Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.  

Today is Monday, Dec. 18 

We have jobs, jobs and more jobs in #YesWV! List your openings for free on Jobcase. Find a career (plus great pay and benefits) in corrections. Learn about incentives and services offered by the WV Film Office. And take advantage of WV’s virtual job fairs…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From JOBCASE – The West Virginia Department of Economic Development has partnered with Jobcase to offer a free job listing service.

Whether you need one employee around the corner, or want to hire hundreds across the country, we can help you find the right people fast.

Simply create your post, which is distributed on Jobcase.com. The listing is searchable by the thousands of job seekers in your area!

Get started:

https://hirenow.westvirginia.jobcase.com/purchase/post-now/

#2 – From JOBCASE – Make a difference in your community. Explore a stable and rewarding career with the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

As a correctional officer, you'll play a pivotal role in ensuring public safety, upholding public trust and contributing to a higher purpose. You'll be making a real impact on your community. 

The job offers great pay and benefits, as well as paid training. 

New opportunities and incentives are available! 

Learn more:

https://www.jobcase.com/articles/wv-dcr

#3 – From JOBCASE – According to the latest Motion Picture Association statistics, in 2020-21, with eight TV shows (like WV’s own “Barnwood Builders”) and primarily independent film productions shooting in the Mountain State, the industry generated $120 million in wages related to 1,980 direct jobs and 3,880 support jobs.

Thanks to the July 1, 2022 launch of one of the best film tax incentives in the country (up to 31 percent with no cap) - the Mountain State is poised to expand its role in creating film industry jobs and steady work here. Embedded within the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, the Film Office helps foster more productions and build out the state’s film industry workforce and opportunities.

Visit www.westvirginia.gov/wvfilm to learn more about film services and incentives, job opportunities and more.

Read more:

https://www.jobcase.com/articles/film-is-back-in-wv

#4 – From WORKFORCE WV – Are you a West Virginia job seeker looking to change or advance your career? Through the Virtual Statewide Job Fairs, you can chat with multiple organizations that are hiring all across West Virginia!

As an attendee, you can apply, live chat, video chat and interview virtually with employers participating in the event. Job seekers are encouraged to dress professionally and have a calm, clutter-free background, as employers may request to engage in a video interview.

Are you a West Virginia employer with open positions? Join public, private and nonprofit organizations across the state to connect with qualified job seekers from all across the state.

Learn more:

https://workforcewv.org/individuals/job-fairs/

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 Sunday, Dec. 17 

Moundsville’s name reflects its ancient roots. New River Gorge park officials prepare to open a new rock climbing area to the public. And find the perfect location for your film in Almost Heaven. #YesWV

#1 – From WTRF-TV –  West Virginia is known for its Appalachian culture and storied mountain communities, but there is an even older side to the region, one that is ancient and pre-dates the founding of the state itself.

During the Early Woodland Period between 3,000 and 2,000 years ago, the Adena people left their mark through ancient building sites.

There are 424 recorded prehistoric mounds in what is now West Virginia, according to the West Virginia Encyclopedia. The city of Moundsville is named after an ancient structure, the Grave Creek Mound, the largest earthen, conical mound in the Western hemisphere. 

An 1838 exploration of the mound, found two burial vaults with human remains and grave goods. Chieftains and shamans were typically buried in mounds while ordinary people were burned and buried in log tombs, archeologists determined.

Multiple mounds of varying sizes once made up the landscape of what is now Moundsville, but these structures sadly were destroyed through farming and treasure hunters. However, you can still view the Grave Creek Mound and learn more about it at the onsite museum.

Read more:

https://www.wtrf.com/west-virginia/unearthing-west-virginias-ancient-history-grave-creek-mound-moundsvilles-prehistoric-tomb/

#2 – From METRO NEWS – Fayette County visitors will soon have access to a popular rock-climbing area known as “Bubba City” or “Gateway to Sandstonia” which borders the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.

The West Virginia Land Trust recently secured access to the 40-acre preserve located near the National Park Service Visitor Center in Fayetteville.

