West Virginia

WVDNR preparing to host 49th annual Groundhog Day Celebration on Monday

Published

2 months ago

February 1, 2026

WVDNR preparing to host 49th annual Groundhog Day Celebration on Monday

FRENCH CREEK, W.Va. (WCHS) — On Monday, the state of West Virginia finds out whether or not it’s getting six more weeks of winter.

Feb. 2 is Groundhog Day across the United States, and the West Virginia Division of National Resources is gearing up for the 49th annual Groundhog Day Celebration for the Mountain State at the West Virginia Wildlife Center in French Creek.

The event is free to members of the public and will begin at 9:30 a.m., according to a press release from WVDNR. West Virginia’s groundhog meteorologist French Creek Freddie will make his annual appearance at 10 a.m. with help from Governor Patrick Morrisey.

As per Groundhog Day tradition, if French Creek Freddie sees his shadow, the Mountain State is in for six more weeks of winter. if he doesn’t see his shadow, that means an early spring is predicted.

Once the ceremony concludes, WVDNR said there will be a photo opportunity with French Creek Freddie. Meanwhile at the gift shop, hot chocolate, cookies and biscuits and gravy will be available. Additionally, there will be a “wood chucking” contest that the public can participate in. The Wildlife Center will also be open to explore.

“Groundhog Day is a cherished tradition here at the West Virginia State Wildlife Center, and we’re excited to welcome back Freddie’s adoring fans,” West Virginia State Wildlife Center Wildlife Biologist Mark Biller said in the release. “In addition to providing a fun event for families to enjoy, we will be announcing that the loop trail through the animal viewing area is being named an official Mountaineer Mile Trail.”

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West Virginia

No Kings protests draw crowds nationwide, including in Wheeling, West Virginia

Published

4 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

No Kings protests draw crowds nationwide, including in Wheeling, West Virginia

OHIO COUNTY, WV — Protesters lined Kruger Street and National Road in Wheeling on Saturday as part of “No Kings” demonstrations held across the country.

People were already packed along the streets before the protest began at 11:30 as participants cited rising gas prices and the controversial Iran war. Protesters chanted and voiced their opinions during the event.

Teddie Grogan said the group gathered to push back against what they see as undemocratic leadership and unnecessary conflict. “We’re here today to protest the fact that we want our country we want it run as a democracy we don’t want wars that are somebodys choice and not a necessity,” Grogan said.

Former U.S. military member Cody Cumpston also criticized the current administration and said he is frustrated by the cost of living and the direction of the country. “I’m here today because of the current administration we’re in a new war we didn’t need to be in prices are still skyrocketing I’m just tired of it I feel like they’ve forgotten all about us and they keep forgetting about us,” Cumpston said.

Another protester, April Pascoli, said she believes many people are not aware of what the administration is doing internationally and at home. “If I don’t go to work one day and I ask people do you know what’s happening in this country? And somebody says, we’re at war right now? Really? People my age don’t even know that we have troops on the ground, that they are bombing. Bombing our bases in the middle east. Do you know that, do you realize that?” Pascoli said.

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West Virginia

Morrisey: Growth of Alcon in Cabell County is evidence of good times ahead for WV

Published

16 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Morrisey: Growth of Alcon in Cabell County is evidence of good times ahead for WV

Alcon, an eye care device company focusing on surgical equipment and vision care products, in Lesage, Cabell County, West Virginia, announced on March 26, 2026, it is investing $81 million for a facility expansion, creating high-tech jobs and a new product. West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey attended the event to announce the investment along with other private investments made between October 2025 and March 2026.

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West Virginia

No. 17 West Virginia Travels to Face No. 22 Arizona State in Top-25 Weekend Series

Published

1 day ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

No. 17 West Virginia Travels to Face No. 22 Arizona State in Top-25 Weekend Series

The No. 17 West Virginia Mountaineers (17-4, 5-1) are in a top 25 road matchup and look to remain atop the Big 12 Conference standings against the No. 22 Arizona State Devils (18-6, 4-2) for a three-game weekend series. Game one is Friday night with the first pitch set for 9:30 p.m. EST (ESPN+) game two is Saturday at 9:30 p.m. EST (ESPN+) and the series finale is scheduled for Sunday night at 9:00 p.m. EST (ESPN2).

West Virginia comes into the game on a six-game winning streak after taking two of three from Baylor, sweeping BYU and knocked off Marshall Tuesday night.

Two Mountaineers reside in the top five of the Big 12 in batting averaging. Paul Schoenfeld has emerged as the Mountaineers leader at the plate, hitting a team-high .418, which ranks third in the conference with a team-best 26 RBI. The senior is currently on an 11-game hitting streak.

Gavin Kelly is fourth in the league with a .416 batting average and is riding a 17-game hitting streak. The sophomore leads the team in hits (37), runs (28) and doubles (11).

Senior Matthew Graveline has clubbed a team-high four home runs, while junior Armani leads the Mountaineers in stolen bases with 12.

On the mound, West Virginia is expected to start Dawson Montesa in the series opener. The junior right hander threw seven innings in his last outing against BYU, tying a season-high, with seven strikeouts. He holds 4-0 record with 4.65 ERA and 39 strikeouts.

Lefty Maxx Yehl is scheduled to move to the middle of the series after closing out each of the first six series of the season. The redshirt junior is second in the conference in ERA at .084, allowing a mere three runs in 32.0 innings of work. In the last two outings, he has recorded a combined 23 strikeouts, upping his season total to a team-leading 44 strikeouts on the season.

Chansen Cole will start game three. The right-handed sophomore had his toughest outing of the season last weekend against BYU. He allowed six earned runs in three innings, but registered six strikeouts. He is currently 3-0 with a 4.00 ERA with 29 strikeouts.

Arizona State is 11-2 after a four-game skid against SEC opponents, and notched its series wins over TCU and Kansas State.

Sophomore Landon Hairston leads the team with a .458 batting average, tie with fifth-year senior Dean Toigo with 11 home runs, 11 doubles, 36 runs, and 34 RBI.

Junior lefty Cole Carlon is slated to counter with Cole Carlon (2-1, 3.19 ERA), junior right-hander Alex Overbay (0-0, 5.19 ERA), is set for game two, and senior righty Kole Klecker (3-1, 5.61 ERA) is scheduled for the series finale.

This is the first meeting between the two programs.

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