In 1861, as the Civil War raged and brother fought against brother, the counties in the western part of Virginia began the process of seceding from the eastern part of the state. Originally known as Kanawha, by the time President Lincoln proclaimed our official statehood the area had been renamed West Virginia.

Charleston, W. Va. – The WV Secretary of State’s Office registered 1,253 new businesses statewide during the month of May, according to Secretary of State Mac Warner. Braxton County led the state in the percentage of new business growth through May with a total of 14 new business registrations, a 3.11% increase. The Secretary of State’s Business & Licensing Division reported that Taylor, Webster, Summers, and Clay Counties also experienced notable growth during the month.

Charleston, W.Va – WV Secretary of State Mac Warner is issuing a notice to business owners to file their Annual Report by the statutory deadline of June 30th. Businesses that miss the June 30th deadline will be flagged in the state’s database as out of compliance. Late filers will be assessed a $50 late fee as required by law.

The United Methodist Foundation of West Virginia, Inc. awarded grants in April of 2023 totaling $89,100 to several ministries across the Annual Conference. The Foundation’s Grants Committee reviews applications and awards grants to help fund innovative programs that address acute needs in communities. The Foundation awarded grants for the following:

Following a record low number of sports and recreational injuries reported in 2020, injuries increased 20% in 2021. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported that in the first seven months of the COVID-19 pandemic, amid the majority of shelter-in-place restrictions, visits to emergency departments for consumer product-related injuries fell 24% (see the consumer product injury page). The largest decreases in injuries were sports-related. Injuries associated with track and field, lacrosse, hockey, soccer, baseball, softball, football, and basketball all saw reductions of more than 60% from March through September 2020. Sports injuries saw the largest decreases in the younger to late teen ages in the 2020 period. The CPSC attributes these large decreases to the suspension of school and youth sports leagues in the spring and summer months of 2020, in response to the pandemic.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Federal Depository Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will partner to host an economic development series in Fairmont, WV at the Robert H. Mollohan Research Center Tuesday, June 27, 2023 from 8 am to 4 pm. The series, titled...

Father John Rice is reappointed as chaplain of the West Virginia State Council of the Knights of Columbus for the Fraternal Years 2023-2024, effective immediately. This is in addition to his current assignment as pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Parkersburg and St. Monica Mission in Lubeck. Father Martin...

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Former Supreme Court Justice Warren McGraw died Wednesday, June 14. He was 84. A public servant for more than 50 years, Justice McGraw most recently was a circuit judge in the Twenty-Seventh Judicial Circuit (Wyoming County). He retired on June 21, 2021–the West Virginia Day holiday–and died on Flag Day.

Kinley Café on June 1, 2023. In addition to senior center game equipment, the staff brought and “field tested” games made from everyday household items that will be used during the summer Energy Express program. The seniors really enjoyed the activities and laughter filled the café.

PRINCETON, W.Va. – West Virginia University’s efforts to reimagine and expand cancer care received a $50 million boost as Gov. Jim Justice joined WVU academic and Health System leaders to announce state surplus funding that will support investment to attain National Cancer Institute Designation – a first for West Virginia.