West Virginia
7 Most Charming River Towns In The Southern United States To Visit In 2024
Southern charm is not simply a stereotype. It is reality below the Mason-Dixon line. One needs to look no further than small Southern communities to see the charm in their scenery, historical sites, quaint businesses, and friendly people. Rivers are the nuclei of Southern charm, as they host many of the region’s oldest communities and supply natural splendor. Thus, we have selected seven riverside settlements to inspire a charm hunt in the Southern United States.
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
West Virginia is considered either the southernmost northern state or the northernmost southern state. Since it is south of the Mason-Dixon line, we are going with the latter and choosing Harpers Ferry, one of the northernmost settlements in the northernmost southern state.
Harpers Ferry sits at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, which is also the confluence of the states of West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland. This unique location shaped its history, molding it from a ferry hub into a military armory into the site of John Brown’s slave revolt into the precarious prize of a Confederate/Union tug of war. Today, Harpers Ferry is a cemetery of its past lives. Memorials include the Industry Museum, Master Armorer’s Quarters, John Brown’s Fort, and the Civil War Museum. Those historic haunts supplement a multi-riverside oasis that also serves as the headquarters for the Appalachian Trail.
Natchez, Mississippi
What is a list of Southern river towns without mention of the Mississippi? The second-longest American river birthed many iconic communities, one of the first of which was Natchez. Now in a state named for the river, Natchez was founded by the French as Fort Rosalie before being ceded to the British via the 1763 Treaty of Paris. The Spanish assumed ownership two decades later, making Natchez not just one of the oldest but also one of the culturally richest communities in Mississippi. Many of its colonial buildings still stand. The House on Ellicott’s Hill was built circa 1798 during Spanish rule, while King’s Tavern was reportedly built in 1769 during British rule, but there is some doubt over that claim. Regardless, it dates to the latter half of the 18th century.
Naturally, Native Americans lived in Natchez long before Europeans, which can be verified by a trip to the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians. The 128-acre park contains three precolonial Native American mounds. After surveying several centuries of pre-American habitation, you can visit modern marvels like Choctaw Hall, a bread & breakfast built around 1836, and Rosalie Mansion and Gardens, a museum on a manor dating to 1823. Such ravishing antebellum retreats helped make Natchez 16th on the New York Travel Guides’ list of the 140 most romantic small towns in America.
Tallulah Falls, Georgia
Tallulah Falls is easy to fall for. This tiny Georgia town is on a section of the Tallulah River where six waterfalls combine for a scenic spectacle revered by tourists. The section is called Tallulah Gorge, which is roughly two miles long, nearly 1,000 feet deep, and is managed as Tallulah Gorge State Park. It can be hiked and biked, as well as viewed from an 80-foot-high suspension bridge, but a maximum of 100 permits to visit the floor of the gorge are handed out each day. On busy days, such as when the gorge’s luxuriant foliage changes color in the fall, these permits run out in the early morning. After getting in at the ground floor of the gorge, visitors can gorge themselves at Tallulah Adventures & The Edge Cafe and grab a souvenir from The General Store.
Augusta, Kentucky
The less populated but more picturesque Augusta of the South, Augusta, Kentucky, has just 1,000 residents but 1,000 reasons to visit. First is the Ohio River, which runs along the town and provides amazing views plus fun activities like fishing, boating, and taking one of the oldest ferry services in Kentucky. Lining the river are myriad commercial haunts such as Beehive Augusta Tavern, The Rosemary Clooney House, and the Augusta Distillery, which makes the best bourbon in the world as per the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Lastly, Augusta straddles the Ohio border, so you can experience both the North and South from this riverside community.
