BECKLEY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -Travelers using the West Virginia turnpike should expect some facility closures beginning on Monday.

The Bluestone Travel Plaza on the West Virginia Turnpike will close at 7 a.m. Monday, July 8, 2024, to allow completion of a new travel plaza being built on site, according to the West Virginia Parkways.

The travel plaza will be closed to truck parking until construction is complete at the end of the year.

In February 2023, the West Virginia Parkways Authority approved a contract for $122,820.381.53 with Paramount Builders LLC, of St. Albans, for demolition and renovation of the Beckley and Bluestone travel plazas.

Renovations will include a 24/7 Mountain State Market convenience store, outdoor dining options, expanded parking for tractor-trailers and passenger vehicles, EV charging stations, separated vehicle and tractor-trailer fueling options, a picnic area, and pet relief areas, according to the WVDOT.

“This will certainly have an impact on diesel fuel customers at Beckley and those commercial truck drivers who use the site for overnight parking,” said Jeff Miller, executive director of the Parkways Authority. “We recognize that, and want to assure the traveling public that when these sites are completed and reopened they will be able to enjoy world-class facilities, with expanded offerings over the previous facilities.”

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The Virginia men’s lacrosse program officially unveiled its 2024 signing class on Friday, the No. 1-ranked class in the country per Inside Lacrosse. This cycle’s batch of 10 incoming freshmen includes a nation-leading five five-star recruits and seven players ranked in the top 40 overall prospects.

“Our coaching staff could not be more excited with the first-years joining us in Charlottesville,” said UVA head coach Lars Tiffany. “The recruiting efforts of our current staff and Sean Kirwan have allowed us to reload our roster despite significant losses due to graduation. Look for this crew of first-years to compete for critical roles with our program right away.”

See the full Virginia men’s lacrosse 2024 signing class below:

Ryan Duenkel
Position: attack/midfield
Hometown: Great Falls, Virginia
High School: St. John’s College High School
Inside Lacrosse: five-star, No. 3 overall, No. 1 attackman

Kyle Colsey
Position: attack/midfield
Hometown: Ridgefield, Connecticut
High School: Ridgefield High School
Inside Lacrosse: five-star, No. 9 overall, No. 4 attackman

Hudson Hausmann
Position: midfield
Hometown: Greenwich, Connecticut
High School: Brunswick School
Inside Lacrosse: five-star, No. 12 overall, No. 4 midfielder

Luke Hublitz
Position: defense
Hometown: Fairfield, Connecticut
High School: Brunswick School
Inside Lacrosse: five-star, No. 15 overall, No. 3 defenseman

Sean Browne
Position: attack/midfield
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
High School: Episcopal School of Dallas
Inside Lacrosse: five-star, No. 24 overall, No. 9 attackman

Tommy Snyder
Position: defense
Hometown: Bay Shore, New York
High School: St. Anthony’s High School
Inside Lacrosse: four-star, No. 34 overall, No. 6 defenseman

JP Lagunowich
Position: midfield
Hometown: Chatham, New Jersey
High School: Chatham High School
Inside Lacrosse: four-star, No. 39 overall, No. 13 midfielder

Luke Jamin
Position: defense
Hometown: Rumson, New Jersey
High School: The Taft School
Inside Lacrosse: four-star

Troy Capstraw
Position: goalie
Hometown: Daphne, Alabama
High School: Daphne High School
Inside Lacrosse: four-star

Christian Grosso
Position: faceoff/midfield
Hometown: Wellesley, Massachusetts
High School: Noble & Greenough School
Inside Lacrosse: three-star

Virginia Men’s Lacrosse: 2024 Season in Review and Outlook for Next Year

Report: Duke Midfielder Charles Balsamo Transferring to Virginia Lacrosse

Report: Virginia Lacrosse Lands Coveted Bryant Transfer Johnny Hackett

The Rev. Virginia Rickeman will lead the service at Wilson Memorial Chapel on Ocean Point this Sunday, July 14. Jim Swist will serve as organist. The service is at 9:30 a.m. All are welcome!

Virginia “Ginger” Rickeman grew up in Massachusetts spending summers in Boothbay Harbor. After graduating from Masconomet Regional High School, she obtained a B.S. in biology from Northeastern University and a master’s degree in horticulture from the University of Minnesota.

Rev. Rickeman earned her Master of Divinity from United Theological Seminary in Minnesota. Ordained in the United Church of Christ, she served for 11 years as an associate minister at Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis. Ginger then accepted a call to West Parish Congregational Church in Bethel, Maine, ministering there for nine years before retiring.

A happy, year-round resident of Boothbay Harbor, she shares a home with her best friend, Vicki. Rev. Rickeman loves visits with her sons and their families: Matthew, Becca and sons Jones, Greg and Kevin in
Westminster, Maryland; Thomas, Andrea and their children Eleanor and Henry in Tustin, California. Favorite activities include giving tours at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, ringing in her church bell choir, knitting, gardening, and reading mystery novels.