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    • Business News
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      Starlink Slashes Unlimited Data, Forcing West Virginians Into Price Hikes Over $200/Month

      GreenbrierJournal

      In a shocking move, Starlink is set to eliminate unlimited data for many customers, replacing it with block-based plans that will force major cost increases for those who rely on streaming services. While some customers may initially see lower monthly fees, those using more than 50GB of data per month—such as anyone with Netflix, YouTube, or other streaming subscriptions—will face drastic price hikes of over $140 per month, reaching $250 or more for basic internet access.
      Unlimited Data is Gone
      Currently, Starlink’s residential plans allow users to stream and browse the web with unlimited data, but this is set to end within 30 days. Under the new pricing structure, customers on plans like Priority 40GB will be forced onto a 50GB data block plan for $65 per month—a price cut from the previous $140. However, with the average streaming household consuming nearly 1TB of data per month, the real cost of maintaining current service levels will skyrocket.
      A customer currently paying $140 per month for unlimited data will now need to pay $250 or more per month to maintain the same level of access. If customers do not opt into the higher-cost plans, Starlink will throttle their speeds to just 1 Mbps download and 0.5 Mbps upload—down from speeds exceeding 100 Mbps today. Streaming Services Now a Luxury
      This change effectively means that many West Virginians and rural users will have to choose between paying more than $200 per month for internet or giving up streaming services entirely. Those who cannot afford the price increase may be forced to return to satellite television, which many had already disconnected in favor of online streaming due to its high cost and limited programming.
      For rural residents who rely on Starlink as their only broadband option, this decision could be financially devastating. Many users originally switched to Starlink because traditional satellite and DSL providers could not offer high-speed or unlimited internet. Now, Starlink is stripping away its biggest advantage—affordable, high-speed, unlimited service.
      Customers Face Tough Choices
      This policy shift is expected to cause major backlash, as Starlink’s initial appeal was its affordable unlimited internet for rural America. With these new changes, many customers will need to either pay over $200 per month for basic service or lose access to high-speed internet altogether.
      Starlink users now have just 30 days to prepare for the transition—a decision that could reshape internet access in West Virginia and beyond.

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    • Entertainment News
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      Miranda Lambert to Headline 100th Annual State Fair of West Virginia

      GreenbrierJournal

      Country music fans are in for a treat as the State Fair of West Virginia (SFWV) celebrates its 100th anniversary with a headline performance from Miranda Lambert on August 16, 2025.
      Lambert, one of country music’s most celebrated artists, will bring her signature mix of heartfelt ballads and high-energy anthems to the grandstand stage, making this a must-see event for fairgoers. The concert is expected to be one of the biggest highlights of the centennial celebration.
      Ticket Information
      Tickets for the show go on sale Friday, March 21, at 10:00 a.m. and are expected to sell out quickly. Prices are as follows:
      $100.00 – Track SRO (Standing Room Only) $95.00 – Box Seating $90.00 – Grandstand Seating
      (Plus tax and Etix fees) Fans are encouraged to set their reminders and purchase tickets early to secure their spot for this historic event.
      The 100th Annual State Fair of West Virginia will take place from August 7-16, 2025, featuring a mix of entertainment, agricultural exhibits, carnival rides, and family-friendly fun.
      For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.statefairofwv.com or check out the SFWV’s official social media pages.
      #SFWV100 | #MirandaLambert | #CountryMusicLive
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    • Politics & Opinions
      GreenbrierJournal

      Governor Patrick Morrisey Delivers Keynote Speech at Greenbrier County Republican Club Dinner

