West Virginia

Society Man, Dragoon Guard Top West Virginia Derby

Published

2 years ago

July 30, 2024

Society Man, Dragoon Guard Top West Virginia Derby

Trainer Danny Gargan, enjoying a career-best year with two grade 1 wins from Dornoch and stable earnings of more than $3.2 million, can pad that tally when Society Man races Aug. 4 in the $500,000 West Virginia Derby (G3) at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort.

The Matt Winn Stakes (G3) winner and Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) runner-up battles Indiana Derby (G3) victor Dragoon Guard , Iowa Derby winner Henro , and six other 3-year-olds in the 1 1/8-mile dirt race.

Besides being trained by Gargan, Society Man shares other similarities with Dornoch. Both are sons of Good Magic , though Dornoch is a colt and Society Man a gelding. West Paces Racing is a co-owner in both horses.

Society Man races for Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, West Paces Racing, GMP Stables, and Carl and Yurie Pascarella. West Paces Racing is also an owner in Dornoch, along with R. A. Hill Stable, Belmar Racing and Breeding, Two Eight Racing, and Pine Racing Stables.

Gargan nominated Society Man to the July 27 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) at Saratoga Race Course but passed on the race, which reigning 2-year-old male champion Fierceness won over Kentucky Derby (G1) runner-up Sierra Leone . He told New York Racing Association publicity that he thinks Society Man “fits better in the West Virginia Derby.”

“I like how the timing sets up. If he could win the West Virginia Derby, we could see him back at Parx,” he said of the Sept. 21 Pennsylvania Derby (G1). “I have him on that route.

“Look, he is a gelding, and he is going to be around for a long time. We are just trying to map out the best route for him to keep him doing well.”

Society Man is 2-1-1 in seven starts with earnings of $437,230. Corey Lanerie, aboard in the Matt Winn, travels to Mountaineer for the return mount Sunday.

Juddmonte’s Dragoon Guard, a winner of three straight after a debut second last September at Churchill Downs, appears a formidable foe following front-running 2 1/2-length victory in the July 6 Indiana Derby (G3) at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Florent Geroux comes in for the ride on the Brad Cox-trained Dragoon Guard, a homebred son of Arrogate. Along with Society Man, Dragoon Guard is co-high weight in the field at 120 lbs.

JD Thoroughbreds and Joey Keith Davis’ Henro upset Dragoon Guard’s Cox-trained stablemate Just a Touch in capturing the Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows the same day as the Indiana Derby. Routing for the first time, Henro, a Collected gelding, sat closer than usual to the early pace and came on late to score after tracking the leaders.

Rafael Bejarano returns in the irons for trainer Chris Hartman aboard the diminutive chestnut, who is 3-1-0 in seven starts.

All nine entrants in the West Virginia Derby race with the diuretic Lasix, which is not permitted in graded stakes races across the United States but can be used in West Virginia, which is not operating under the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority. The state won a preliminary injunction two years ago in one of the numerous lawsuits that are contesting HISA’s constitutionality.

Sunday’s card is a twilight racing program with first post at 5 p.m. ET. The West Virginia Derby is scheduled for 8:15 p.m.

Entries: West Virginia Derby (G3)

Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort, Sunday, August 04, 2024, Race 8

Grade III
1 1/8m
Dirt
$500,000
3 yo
8:15 PM (local)

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West Virginia

PSC hears public comments on possible WV American Water takeover of Lincoln PSD

Published

11 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Press Room

PSC hears public comments on possible WV American Water takeover of Lincoln PSD

CHARLESTON, W.Va (WCHS) — The West Virginia PSC held a public comment hearing on Tuesday regarding West Virginia American Water taking over Lincoln Lincoln Public Service District.

Only one person spoke out sharing what they’d like to see done if West Virginia American Water acquires the Lincoln PSD.

“If the company wants to get to folks who really need water, they should be looking at areas where drilling well is nearly impossible, like mine, which is actually closer to the lines than some of the places they mention in their filing. My neighbors and I live closer to the main water lines than the proposed Sugar Tree Road extension or the one and a half miles out to the campground that they plan on serving,” a Lincoln PSD customer shared during the meeting.

Lincoln PSD issued a boil water advisory on January 26th, and it wasn’t lifted until March 31st, leaving some customers not able to use what was coming out of their faucets.

Just last year, the Lincoln County Commission voted to move forward with the dissolution of the Lincoln PSD, but, in September, the district filed a petition to stop the sale to West Virginia American Water. Soon after in November, PSC staff submitted a request asking the applicants to give specific financial information.

West Virginia American Water issued the following statement at Tuesday’s meeting:

“West Virginia American Water has been working collaboratively with the Lincoln County Commission and the Lincoln County Public Service District Board regarding the possible acquisition of the Lincoln County Public Service District. The proposal would involve the purchase of the 2,532-customer system. We appreciate the opportunity for public input and look forward to continuing to work through the Public Service Commission’s review process.”

Lincoln PSD customers received a letter in the mail this week stating that the system violated drinking water monitoring requirements. The utility noted what was done to correct the situation and added that customers are not at risk.

Customers were also alerted Tuesday night of a boil water notice tonight due to a recent inspection concluding that the utility is not currently meeting the minimum disinfection requirements for surface water facilities.

