene and two of her sons. It was the last public execution in West Virginia history.

Some 5,000 spectators poured into the Jackson County seat. Many were drunk, and some even sold souvenirs. The rowdy scene prompted West Virginia lawmakers to take action.

A little more than a year later, Governor George W. Atkinson signed a law that banned public executions, making West Virginia was one of the first states to do so. As an alternative, over the next 60 years, 94 men would be executed inside the walls of the state penitentiary in Moundsville.

By the mid-20th century, public opinion about the death penalty was shifting. A number of states had already banned the practice. In 1965, the legislature passed and Governor Hulett Smith signed a bill ending capital punishment in West Virginia. Today, West Virginia is one of only 18 states that does not impose death sentences.

SafeWise Report Says W.Va. is the 15th Safest State in the U.S.

West Virginia was named the 15th safest state in the US for settling down and raising a family. According to a blog from the SafeWise.com website, West Virginia is one of the safest places to live in America coming in at number 15.

SafeWise.com, compiled the list using data from recent FBI Crime Reports along with their own research. They also created a list of the top ten safest cities within West Virginia.

Those ten safest communities are:

  1. Stonewood
  2. Kingwood
  3. Paden City
  4. White Sulphur Springs
  5. Eleanor
  6. Romney
  7. Weston
  8. Harrisville
  9. Ripley
  10. Winfield

The site used FBI Crime Report data from 2012 as the basis of their research then narrowed down the list to cities with a population of 1,500 or above. They analyzed the number of Violent Crimes and Property Crimes.

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