      GreenbrierJournal

      Lewisburg, WV – West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey delivered a compelling keynote speech at the Greenbrier County Republican Club’s annual dinner, held at the Dutch Haus Restaurant in Lewisburg, WV. The Governor outlined his administration’s bold vision for economic growth, regulatory reform, education, workforce development, and national security, while emphasizing the need for continued Republican leadership in West Virginia.
      Governor Morrisey’s Address: A Vision for West Virginia’s Future
      Governor Morrisey opened his speech by recognizing local elected officials and veterans, thanking them for their dedication to public service. He credited Greenbrier County as a key area in the Republican Party’s expansion and applauded the grassroots efforts that helped turn Greenbrier red over the past decade.
      The Governor then addressed key challenges facing West Virginia, including economic stagnation, workforce participation, education rankings, and population decline. “We are at the bottom of too many rankings,” he stated. “That needs to change.” He assured attendees that his administration is committed to making West Virginia a leader in economic prosperity and opportunity.
      Economic & Regulatory Reform
      One of Morrisey’s most ambitious initiatives is the “economic backyard brawl”, a strategy designed to compare West Virginia’s business climate to that of neighboring states, including Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Kentucky. The goal, he explained, is to ensure West Virginia has the most competitive tax rates, workforce regulations, and licensing policies in the region.
      “We need to defeat our neighboring states in economic competition,” Morrisey said. “If we can outperform them in taxation, business incentives, and workforce policies, we will attract new jobs and new industries.”
      In addition, Morrisey pledged to cut unnecessary regulations that hinder business growth, vowing to eliminate wasteful spending and inefficient state programs. “If a regulation is strangling business and job creation, we’re going to toss it out,” he stated.
      Tackling the Drug Epidemic & Immigration Issues
      The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to combating the fentanyl crisis, calling on the federal government to classify fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. He emphasized the devastating impact of drug trafficking on West Virginia families and stressed the need for harsher penalties for drug dealers.
      Morrisey also addressed concerns about illegal immigration, announcing that West Virginia has entered into a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security and ICE to deport illegal aliens engaged in criminal activity. “West Virginia will not be a sanctuary state,” he declared. “We will enforce the law and protect our communities.”
      Education Reform & Workforce Development
      A passionate advocate for education reform, Governor Morrisey vowed to eliminate DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives in state schools and universities. “West Virginia schools will be for learning, not social experiments,” he stated, adding that four universities have already committed to ending DEI programs.
      He also promoted the “Tourism Works” training program, a new initiative that will provide West Virginians with professional development opportunities and transferable college credits. “We need to equip our workforce with the skills necessary to thrive in a modern economy,” Morrisey said.
      Energy Policy & National Security
      Positioning West Virginia as a national energy leader, Morrisey emphasized the importance of coal, natural gas, and hydroelectric power in ensuring America’s energy independence. He warned against Chinese ownership of strategic assets and vowed to protect West Virginia’s resources from foreign adversaries.
      “The winner of the global energy competition will be the country that powers the data-driven economy of the future,” he said. “West Virginia is poised to lead that charge.”
      A Call for Unity and Conservative Leadership
      Governor Morrisey concluded his speech with a call for continued Republican leadership and unity. He encouraged attendees to remain engaged in the political process, reminding them that West Virginia’s Republican supermajority provides a rare opportunity to enact lasting change.
      “As Donald Trump has said, this is a golden era for America,” Morrisey declared. “Let’s make sure it’s a golden era for West Virginia too.”
      The Governor then opened the floor to questions from attendees, addressing topics ranging from foreign land ownership and environmental concerns to law enforcement funding and illegal immigration. He reiterated his commitment to protecting West Virginians and advancing conservative policies.
      Closing Remarks
      The evening concluded with a standing ovation for Governor Morrisey, followed by a 50/50 raffle drawing and a united performance of ‘God Bless America’ by the audience. As guests departed, event organizers encouraged continued grassroots engagement to secure the future of conservatism in Greenbrier County and beyond.
      Governor Morrisey’s speech reaffirmed his administration’s focus on economic prosperity, regulatory reform, education, law enforcement, and national security. With his leadership, West Virginia aims to emerge as a stronger, more competitive state on the national stage.
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    • Local News
      GreenbrierJournal