WVLT Conservation Project Manager Adam Webster says the site won’t officially open to the public until sometime next year, once they’ve raised more funds to make the area more publicly accessible.

Webster said future plans for the property include parking, signage and hiking opportunities.

“There’s a couple of overlooks especially in the fall when the leaves are down, and you can see the New River. It’s just another really pretty spot along the Gorge that people can enjoy,” he said.

Read more:

https://wvmetronews.com/2023/12/01/wv-land-trust-secures-permanent-access-to-popular-rock-climbing-property-near-new-river-gorge/

#3 – From WV FILM OFFICE –  If you’re looking for the perfect location for your next film project, you’ll find it in Almost Heaven, West Virginia.

The West Virginia Film Office team can help you secure your perfect location, from our beautiful mountains to bold rivers, hardwood forests, rustic farmlands, and small towns and cities.

View the Locations Reel to see some of the amazing settings available in Almost Heaven, then visit www.westvirginia.gov/wvfilm to learn more.

Watch the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=SgBJk2Vo7BjjJAdT&v=-rxeWSg4mbw&feature=youtu.be

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 Saturday, Dec. 16 

Bridging Innovation Week seeks sponsors, speakers and exhibitors for its 2024 event. Start planning your winter getaway in Almost Heaven. And WV State Parks is looking for a brand ambassador…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From WV BUSINESSLINK – Bridging Innovation Week is the state’s premier entrepreneurship event. The annual symposium advances entrepreneurship-led economic development by providing connection and education to business owners, current and prospective entrepreneurs, and entrepreneur serving organizations throughout West Virginia. 

Bridging Innovation Week is actively seeking sponsors and exhibitors, as well as speakers for panels, presentations, and workshops, for the 2024 event. To view sponsorship levels and learn more, visit the Bridging Innovation Week website.

Learn more:

https://wvbusinesslink.com/bridginginnovation/

#2 – From WV TOURISM – As the chill of winter settles in, we begin dreaming of the next year to come. Make this winter the bucket list one you have always dreamed of with a FREE West Virginia Vacation Guide leading the way.

Visit www.wvtourism.com to order your vacation guide and start planning your wild, wonderful winte 

And for a closer look at some of Almost Heaven’s hidden winter gems, follow @wvtourism on social media. From cozy cabins to heart-pumping ski resorts, West Virginia has a getaway ready for you. Join the conversation and share your adventures using #AlmostHeaven to be featured. 

Learn more:

https://wvtourism.com/seasons/winter/

#3 – From WV STATE PARKS – West Virginia State Parks is seeking a Park Program Specialist. 

This employee will be responsible for being the state parks system’s hospitality and brand ambassador, ensuring that the West Virginia State Park brand, its name, and logo is consistently utilized and that the highest levels of hospitality and customer service are maintained at all parks, forests and rail trail areas.

Learn more:

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/wv/jobs/4306165/park-program-specialist-division-of-natural-resources-kanawha-co?keywords=Commerce%20-%20Natural%20Resources&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

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, Dec. 15 

Mountain State Music presents a concert you can watch from home. Wyoming County officials look to redevelop tourism at a favorite picnic spot. And put away your shopping woes. The WV Holiday Gift Guide has something for everyone…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From DAILY304 – In the mood for some good live music you can watch from home? The daily304 and Folklore Music Exchange are proud to present Mountain State Music Concert from the Folklore Stage in Charleston, Almost Heaven, West Virginia. This week’s guests include Friendly Fire and Alexander Nicole. 

Check out the video on YouTube. It's a concert from your couch! Sit back, relax, and enjoy LIVE music from West Virginia. And don’t forget to hit that “subscribe” button for more great content!

Watch the video:

https://www.youtube.com/live/GLHP-j_3eag?si=SE0fJiT50qK_udPQ

#2 – From WV EXPLORER – Looming above the county seat of Wyoming County amid the mountains of southern West Virginia, a “forgotten” pinnacle of sandstone more than 125 feet tall is attracting attention again as tourism grows in the region.

Castle Rock, or The Pinnacle, dominates the upper valley of the Guyandotte River in Pineville, where Pinnacle and Rockcastle creeks converge. Once a favorite picnic spot, the extraordinary rock began to lose its importance as coal mining took center stage in the early 1900s.

