Walt Helmick: the water farmer

This story was originally published May 23, 2012 in the Charleston Daily Mail. MINNEHAHA SPRINGS – High on a Pocahontas County ridge, a natural spring spits out 20 gallons of water each minute. It runs down the mountain through a mile of pipe, supplying water…

Poet finds peace after long struggle with addiction

This story was originally published April 24, 2014 in the Charleston Daily Mail. On Aug. 6, 2006, Larry “Ace” Boggess walked into the McCloud Family Pharmacy in Lavalette dressed in a long black hood and cape, intending to steal some Oxycontin. He was armed with…

Zac Jones to fight in Rough ‘n’ Rowdy Brawl

This story was originally published Jan. 9, 2014 in the Charleston Daily Mail. It won “Best Lifestyles Feature” at the 2015 West Virginia Press Association Awards. Fists wrapped and gloves tied, tomorrow night Zac Jones, the often-troubled son of Charleston mayor Danny Jones, will duck…

State of Confusion

This story was originally published on June 20, 2013, in a special tabloid released to commemorate West Virginia’s 150th birthday. Delegates at the constitutional convention found themselves in a state of confusion. On October 24, 1861, voters in 41 western Virginia counties overwhelmingly voted to…