      Greenbrier Valley 4-H & FFA Ham, Bacon & Egg Show & Sale Returns March 14, 2025

      GreenbrierJournal

      One of Greenbrier Valley’s most cherished agricultural traditions is set to take place on Friday, March 14, 2025, at the West Virginia Building on the WV State Fairgrounds. The 74th Annual Ham, Bacon & Egg Show & Sale will once again showcase the hard work of local 4-H and FFA members, bringing together the community to support the next generation of farmers.
      Event Schedule:
      📍 Location: WV State Fairgrounds, West Virginia Building
      🕒 3:00–6:00 PM – Item preview (hams, bacons, and eggs)
      📝 5:00 PM – Bidder registration opens (pre-registration encouraged)
      ⏳ 6:30 PM – Live Auction Begins
      How the Auction Works:
      🥓 Hams and Bacons will be sold by the pound
      🥚 Eggs will be sold by the dozen
      The sale will begin with the top-ranked ham, bacon, and dozen eggs, followed by the next placements in rotation until all entries are sold.
      🎟️ BONUS: All registered bidders will receive a complimentary country ham biscuit to enjoy before the auction!
      Why It Matters:
      This annual event provides valuable learning opportunities for local youth involved in agriculture while also giving the public a chance to invest in high-quality, locally produced goods. The Greenbrier Valley 4-H & FFA Ham, Bacon & Egg Program has a long-standing reputation for excellence, with proceeds directly supporting participants and encouraging their continued growth in the industry.
      Stay Updated:
      📢 Sale order results will be posted on the Greenbrier County Ham, Bacon & Egg Program Facebook page as soon as they are available: Facebook Page
      Want to Participate?
      📞 For more information, to pre-register, or to place an early bid, call 304-647-7408.
      Don’t miss out on this exciting community event! Tag your friends, spread the word, and come show your support for the future of agriculture in Greenbrier Valley! 🥓🍳🐖 #HBE2025 #Support4H #SupportFFA #GreenbrierValley
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    • Politics & Opinions
      GreenbrierJournal

      Greenbrier County Republican Club Regular Meeting with Special Guest Alex Gaaserud

      GreenbrierJournal

      The Greenbrier County Republican Club held its regular meeting, which featured a guest speaker, U.S. Senate candidate Alex Gaaserud. The meeting covered financial reports, committee updates, and discussions on upcoming initiatives.
      Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
      The meeting commenced with an invocation led by Mr. Kirk, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
      Treasurer's Report and Audit Committee Findings
      Treasurer Allie Beard provided an update on the club’s financial status:
      Bank balance: $11,208.15
      Cash on hand: $380
      Upcoming deposit: $1,850 from ticket sales
      No outstanding obligations at present
      Ron Kirk presented the Audit Committee’s report, confirming that all financial records were in order. The club began 2024 with a balance of $11,214.16, generated an income of $6,161.89, and had total expenditures of $9,439.14, leaving an end-of-year balance of $7,936.91. Major expenses included $5,500 in candidate contributions, $1,210.32 for the state fair booth, and $1,818.30 for parade and event expenses.
      Motion for Humane Society Donation
      A motion was made and seconded to donate $100 to the Humane Society in memory of Sue Spicers. The motion was approved.
      Guest Speaker: Alex Gaaserud
      Alex Gaaserud, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in 2026, addressed the club, outlining his vision for West Virginia. He criticized incumbent Senator Shelley Moore Capito’s long tenure, stating that West Virginia has suffered from poor leadership. His key platform points included:
      Economic and Workforce Revitalization
      Addressing West Virginia’s low workforce participation rate
      Developing vocational training and STEM education
      Strengthening energy independence through coal and natural gas production
      Border Security and Immigration Policy
      Advocating for military deployment to the southern border
      Supporting mass deportation of illegal immigrants
      Ending the current asylum system
      Government Reform and Fiscal Responsibility
      Reducing the national debt, currently at nearly $37 trillion
      Eliminating omnibus spending packages in favor of single-subject appropriation bills
      Enforcing term limits and banning stock trading for members of Congress
      Social and Cultural Issues
      Opposing transgender ideology and left-wing academic indoctrination
      Reforming the education system to focus on financial literacy and vocational training
      Strengthening Second Amendment rights
      Education Reform and School Consolidation
      Gaaserud expressed concerns over school consolidations and declining education standards. He called for:
      The dissolution of the federal Department of Education
      State-led education funding and audits
      Increased investment in local schools to prevent further consolidations
      Legislative Advocacy and Political Recruitment
      Club members discussed methods for engaging with state legislators and promoting conservative candidates. Concerns were raised about the misallocation of state funds, particularly a recent $5 million donation to an Ohio educational institution while West Virginia communities struggle with clean water access.
      Doug McKinney provided updates on an upcoming dinner event for Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, noting strong ticket sales and ad revenue.
      Closing Remarks
      Gaaserud encouraged club members to recruit younger candidates for public office, emphasizing grassroots political engagement. His campaign website, Gaaserud4WV.com, was shared for further inquiries and donations.
      The meeting concluded with discussions on future events and legislative priorities for the Greenbrier County Republican Club.
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    • Entertainment News
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      WVSO Spring Concert Coming Up at Carnegie Hall

