Johnson: New Federal Guideline Delays Aquaponics Project at Kermit
A new federal guideline implemented by the funding and oversight agency for all Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Pilot projects has slightly delayed the aquaponics project at Kermit. This bit of discouraging news was delivered to Mingo County Redevelopment Authority board members by Executive Director Leasha Johnson during this month’s regular MCRA meeting. According to a new property acquisition component to the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement’s (OSMRE) guideli


Leaders Discuss Steps to Open New Airport
WILLIAMSON - U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins, R-W.Va., met with Mingo County leaders on Thursday to discuss what it will take to open the new Appalachian Regional Airport near Varney. The new airport, which would replace the Mingo County Airport in Williamson, has been in development since at least 2002. Now the airport is about 95 percent complete, but has several hurdles to clear before it can open, Jenkins said. Thursday's meeting was held at the new airport with members of the Min


Easement for Airport Authority Provisionally Approved
At a recent Mingo County Airport Authority meeting, board members were informed by Chapman Technical Group’s Brian Huffman that he would need to approach the Mingo County Redevelopment Authority to request an easement agreement for a phone line connector leading to the new airport’s fuel farm system. Huffman, who is the current project engineer for the Appalachian Regional Airport, said the phone line is needed for the operation of a credit/debit card system by which fuel can


Twisted Gun a 'true gem' of Mingo County
WHARNCLIFFE, W.Va. - Tucked deep into the hills of Southern West Virginia sits one of the finest public golf courses in the state. Twisted Gun Golf Club sits high atop of a mountain in the southeastern part of Mingo County on an old reclaimed mine site between Wharncliffe and Ben Creek in the Twisted Gun Gap area. It is quite a trek just to get to the golf course, as you turn on Gilbert Creek road off of U.S. 52 and follow the signs to the course, it is about 15 minutes from


Twin Branch Drag Strip Still in Works
The revving of engines may soon be echoing from the mountain tops in southern West Virginia as plans continue for the Twin Branch Drag Strip to be located off of U.S. 119 between Williamson and Logan. Plans for the quarter-mile drag strip are in the works; however, there are still a couple of hurdles that must be jumped before it comes to fruition. Pete Scalzo, a developer from Sarasota, Florida, updated the Mingo County Redevelopment Authority (MCRA) at its regular meeting t

