You want more? I’ve got more.
“Dogs by Design” (published in the February 2017 issue of Wonderful West Virginia)
“Evans was a designer, by trade and by nature. When he decided to be a magazine illustrator, he spent years crafting a portfolio that would appeal to Cosmopolitan magazine and landed a job the day he dropped it off.
When he saw magazines transitioning from illustrations to photography, he designed a life for himself and Kay at Old Hemlock, where he drew on a lifetime of hunting experience and fashioned a new career as an outdoors writer.
When he couldn’t find a bird dog that suited his tastes, he decided to design one of those, too.”
“A Job You Wear” (published in the Spring 2016 issue of WV Living)
Danny Jones has worked as a bartender, bouncer, cook, waiter, gravedigger, bottled water salesman, restaurant owner, public relations man, county sheriff, state delegate, radio talk show host, and, most importantly, Charleston, West Virginia’s longest-serving mayor.
“The Polecat Rampage” (published in the fall 2015 issue of WV Living)
Each spring, a diverse fraternity gathers in the West Virginia woods to eat ramps, drink, and tell stories.
“High Hopes for a New Cash Crop” (published in August/September ’16 issue of Morgantown Magazine)
Could the humble hemp plant—banned by the federal government and given a bad rap because of its psychedelic cousin—become the next big thing for West Virginia’s agriculture industry?
“State of Confusion” (originally published June 20, 2013)
This is a story about how West Virginia very nearly became “Vandalia.”
“Logan County bat maker is fueled by his love of the game” (originally published October 22, 2014)
Mike Crosby didn’t achieve his goal of becoming a big-time professional baseball player. But he’s found a way to stay in the game he loves, making professional quality custom bats in a shed beside his Man, W.Va. home.
“Blackout: Scenes from a Coal Dependent Economy” (originally published in the January/February 2016 issue of West Virginia Focus)
Boone County is the home of West Virginia’s coal industry and was long the state’s leading coal producer. But when the industry suffers, so do the people of Boone County.
“Shot at a Second Chance” (originally published in the March/April 2015 issue of West Virginia Focus)
“In late October 2011, storm winds brought down trees all around James Ball’s home near Danville, making the road to his home impassable. It was a terrible time to have a drug overdose.”
“The Forgotten Disease” (originally published in the January/February 2016 issue of West Virginia Focus)
For a time, it seemed black lung was headed the way of smallpox and polio. Now, disease rates are on the rise and experts aren’t exactly sure why.
“Speed Limits” (originally published in the November/December 2015 issue of West Virginia Focus)
Many believe West Virginia’s lack of high-speed Internet is limiting business expansion. But making broadband more accessible isn’t as easy as stringing a few wires.
“Affliction of the Innocents” (originally published in the September/October 2015 issue of West Virginia Focus)
West Virginia’s opioid addiction problem is affecting a whole generation of newborns. Although special hospital units and outpatient centers are springing up to treat these most fragile patients, treating the symptoms doesn’t cure the underlying disease. But Dr. Stefan Maxwell has a plan to beat addiction with cold, hard facts.
“Mind the Gap” (originally published in the July/August 2015 issue of West Virginia Focus)
“There may be others just as smart or just as strong, but nobody works harder than the West Virginian. Or so we’d like to believe.”
“Happy Hour” (originally published in the May/June 2015 issue of West Virginia Focus)
A look inside West Virginia’s secret government warehouse, an Indiana Jones-esque facility filled with row after row of extremely valuable items.
“To the Dogs” (originally published in the May/June 2015 issue of West Virginia Focus)
At one time, greyhound racing was a major moneymaker for West Virginia. Now, the industry is a multi-million dollar albatross around the state’s neck. Lawmakers are looking for a way to get out of the racing business, but that’s more difficult than you might think.
“Roots Town Radio goes silent after internal struggles” (originally published October 28, 2014)
“A little more than six weeks after it went on the air, Charleston’s first community radio station was nothing but static. It had collapsed in a heap of dysfunction.”
“Real-life ginseng hunts are more satisfaction than reality show drama” (originally published October 14, 2014)
Ginsenging has become a spectator sport thanks to over-hyped reality shows like “Appalachian Outlaws” and “Smokey Mountain Money.” But in reality, hunting for this elusive medicinal root is one of the most peaceful, bucolic (and financially rewarding) hobbies a person could have.
“Greenbrier woman bakes up a storm for State Fair” (originally published August 6, 2014)
Passionate people are always interesting, especially if they’re maybe a little too passionate. Sandra Perry signed up to compete in 74 of the 2014 State Fair of West Virginia’s 184 cooking competitions, and because she likes to keep things fresh, she does most of her baking in the 24 hours leading up to the fair.
“Poet finds peace after long struggle with addiction” (originally published April 24, 2014)
A middle class, highly educated man descends into drug addiction, begins knocking over drug stores, goes to prison and now must find his way back.
“Bluegrass gospel group The Easter Brothers still saying ‘Thank You'” (originally published July 3, 2014)
You hear such honesty when James Easter sings about his love for God. And when you learn his story, you understand why.
“Farnsworth, a band born under a bad sign” (originally published September 18, 2014)
Charleston, W.Va. blues rock band Farnsworth has really, really bad luck.
“Friends keep jazz musician’s memory alive with nonprofit group” (originally published June 19, 2014)
“He was just a born musician. Once in a while they come along, and Derick was one of them,” (Derick Kirk’s father) Danny said. “It was a gift.”
“Final rest for forgotten victims of industrial tragedy” (originally published Sept. 7, 2012)
When black workers died during construction of the Hawks Nest Tunnel, many were hastily buried on a farm owned by the local undertaker’s mother. But that was not their final resting place.The remains were later exhumed to make way for a new highway…and subsequently lost.
“Colleagues shocked by arrest, confession in woman’s death” (originally published April 26, 2012)
When Kathy Goble vanished without a trace, no one suspected her friend and co-worker Charles March was responsible. As we learned two years later, March strangled the woman, dismembered her body in his bathtub and buried her in his yard. This story was co-written with Jared Hunt.