Latest news with #Bluefield
Arab News
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
What We Are Reading Today: ‘A Beautiful Mind'
Author: Sylvia Nasar Sylvia Nasar's 'A Beautiful Mind' from 1998 chronicles the extraordinary life of John Nash, the mathematician who shared the 1994 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences with John Harsanyi and Reinhard Selten for groundbreaking work in game theory. Nasar explores Nash's genius, his battle with schizophrenia, and his unexpected recovery, crafting a rich portrait of one of the 20th century's most complex minds. Born in Bluefield, West Virginia, Nash's exceptional intellect distinguished him from an early age. Nasar carefully traces his academic journey, spotlighting revolutionary concepts like the Nash equilibrium, transformative for economics and strategic thought. Nasar also unflinchingly details his paranoia and delusions, and the heavy toll they took on his career and family. Most compelling is Nash's eventual recovery — a slow, medically unusual journey central to his story. Nasar's writing blends insight with precision. She weaves personal history, scientific context, and accessible explanations, making the mathematician graspable while honoring his resilience. This balance ensures value for scholars and casual readers alike. The 2001 movie starring Russell Crowe is certainly gripping and brought Nash's story to a huge audience. I remember being moved by it myself, but it takes massive creative liberties, simplifying the science and dramatizing his relationships for the screen. I would suggest reading Nasar's book by way of contrast as it feels like it uncovers the real, layered truth behind the headlines. After reading it I appreciated so much more deeply the messy, complex reality of his life as opposed to the cinematic hero arc. It is not just more accurate; it offers a richer, more profound understanding of who Nash truly was — honoring both his towering intellect and the quiet, enduring strength he and his wife Alicia showed. This elegant mathematical insight, a result of his turbulent genius, transcends economics to illuminate everything, from nuclear standoffs to everyday competition. That such a universal principle emerged amid his personal struggle with mental illness makes 'A Beautiful Mind' not just a biography, but a testament to the fragile duality of brilliance.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Going to the ballpark? Knowing proper heat safety is important
BLUEFIELD, VA (WVNS) – Do you have any plans to visit a ballpark? If so, it may be good to know some proper heat safety tips before heading out. A typical baseball game can last a few hours, meaning you will be exposed to the sun and heat for a long period of time. Before going out, it would be best to prepare and know your environment. Garrett Schilling is the general manager of the Bluefield Ridge Runners. Curtis Lindsey takes over the reigns as next Mount View football coach He said they try to provide as many shaded areas as possible for any visitors. He emphasizes drinking as much water as possible and making sure you are getting enough electrolytes. This goes for both any visitor to Bowen field and any player on the team. We try to keep a good eye on our group. We're really connected with the fire department and local rescue squad. Anything out fans need, we'll make it happen and we just want to make it as comfortable as possible for you.' Garrett Schilling, General Manager for the Bluefield Ridge Runners Schilling also said to look out for others. If you notice anyone that seems to be struggling, call staff and let them know so they can get the help they need. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The City of Bluefield plans for a consolidated emergency response facility
BLUEFIELD, WV (WVNS) – The City of Bluefield has taken steps to improve emergency response services across all departments throughout the city. First announced last summer, plans for a consolidated facility for emergency responders are moving forward, with the City of Bluefield having applied for federal funds to make the vision a reality. The centralized facility would bring together EMS, police, and fire departments in the city, and would provide a wider variety of resources for the agencies, many of which are operating out of the Bluefield City Hall location. Bluefield City Manager, Cecil Marson told 59News that city authorities are looking at multiple potential locations for the site, and that the plan is part of a greater effort to provide the best possible service experience for the citizens of Bluefield.'We're working on designs for the building in a couple different locations. Our goal is to give the most responsive service we can to the citizens of Bluefield in our community,' said Marson. 'So, we're looking at it very closely to make sure that we're doing the best absolutely that we can to take care of everyone.' Marson says, along with federal funding from the offices of U.S. Senators Jim Justice and Shelley Moore Capito, the city will be seeking grant funding for the project from multiple other sources as well. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bluefield hopes to rehabilitate former church
