Latest news with #WestVirginian
NBC Sports
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC Sports
Randy Moss looks forward to his return to ESPN
After a bout with bile duct cancer, Hall of Fame receiver Randy Moss is ready to go for the 2025 season, when he'll return to his weekly job at ESPN. 'Man, I look forward to it,' Moss told via 'I miss my crew. Greeny, Alex [Smith], Tedy [Bruschi]. But I really didn't miss Rex Ryan much because he got on my nerves. Rex, if you are hearing this, I am coming back, so scoot over. . . . [W]e have a great group of guys that I work with that I tremendously missed for two months. ESPN accepted me with open arms, man, I just can't wait for Week 1 to get back up there with the crew and talk football.' Moss left the show in November for treatment. He had surgery in late November. He returned for ESPN's Super Bowl coverage. 'Just being able to experience that was nothing I wish on any man or any human being,' Moss. 'But for the fact that God took me through it and brought me out of it back healthy, being able to be back with my family, great support system, and some great doctors around me. Like I said, it was an emotional roller coaster, but the people I met on the way, I'm a blessed man. I'll leave it at that.' It's great news for one of the all-time great players. No receiver had more talent than Randy Moss. Despite all the great receivers currently in the NFL, Randy Moss still has a magic and an aura that none since him have matched. And he's from West Virginia. Which, as a West Virginian, has been a point of pride for a long time.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
10 more West Virginian books that were turned into movies — Part 2
CLARKSBURG, (WBOY) — Even after our first list of West Virginia authors who had their books turned into movies, there are still more books written by West Virginian authors that weren't included the first time around. So, for anyone looking for a movie to watch or a book to read, here are 10 more adaptations that have roots in West Virginia. Special thanks to the many 12 News readers who contributed to this list — if you know of a book written by a West Virginian that has been adapted to film, you can email the author of this article at sgorski2@ Adapted from the book of the same name, 'The Bridge at Remagen' focuses on a pivotal battle during the tail end of World War II in the spring of 1945, where Allied forces captured one of the last remaining bridges spanning the Rhine River, allowing them to cross into the heart of German territory. Although the book's author, Ken Hechler, was born in New York, he attended Marshall University and lived in Huntington for many years, eventually becoming a West Virginia Congressman in 1959. According to an interview with the National Archives, Hechler was stationed with the First Army in Command of the III Corps at the time of the battle at Remagen, about 10 miles away. As a combat historian, Hechler interviewed many troops involved and published his own book detailing the battle in 1957, which was adapted to film in 1969. Filming for the movie began in 1968 in Czechoslovakia, a country behind the 'Iron Curtain.' According to the American Film Institute (AFI), much of the military equipment seen in the film was loaned by the Austrian and Czech governments, including tanks, explosives, weapons and even Nazi uniforms. Three city squares in the town of Most had already been planned for demolition prior to filming, and their destruction was used in action scenes during production. Ironically, work on the movie was interrupted by the repercussions of the very war it was looking to portray. On Aug. 20, 1968, Soviet troops invaded Czechoslovakia, causing the film's cast and crew to hastily evacuate to other European countries, leaving behind hundreds of thousands, if not over a million dollars worth of film equipment in Soviet controlled territory. Despite this, some of the film's equipment was eventually recovered, and the world premiere for 'The Bridge at Remagen' was held on June 25, 1968 at the Keith-Albee Theatre in Huntington, West Virginia. According to the AFI, the premiere was attended by Hechler as well as Brig. Gen. (Ret.) William M. Hoge, who commanded the armored division that captured the Remagen Bridge during World War II. While 'Feast of the Seven Fishes' is much better known as a movie, the story originated as a comic strip in November 2005 and was written by Fairmont native Robert Tinnell and illustrated by Alex Saviuk. Both the movie and comic are a distillation of Italian Christmas traditions, particularly in areas like north central West Virginia. The movie was filmed in Fairmont and can be watched on Peacock and Amazon Prime. Feast of the Seven Fishes: How the Marion County holiday movie came to be Pearl S. Buck, who was born in Hillsboro, West Virginia, is a prolific author and the first American woman to win both a Pulitzer and a Nobel prize. Though born in West Virginia, Buck lived in China during her childhood, which she drew on heavily for her later writing. 