      GreenbrierJournal

      Carnegie Hall presents Casual Classics by the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) celebrating its 2025 Spring Concert Tour Saturday, March 29, at 7 p.m. The performance will be led by WVSO Music Director Maurice Cohn and feature Franz Haydn Symphony No. 44 in e minor, Toru Takemitsu Three Film Scores, and Beethoven Symphony No. 1 in C Major.
      Guests are invited to come early to Club Carnegie from 6 – 6:45 p.m. in the Board Room located adjacent to the Hamilton Auditorium. A cash bar and snacks are available. 
      Born and raised in Galesburg, Illinois, Maurice Cohn became Music Director of the West Virginia Symphony in the 2023-2024 season. Musical highlights of his first year in Charleston include the Symphony’s November 2023 collaboration with Mountain Stage, conducting the West Virginia Symphony premieres of music by Clara Schumann and Jessica Hunt, and expanding the orchestra through the hiring of sixteen new musicians.
      Prior to moving to Charleston, Maurice served as Assistant Conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra for three seasons. He made his subscription debut in 2023, stepping in for Music Director Fabio Luisi, and conducted the orchestra in numerous concerts at Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas, at venues throughout North Texas, and as part of the DSO’s Bravo! Vail summer residency in Colorado. Concurrently with his time in Dallas, Maurice was appointed Assistant Conductor of the Aspen Music Festival for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
      When not in Charleston, Maurice conducts performances throughout the United States and abroad. Recent and upcoming guest conducting engagements include the Cincinnati Symphony, Utah Symphony, Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic, ensemble NEWSRQ, Omaha Symphony, Amarillo Symphony, and the Oberlin Conservatory Orchestra. He also serves as Artistic Partner and Conductor of Camerata Notturna, a chamber orchestra based in New York City.
      Maurice spent two summers as a conducting fellow at the Aspen Music Festival, where he received the Robert J. Harth Conducting Prize and the Aspen Conducting Prize. He received an M.M. in conducting from the Eastman School of Music and is a three-time recipient of the Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Award. He holds a B.M. in cello performance from Oberlin Conservatory and a B.A. from Oberlin College, where he studied history and mathematics. 
      The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra is West Virginia’s premier performing arts organization, presenting classical and pops concerts annually throughout the Mountain State. Currently in its 86th season, WVSO is a proud member of the community and enriches the region by providing affordable, high-quality concerts, collaborations with West Virginia arts organizations and a nationally award-winning education program.
      Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for students. Thanks to the Carnegie Cardinal Fund, Greenbrier County Students attend for free, but still must reserve a seat. Tickets may be purchased by visiting www.carnegiehallwv.org, calling 304.645.7917, or stopping by the box office at 611 Church Street, Lewisburg, WV. 
      Carnegie Hall WV is a nonprofit organization supported by individual contributions, grants, and fundraising efforts such as TOOT and The Carnegie Hall Gala. 
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    • Entertainment News
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      Carnegie Hall Presents West Virginia Songwriter, Singer, Multi-Instrumentalist, and Storyteller Chris Haddox

