It’s been a long week for thousands of people in central Appalachia. A massive storm raged through eastern Kentucky, southeast Ohio, southwest Virginia and all of West Virginia Friday night, June 29. The result was a widespread power outage that electric companies call the worst in their history. With daytime temperatures in the ‘90’s and overnight lows in the 60’s and 70’s, people were without electricity, water or ice to try to keep their food from spoiling. In that Appalachian way, neighbors helped each other, but it will be this weekend, maybe longer before power is completely restored.
And in the midst of this power crisis, the nation’s eyes are on West Virginia for the PGA Tour’s Greenbrier Classic golf tournament at the resort’s famed Old White course. Tiger Woods is playing for the first time in the event’s three year history, but he and his fellow pros play in a county that still has thousands of residents without electricity.
By Hal B. Klein, Alleghney Front
Saving seeds from the
strongest fruit and vegetable plants used to be a regular part of planning next
year's garden. But most people today buy seeds or seed packets instead, and
this has helped contribute to a staggering loss of plant biodiversity. Some
folks in Pittsburgh are aiming to change that by spearheading seed libraries and seed
saving groups. Their goal? A larger plant gene pool...and yummy flavors, too.
In Wheeling, West Virginia a group of folks are working to have a positive impact on the growth of the local food supply. The Green Wheeling Initiative is a grass roots organization of educators, farmers, entrepreneurs and professionals who’ve been awards over 65 thousand dollars in grants. The money is being used to foster the effort.
Liquor sales at five
state parks over the past year have generated more than $110,000 in new
revenues for Kentucky. That’s the word from
tourism, arts and heritage cabinet secretary Marchetta Sparrow. She says there’s some other
good news, too. Sparrow says revenues should grow as more conventions and
conferences are booked at the parks. the facilities -- Jenny Wiley, Lake Barkley, General Butler,
Audubon State Park and my Old Kentucky Home - have been selling
alcohol since August of 2011.