However, tourism has become a chief economic force in the region, and the castle is gaining attention again, according to Timmy Redden, executive director of the Wyoming County Convention and Visitors Bureau. 

He says travelers from abroad, visitors to Twin Falls State Park, and motorists touring the Hatfield-McCoy Trails more frequently visit the rock, which rises behind the county visitor center and overlooks downtown Pineville. 

State and local officials are now developing a management plan for the scenic rock and preparing to carefully open views masked by summer foliage.

Read more:

https://wvexplorer.com/2023/12/07/castle-rock-pinnacle-creek-pineville-west-virginia/

#3 – From WV TOURISM – Don’t let long lines and retail nightmares steal your holiday spirit. Buying the perfect gift for everyone on your list is easy this year! Give the gift of the outdoors this Christmas -- we have something for everyone from your favorite angler to the family fashionista.

View the West Virginia gift guide to wrap up your holiday shopping today!

Read more:

https://wvtourism.com/gift/

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, Dec. 14 

A new food truck is dishing up gourmet egg rolls with unique ingredients. What’s rarer than catching a monster trout? That same monster trout was caught two years in a row. And robotics students prepare to converge on a Triadelphia arena next month…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From WBOY-TV – When you think of egg rolls, you probably think of the free side dish you get with a Chinese take-out meal, but there’s a food truck where egg rolls come in more than 100 varieties and are served up as the main course.

“Everything tastes better in an egg roll wrapper,” said Anthony Pierce, owner-operator of the Rollie Pollie Egg Roll Factory, a food truck serving northeast West Virginia as well as parts of Pennsylvania and Maryland.

Pierce, a former executive chef, runs the food truck with his wife, Megan.

The couple has developed 110 recipes for fillings—everything from the gourmet (filet mignon and lobster tail) to simple comfort foods (pepperoni rolls and pierogies).

“That’s the trick is to get everyone to not think of it as an egg roll,” said Pierce. “We get questions like ‘is there cabbage in all of them or is there eggs in all of them?’ It’s just the wrapper and it’s just grandma recipes wrapped up and deep fried.”

For a schedule of food truck appearances and events, or to inquire about booking and availability, check out Rollie Pollie Egg Roll Factory on social media or call 1-83-EGGROLLS

Read more:

https://www.wboy.com/news/local/restaurant-road-trip/restaurant-road-trip-rollie-pollie-egg-roll-factory/

 #2 – From WBOY – When the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Monster Trout contest wrapped up last month, angler Dylan Young was surprised when his name was not announced, despite catching a tagged monster trout.

For the contest, six monster trout, weighing between 3-6 pounds, were tagged. Anglers who caught one of the tagged fish won either a weekend cabin stay at a West Virginia State Park or a Cabela’s prize package.

When Young questioned the WVDNR about the trout, they said that his fish was tagged as part of the 2022 Monster Trout Contest, which is actually pretty rare. Trout that are stocked are meant to be fished out within a year of their release and rarely last for a long time in the wild.

Anthony Creek, where Young caught the monster trout, is stocked regularly and was even stocked the day he caught the 2022 fish. He also said he fishes there regularly and has never caught a tagged fish before.

The WVDNR said that this story is proof that just because your favorite trout fishing spot feels “fished out” doesn’t mean that you can’t still get the catch of a lifetime.

Read more:

https://www.wboy.com/wv-outdoors/west-virginia-angler-catches-stocked-monster-trout-but-not-from-this-year/?utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=t.co

#3 – From THE INTELLIGENCER – About 1,000 robotics students with their coaches and chaperones are expected to roll into The Highlands Sports Complex in Triadelphia next month for a regional tournament that could land them at the VEX Robotics World Championships in Dallas next spring.

Preparations are happening now for the “Gateway To The West” regional tournament in Ohio County, selected by VEX Robotics as a site for one of 26 “signature events” where competitors may qualify for the world championships. 