      GreenbrierJournal

      Carnegie Hall’s Appalachian Heritage Series presents Folk Music of the Southern West Virginia Coalfields with Chris Haddox Thursday, March 14, at 7 p.m. Guests are invited to come early to Club Carnegie from 6 – 6:45 p.m. A cash bar and snacks will be available. 
      Coal and coal-related activities are often the first things that come to mind when thinking about the history of southern West Virginia.  Coal played such a part in the history of the area that the counties of Logan, Mingo, Lincoln, Boone, Wyoming, McDowell, Wayne, Fayette, Mercer, Cabell, Nicholas, Summers, and Kanawha are often simply referred to as the southern WV coalfields - as if nothing else ever occurred there.  
      The focus of Haddox’ program is to shine a light on the individuals who contributed to the rich folk music traditions of those "coalfield” counties.  While the songs and tunes themselves are wonderful and should be treasured, there is often a lack of information about the people who made the music - a gap this program aims to fill.   
      Being a traditional musician from Logan, WV, Haddox has had an interest in many of the featured individuals since learning about them decades ago.  While he had no comprehensive, systematic approach to learning about the individuals, he did uncover tidbits over the years and his interest never waned.   For some reason, it was with renewed interest that in 2019 he became determined to find, and was successful in his search, the grave of Dick Justice.  With the help of Brandon Ray Kirk, he was also able to locate the grave of Peter "Pete" Henry Hill--a descendent of slaves down on the Sawmill Road area of Chapmanville.  Pete was known to have played fiddle with Dick.  
      In 2019 Haddox was introduced to Dr. Gloria Goodwin Raheja of the University of Minnesota by his friend and colleague, Dr. Travis Stimeling, a Professor of Musicology at West Virginia University.  Gloria is a cultural anthropologist who years earlier had developed an interest in a particular musician, Frank Hutchison, from Logan who had recorded a handful of blues songs in 1929.  Frank’s style so captured her curiosity that she began making treks to Logan to learn more about him and his music.  Each time she learned something about Frank, it led her to other musicians in the area.  Soon she was fully immersed in the development of a book entitled:  Logan County Blues: Frank Hutchison in the Sonic Landscape of the Appalachian Coalfields.  The introduction to Gloria came about as Travis knew that both Gloria and Haddox had a mutual interest in Dick Justice, and that he had found Dick's long forgotten grave in a small mountainside cemetery in Yolyn, WV.  Gloria contacted me immediately after the email introduction about the possibility of taking her to the location.  She happened to be in Morgantown conducting research at the WVU Library, and Haddox happened to be headed back down to Logan the following morning.  She could not join on that trip, and thus we planned a trip for later in the summer.      
      Brandon Ray Kirk, a professor of History, at Southern WV Community and Technical College, is a well-known expert on the history of the Logan area.  He and Haddox had attempted to connect on music-related history a few times in the past, but had never managed to fully do so.  He mentioned to him that Haddox was going to bring Gloria to Logan for some music history research and asked if Kirk would like to join.  The three of us spent three wonderful days searching for graves, discussing the musical history of the area, and unwittingly hatching a plan for this project.   
      Everyone who knows Chris Haddox seems to know something different about him.  That’s not surprising because this stellar musician is also a community leader who has directed Habitat for Humanity and worked to preserve old neighborhoods, a WVU professor of sustainable design, and an amateur musicologist who researches musicians from the southern coalfields of West Virginia. That’s a lot of breadth for someone the music community knows as a well-loved, easy-going consummate picker who never met a stringed instrument he couldn’t master—not to mention a gifted songwriter in the traditional country/Americana vein.
      Says one of his close friends and fellow musicians, "I once looked around at a party where most of the guests didn’t know each other, but they all knew Chris.  “You’re the nexus!” I said, to which he replied, after reflecting on his Logan County West Virginia roots, “Maybe I'm the Red Nexus!” That kind of self-deprecating wit extends to his voluminous repertoire of songs about (to quote him): “religion, firearms, courthouse squares, goats on trampolines, shoes, fiddles, and hurricanes”—whatever catches his eye. He continues, “Like most writers, I try to find new ways to address old topics. Some songs are funny, some sad, some sarcastic but they are all honest--even the ones that are full of lies.“
      Born in 1960 into a musical family in Logan, West Virginia, Chris started playing piano at age six and moved onto guitar when he was influenced by his Uncle Jim, a fantastic country blues singer and picker. In college he picked up the dobro and just kept going… fiddle, banjo, mandolin; he seems to have an innate facility with those strings.
      Galvanized by the Delmore Brothers, Chris moved to Nashville in 1981 to dedicate himself to making it as a songwriter.  Over the course of three healthy stints in the Music City he learned about the music business, made some great friends and contacts in the business, but he eventually decided that the time was just not right for him.  His time illustrates a principle from the age-old question:  Do you want to be a professional songwriter, or do you want to write songs.  After leaving Nashville, Chris never stopped writing, and we’re all the better for it.  
      If you live in Appalachia, a land of savage contrasts, you develop a relationship to obscurity and miscommunication.  Many outsiders willfully misunderstand us. In Appalachia, we have a history of fixed ideas: Music is something you do after work, for fun. Your real work is about your people and the communities you live in.  Chris’s work and avocation come together in his passion and talent for lending voice to forgotten musicians brings them alive for all of us.  To hear him sing and play over the graves of lost and forgotten musicians in remote and overgrown mountain cemeteries, reveals their humanity and rescues ours.  
      An exceptional musician with an open heart, Chris is a collection of all the right kinds of contrasts.  In short, Chris Haddox represents everything that is good about Appalachia.
      Tickets are $20 and may be purchased by calling Carnegie Hall Box Office at 304.645.7917, visiting www.carnegiehallwv.org, or stopping by at 611 Church Street, Lewisburg, West Virginia.  Carnegie Hall Box Office is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
      Carnegie Hall WV is a member-driven nonprofit organization supported by individual contributions, grants, and fundraising efforts such as TOOT and The Carnegie Hall Gala. The Hall is located at 611 Church Street, Lewisburg, WV.  For more information, please call 304.645.7917 or visit www.carnegiehallwv.org.
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    • Entertainment News
      GreenbrierJournal