Stuart, Florida
Stuart is on the St. Lucie River, which is technically an estuary since it flows from the Atlantic Ocean. However, it became connected to the ocean only when residents dug an inlet in the late 19th century. St. Lucie and Stuart are part of the larger Indian River Lagoon, which is said to be the most biologically diverse estuary in North America. Some 2,200 species of animals and 2,100 species of plants inhabit the area. Arguably, the most charming Stuart species are sea turtles, which you can see captive at the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center or wild on the beaches during nesting season. Humans are the second-most spectacular species in Stuart, as they built historic sites like the Stuart Heritage Museum and businesses like Stuart Boathouse that attract thousands of other humans during tourist season.
Magnolia Springs, Alabama
The Magnolia River runs through the namesake town of Magnolia Springs in extreme southern Alabama. Like most riverside communities, Magnolia Springs relies on its river for commerce and entertainment. But unlike every other community in America, Magnolia Springs relies on its river for year-round mail delivery.
The town is considered the only residential place in America with year-round USPS water delivery. That means residents get their mail by motorboat, a system that has been in place for over 100 years. On land, Magnolia Springs is equally charming. Oaks with sprawling, storybook-style limbs have created a canopy called the Tunnel Of Trees over aptly titled Oak Street. Attractions shaded by the twisted trees include Magnolia Springs Bed and Breakfast and St Paul’s Episcopal Chapel.
Wimberley, Texas
Wimberley is a central Texas community built around the Blanco River and Cypress Creek. The latter flows into Blue Hole Regional Park, an in-town oasis centered by the titular blue-hued swimming hole. Just outside of town is another improbable oasis fed by Cypress Creek. It is called Jacob’s Well Natural Area and contains an artesian spring and arguably the longest underwater cave in Texas.
In between the glistening holes, Wimberley shines with commercial attractions like EmilyAnn Theatre, 7A Ranch, Cowboy Museum, Art on 12, The Leaning Pear, and CreekHouse Kitchen & Bar.
The Southern United States, while already famous for its charm, is most charming around rivers. These waterways inject history, scenery, vitality, and industry into their companion communities. Prime examples are Harpers Ferry, West Virginia; Natchez, Mississippi; Tallulah Falls, Georgia; Augusta, Kentucky; Stuart, Florida; Magnolia Springs, Alabama; and Wimberley, Texas. But do not take our word for it. Discover these Southern charms for yourself.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The heavily-publicized NextEra Energy MidAtlantic Resiliency Link (MARL) project being considered by the state Public Service Commission may have the Monongalia County Commission as an intervenor.
The county commission unanimously agreed earlier this week to consider the move.
The commission heard more more information at this week’s meeting from groups opposing the project that will encompass parts of three states and cut through nearly half a dozen counties in West Virginia.
Commissioner Tom Bloom read from a letter.
“On behalf of all the residents in the four affected counties, (the commission is asked) to please help us fight the proposed transmission line and consider Mon County becoming an intervener,” said Bloom. “So I did want to put that on the record.”
The approximately 107-mile-long MARL project would be powered in Greene County, Pennsylvania. The 500-kilovolt line would support data center development in Virginia and would also include crossings in parts of Maryland, with the state portion expected to cost approximately $482 million.
According to Monongalia County resident Juliet Marleer, one of many who have vocally opposed the project moving forward, aspects related to costs have continued to change in the negative as well as additional parameters that would make areas affected by the planned power line much worse. Aspects of the project that have been pointed out by organizations like West Virginia Against Transmission Injustice in recent weeks.
“It has gone up from the original $440 million to $1.16 billion (price tag),” said Marleer. “So right now, my question is, how do we find out exactly what’s going on here?”
Bloom said he’s concerned about recent adjustments about the width of property needed for the line.
“That’s the one that bothers me the most, the siding corridor width is 200 to 500 feet, however, with aerial easement blowouts, the maximum width could be 715 feet,” said Bloom.
The county commission plans to make a decision on intervenor status in the near future. The state PSC is expected to schedule public hearings on the MARL application as early as May or June.
“I think that the commission can play a part in helping with that lift in regard to making sure that we have competent legal counsel representing us and our citizens,” said Commissioner Sean Sikora. “It’s been on our list of things to do and something we’ll certainly have a conversation about.”