'The Good Earth' novel was first published in 1931 and tells the story of a Chinese farmer and his wife as their life is uprooted by a flood. The book was critically acclaimed upon release and became one of Buck's best-known works. It was only the first of many books written by the author that would later be adapted to the big screen. Jeannette Walls' memoir 'The Glass Castle' was a #1 New York Times bestseller and tells the true story of Walls' tumultuous and nomadic upbringing, with a large part of the book taking place in West Virginia. The film adaptation of the book was released in 2017, starring Brie Larson as Jeannette Walls, Woody Harrelson as Walls' father Rex, and Naomi Watts as Walls' mother Rose Mary. The movie turned into a moderate box office success with a worldwide gross of around $22M and an estimated budget of $9M according to IMDB. Another best-selling Pearl S. Buck novel that was adapted into a movie, 'Dragon Seed' is also set in China and tells the story of a Chinese village invaded by Japanese soldiers during World War II. The lead role of 'Jade Tan' is played by Katherine Hepburn, who leads the resistance against the Japanese occupation. 'China Sky' is another movie adaptation of a Buck book, and as the title indicates, it too is set in China during World War II. However, according to descriptions of the movie and viewer reviews, 'China Sky' is less about the wider conflict and instead uses it as a backdrop for a love triangle between Dr. Gray Thompson (played by Randolph Scott), Dr. Sara Durand (Ruth Warrick) and Louise Thompson (Ellen Drew). At just one hour and 18 minutes long, 'China Sky' is also the shortest Pearl S. Buck movie by a large margin. 'Blaze' follows the story of Blaze Starr, a burlesque dancer born in Wilsondale, West Virginia, under the name Fannie Belle Fleming, and her controversial love affair with Louisiana governor Earl Long. The movie was adapted from a biography written by Huey Perry, a Mingo County native, and stars Paul Newman as Earl Long and Lolita Davidovich as Blaze Starr. Blaze Star also cameoed in the film and is credited for playing the role 'Lily' on IMDB. Hardcover copies of 'Blaze Starr: My Life as Told to Huey Perry' can still be purchased online today, and Perry even gave a talk on his published works at the West Virginia Archives in 2016. Another Buck book, 'The Big Wave,' focuses on a tidal wave and the lasting impact it has on a coastal Japanese village and the people who live there. Set during the Chinese Civil War in 1949, 'Satan Never Sleeps,' tells the story of two Catholic priests as they are targeted by the local communist party, and stars William Holden, Clifton Webb, and France Nuyen, who plays Siu Lan, a love interest for Holden's character. Starring William Dafoe, 'Pavilion of Women' is another drama romance set in China, adapted from Buck's book of the same name. The movie takes place shortly before the beginning of World War II as a Chinese family comes to grips with changes in tradition and the rise of communism in China. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Works by local artist Fred Hays featured at Carnegie Hall
LEWISBURG, WV (WVNS) — Carnegie Hall's May and June Exhibits continue, showcasing works from artists in the region. According to a press release, the Old Stone Room Gallery will feature pieces from Fred Hays. Hays is an award-winning artist and native West Virginian, a fact that shines through in his artistry. His paintings capture the history and culture of Appalachia and reflect life and nature in the area. He is regarded for his use of light and color in order to capture differing perspectives within his work. Lewisburg to host its first Juneteenth Celebration Hays attained a B.A. in Art from West Virginia State College, and later achieved a master's degree in Painting from Marshall University while serving as a graduate assistant for acclaimed artist June Kilgore. His professional career began quickly after graduation, where his work gained widespread recognition. Exhibits throughout the state have showcased his artistry, and his pieces gained national recognition through gallery sales, the release stated. Hays' work has also won multiple awards in juried exhibitions at the West Virginia Culture Center. Hays is also known for his work in sustainable agriculture, agroforestry, aquaculture, and conversation, the release noted. One of his most recent paintings captures the essence of life and nature, too, along with how his work has evolved. Flights to Chicago O'Hare airport return to Greenbrier Valley Airport The upcoming Carnegie Hal ArtWalk will feature new artists and is scheduled for September 5, 2025, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event is free and offers attendees the chance to view a broad range of works from artists in the region. The Old Stone Room is on the ground floor of Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg. The current exhibits will be on display to the end of June, and are free and open to the public Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 304-645-7917, visit their website, or visit Carnegie Hall at 611 Church Street in Lewisburg. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Marion County brewer makes beer to support ALS research