      Carnegie Hall and Music Educators Team Up to Present the Second Annual One Night Only: A Celebration of Young Musicians in the Greenbrier Valley

      GreenbrierJournal

      Carnegie Hall, working in partnership with Greenbrier County music and theatre educators, presents the Second Annual One Night Only Showcase on Thursday, March 13, at 7 p.m.  The concert is a performance opportunity for accomplished music students in grades 6-12 living or taking lessons in the Greenbrier Valley. The showcase takes place in Carnegie Hall’s Hamilton Auditorium Stage and is sponsored by David and Jennifer Webb.
      The One Night Only Showcase will feature over 40 students who were juried in by video entries for solo performers and ensembles. Carnegie Hall received over 30 submissions, with the top 22 acts being selected. Video entries included everything from solo piano performers and vocalists to horn players, guitarists, and full rock bands.
      Selected performers include Ellie Burns, Ella Butler, Georgia Craft, Theo Crowell, Ezra Dick, Payden Grizzel, Keean Hedrick, Alexus Hill, Lydia Jackson, Noah Lewis, Lucia Lipton, Asa Marks, Sal Marks, Christian Montgomery, Ava Tilden, Isaac Tincher, Emma Vincent, Nathaniel Vincent, Arabella Webb, The Honeydrops, and Second Block Rock (Two Groups).
      One Night Only will also be assisted by student stage/tech crew members, and a special guest emcee.
      Special thanks to: Sally Bray, CAMC, Bill Clapham, Harmony Flora, Birch Graves, Gibbs Kinderman, Mary Leb, Michael Lipton, Dorothy Jo Oberfoell, Cathy Rennard, Cathy Sawyer, David Webb, Nancy Wood, and all Greenbrier County music instructors and classroom teachers that encouraged students to participate.
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    • Sport News
      GreenbrierJournal

