Appalachia Community | Digg

Appalachian Power Companies Prepare for Winter Storm

As winter storms approach, Appalachian Power and Dominion Energy are mobilizing hundreds of crews and additional resources to prepare for potential power outages. Both companies emphasize safety as their top priority and urge residents to be patient while they work to restore power.

@ItsJustMe

America’s next big clean energy resource could come from coal mine pollution – if we can agree on who owns it

Acid mine drainage from abandoned coal mines in Appalachia, which contains valuable rare earth elements, could become a domestic source for these critical minerals, but ownership issues pose a barrier to investment in extraction projects.

@ItsJustMe

McMinn County War- Vets Remove Corrupt Politicians

August 1946: The McMinn County War, also known as the Battle of Athens, was a citizen-led rebellion in Athens and Etowah, Tennessee. World War II veterans, accusing local officials of predatory policing, police brutality, political corruption, and voter intimidation, took direct

@ItsJustMe

A short history of Appalachia’s model towns and what they tell us for the future

This article explores the history of planned communities in Appalachia, examining how past projects like U.S. Steel's Lynch, Tennessee Valley Authority's Norris, and Eleanor Roosevelt's Arthurdale have influenced the current proposal for a new city, Telosa, by e-commerce billionaire Marc Lore. The article highlights the successes and failures of these past projects, emphasizing the importance of land ownership and community control in sustainable development. It questions whether Telosa, with its focus on technology and equity, can avoid the pitfalls of past projects and truly benefit the local communities.

@ItsJustMe

After Helene, rural North Carolina turns to solar and battery hubs

After Hurricane Helene devastated rural North Carolina, the Double Island Volunteer Fire Department became a hub for community recovery. The fire department, equipped with a microgrid of solar panels and batteries, now provides essential services during power outages. A network of nonprofits and government groups is working to install microgrids in other fire departments and community centers to enhance resilience. The state of North Carolina is also investing $5 million in microgrids and mobile aid units to support recovery efforts.

@ItsJustMe

Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On: The Story of Appalachian Piano Man Roy Hall

This podcast episode explores the life of Roy Hall, a hillbilly boogie pianist born in 1921 in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, and who passed away in 1984 in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. The episode delves into Hall's early career, playing for Uncle Dave Macon in a traveling version of the Grand Ole Opry, and his later success in Detroit and Nashville as a session musician for stars like Webb Pierce, Marty Robbins, and Red Foley. It also highlights his contribution to the creation of the song 'Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On' and his near-miss of rockabilly stardom in the 1950s.

@ItsJustMe

Farmers Land Trust preserves farmland while providing land access to next-gen farmers

The Farmers Land Trust is a nonprofit organization that helps farmers transition their farmland to the next generation by establishing community-managed farmland. The nonprofit pays to own the title of the farmland, while the next farmer tends to the land through a 99-year lease. This model allows for affordable, equitable land access for next-generation farmers, ensuring that farmland remains in agricultural use and is not developed. The organization was founded by Kristina Villa and Ian McSweeney, who had witnessed the rising cost of farmland and its impact on the farming community. Through the program, farmers like Annie Warmke can ensure their land stays as farmland and is passed on to the next generation, like Sarah and Jason Ricks, who now manage Blue Rock Station, LLC in Ohio.

@ItsJustMe

Did You Know MLK Had Deep Roots in Appalachia?

When we think of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we usually picture the buses in Montgomery, the marches in Selma, or the monuments in D.C. But if you look closer at the map of his life and legacy, you’ll find some incredible, and often overlooked, footprints right here in the Appala

@ItsJustMe

80-year-old woman sets record as oldest to hike Appalachian Trail

Betty Kellenberger, an 80-year-old school teacher from Michigan, has set a record as the oldest woman to hike the entire 2,193-mile Appalachian Trail. After multiple attempts and overcoming obstacles like Lyme disease and knee surgery, she finally completed the trail in 2025. Kellenberger's journey, which included meeting trail angels and enduring various challenges, serves as an inspiration for seniors to stay active and pursue their dreams.