daily304 - Episode 01.23.2024

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.  

Today is Tuesday, Jan. 23

You’ve heard of Mothman, but did you know the Monongahela River also has its own cryptid legends? Check out some WV small towns perfect for outdoor lovers. And a Morgantown manufacturer gets a boost from the state to help create more jobs…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From WV EXPLORER – Far from the city lights that shimmer about its mouth at the Golden Triangle at Pittsburgh, the Monongahela River rises more than 200 miles away in some of the most remote reaches in the Appalachian Mountains -- so it’s no surprise that these remote stretches have spurned legends of river monsters.

Historian Glenn Lough of Fairmont speculated that indigenous peoples first invented tales of monsters to frighten Europeans away from their camps, and settlers recycled these tales to impress new residents.

One of the oldest legends is the Ogua -- described in the late 1700s by a youth stationed at Fort Harmer in present-day Marietta, Ohio. The creature is said to be amphibious, lurking in the water by day but crawling out of the water at night to feast on deer

Legend has it the Monongy -- a half man, half fish creature -- has been lurking in the river since the French and Indian War.

The Rivesville Monster was discovered in 1983, when a coal miner fishing for channel catfish near the town spotted a large fin with a serpentine tail moving toward him.

If you’re brave enough to search for these monsters, you can learn more about them on the Marion County CVB website.

Read more:

https://wvexplorer.com/2024/01/18/monongahela-river-monsters-pittsburgh-fairmont-wv/

#2 – From WORLD ATLAS – West Virginia charms every visitor, especially outdoor enthusiasts, with sensational natural attractions well suited for hiking, biking, paddling, and other recreational activities.

Much of these natural enticements are welcome gifts for those who look beyond the cities and into the small towns of this charming state. From the lovely riverside towns of Barboursville to the unforgettable grandeur of mountain towns like Elkins, the outdoors are full of treats for enthusiasts. 

Visit www.wvtourism.com to learn more about other small towns, from White Sulphur Springs to Berkeley Springs, that are perfect for outdoor lovers.

Read more:

https://www.worldatlas.com/cities/8-best-small-towns-in-west-virginia-for-outdoor-enthusiasts.html

#3 – From WV COMMERCE – Safe UV, based out of Morgantown, is creating jobs and healthier spaces in its community. Made up of WVU alumni, the company manufactures germicidal, ultra-violet lamps - a new product to a relatively new industry. 

It’s not easy, however, to secure funding for the physical capital necessary for UV lamp manufacturing. With help from the West Virginia Economic Development Authority, Safe UV can create more and more manufacturing and technology jobs for their community.

Watch the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w34sE7nvjnU

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. 

That’s all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.