Byrd's death lengthens Coalfields Expressway journey in West Virginia
Charles Owens recalls the 2000 groundbreaking in Welch for the Coalfields Expressway and King Coal Highway. He notes Senator Robert Byrd warned the four lane corridor would take years to complete and that his death leaves southern West Virginia without its longtime infrastructure advocate. The piece reflects on Byrd's role, the journey ahead, and the enduring challenge of funding and finishing the projects.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
McDowell County
Robert C. Byrd
Welch
Daily Telegraph
Tom Colley
Tom
Byrd
Mount View High School
Tom’s Mountain
Cecil Underwood
Richard Browning
Emily Yeager
Senator Byrd
Beckley
West Virginia
Washington
Senate Appropriations Committee
Coalfields Expressway
King Coal Highway
Joe Manchin
Bluefield Daily Telegraph Staff Titles and Verse
A compact listing shows Bluefield Daily Telegraph staff roles including publisher news editor sports editor managing editor senior editor city editor and editors. The entry ends with a Bible verse citation from Psalms 94 19 AKJV.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Charles Owens
Daily Telegraph
Cowens
Batonline
Bluefield Posts Net 26 Population Gain for 2009
West Virginia Development Office notes Bluefield grew from 11,042 in 2008 to 11,068 in 2009, a net gain of 26. The update ranks Bluefield ninth among Mountain State cities with growth, while Morgantown posted the largest increase at 691. Local officials view the data as cautious optimism ahead of Census 2010.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bluefield
Chuck Peterson
West Virginia
Linda Whalen
Whalen
Charleston
Clarksburg
Fairmont
Huntington
Martinsburg
Beckley
Morgantown
Parkersburg
Weirton
Wheeling
Princeton
THS Hall of Fame fund drive thanks readers and supporters
Lawrence Debo Johnson recounts THS Hall of Fame Foundation effort to raise funds through a Memorial Day rummage sale. He thanks the paper, THS principal Hovis, donors, and volunteers including Robert Marrs and Ron Thompson. The drive has funded eight scholarships totaling $55,000 toward a $100,000 endowment, plans a second sale, and announces July 24 induction with five inductees and three military honorees.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Robert Marrs
Ron Thompson
Shelly Hicks
Nancy Wallace
Francis Colley
Dorothy Rasnake
Jean Smith
Don Necessary Sr
Mike Hymes
Bob Smith
Kevin Hicks
Roger Pike
Peggy Marrs
Jim Dawson
Jim
Katy Ramey
Jim Ramey
THS Hall of Fame
Tazewell
Hall of Fame
THS
Bea Leist
Green
Leist
Lawrence “Debo” Johnson
Tazewell High School Hall of Fame Foundation
Byrd and Van Kirk friendship cited in West Virginia history
In August 1997 West Virginia Transportation Secretary Fred Van Kirk praised Sen. Robert C. Byrd for his help in building interstate and Appalachian corridor systems. He thanked Byrd, shared notes on Byrd’s early years, and mentioned the Holden Bridge dedication and a Bob Byrd Road in Mercer County, reflecting deep state gratitude.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
West Virginia Highways Transportation
Fred van Kirk
Robert C. Byrd
Byrd
van Kirk
DOH
Elizabeth Chatfield
Lorna Cole Basham
Senator Byrd
Holden
West
Bob Byrd
Mercer County
West Virginia
Byrd praised for roads and roots in Mercer County letter
Wilson Butt of Bluefield salutes Senator Robert C. Byrd for aiding Appalachian corridor projects and state highways while stressing humble roots. Welch cancels Fourth of July plans after flood damage. Bluefield and Welch officials invite McDowell County residents to join a July celebration in Bluefield with music and fireworks.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mercer County
Bob Byrd
Lorene Cole Basham
Welch
Bluefield
Don Harris
Martha Moore
McDowell County
Graham Middle School
The
Free State
Also Mentioned on This Page
Sen
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Darryl Hudson
Andy Patton
Brian Woodson
Samantha Perry
City Editor
Bill Archer
Margulies
Jimmara Cao
Virginia
Wilson Butt
Ove
Department of Highways
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