      State Fair of West Virginia Unveils 2025 Livestock Schedule

      GreenbrierJournal

      The State Fair of West Virginia has officially released its 2025 Livestock Schedule, marking a significant milestone as the fair celebrates its 100th anniversary from August 7 to 16, 2025. This year's schedule introduces several updates to enhance the experience for exhibitors and attendees alike.
      Key Highlights of the 2025 Livestock Schedule:
      Junior Show Arrival: Festivities commence on Wednesday, August 6, at 10:00 AM with the arrival of junior show participants.
      Market Lamb Showmanship: Kicking off the competitive events, the Market Lamb Showmanship is slated for Thursday, August 7, at 8:30 AM.
      Draft Horse Pull: A perennial favorite, the Draft Horse Pull is scheduled for Friday, August 8, at 9:00 AM in the Large Stock Arena.
      Llama Events: Llama enthusiasts can look forward to performance, pack, and public relations events on Saturday, August 9, starting at 9:00 AM, followed by the Llama Costume Show and Celebrity Obstacle Course at 6:00 PM.
      Youth Livestock Auction: A cornerstone event supporting young agriculturalists, the Youth Livestock Auction will take place on Thursday, August 14, at 1:00 PM.
      Parade of Champions: Celebrating the fair's top exhibitors, the Parade of Champions is tentatively set for Saturday, August 16, at 4:00 PM.
      Exhibitors are encouraged to review the full schedule to stay informed about specific arrival times, show dates, and other pertinent details. The complete 2025 Livestock Schedule is available on the State Fair of West Virginia's official website.
      As the fair commemorates a century of traditions, the 2025 event promises a blend of time-honored favorites and new attractions, ensuring a memorable experience for all attendees.
      For more information and to access the full livestock schedule, visit the State Fair of West Virginia's official website. https://statefairofwv.com/livestock-competitions/
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    • Entertainment News
      GreenbrierJournal

