News & Events
News
Posted on Mar 23, 2017
2016 Upper Big Branch Mining Memorial Group Inc. Tax Information
Posted on Apr 4, 2016
Observance of 6th Anniversary of the UBB Disaster
WHITESVILLE WV- Wreaths will be placed at the Upper Big Branch Miners Memorial tomorrow morning in observance of the 6th Anniversary of the Upper Big Branch Disaster. The wreaths will remain in place all day.
The public is encouraged to visit the memorial tomorrow to honor the memories of 29 coal miners who lost their lives in an explosion at the Upper Big Branch Coal Mine on April 5th, 2010 and to remember the courageous acts of first responders and mine rescue teams in the hours and days after the tragedy.
Please visit ubbminersmemorial.com and our Facebook page for info on the memorial, directions to Whitesville and biographies of the 29 miners.
Posted on Apr 2, 2015
UBB Miners Memorial To Commemorate 5th Anniversary of Mine Disaster
WHITESVILLE, W.Va.- On the afternoon of April 5th, 2010, a coal dust explosion killed 29 of 31 miners working inside Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch Coal Mine in Montcoal, WV. Fire, smoke and high levels of deadly methane gas and carbon monoxide inside the mine hampered the search and recovery effort for nearly a week. It was the nation's worst coal mining disaster in 40 years. Subsequent investigations would later reveal blatant disregard for safety rules and a failure in oversight led to the conditions that resulted in the explosion and loss of life at Upper Big Branch.
The aftermath of the disaster lead to a number of indictments and convictions as well as changes in state and federal safety rules. Unfortunately, little in meaningful mine safety legislation has been passed in the five years since the explosion.
This Easter Sunday marks the 5th Anniversary of the disaster.
The Upper Big Branch Mining Memorial Group will place wreaths commemorating the anniversary at the Upper Big Branch Miners Memorial on Saturday, April 4th. The wreaths will remain in place until Monday, April 6th. In observance of Easter, no ceremony or service is planned. Family, friends and the public are encouraged to visit the memorial this weekend at your own convenience.
The Upper Big Branch Miners Memorial opened in 2012. A granite monument depicting the life-size silhouettes of 29 miners is the focal point of the memorial located along Coal River Road/WV RT 3 in Whitesville, WV.
Posted on Dec 16, 2014
Caroling and Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Coal Heritage Riverwalk
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WHITESVILLE W.Va.- The Upper Big Branch Mining Memorial Group, in conjunction with the Town of Whitesville, presents Caroling at the Park, a new Christmas in the Coalfields tradition. Caroling, a tree lighting ceremony, Ugly Christmas Sweater contest and much more begins at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, December 17th at the Coal Heritage Riverwalk Park in Whitesville.
Please join us and our community as we celebrate the Spirit of Christmas like it has been for generations among the Appalachian Mountains. Fresh Christmas cookies and hot chocolate will be provided. Choir members from the Whitesville First Baptist Church and Dorothy Assembly of God will lead the caroling. The celebration will be capped with the lighting of the town's newly planted Christmas tree in what will become an annual Christmas tradition.
Posted on Dec 11, 2014
Comments on Whitesville Winning The Turn This Town Around Contest
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WHITESVILLE, W.Va.- After over 23,000 votes, Whitesville in Boone County and Ripley in Jackson County won West Virginia Focus magazine’s 2015 Turn This Town Around competition.
Whitesville, winning the under 1,500 population category, topped Alderson by less than 1,300 votes. Ripley edged ahead of Hinton by less than 500 votes for the over 1,500 - 6,000 population category. The Turn This Town Around sponsors are happy with the positive response to the campaign and hope that all of West Virginia’s towns will be inspired.
Upper Big Branch Mining Memorial Group President, Sheila Combs, is thrilled about the announcement. "We are excited that the community can build around projects like the Upper Big Branch Miners Memorial and The Coal Heritage Riverwalk," said Combs. "We hope as many people as possible can experience the memorial and share in remembering the 29 UBB miners and honoring Whitesville's rich coal heritage. We look forward to collaborating with Whitesville in future projects related to the Turn This Town Around program."
The Upper Big Branch Miners Memorial and Coal Heritage Riverwalk are projects planned and constructed in Whitesville by the UBB Mining Memorial Group, Inc. The memorial group was established as a non-profit organization in February of 2011 to build a permanent memorial to 29 miners killed in an explosion at the nearby Upper Big Branch coal mine on April 5th, 2010.
Over the course of the year, the two communities will receive a wide variety of support as citizens come together to identify ways they can improve their community and their economy. Communities will receive training and hands-on assistance in planning and implementing projects to beautify and revitalize their downtowns, build new businesses, and diversify their economies.
In addition, each community will have access to additional resources they can only receive through Turn This Town Around, including technical assistance from a numerous agencies and organizations from across the state. Sponsors of Turn This Town Around are West Virginia Focus magazine, The West Virginia Community Development Hub, West Virginia Public Broadcasting, the Benedum Foundation, BrickStreet Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, West Virginia Small Business Development Center, the West Virginia Division of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Philanthropy WV, and the Tamarack Foundation.
Keep up to date with Whitesville and Ripley’s progress by subscribing to West Virgina Focus magazine at wvfocus.com/subscribe. Also visit Visit www.wvfocus.com/newsstands/ to find out where you can purchase West Virginia Focus.
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Upcoming Events
Ceremony for the 3rd Anniversary of the Disaster on April 5th, 2013.
by Mike Gwinn
In remembrance of the third anniversary of the Upper Big Branch Coal Mine Disaster and the lives lost there, a wreath will be placed at the UBB Miner’s Monument early Friday morning, April 5th, 2013. Instead of a public ceremony this year, the Upper Big Branch Mining Memorial Group encourages family, friends and the community to visit the Upper Big Branch Miners Memorial to remember and reflect in your own way and at your own time.
