SUMMERS COUNTY W.Va. (Hinton News) – A new year is here and Hinton News is taking a look back at some of the biggest stories for 2023. Here are a few articles in chronological order we thought were worth another look.
January
This article originally appeared on hintonnews.com on Jan. 23, 20233.
Rebecca Stalnaker
HINTON, (Hinton News) – A structure fire reported as being at an address on Summers Street occurred at the old Price Hotel building during the night between Jan. 21 and 22. Multiple fire departments responded, including the City of Hinton, Jumping Branch, Summers County and Talcott.
A witness, Linda Crowley, said she had gone to bed around 1 a.m. She said, “I kept hearing strange sounds, like fireworks or gunshots. Sound really travels here. I got up at 1:30 and the flames were towering against the skyline. The upper floors collapsed within 30 minutes. You could hear the roaring of the fire over the water. It looked like the mouth of hell had opened up and was screaming.”
February
This article originally appeared on hintonnews.com on Feb. 23, 2023.
Lawson Jones
HINTON, (Hinton News) – Summers County pulled through in New Richmond Wednesday night for a 47-50 Sectional Championship victory over the Wyoming East Lady Warriors.
Having been defeated by the Lady Warriors twice during the regular season, this was not an easy feat. Neither team gave in, keeping the game close the entire night.
Sophomore Abby Persinger, who led the scoring for Summers County with her 14 points, commented on the excitement surrounding the sectional title, as well as the work behind it.
“It’s very personal. We’ve been working so hard in practice, and it has paid off.”
Summers County will host the winner of Chapmanville and Mingo Central for the Region III Championship on Tuesday, February 28, at 7:00 P.M.
“I love our atmosphere on our home court, and we haven’t been able to host in a few years, so it’s pretty special,” Persinger stated.
Other Lady Bobcats who scored in the winning effort were Avery Lilly with 12 points, Sullivan Pivont with 10 points, Liv Meador with 7 points, Gracie Harvey with 6 points, and Cheyenne Smith with 1 point.
Come out and support the Lady Bobcats on Tuesday!
Lady Bobcats 50
Abby Persinger 14, Avery Lilly 12, Sullivan Pivont 10, Liv Meador 7, Gracie Harvey 6, Cheyenne Smith 1.
Wyoming East 47
Maddie Clark 17, Cadee Blackburn 16, Kaylee Bane 5, Colleen Lookabill 3, Abby Russel 2, Abi Barker 2.
March
This article originally appeared on hintonnews.com on March 30, 2023.
Hinton News
HINTON, (Hinton News) – Summers County native and local author, Cheryl Lowry Kula, announces the publication of her third children’s book, Unsinkable Sam. She will hold a book signing on April 15 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Otter and Oak in Hinton.
This early reader chapter book shares the story of an actual cat, who according to legend, survived the sinking of not one, not two, but three ships during World War II. He’s a brave cat, but all Sam really wants is to find his forever home. Cheryl came across this story while researching homeschool materials for her daughters during the pandemic. She hopes the book, which is geared towards children in grades 2 to 5, will strike an interest in world history. And who doesn’t like a good animal story?
Cheryl has also written and published two children’s picture books, Play Day with Daddy, and A Different Tail, plus a variety of award-winning stories. She started her own publishing company, Pen & Possum Productions, to help other scribblers along their writing journey. Can’t make the book signing? Unsinkable Sam is also available from Amazon, in print, and on Kindle.
May
This article originally appeared on hintonnews.com on May 3, 2023
Rebecca Stalnaker
TALCOTT, (Hinton News) – A project to bring running water into John Henry Park that began several months ago has reached completion. Mike Cales, Mike Smith and Hank Keatley finalized the work on Tuesday, May 2.
According to Cales, the park now has water to the Visitor’s Center, four yard hydrants and hundreds of feet of pipe. He also stated that the crew installed the lines so that, should there ever be a need to expand, it can easily be done.
Now that this project has reached completion, Cales said they will focus on preparing the grounds for the John Henry Days Festival.