      Carnegie Hall’s Mainstage Series Continues with Tartan Terrors

      GreenbrierJournal

      Carnegie Hall presents Celtic group Tartan Terrors on Friday, March 7, at 7 p.m. Guests are invited to come early to Club Carnegie from 6 – 6:45 p.m. in the Board Room located adjacent to the Hamilton Auditorium. A cash bar and snacks are available. 
      Tartan Terrors bring their Celtic Invasion to festivals and shows across North America, blending the energy of a rock show with humor and stepdance. The members include Ian Irmisch (Bodhran, Emcee), Peter McArthur (Bagpipes, Whistle, Vocals), Emily Yarascavitch (Fiddle, Stepdance, Vocals), Charlie McKittrick (Drums, Vocals), Phill Hood (Guitar, Vocals), Chris Kerba (Bodhran, Guitar, Vocals), and Jake Saenz (Bass Guitar, Vocals).
      Ian Irmisch founded the Tartan Terrors with his late sister Ellen in 1996. He has an extensive career in the professional arts and sports worlds. At the age of five, he performed in the prestigious Great Hall of Hamilton Place and hasn't looked back since. Ian holds credentials with ACTRA, CAEA, and the AFM and has appeared in the Spirit of a Nation Tour, Charlottetown Festival, Ross Petty Productions Robin Hood, 42nd Street, Hamilton Theatre Inc, Brigadoon, Drury Lane Productions and across the UK. He has appeared in numerous film and television productions including Death to Smoochy, Superstar, Road to Avonlea, and The Santa Claus. As a child, he trained at his mother's dance school, Sundance Studios in Burlington. He went on to Ryerson University and Sheridan College and worked across New York City. In 1996, the Wilkes-Irmisch siblings formed Tartan Terrors and Celtic performances haven't been the same since. He now resides in Muskoka, Ontario, where he's an avid collector of advertising signs
      and gas/car memorabilia. 
      Peter McArthur has been performing the traditional music of the Great Highland Bagpipe for over 25 years. He first performed with Tartan Terrors in Manheim, Pennsylvania, at Celtic Fling in 2015.
      Peter grew up in Fayetteville, North Carolina playing with his local pipe band and spending influential time each summer at the North American Academy of Piping. He received most of his instruction from Bill Caudill at St. Andrews University in Laurinburg, NC. While at St. Andrews, Peter became a Grade 1 piper and earned a BA with Honors in Philosophy. Peter's tenure with the SAU Pipe Band spans 20 years of winning performances in the southeastern United States and numerous championships in Grade 3. Peter currently teaches his hometown pipe band, the Cross Creek Pipes and Drums, whose hard work earned the EUSPBA Southeastern Branch Championship for Grade 5 in 2018. Peter performs at over 250 events throughout each year and spends his spring and fall giving regular weekend recitals at Pinehurst Resort. The sounds of his pipes have been heard with choirs, organs, trumpets, large orchestras, and even handbell choirs. Along the way, Peter performed with the Chieftains, Seven Nations, and the Rend Collective. 
      Emily Yarascavitch is a fiddling and stepdancing sensation. She draws audiences in and creates an authentic and memorable connection with her deft musicality, warm smile and infectious energy.
      She began stepdancing at four years old and took up fiddle shortly after. She spent numerous years in the Canadian competition circuit, achieving prestigious awards in both fiddle and stepdance. She is trained in various fiddle styles as well as classical violin. She is a mutli Canadian Grand Masters Finalist, Junior Canadian Champion, and a two-time Canadian Open Duet Champion. As a classical musician, she has completed Advanced Theory and playing examinations. 
      Emily is currently the fiddle player and stepdancer for Tartan Terrors. She has been in high demand as a performer across North America and has toured with The Stepcrew, Shreem X Celtic Remix, and The Scott Woods Band. 
      Emily is an in-demand music teacher and runs a full private studio in Oshawa, Ontario, teaching violin, fiddle, music theory, and stepdance. 
      Charlie McKittrick joined forces with the Tartan Terrors in November 2016. He first hit the stage at a Christmas concert in Harrisburg, PA. Since then, he’s played dozens of festivals and theatres with the band all over North America. He brings with him his genuine passion for playing the drums, animated and energetic showmanship, an angelic tenor vocalist, and 14 years’ professional playing experience. He formerly belonged to the Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and holds a BMus from the University of Windsor, where he studied classical percussion and physical geography. He’s performed internationally including stops in Germany, Singapore, nine provinces in Canada and 33 states in the USA. He’s released a solo EP and two singles (Two Hearts, Brand New Love and Christmas Countdown respectively) and continues to write and record. He performed onstage with Sen Dog of Cypress Hill and the band Finger Eleven and appears on the Scary Movie 5 soundtrack. He is endorsed by Promark drumsticks, Evans drumheads and D'Addario guitar strings. With Ireland and Scotland in his bloodline, Charlie wears the kilt with pride and makes for an explosive addition to the Tartan Terrors arsenal. 
      Phill Hood, Tartan Terrors’ resident Newfoundlander, has been an active member of the band since 2011. Raised off of the rugged shores of the North Atlantic, Phill brings an east coast flare to the Terror’s Celtic sound. A seasoned songwriter and performer in his own right, Phill has found success as a composer, producer, and solo artist with his band "Phill Hood and The Exclamation." His debut album, Detour, took him across Canada in 2018, playing shows from British Columbia to Newfoundland to great acclaim and radio play! You can always count on Phill for a laugh, a song, and great dinner plans (which he regularly documents through his food blog and instagram account)! Whether you've known him for a while or are watching him perform for the first time, you'll surely be singing along but the end of the first set. 
      A 20+ year musician, Chris Kerba has been with the Terrors for over a decade now. He shares his time and talents with another band, Eclectic Revival, which has helped turn him into the performer he is today. He brings to the stage his guitar, bodhran, singing, and his tough outer shell. 
      Jake Saenz is an American/Canadian musician based out of Toronto who has been pumping out the low end as the Tartan Terrors' bass guitarist for over 10 years. With an expansive range of influences ranging from rock to new wave, and electronic/industrial, Jake provides a stoicly dependable backbone to the Tartan Terrors' intricately layered timbre. 
      With a distinctive sound and a proud tradition of making Celtic music fun and accessible to any audience, the Terrors have played big stages across North America, including The Iridium, Times Square, NYC, Daryl's House Club, Pawling, NY, Freeman Arts Pavilion, Selbyville, DE, Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival, Florence, MA, and The Celtic Music & Craft Beer Festival in Dunedin, FL.
      Tickets are $35. Thanks to the Carnegie Cardinal Fund, Greenbrier County Students attend for free, but still must reserve a seat. Discounts are available for Carnegie Hall members, senior citizens, and military. 
      To purchase tickets, call Carnegie Hall Box Office at 304.645.7917, visit www.carnegiehallwv.org, or stop by at 611 Church Street, Lewisburg, West Virginia.  Carnegie Hall Box Office is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
      Carnegie Hall WV is a nonprofit organization supported by individual contributions, grants, and fundraising efforts such as TOOT and The Carnegie Hall Gala. The Hall is located at 611 Church Street, Lewisburg, WV.  For more information, please call 304.645.7917 or visit www.carnegiehallwv.org.
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