bluefield — Bluefield officials are still hoping to rehabilitate an old church located on Duhring Street. The former church, which is on the state's historic preservation list, has been vacant for a number of years now. It was founded in 1907 as the First Baptist Church. The structure is currently owned by the city of Bluefield, which is seeking to renovate the church as part of a larger vision for the area. That vision also includes new housing construction for first-time home buyers in the neighborhood near the church. 'The city does own the church outside of city hall. The Duhring Street Church,' City Manager Cecil Marson said. 'It's an old, old church. It has stained glass windows. It is a super nice church.' Marson said the city's goal is to rehabilitate the old church and find a new use for it, possibly as a job training site or small business incubator. The vision also includes new housing construction in the Duhring Street area, which also connects to Roger Street near city hall. The city is still searching for funding to complete the work. While the city was approved for an initial grant for the project, the funding agency that would have provided the grant was later terminated. Thus the city didn't receive the funding. The old First Baptist Church on Duhring Street isn't to be confused with the nearby Immanuel Lutheran Church, which is still an active congregation and is located at 103 Duhring Street. Both the old First Baptist Church and the Immanuel Lutheran Church are located adjacent to the municipal hall facilities in Bluefield. Marson said the search for new funding continues — not just for the church renovations but also for the housing project. 'Our focus is around it (the church) and a potential housing area for a first-time home buyer,' Marson said. Housing has been an issue of concern in the city in recent years. The Bluefield Board of Directors launched a study in 2024 on the city's housing needs in cooperation with Virginia Tech. That 2024 study identified a housing shortage in Bluefield and focused on housing needs in the city over the next five to 10 years. The church itself wouldn't be used for housing, but it could be utilized for job training or other purposes. Because of its designation as a historic structure, Marson said the city is limited in what changes can be made to the church itself. 'You can't make major changes to the facade,' Marson said. 'There is restrictions on what you can do. They have to have oversight of it.' For example, the city will have to contract with a professional firm to make repairs to the stain glass windows inside of the old church. 'We would need to bring in a professional to look at those,' Marson said of the stain glass windows. 'They would need to be cleaned and redone. It would have to be kind of a professional stain-glass person who can restore that.' While it may appear unusual for a city to own a former church, Marson said it really isn't — pointing to a similar situation in Northern West Virginia. 'I don't think it is unusual,' he said. 'Cities inherently get a lot of property that is in bad shape. I'm sure there are tons of cities across the country that have churches in their portfolios.' The city has owned the church for a number of years. Marson said the old church went through different owners throughout the years, and was associated with the Baptist denomination. Finding additional funding to renovate the former church, and to launch the new housing project, is the next step for the city. 'We are working on stuff right now, different grants, putting some stuff together,' Marson said. 'We are working to try to get the funding so we can start this project. We are actively working on it right now.' The old church isn't the only historic structure owned by the city, or a city-affiliated commission. Marson said the Bluefield Arts and Revitalization Commission also owns the old Traveler's Hotel, which is located near the Raleigh Street Cinemas. The old hotel was originally a Green Book property offering lodging to Black travelers during the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. In 1950 it was converted into an office building and offered some dining in the 1980s and 1990s. It is currently vacant although BARC is hoping to revitalize it. The Bluefield Arts and Revitalization Commission also owns the Granada Theater, a historic structure that was brought back to life by the commission a number of years ago. The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia, the statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the state's historic places and properties, recently announced the recipients of the 2025 West Virginia Historic Preservation Awards, and the Bluefield Arts and Revitalization Commission, or BARC for short, was one of the recipients. BARC received the Adaptive Reuse Award for its efforts to revitalize the old Granada Theater, along with the adjoining Raleigh Street Cinemas and Education Center. The Granada Theater originally opened in 1927 at its current location on 537 Commerce Street. It was originally used as a Vaudeville and movie theater, and at one time was even a dance club. The venue is currently used for cinema and live performances. The Granada Theater was recently added to the West Virginia Historic Theatre Trail. That statewide trail was designed to promote cultural tourism by showcasing the state's diverse theatrical heritage Contact Charles Owens at cowens@