Eighty middle school teams and an additional 80 high school teams are expected to attend the four-day robotics competition, according to JoJo Shay, innovation coordinator for Ohio County Schools. 

The last two years have seen Ohio County robotics teams win the West Virginia robotics championship and automatically qualify for the world championships.

“The community has supported this program over the years,” Shay said. “Now we’re excited to have this event to allow students who don’t get to go to worlds experience a signature event. This will also bring people to the area and help us celebrate the area. It’s a way to give back for all the support we’ve received.”

Read more:

https://www.theintelligencer.net/news/top-headlines/2023/12/highlands-sports-complex-in-ohio-county-to-host-regional-robotics-tournament/?fbclid=IwAR2oPIdNgiAuR1UbeaqYjjyllQZjBBVmZrqTjpGuY_Hz4Ja01TxG2FGgWvg

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 Wednesday, Dec. 13 

Calling all entrepreneurs! Enter IgniteWV’s business pitch contest for a chance to win cash and coaching.  WV State Parks offers a special promotion with gift card purchases through Dec. 18. And big changes are coming to a business park in Fairmont--#YesWV…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From MORGANTOWN MAGAZINE – Eager support for The Next Great West Virginia Business is here—it’s just waiting for The Next Great Entrepreneur to step up.

That support comes in the form of IgniteWV—the latest incarnation of the business plan competition that started at West Virginia University two decades ago and gradually grew to involve mentors and investors and to encompass colleges across the state, then high schools, then the public. 

Rather than each winner receiving the same predetermined cash allotment, IgniteWV contenders will make their best cases for the start-up funding their businesses need—then the judges will decide how many of the proposed businesses to support and how to allocate a total pot that may be as large as $200,000 by the time of the competition.

The 10 finalists will be enrolled in the rigorous four-week National Science Foundation Innovation Corps entrepreneurial training program. “This will be our first year partnering with I-Corps,” said Tara St. Clair, program director of the Encova Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at WVU. “And that opens them to SBIR/STTR funding”—those are large pots of federal early-stage, high-risk funding for start-ups.

The deadline to enter is Jan. 18. Learn more at www.ignitewv.com.

Read more:

https://morgantownmag.com/got-a-great-business-idea/

 #2 – From WV STATE PARKS – Looking for the perfect gift for the outdoor lover in your life? Purchase a West Virginia State Parks gift card and get a little something extra with it. But hurry! The special promotion ends at 1:59 p.m. EST Dec. 18, 2023. 

Buy a $25 gift card, receive an extra $5 added to the card. Buy a $100 gift card, receive an extra $10 added to the card. The add-ons continue all the way up to a $400 gift card purchase, in which you receive an extra $100 added to the card. 

The deal is valid only on gift cards purchased online at WVstateparks.com and rewards shoppers who buy gift cards in select amounts by adding an extra amount to the card balance. 

Special custom packaging is available for an additional $10 for anyone purchasing a gift card as a present for loved ones.

West Virginia State Parks gift cards are redeemable at any state park or forest at any time of the year and can be used on lodge rooms, cabin and cottage rentals, campsite reservations, golf season passes, gift shop purchases and meals at park restaurants. Placing an order as early as possible is recommended for Dec. 25 delivery. 

Read more:

https://wvstateparks.com/press-release/limited-time-for-wv-state-parks-gift-card-deal/

#3 – From WV NEWS – As 2023 draws to a close, the West Virginia High Technology Foundation has a number of projects in the works, many of which involve the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

West Virginia High Tech Foundation President and CEO Jim Estep said that NOAA’s “significant expansion” is one of the primary focuses of the foundation right now, with the federal agency looking to invest between $200 million and $300 million in infrastructure at the I-79 Technology Park over the next several years.

“A big (infrastructure project) that’s already begun is the expansion of the supercomputing center, which is called the NOAA Environmental Security Computing Center,” Estep said. “They are investing $30 million in the center’s infrastructure, basically more than doubling its capacity for high-performance computing assets. That is going to really bump us up nationally in terms of truly being one of the most significant locations in the United States for supercomputing.”

