Bruce Wheeler, the co-founder of the Heritage BluesFest, has been contemplating a winter version of the annual, three-day music festival. We’ll discuss the ideas, and we’ll also talk about a return of the evening blues shows Bruce staged pre-pandemic.

Marshall County Sheriff Bill Helms will join me for the first hour of the show to discuss a number of different topics, including the latest trends in criminal history, the issues concerning ATVs and side-by-sides, the increased rate of Covid infections, and we’ll also talk about his deputies go about welfare checks in the most rural parts of the county.

Kris Maher is a former reporter for the Wall Street Journal and he has written a book titled, “Desperate with Simon and Schuster,” which details the issues that have taken place in coal communities across the state of West Virginia. We’ll discuss the book and the battles that have taken place over jobs, clean drinking water, mine conditions, and the abrupt closures that have taken place through the years.

Guests: Jeramie Alvarado, Jon Banco

Jeramie Alvarado from Rachel’s on 16th will sit down with me during the first hour of the show to discuss his eatery in East Wheeling, how he and his wife have become involved with the Wheeling community, and what could be coming to North Wheeling later this year.

Jon Banco returns for “Liner Notes” to release his schedules for live entertainment for the rest of the week and for the weekend, and we’ll also discuss the many venues that host live performances each week in the Wheeling area.

Doug Giffin, the president of the IBEW Local 141, will join to discuss several topics, including construction site precautions, upcoming apprenticeships, current development and projects expected in the future, and the lessons learned concerning college and the local trades.

Jon Banco returns for our weekly “Liner Notes” segment to discuss the local music scene, what gigs are scheduled for the rest of the week and the weekend, and we’ll also hear from Dean Connors from Zane Run.

Guests: Del. Erikka Storch, Scott Porter

Erikka Storch, a state delegate and the president of the Wheeling Chamber of Commerce, will sit down with me to discuss the encounter late last week with Baby Dog and Gov. Jim Justice, and we’ll also talk about the local economy and what downtown Wheeling can actually become in the future.

Belmont County’s Scott Porter is scheduled to return to the show to discuss several topics, including the underground and above-ground infrastructure here in the valley and the can-kicking politics that left it in the shape it is today. Scott and I also will talk about economic development in the Upper Ohio Valley and what to expect in the coming years.

Bruce Wheeler from the Heritage BluesFest returns to the show to discuss this year’s event that begins in just one week. We’ll discuss the bands, the vendors, the canopies, and how to get tickets for the big show. 

Bria McKown will be on the phone this afternoon to tell us all about West Virginia Infant Swimming Resource, a program that teaches young children survival swimming lessons for kids between the ages of 6 months to 6 years old. Bria is an instructor and will be offering these lessons in the Wheeling area in the near future.

“Steve Novotney Lives!” – 3-5 p.m. M-W-F on Facebook Live (go to LEDE News Facebook page) and posted on Pandora, Spotify, PodBean, YouTube, Amazon Music/Audible, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Apple Podcast (iTunes), and ListenNotes.

“Steve Novotney Lives!” – 3-5 p.m. M-W-F on Facebook Live (go to LEDE News Facebook page) and posted on Pandora, Spotify, PodBean, YouTube, Amazon Music/Audible, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Apple Podcast (iTunes), and ListenNotes.

Taylor Smith is the new general manager of the McLure Hotel is downtown Wheeling and will will join me to talk about the renovations that are taking place on the inside and outside right now, and we’ll also discuss the future of the property.

Jon Banco returns for our weekly “Liner Notes” segment so he can release his schedules for live entertainment for the rest of this week and during the upcoming weekend. We’ll also discuss the venues, the food and beverages available, and what precautions may be in place at this time.

“Steve Novotney Lives!” – 3-5 p.m. M-W-F on Facebook Live (go to LEDE News Facebook page) and posted on Pandora, Spotify, PodBean, YouTube, Amazon Music/Audible, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Apple Podcast (iTunes), and ListenNotes.