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West Virginia

Former WVU QB Will Grier is Headed Back to Where His NFL Career Started

Published

23 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Press Room

Former WVU QB Will Grier is Headed Back to Where His NFL Career Started

One of the best quarterbacks in recent memory to come through West Virginia, Will Grier, is approaching his eighth year in the NFL, which is quite the accomplishment for a backup. According to multiple reports early Tuesday morning, Grier is headed home, signing a free agent deal with the Carolina Panthers.

Grier was selected in the third round (100th overall) by the Panthers in 2019 and, at the time, was viewed as someone who could potentially be the future face of the franchise. That plan got messed up pretty early as Ron Rivera was fired during his rookie season, ultimately replaced by Matt Rhule. That offseason, the Panthers decided to cut ties with Cam Newton and bring in Teddy Bridgewater, giving Carolina a completely different direction at quarterback.

Following his second season with the Panthers, Grier was let go and began bouncing around the league. He spent time with the Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, and then back to the Cowboys in 2024 and 2025.

Although he has only played in two regular season games in his career, Grier is widely viewed as a tremendous veteran quarterback who can bring depth to a room and serve as an extra voice for the starter to lean on. In this case, he and former Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett will fill that role for Bryce Young.

Where Grier ranks among WVU QBs in the NFL

Nov 23, 2018; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Will Grier (7) celebrates during the second quarter against the Oklahoma Sooners at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images | Ben Queen-Imagn Images

Statistically, he’s not going to catch anyone unless he somehow gets thrown into a starting role at some point, but as far as longevity goes, he’s been able to stick around in the NFL longer than most former Mountaineer quarterbacks.

Geno Smith (still active) is entering his 14th year in the league, and Jeff Hostetler made it 13 years. Those are the only two WVU quarterbacks who played longer. Marc Bulger played eight years, so as long as he makes it through this season and plays in 2027, he’ll surpass him. The others? Charles Seabright (six years), Oliver Luck (four years), Pat White (one year), and Fred Wyant (one year).

Grier will forever be remembered as one of the best to ever suit up for the Old Gold and Blue, tossing for 7,354 yards and 71 touchdowns in just two seasons in Dana Holgorsen’s offense. Following the 2018 season, he finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting, marking the highest finish for a Mountaineer since Steve Slaton in 2006.

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AIA West Virginia honors design excellence at 2026 gala in Morgantown

Published

1 day ago

April 20, 2026

Press Room

AIA West Virginia honors design excellence at 2026 gala in Morgantown

MORGANTOWN, WV — The American Institute of Architects West Virginia (AIA WV) recognized design excellence, honored distinguished service and celebrated emerging talent at its 2026 Design Awards Gala and Scholarship Benefit, held at Hotel Morgan in Morgantown.

The annual program highlights architectural work that demonstrates design quality and meaningful impact on communities across West Virginia and beyond. This year’s awards were determined through a blind jury process led by Christopher Meyers, FAIA, of Meyers+Associates in Columbus, Ohio. Projects were evaluated on clarity of concept, execution and long-term impact.

The program’s highest recognition, the Honor Award for New Construction, was presented to the Library and Active Living Center at Afton Ridge in Kannapolis, North Carolina, designed by Silling with design architect HBM Architects, and the Marshall County Health Department in Moundsville, West Virginia, designed by Silling.

Merit Awards for New Construction were awarded to the WVU Medicine Thomas Hospital Orthopedic Hospital Entry Addition in Charleston, West Virginia (Silling); Coalfield Elementary School in Welch, West Virginia (The Thrasher Group); and Northwood Health Systems in Wheeling, West Virginia (M&G Architects & Engineers with MSA Design).

Citations for New Construction were presented to Alderson Elementary School (The Thrasher Group) and the Oglebay Park Resort Wilson Lodge Porte Cochere (Mills Group).

A Merit Award in Renovation/Restoration was awarded to the Cabarrus County Courthouse – Phase 2 in Concord, North Carolina, designed by Silling with HBM Architects.

In the Interiors category, a Merit Award was presented to Building 2000 Renovation in Friendly, West Virginia (Pickering Associates), while Cedar Grove Elementary School (ZMM Architects and Engineers) received a Citation.

A Citation in Small Projects was awarded to the Cabell County Courthouse Clock Tower Restoration in Huntington, West Virginia (Edward Tucker Architects).

The Community Impact Award was presented to the Woody Williams Center for Advanced Learning and Careers in Barboursville, West Virginia, designed by ZMM Architects and Engineers, recognizing its impact on education and workforce development.

The 25 Year Award, honoring enduring architectural significance, was presented to the West Virginia Culture Center in Charleston, West Virginia, designed by Silling.

AIA West Virginia also presented the James L. Montgomery Award, the organization’s highest individual honor, to William E. Yoke Jr., AIA Emeritus, in recognition of a lifetime of distinguished service to the profession and lasting contributions to the built environment.

The evening also recognized the next generation of architects, with the West Virginia Foundation for Architecture (WVFA) awarding scholarships to ten students pursuing degrees in architecture. These awards reflect the Foundation’s continued commitment to supporting emerging talent and strengthening the future of the profession.

The AIA West Virginia Design Awards program underscores the role architects play in shaping communities through thoughtful, enduring design. This year’s recipients reflect a continued commitment to advancing the quality of the built environment while responding to evolving community needs.

Additional information, including detailed project descriptions and photography, is available in the Awards Gallery at www.aiawv.org.

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