The weekend's almost here! Here's what happening in the Kanawha Valley
Plus: UKV crash, Charleston Police Academy registrations and more Kanawha Valley community news
Happy Friday, neighbor!
It’s Jan. 24, 2025. Here’s what you need to know today:
Two escape firey crash on I-77 near Dawes
Volunteer firefighter receives heart transplant
Plus, a chance to win a Valentine’s package
Friday: 🌤️ Partly sunny. Highs in the mid-20s, lows near 10 degrees.
Saturday: ☀️ Sunny. Highs in the low 40s, lows in the mid-20s.
Sunday: 🌥️ Mostly cloudy. Highs in the low 40s, low in the low 20s.
Now, on to the news!
Two escape I-77 crash in UKV early Thursday
Two people escaped a burning car in an early morning wreck on a southbound lane of Interstate 77 near Dawes on Thursday. A tractor-trailer lost part of its load, causing a vehicle with two people to crash and catch fire. The individuals were able to get out and were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, officials said. Crews with the Cabin Creek VFD and the Pratt VFD extinguished the fire.
More local news:
Break: A portion of the 8700 block of Maryland Avenue in Marmet was closed Thursday after a water main break was reported in the area. “This area is extremely icy. For safety concerns please avoid this area,” officials advised residents in a social media post. West Virginia Amerian Water was notified of the issue.
Movie: A South Charleston couple is the subject of a new film set to debut in theaters this weekend. Ivan and Violetta Petrosyan, who are of Armenian heritage, first fled their home country of Azerbaijan during the anti-Armenian massacre in the 1980s. After facing further persecution in Russia, the Petrosyan’s sought asylum in the United States. The film “Between Borders,” which premiers Jan. 26, recounts their life. Learn more here.
Giveaway: Shoppers, diners and other local business-goers in South Charleston have a chance to win a Valentine’s package for two. It’s part of a giveaway sponsored by the South Charleston Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Winners will receive tickets to a murder mystery dinner and an overnight stay at a local hotel. More details are available here.
Fundraiser: A Cedar Grove volunteer firefighter has undergone a heart transplant, and department members are raising funds to help with expenses. Firefighter John Hess received the transplant Sunday in Tennessee. “John has spent his life serving others—through his time in the military, law enforcement, the fire department, and even as a sports coach,” firefighters wrote on social media. Donations to help with Hess’s recovery can be made on GoFundMe.
Academy: Charleston Police are offering a 10-week Citizen’s Police Academy program during the spring months. The course offers insight into the world of policing, with the aim of fostering “stronger, more positive relationships between the police and the community,” according to a release. Classes are held at the Charleston Police Department Training Division on Dickinson Street, with three off-site (but still in Charleston) lessons. Interested candidates can apply online.
We’ve (almost) made it to the weekend! And there’s a lot to do around the Kanawha Valley. Some highlights: the Reds Caravan and the West Virginia Hunting and Fishing Show at the Charleston Coliseum; free Frosty Frontier Fun at the West Virginia State Museum; and the Dachshund Through The Snow 5K at Kanawha State Forest.
Full weekend calendar: Click here.
Today, we remember the following neighbors who have recently passed:
Eleanor Elaine Easley, 85, of Institute, died Jan. 7, 2025.
Edmond Lindal England, 85, of South Charleston, died Jan. 21, 2025.
Robert “Bob” “Steamer” Hudnall, 89, of Montgomery, died Jan. 21, 2025.
Brenda Ray, 81, of Charleston, died Jan. 22, 2025.
That’s all for today. Thanks for reading! Looking for more locally-made news content from around the Kanawha Valley? Make sure you:
📱Download the FREE NewsBreak app
🏠 Be my neighbor on Nextdoor
👍 Like my local news page on Facebook
📷 Follow my multimedia on Instagram
🎞️ Watch my video journalism on YouTube
Have a question, comment or story idea? Write ramsburgreports@gmail.com or call/text 304-370-3067.