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Official: GHS stadium development will take time
bluefield, va. — While a conditional use permit for a new football stadium at Graham High School was approved last December, the development of the stadium is a process that will take time, according to school officials. Last December the Bluefield, Va., Town Council approved a conditional use permit allowing the Tazewell County School Board to build a stadium next to Graham High School. As currently proposed, the stadium would be developed at the site of the existing outdoor learning and sports facility at GHS. 'The track is there and the turf is there,' Tazewell County School Superintendent Dr. Chris Stacy said. 'In time we would add bleachers, home bleachers and a press box. It would not be all at once. We would do it in sections.' That process has not yet started, nor has an engineering firm been selected to oversee the development of aspects of the new stadium. 'The only updates is it is still in progress,' Stacy said. 'The next phase would obviously be trying to get some bleachers or lights in. It is still something that is a project and it is something we want to complete.' In the meantime, the G-Men of Graham High School would presumably continue to play their home games at Mitchell Stadium in neighboring Bluefield, which the high school has been doing for years. Stacy said the school system's contract with the city of Bluefield for the use of Mitchell Stadium is back up for consideration, adding that the contract will be presented to the school board next week 'It is our contract year,' Stacy said. 'The city will send me a contract and I'll present it to the school board.' Stacy said it will be up to the school board to decide where the G-Men play, adding that other options for home games include the football stadium at Tazewell High School. The Bluefield Board of Directors are scheduled Tuesday to consider stadium usage contracts for both Tazewell County Schools, Mercer County Schools, Bluefield University and Bluefield State University, according to City Clerk Anthony Heltzel. 'It is multiple counties,' Heltzel said of the stadium agreements scheduled to be considered by the city board Tuesday. 'It's Tazewell County. It's Mercer County Schools. It's the two universities.' Heltzel said Tazewell County Schools has been presented the contract that will be considered by the city board on Tuesday. The G-Men of Graham High School have been playing their home football games at Mitchell Stadium for years. The annual contest between Graham and Bluefield, which kicks off the football season in the region, typically draws a crowd of close to 10,000 at Mitchell Stadium. There is still no final cost estimate for the new stadium project at Graham High School. Stacy said those cost estimates will be determined as the school system moves forward with different aspects of the project. Stacy said the goal is to build the stadium in steps with cost estimates being determined individually for additions such as bleachers, lights, a press box and other necessary parts of the stadium. 'Again we will look for grant money,' Stacy said. 'We will pursue local funding. Any type of external revenues sources we can find.' The conditional use permit approved last December by the Bluefield, Va. Town Council included eight conditions that the school system must meet to operate the new stadium. During events when traffic could obstruct emergency services, the conditional use permit specifies that a traffic plan must be established and coordinated so emergency access to all the dwellings around and on school property will be maintained throughout the event. Other conditions address issues including noise, traffic and the stadium's lights. For example, Tazewell County Public Schools must meet with town officials and coordinate events requiring the town's support and/or any events that could produce noise or light disturbances after 10 pm. and before 6 a.m., according to the conditional use permit. These plans would include traffic control, emergency services cover and access, and reimbursement requests for police. Another condition addresses 'destructive wildlife' such as bears and raccoons that could be attracted by trash left behind by sports fans and people attending events at the stadium. According to the conditional use permit, the town would require Tazewell County Public Schools to clean the stadium immediately after an event and put trash in existing dumpsters. Billboards and scoreboards also would need to be located inside the stadium's grounds, plus they must face only inward and toward the people attending the stadium's events. Any signage facing outward would need to be coordinated with the town of Bluefield's zoning official, the conditional use permit said. Another condition of the permit addresses noise. For events on school property after 10 p.m. and before 6 a.m., the school system will be required to end noise disturbances within 30 minutes after the last official event and end light disturbances within 60 minutes after the last official event. Contact Charles Owens at cowens@
