10 years after devastating floods, one local community has 'much to celebrate'
Plus: Stretching at the Park, Dirty Birds Redneck Night and more Kanawha Valley news and events
June 24, 2026 | Weather: ☀️ 80° F / 🌔 59° F
Good Wednesday, neighbor!
It’s June 24. Move over, Gucci Kroger — there’s a new grocery in town. The long-awaited (and much-hailed) Kroger Marketplace opens at the Park Pace Plaza in South Charleston at 8 a.m. today. Before the opening, officials will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7:30 a.m. This is the first Kroger Marketplace to open in the state.
Onward.
CLENDENIN
10 years after Elk River flood, Clendenin marks recovery with ‘much to celebrate’
It’s been ten years since devastating flash floods wrought havoc on the small Elk River community of Clendenin. Since then, resilient residents have transformed the tragedy into ongoing triumph. West Virginia Watch reporter Lori Kersey brings us this dispatch from a town whose leaders say it has “much to celebrate.” (via West Virginia Watch)
Today
10:30-11 a.m. — Charleston Dirty Birds Storytime, Elk Valley Branch Library, 313 The Crossings Mall, Elkview.
11 a.m.-Noon — Sensory Exploration: Shaving Cream Dough, St. Albans Branch Library, 602 Fourth St., St. Albans.
11-11:30 a.m. — Story Time: Forestry, Riverside Public Library, 1 Warrior Way, Suite 104, Belle.
Noon-7:30 p.m. — Ancient World Escape Room, Kanawha County Public Library, 123 Capitol St., Charleston.
2 p.m. — Montgomery Summer Reading, Montgomery Public Library, 507 Ferry St., Montgomery.
4-8 p.m. — Yappy Hour at the Red Carpet, Red Carpet Lounge, 308 Elizabeth St., Charleston.
4-9 p.m. — Hump Day Hangout, Tickers & Timbers, 210 Capitol St., Charleston.
5 p.m. — Adult Craft Time, Montgomery Public Library, 507 Ferry St., Montgomery.
5:30 p.m. — June Green Drinks Happy Hour, Short Story Brewing Charleston, 184 Summers St., Charleston.
5:30 p.m. — Radiance Resilence Collective Movement & Documentary Viewing, YMCA Charleston, 100 YMCA Drive, Charleston.
5:30 p.m. — Stretching at the Park, Joplin Park, Kanawha Turnpike, South Charleston.
5-6 p.m. — Teen Yum Club, Kanawha County Public Library, 123 Capitol St., Charleston.
6 p.m. — Dirty Birds Redneck Night, GoMart Ballpark, 601 Morris St., Charleston.
6 p.m. — Pride Eucharist, St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1105 Quarrier St., Charleston.
6 p.m. — Tri State College Softball Game #1, South Charleston High School, 1 Eagle Way, South Charleston.
6-8 p.m. — Happy Hour with Matt Mullins, The Empty Glass, 410 Elizabeth St., Charleston.
6-8 p.m. — Two Roomates, The Wine Down, 114 Washington St. W., Suite 101, Charleston.
7 p.m. — Country Music Dance, St. Albans American Legion Post 73, 1011 Pennsylvania Ave, St. Albans.
7 p.m. — Trivia Night, Recovery Sports Grill, 600 Virginia St. E., Charleston.
7-10 p.m. — Open Mic Night, The ROQ, 1022 Quarrier St., Charleston.
Today’s Public Meetings
Noon — WV International Yeager Airport Board Meeting, Central West Virginia Regional Airport Authority, 100 Airport Road, Suite 175, Charleston.
Upcoming
Friday, June 26 — 6:30 p.m.: Live on the Levee Featuring Marshall Charloff - Purple Xperience with The Heavy Hitters, Haddad Riverfront Park, 601 Kanawha Blvd. E., Charleston.
Saturday, June 27 — 8 a.m.-1 p.m.: Ronald McDonald House Yard Sale, Ronald McDonald House Southern West Virginia, 910 Pennsylvania Ave., Charleston.
Saturday, June 27 — 9 a.m.-5 p.m.: The Donna L. Skeen Senior Expo, Beni Kedem Temple, Grand Ballroom, 100 Quarrier St., Charleston.
📅 Did you know? We only highlight some of the day’s events in this newsletter. There’s a lot more happening around the Kanawha Valley. Have a look at today’s full calendar by clicking the “More Events” button.
Today, we remember the following neighbors who have recently passed:
Larry Michael Anderson, 80, of Parkersburg, died June 18, 2026.
David Paul Gillispie, 84, of South Charleston, died June 20, 2026.
Bonnie L. Jenkins, 95, of Charleston, died June 19, 2026.
Rose Anna Mayhew, 86, of Charleston, died June 19, 2026.
Patricia Ann Simmons, 81, of Ripley, formerly of Winifrede, died June 21, 2026.
Sandra K. (Laws) Walker, 82, of St. Albans, died June 21, 2026.
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