FAIRMONT —
Some cynics have commented that the majority of the traffic in West Virginia is headed for the exits.
Even state songs reference leaving through the lens of looking back. “The West Virginia Hills” has a lot of roaming over sea and land, and you can’t get a clearer picture of a native who dreams of home than “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”
But there are a lot of people who followed those country roads and found a new home in the hills of West Virginia, and perhaps none more famously than Sen. John “Jay” Rockefeller III.
Born in New York City, Rockefeller has called West Virginia his home since 1964 and has served the state as governor and senator, among other positions, across his long political career.
Rockefeller was born into one of America’s wealthiest families. The Rockefellers have long been engaged in philanthropy and public service, and Jay was no exception. Following his college years at Harvard, he joined the Peace Corps and later Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA), which led him to West Virginia for the first time.
Coming to Emmons, a tiny community in Kanawha County, in 1964, Rockefeller no doubt expected to make a difference and move on, perhaps back to Asia, a region he’d been fascinated by as a young man. Yet, he said, “in the end, I was the one who was transformed by the experience — completely transformed.”
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Related Photos
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Sen. John “Jay” Rockefeller III plays with children during a visit to Marion County in 2008. Rockefeller, who fell in love with West Virginia while volunteering in a small community in Kanawha County, has long made children’s health a priority. FILE PHOTO
Political priorities
Jay Rockefeller played key role in CHIP legislation
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Three Rivers Festival features variety of entertainment
The 34th annual West Virginia Three Rivers Festival started in fine form Thursday night with a grand feature parade through downtown Fairmont, ending at Palatine Park with opening ceremonies.
The parade launches the annual festival, which draws many to the city’s Palatine Park for fun-filled activities for the young and the young at heart. -
County pools opening for summer
For many, Memorial Day weekend marks the real beginning of summer.
And nothing says summer like hitting the pool.
The 12th Street Park and Mannington pools and the East Marion Park Wave Pool open Saturday for the summer, offering families the chance to beat the heat and enjoy a day of fun in the water. -
Julia Pierpont Day celebration Saturday
Members of the community are invited to kick off Memorial Day Weekend at the 9th annual Julia Pierpont Day celebration, set for Saturday.
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Adding value to food sector can be spark to economy
Officials from the Appalachian Regional Commission, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Education and the USDA visited Pierpont Community & Technical College Wednesday as part of the Appalachian Foodways Tour.
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County Department of Homeland Security debuts Facebook page
In today’s instant news world, information travels fast.
And, unfortunately, so does misinformation.
The Marion County Department of Homeland Security debuted its new Facebook page Wednesday to both alert the county on impending emergencies and dispel rumors about unfolding events. -
Big name in competitive eating arrives today
The biggest name in competitive eating arrives in Fairmont today.
In its third year, the annual Three Rivers Festival Pepperoni Roll Eating World Competition has attracted some major-league talent, including the famous Joey Chestnut, six-time consecutive winner of the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. -
Adult & Community Education Center students mark milestone: PHOTOS
Students of the Marion County Adult & Community Education Center celebrated their completion of the General Education Development test at a graduation ceremony Tuesday evening at the Feaster Center on the campus of Fairmont State University.
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Hearing set for murder suspects
The two men indicted in the 1974 triple Windmill Park murders will share a pretrial hearing on June 25.
According to records obtained at the Marion County Circuit Court, a hearing for Eddie Jack Washington and Phillip Reese Bush is set for 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, in front of Circuit Judge Michael Aloi. -
Gravel, fuel spills cause traffic delays in county
Once again, drivers were forced to take a detour from Interstate 79.
This time, instead of near mile marker 139 northbound, it was at the southbound 136 mile marker near Pleasant Valley. -
Pierpont to move some classrooms, offices downtown
Pierpont Community & Technical College has announced its plan to move some of its classrooms and administrative offices from its shared campus with Fairmont State University to Veterans’ Square in downtown Fairmont.
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