The foundation also is finishing up construction on a new antenna system in the I-79 Park for NOAA’s space weather program, which is also in partnership with NASA. An additional new antenna system is also under construction, this one for NOAA’s Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System.

The foundation is also working with NOAA in the development of an “entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem” for the commercial climate and weather sector, a sector that Estep has been wanting to court to the area for the last few years.

Read more:

https://www.wvnews.com/statejournal/news/west-virginia-high-tech-foundation-details-further-noaa-investment-into-i-79-high-tech-park/article_db9b6a12-8f82-11ee-b1d1-9767c1115107.html?es_id=ccfb9a9702

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, Dec. 12 

Build your skills and earn college credit through a new FREE program. 17 West Virginia sites are added to the National Register of Historic Places. And check out the 2023 limited edition WV Christmas ornament…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From EXCEL TOGETHER WV – Excel Together West Virginia is a new statewide initiative that provides every West Virginian with an opportunity to build their skills and earn a certification that gains college credit and is recognized in hiring.

Excel Together West Virginia introduces the CSM Certificate backed by the self-paced, online CSM Course. 

The course includes a personal coach and is free for all adults in West Virginia.

Learn more:

https://www.exceltogetherwv.org/

#2 – From WV EXPLORER – Seventeen new historic sites have been added to the National Register of Historic Places in West Virginia in 2023, spanning every corner of the state and including schools, churches, farms, historic districts, and some 379 individual resources.

According to data from the West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office, they join a growing inventory of more than 1,100 sites nominated to the register in the Mountain State since the program was initiated in 1966.

Some of those sites include:

• The James Osbourne Farm in Jefferson County. Also known as the Far Away Farm, the 120-acre property was the epicenter of the Battle of Shepherdstown in 1862.

• The Eleanor Historic District in Putnam County. The town was one of three planned New Deal resettlement communities established by the federal government in West Virginia during the 1930s.

• Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, one of two historically black churches that served the African-American community in Fairmont in the early 1900s. For year it served its members with spiritual and social needs, and some members attended the March on Washington in 1963.

Learn more and find the rest of the list at www.wvexplorer.com.

Read more:

https://wvexplorer.com/2023/12/02/historic-landmarks-added-national-register-west-virginia-2023/

#3 – From WDTV – First Lady Cathy Justice has unveiled her official 2023 limited edition Christmas ornament.

This year’s ornament was created and designed by West Virginia artists John DesMeules of Beckley, a renowned glassblower in residence at Tamarack, and Christie Saunders of Barboursville, a talented artist who is a juried member of the West Virginia Watercolor Society.

DesMeules crafted a hand-blown round glass ornament swirled with gold and white accents, featuring a sandblasted area on the front, which served as a canvas for Saunders.

The first lady said she worked with Saunders to conceptualize a heartwarming scene of two children beneath a Christmas tree, wrapped in a starry night with the words, “shine bright,” echoing a message of inspiration for all children.

The limited number of 500 ornaments are priced at $35 each and are only available at the Tamarack Marketplace at The Culture Center in Charleston.

Those interested in purchasing an ornament may call (304) 205-7911 and leave a voicemail with their name and phone number.

Read more:

https://www.wdtv.com/2023/12/05/first-lady-cathy-justice-unveils-official-2023-christmas-ornament/

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 Monday, Dec. 11 

The founder of a new arts magazine shares what inspires him about Appalachia. WV State Parks partner with Girls Scouts to trade free camping for conservation projects. And the loooooong set of Kaymoor Mine steps are now open again in the New River Gorge…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From LOOTPRESS – Meet Adam Payne, the Editor in Chief of YNST Magazine. This captivating media outlet aims to bridge the gap between creatives in Appalachia and the rest of the world. 

Payne’s journey with YNST Magazine began during his time at West Virginia University. While there, he witnessed an abundance of exceptionally talented individuals: musicians, theater makers, designers, photographers and dancers. The depth of skill he encountered left him astounded. Payne’s firsthand experience made him question why such incredible talent was not receiving the recognition it deserved.

Payne sheds light on his motivation behind starting the magazine, the incredible talent he discovered in West Virginia, and the thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region.

Learn more (and subscribe) at www.ynstmagazine.com.

