Written by Rance Garrison
Rance Garrison
Rance Garrison is an Appalachian Voices Communications Coordinator and Southwest Virginia native who lives and works in Wise County, Virginia. In his spare time, he is a musician, DJ, and writer as well as an avid reader and gamer who enjoys spending time with his wife, dog and cats.
Halloween Approaches, and Night School Is in Session
The House of Art in Bluefield, West Virginia, looks like a haunted tower, making it the perfect location for its sixth annual haunt event: Night School. The Night School will be open every Friday and Saturday night through Oct. 31.
Abingdon’s ElderSpirit community celebrates going solar
It was a bright week for clean energy earlier this month in Abingdon, Virginia, as residents of the ElderSpirit community gathered together with solar professionals and local leaders to celebrate the official ribbon-cutting of the community’s new solar arrays.
Pike County Rejects Mega Landfill
Many residents of Pike County, Kentucky, are breathing a sigh of relief since county commissioners finalized their decision to rescind a contract with an out-of-state waste management company.
Resilience projects moving forward in Southwest Virginia
Progress is underway to equip two community-serving facilities in Scott County, Virginia, with solar power and energy storage.
Coal Labor History Sets Stage for Community
Residents and local leaders in Pound, Virginia, have been working hard to bring new life to the town’s historic downtown. Last year, Pound received funding from Monuments Across Appalachian Virginia to create a labor-oriented monument downtown.
Fighting for breath: Miners and advocates take their plea for stronger black lung protections from the coalfields to the Capitol
Coal miners and advocates rally for long-promised silica protections to stop the rise of black lung across Appalachia.
Southwest Virginia Communities Prepare for Future Storms
The necessity for resilience hubs across Southwest Virginia has become more apparent as the region has repeatedly been hit hard by floods.
Support For Mine Problems in Jeopardy; Groups Challenge South Fork Coal
Energy Report stories about Citizens’ ability to get help with mine problems in jeopardy and groups challenge South Fork Coal’s actions in West Virginia.
Solar energy lights up Southwest Virginia at inaugural SWVA Solar Summit
More than 200 attendees received a wealth of information from various energy, utility and environmental groups.
Solar’s Here to Stay at the YMCA!
Earlier this spring, community members and solar experts gathered to celebrate the opening of the Tazewell Four Seasons YMCA’s new solar array, which was made possible in part by federal clean energy tax credits that are now at risk.
