For years, I have talked about writing a book about West Virginia political dynamics over the last nearly 14 years called “Domino.” The book would focus on the state’s political history beginning in 2010 with the death of former U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, a giant in Congress and in the ...

Our area has begun to see a few early tastes of the Christmas holiday in recent days, with tree lightings and plans for other celebrations being announced. While we are still well over a month before Christmas day itself, we should remember it’s not too early to think about one of the main ...

President George Washington said, “To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving the peace.” Ever since the Garden of Eden and the Apple Tree, humankind has been infected with sin. When souls get consumed by sin, evil is apt to run rampant. Evil is alive and on ...

It was a cold November morning just a week after my family’s store had burnt to the ground losing the lives of four people when tragedy struck again. This time there had been an explosion in the Farmington No. 9 mine. My Uncle John, our neighbor and several of my high school classmates worked ...

As a historian, I am always on the hunt for information. I am forever researching, talking, listening and writing about the things I learn. I’ve gotten better over the years and I have started to write down specific stories and topics that catch my interest, and maybe will be the inspiration ...

I celebrated my 52nd birthday last month. Well, “celebrate” might be a misguided word. I honestly cannot believe that I am almost the age my grandparents were when they referred to themselves as “double nickels.” I still recall being in their car and listening to them view their ...