Read more:

https://www.lootpress.com/ynst-magazine-spotlights-appalachian-creatives-in-yeswv/

#2 – From GAZETTE-MAIL – Girl Scouts will be able to camp for free in West Virginia state parks and complete public service projects as part of a collaboration between the state Division of Natural Resources and the Black Diamond Council of the Girl Scouts of America.

Additionally, recreational activities may be offered at a reduced or negotiated rate, depending on factors such as volume, availability, operational hours and the time of year.

The partnership allows Girl Scouts to engage in activities within state parks while actively participating in conservation service projects. A similar agreement was formed earlier this year with the Buckskin Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

DNR Director Brett McMillion said the collaboration will develop outdoor skills and leadership potential in participating Scouts. The hope is that their time spent in state parks will foster a lifelong love for West Virginia and contribute positively to both the Scouts and the community.

Read more:

https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/politics/girl-scouts-to-enjoy-free-camping-as-part-of-state-partnership/article_89b9291e-db64-53f8-92f4-9134a62f5782.html

#3 – From GAZETTE-MAIL – A century ago, when the Kaymoor No. 1 mine was in its heyday, the daily commute between home and worksite could be a bit nerve-wracking.

Miners living in company housing at Kaymoor Top, a coal camp on the rim of the New River Gorge, rode an open cable car called a mountain haulage down a near-vertical slope to reach a bench halfway down the canyon, where a drift mine was located.

The cable car system also provided access for miners and their families traveling to and from another company owned coal camp, Kaymoor Bottom, situated 900 feet below Kaymoor Top, on a bluff just uphill of the Chesapeake & Potomac Railway tracks paralleling the New River.

Today, 60 years after the Kaymoor No. 1 mine closed, the only way to visit the lower two levels of the abandoned mining complex involves climbing stairs — lots of stairs.

In late October, the National Park Service completed a major repair project on the 821-step staircase connecting the mid-Gorge mine bench with Kaymoor Bottom. The staircase, built in 1994, traces the route of a concrete stairway built in the early 1900s.

Visitors to Kaymoor can view the mine entrance, a signboard posting safety messages, and the remains of a powder house, fan house and other outbuildings. 

The remains of coal processing and loading  equipment, railroad sidings and coke ovens can be found at Kaymoor Bottom. Just remember if you venture down the 821 steps, you’ll have to climb back up them!

Read more:

https://www.wvgazettemail.com/outdoors/national-park-service-reopens-821-step-stairway-to-kaymoor-bottom/article_ca95e2b4-8aa8-5e83-aa3f-f2be9014f768.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 Sunday, Dec. 10 

Echo-Lit livens Charleston’s West Side with art prints and literary tributes. The Geminid meteor shower peaks Dec. 14; head to a WV Dark Sky park for some amazing views. Relive your childhood at Snowshoe Mountain’s tubing park…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From WV ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – Located in the heart of Charleston’s West Side, Echo-Lit LLC is a welcoming modern storefront adorned by a vivid mural of a young girl reading by candlelight in a West Virginia-themed hollow. Step inside, and you’re greeted by a tapestry of art prints, literary excerpts and a trove of West Virginia-inspired treasures meticulously arranged along the walls.

Jeanne Stevenson, the proud owner, embodies a fervor not just for art but for her home state. Her enthusiasm is palpable as she shares the robust support received from both state and federal entities to nurture her business.

The journey wasn’t solitary. Victoria Russo from the Charleston Area Alliance played a pivotal role by introducing Jeanne to Leslie Drake, Director of the U.S. Export Assistance Center and Caitlin Lizarraga, International Trade Manager for the West Virginia Department of Economic Development. This connection seeded opportunities and guidance crucial for Echo-Lit’s expansion.

Check out www.www.echo-lit.com to see some of the West Virginia-inspired artwork!

Read more:

https://westvirginia.gov/navigating-the-path-to-export-success-echo-lits-journey-begins/

 #2 – From PLANETARY.ORG – Look up! The 2023 Geminid meteor shower peaks in the evening of Dec. 14, with meteors also visible on Dec. 13. The Geminids are expected to produce up to 120 meteors per hour at a dark site. The waxing crescent Moon won't interfere with dark skies, making this year's shower good for viewing.