An informational meeting for those in opposition of the MARL project will be hosted at the Cheat Lake Volunteer Fire Department sometime later this month. A specific date has not been announced.
West Virginia
West Virginia Lottery results: See winning numbers for Mega Millions, Daily 3 on March 6, 2026
The results are in for the West Virginia Lottery’s draw games on Friday, March 6, 2026.
Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on March 6.
Winning Mega Millions numbers from March 6 drawing
08-19-26-38-42, Mega Ball: 24
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Daily 3 numbers from March 6 drawing
9-9-6
Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Daily 4 numbers from March 6 drawing
6-9-5-6
Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 25 numbers from March 6 drawing
05-13-16-19-23-25
Check Cash 25 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the West Virginia Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 11 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10:59 p.m. ET Tuesday and Friday.
- Lotto America: 10:15 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Daily 3, 4: 6:59 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday.
- Cash 25: 6:59 p.m. ET Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.
West Virginia
DNR Releases total deer whitetail numbers for 2025, down significantly from 2024 – WV MetroNews
DNR PRESS RELEASE
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) today announced that hunters harvested 92,553 white-tailed deer during the 2025-2026 seasons, which is a 17 percent decrease from the 2024 deer harvest of 111,646 and 14 percent below the 5-year average of 107,434.
This year’s decreased harvest was caused by an increase in hard mast production, which often results in decreased harvests due to the difficulty of tracking and targeting game species spread out over a landscape. Several counties also experienced an outbreak of hemorrhagic disease, which likely impacted hunter success, especially in the western part of the state.
According to preliminary numbers collected through the WVDNR’s electronic game checking system, hunters harvested 33,823 bucks during the traditional buck firearm season, 25,453 antlerless deer during all antlerless firearm hunting opportunities, 29,654 deer during the urban and regular archery/crossbow seasons, 3,102 deer during the muzzleloader season and 501 deer during the Mountaineer Heritage season.
Click here to download county-by-county 2025-2026 deer harvest numbers.
Antlerless Deer Season
Hunters harvested 25,453 deer during the 2025 antlerless deer season, which includes the youth, class Q and Class XS deer season. The harvest was a 23 percent decrease compared to the 2024 harvest of 33,057 and 13 percent below the 5-year average of 29,303. The top ten counties for antlerless deer harvests were Preston (1,442), Upshur (907), Greenbrier (877), Monroe (876), Mason (841), Lewis (836), Hardy (775), Randolph (774), Barbour (695) and Braxton (680).
Archery and Crossbow Deer Seasons
Hunters harvested 29,654 deer during the 2025 archery and crossbow season. The 2025 harvest was an 8 percent decrease over the 2024 harvest of 32,240 and 5 percent below the 5-year average of 31,139. The proportion of the archery harvest taken using a crossbow has stabilized and was greater than deer reportedly taken by a bow.
The archery and crossbow harvest does not include the 29 deer taken with recurve or longbows during the Mountaineer Heritage season. The top ten counties for archery and crossbow deer harvests were Preston (1,573), Raleigh (1,378), Wyoming (1,224), Kanawha (1,045), Fayette (1,032), Mercer (892), Nicholas (889), McDowell (876), Randolph (860) and Monongalia (842).
Muzzleloader Deer Season
Hunters harvested 3,102 deer during the 2025 muzzleloader season, which was 26 percent less than the 2024 harvest of 4,173 and 22 percent below the 5-year average of 3,979. The muzzleloader deer season harvest does not include the 472 deer taken with side lock and flintlock muzzleloaders during the Mountaineer Heritage season. The top ten counties for muzzleloader deer harvests were Nicholas (186), Preston (179), Randolph (158), Greenbrier (131), Upshur (115), Fayette (111), Raleigh (95), Mason (93), Barbour (90) and Kanawha (88).
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