Multiple people and organizations helped bring the John Henry Historical Park water project to fruition. According to Cales, a big thanks is due to the following: Charles Saunders, Mike Gore and Ted Kula with the Summers County Commission; Mike Smith and Hank Keatley for their hard work; Christy Bailey and her staff at Coal Heritage.
This article originally appeared on hintonnews.com on May 26, 2023.
Rebecca Stalnaker
BLUESTONE LAKE (Hinton News) – An Almost Heaven Swing has been placed overlooking Bluestone Lake. According to a press release from the Explore Summers County CVB, the project stems from a “partnership with the West Virginia Department of Tourism, West Virginia State Parks, Explore Summers County CVB, and the US Army Corps of Engineers.” The swing was officially hung on Thursday, May 25.
Students at the Nicholas County Career and Technical Center built the swings. The West Virginia Department of Tourism initially partnered with the students to create nine wooden swings, the first of which was erected in 2022. They are placed around the state in strategic locations.
The new installment sits in Bluestone State Park at the end of Lilly Bridge. A wooden cutout of the state sits in front of the swing; it is equipped with a phone holder to facilitate selfies. Photos taken from this spot will feature the lake and mountains in the background, adding the Mountain State’s beauty to every picture.
Rebecca Peterson, Executive Director for Explore Summers County, stated, “The swings were offered through the WV Department of Tourism’s Co-Op advertising program, and we were thrilled to add it to the cart!”
According to Assistant Park Superintendent, Jessica Stoner, Pipestem will also get an Almost Heaven Swing in the near future.
Multiple local officials were in attendance at the hanging of the swing. The list included: The Superintendent of Bluestone State Park, Frank Ratcliffe, and Assistant Superintendent Jessica Stoner; Bluestone State Park Maintenance Crew and Bluestone State Park Lifeguards; Senator Jack David Woodrum, Summers County Commissioners Charles Saunders and Mike Gore; Treasurer for Explore Summers County CVB Cleo Mathews, and Executive Director of Explore Summers County CVB Rebecca Peterson.
To learn more about the swing or tourism in Summers County, reach out to Explore Summers County CVB through Facebook or stop by the CVB located at 300 2nd Ave in Hinton. You can also visit the website at exploresummerscounty.com or send an email to info@exploresummerscounty.com.
September
This article originally appeared on hintonnews.com on Sept. 26, 2023.
Rebecca Stalnaker
SUMMERS COUNTY W.Va. (Hinton News) – The Summers County Middle School Archers participated in the first Greenbrier Archery Invitational Tournament that was part of the Wild & Wonderful Hunting, Fishing and Conservation Expo held at The Greenbrier Resort. Teams in elementary and middle grades from Alderson, Frankford, Lewisburg, Mountain View, Peterstown and Summers County schools competed. Summers County brought home second place in the Middle School category.
November
This article originally appeared on hintonnews.com on Nov. 8, 2023.
Lisa Abshire
HINTON W.Va. (Hinton News) – Anyone in Summers County who has been outside recently has been greeted by a haze and the smell of smoke in the air. This is likely from a fire burning approximately 15 miles from Hinton in a neighboring county on National Park land.
According to Dave Bieri from the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, a wildfire is burning in the New River Gorge National Park in a “remote location opposite the river from Grandview.” It is estimated to be approximately 150 acres. Bieri went on to say that the only closure in the park at this time is the War Ridge Campground and assures everyone that crews are working to contain the fire.
David Bieri is a district supervisor with the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.
Local fire department personnel are asking everyone to please avoid burning outside. The risk is too high.
The air quality is already declining, according to a weather monitoring app. People with breathing problems should be cautious when out in the haze-filled air. Please call 911 if you experience a breathing emergency or see a wildfire.
December
This article originally appeared on hintinnews.com on Dec. 7, 2023.
Rebecca Stalnaker
HINTON W.Va. (Hinton News) – The building that once housed Long John Silvers in Hinton has been demolished. Speculations for what will replace it range from Tudor’s Biscuit World to a bowling alley and everything in between. However, there is no official word yet on how the property will be utilized.
Stick with Hinton News as we gather more information on the future of this location.