The Geminids are one of the Northern Hemisphere’s best showers. They’re also visible from the Southern Hemisphere, just with fewer meteors. 

The best way to watch a meteor shower is from a dark sky site, so it helps to get away from city lights as much as you can. In West Virginia, Watoga State Park, Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park and Calvin Price State Forest are officially designated Dark Sky parks. Visit  www.wvtourism.com/stars to learn more.

Read more:

https://www.planetary.org/articles/your-guide-meteor-shower

#3 – From GARDEN & GUN –  Every year in mid to late fall, snow tubing parks across the South open for their seasons, drawing the coat- and mitten-clad masses for a little zero-skill, minimal-effort fun. But its age-reversing effect is tubing’s real appeal: The exhilaration of flying down a hill, grin frozen in place, elicits childish glee in anyone eight to eighty years old. 

In West Virginia, the eight-lane snow tubing hill at Snowshoe Mountain’s Coca-Cola Tube Park boasts a six-story elevation drop that’s been delivering thrills amid chills since the late 1980s. And when the sun goes down, Galactic Tubing blasts the excitement level out of this world. Multicolored lights above the lanes wash each ride in a revolving rainbow that attracts bigger crowds than daylight tubing. While the park stays packed during all open hours, the tubing team keeps an eye on ticket numbers to minimize wait times.

Visit www.wvtourism.com or www.wvstateparks.com to learn more about snow sports in Almost Heaven.

Read more:

https://gardenandgun.com/articles/seven-southern-snow-tubing-spots/?

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 Saturday, Dec. 9 

Shine On, WV profiles artist Kylie Proudfoot-Payne. Gather your gear together: Ski season is almost here! And a Wheeling roofing business reveals why it says #YesWV…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From SHINE ON, WV – Kylie Proudfoot-Payne is a visual artist who is inspired by the environment and landscape with plein air paintings, earth works, and installations. She is most inspired by colors and moments in nature and is often seeking new and technological ways to inspire engagement with her audience.

Watch the video to view some of Kylie’s work. And subscribe to Shine On, WV’s channel for more features on West Virginia artists!

Watch the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=doclRnotMzwquvH3&v=qPdayfuAK48&feature=youtu.be

 #2 – From GAZETTE-MAIL – Skiing and snowboarding season is almost upon us!

Already this fall, all the resorts in West Virginia have had their snow guns operating, getting everything ready for those first turns of the season.

Last year, the amount of natural snowfall was the lowest in recent memory, but due to seasonal temperatures at the higher elevations, all the resorts were able to produce tons of man-made snow, allowing skiers, snowboarders and snowtubers to enjoy time on the slope from Thanksgiving to the end of March.

One side of the industry in West Virginia that is solely dependent on Mother Nature to provide natural snow is cross country and snowshoeing. The word out of Tucker County at White Grass Touring Center is that almost a foot of snow already this year has allowed some back country enthusiasts to break out their cross country boards and slide around a bit.

To learn more about snow sports in Almost Heaven, visit www.wvtourism.com or www.wvstateparks.com.

Read more:

https://www.wvgazettemail.com/metrokanawha/joes-sports-beat-ski-season-is-almost-here-in-almost-heaven/article_84446370-4317-5681-bd9b-3d1ba351ef4f.html?utm_source=wvgazettemail.com&utm_campaign=%2Fnewsletters%2Foutdoors%2F%3F-dc%3D1700326819&utm_medium=email&utm_content=headline

#3 – From WV COMMERCE – Located in Wheeling, Kalkreuth Roofing and Sheet Metal is one of the top roofing contractors in the country and strives to maintain a progressive vision for the future. Not only does Kalkreuth specialize in roofing, but they also have expertise in wall cladding. This comprehensive approach to exterior envelope applications has made us a preferred choice for various markets nationwide.

Watch the video to learn why Kalkreuth is one of the many companies to say #YesWV.

Watch the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s308-gKXTJc

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.