Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia. 

Today is Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.

Citizen’s Police Academy offers the opportunity to learn valuable skills in safety, first aid and more…plans are underway to grow Bridgeport’s network of walking and hiking trails…and learn about Nitro’s explosive (literally!) past…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From CONNECT-BRIDGEPORT – Starting Wednesday Jan. 22 and continuing until March 12, the City of Bridgeport will once again be holding the 2025 Citizen's Police Academy.

The Wednesday evening class is led by the Bridgeport Police Department. Those taking part will learn about various processes in law enforcement. Students will also gain valuable skills with lessons in defensive tactics, firearm safety, CPR and first aid.

https://www.connect-bridgeport.com/connect.cfm?func=view§ion=News&item=Registration-Still-Being-Taken-for-City-of-Bridgeports-2025-Citizen-Police-Academy-that-Begins-in-January57951

#2 – From CONNECT-BRIDGEPORT – If you live in the Bridgeport area, get out and enjoy the city’s trails! Bridgeport’s walking and hiking trails offer scenic views and convenient access across the city.

The city’s trail systems are widely used by locals, according to Joe Shuttleworth, director of Bridgeport Parks and Recreation.

Shuttleworth highlighted the appeal of the trails at Deegan and Hinkle Lakes Park, noting their scenic beauty and shaded paths, which provide comfort during the summer months.

The campus of The Bridge Sports Complex also features a fully off-road trail. Development plans include additional trails once two new fields at the complex are completed.

Plans are underway to enhance the city’s trail systems, Shuttleworth added.

https://www.wvnews.com/theet/theet/news/exploring-bridgeports-trails-a-hub-for-recreation-and-community-growth/article_692164c6-cdea-11ef-8d0f-5b3dc7a001c3.html

#3 – From WOWK-TV – Now one of West Virginia’s industrial hubs, the City of Nitro that lies along the Kanawha River was born from the manufacturing needs of World War I, which helped give it its name.

Facing shortages during the war, Congress passed an act to aid the construction of three new gunpowder plants. Looking for places that had a favorable climate, raw materials, easy access to transportation and was safe from coastal attacks, engineers with the DuPont Company selected the area that would become Nitro.

Hercules Powder initiated the groundbreaking for the Nitro chemical plant, called Explosives Plant C, at the site of present day Nitro City Park on December 23, 1917. The facility itself would be capable of producing around 700,000 pounds of gunpowder.

Around 110,000 people were on the payroll during the plant’s eleven month construction period. Those working on the project included future movie star Clark Gable and future baseball star Pie Traynor.

https://www.wowktv.com/news/west-virginia/how-the-city-of-nitro-got-its-name/

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.

That’s all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

daily304 - Episode 01.20.2025