This story was originally published in the September 2016 issue of Wonderful West Virginia magazine. The fish weren’t biting when Rick Burgess and his twin brothers Denny and Danny arrived at Spruce Knob Lake for a weekend camping trip in 1976, so Denny suggested they…

This story was originally published by The Guardian on February 10, 2021. It’s usually bad when West Virginia makes headlines. The state has a long, sad history of severe poverty, bad health outcomes, political corruption and disasters both natural and manmade. But by mid-January, some…

“Morrisey and the three bears: There’s a story behind popular figures guarding attorney general’s office” This story originally appeared in the November 29, 2012 edition of the Charleston Daily Mail. Heads are bound to roll when Patrick Morrisey becomes West Virginia’s attorney general in January, but…

This column originally appeared in the May 16, 2014 edition of the Charleston Daily Mail. We all know those people who seem to have it all together. They’re never late for work. They always have time to go to the gym. They make shopping lists…

This story originally appeared in the July 4, 2014 edition of the Charleston Daily Mail. VIENNA – Josh Buskirk’s garage workshop has been known to produce some strange sounds: bangs, crashes, the eerie sound of old piano strings snapping. He says his neighbors probably think…

This story originally appeared in the December 7, 2011 edition of the Charleston Daily Mail. Wetzel Sanders received the rudest awakening of his life 70 years ago today. He was 18 years old and sleeping in the barracks at Camp Malakole about eight miles from…

This article originally appeared in the Charleston Daily Mail on December 3, 2012. In a year’s time, Charleston Area Medical Center uses 385,500 adhesive bandages, 17,000 toothbrushes, 3,500 boxes of tissues, 8,080 rolls of toilet paper and more than a million Styrofoam coffee cups. And each of…

This story originally appeared in the Charleston Daily Mail on November 1, 2010. West Virginia has gained many things through the 2010 special Senate election. National attention. “Star Wars”-inspired campaign ads. A free Ted Nugent concert. And “rubber stamps.” Almost from the get-go, Republican candidate…

This article originally appeared in the March 17, 2011 edition of the Charleston Daily Mail. IRELAND – Leprechaun hats, Shamrock Shakes and green beer are fine for St. Patrick’s Day amateurs, but those seeking a big Emerald Isle bash should just go to Ireland. Head…