MORGANTOWN, (WBOY) — Short Story Brewing and construction company March-Westing teamed up this May to brew a beer while making a difference for West Virginian ALS patients. Together, March-Westin Project Manager Steve Raymond and Short Story Head Brewer Cody Higinbotham came up with the idea for 'Topped Off,' a double dry-hopped IPA using Citra and Galaxy hops that comes in at 6.5% ABV. 'When [March-Westin] came to us, man, we knew we wanted to do it,' Higinbotham said. 'Me and Steve, we've known each other for a while, and once he got a hold of me it was lights out, we knew we were gonna do it.' March-Westin's owner, Phil Wesser, is one of about 30,000 ALS patients living in the United States. Also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) affects a body's nerve cells, particularly in the brain and spine, and causes muscles to weaken over time and can even lead to paralysis, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Every pour or can sale of the Topped Off IPA will go toward the West Virginia chapter of the ALS Association, which provides assistance to ALS patients in the state. EXCLUSIVE: An up close look at the Green Bank Telescope 'Not only is it a great cause for raising funds for ALS, but it's also a really good tasting beer,' Raymond said. ' [We're] super proud about how it turned out, Short Story did a phenomenal job in brewing it with us, and, at the end of the day, it's certainly worth a try to support a local cause, and you're supporting a local business.' Right now, Topped Off can be found at all four Short Story Brewing locations, and a small number of cans are still available in the Westover Taphouse near Morgantown. You can also donate to the ALS Association directly here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Dominion Post
25-05-2025
- General
- Dominion Post
John Marshall Atkins
John Marshall Atkins, 84, of Morgantown, passed away peacefully Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in Houston, was born in 1941 in Charleston, to the late Harry and Ella Jean Atkins. He recalled first meeting his father in 1946 upon Chief Petty Officer Atkins' return from the Pacific Theater of World War 1966 John met Margaret Elizabeth Freet in Morgantown, and they married in 1968. John adored Margaret through nearly 56 years of marriage and grieved Margaret's passing in January an active life, John was an Eagle Scout and an avid golfer, runner, and hiker. He never missed the family's annual hiking trip to the Adirondack Mountains, where he delighted in posing math problems to his grandson, as they hiked the region's graduated from Charleston High School in Charleston, in 1959. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Marshall University in 1965, a Master of Arts in Mathematics from West Virginia University in 1967, a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh in 1973, and a Master of Arts in Computer Science from WVU in career as a professor spanned nearly 40 years, first in Mathematics at Bethany College, then in Computer Science at West Virginia University. He frequently received awards as outstanding professor at both Bethany and WVU, and he was inducted into numerous honorary and technical societies. For many years, he served as the WVU Computer Science department's Graduate Coordinator, and he was closely involved in WVU's Honors Program. After retiring from WVU in 2010, he was named Professor Emeritus and was inducted into the WVU Distinguished Alumni Academy in complemented his teaching with real- world experience, consulting as a database design expert for corporate and government clients, including ManTech International, the state of West Virginia, NASA, and the U.S. Departments of Defense and loved military history and was an active member of Morgan- town's Civil War Roundtable. Throughout his life, he enjoyed walking Civil War battlefields. One summer he dedicated several weeks to retracing Stonewall Jackson's Shenandoah Valley favorite pastime was relaxing with Margaret on their Grandview Avenue porch, visiting with neighbors and dogwalkers. Everyone enjoyed his upbeat conversation, quick wit, and contagious laugh. John was a proud West Virginian and a patriotic American, never failing to salute any U.S. flag he passed on walks around South is survived by his son, Ben Atkins, daughter-in-law Amy, and grandson, Jack addition to Margaret and his parents, John was predeceased by his brother, Harry Rodney Atkins of Indian Trail, N.C. Services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 27, at the WVU Erickson Alumni Center in Morgantown.
