This free summer program aims to amplify the voices of local youth
Plus: New River Gorge Ranger Talk, Walk With A Doc, and more Kanawha Valley news and events
June 3, 2026 | Weather: ☀️ 79° F / 🌖 52° F
Good Wednesday, neighbor!
It’s June 3. As I mentioned in this space yesterday, Kanawha County Public Library locations throughout the region are celebrating the launch of the system’s summer reading program this week. Today’s programming includes a special talk by a ranger from New River Gorge National Park. You can catch the presentation at the Sissonville, Dunbar and Charleston libraries today. We’ve got full details in the community calendar below.
Onward.
EDUCATION
Free summer podcast program aims to give Kanawha Valley youth a voice
Students ages 11-18 are invited to participate in the free Youth Summer Podcast Program hosted by WVSU Extension Service and the Positive People Association. The six-week program, beginning June 23 in Charleston, will teach storytelling, audio production and podcasting skills while helping participants build confidence and share their voices through digital media.
Today
11 a.m. — Urban Homesteading Series: Pollinator Gardens, Patriot Guardens Urban Farm, 131 Perkins Ave., Dunbar.
11 a.m.-Noon — New River Gorge Ranger Talk, Sissonville Branch Library, 1 Tinney Lane, Sissonville.
Noon-1 p.m. — Walk With A Doc Charleston, West Virginia State Capitol Complex, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. E., Charleston.
1-2 p.m. — Healthy Brains Crafternoon, Kanawha County Public Library, 123 Capitol St., Charleston.
1-3 p.m. — Unearth an Adult Craft: Dinosaur Book End, Clendenin Branch Library, 107 Koontz Ave., Suite 100, Clendenin.
1:30-2:30 p.m. — New River Gorge Ranger Talk, Dunbar Branch Library, 301 12th St., Dunbar.
2-3 p.m. — ACIL Pathways Free Peer Support Youth Program, Curry Memorial Annex, Chesapeake Town Hall, 12316 McCorkle Ave., Chesapeake.
2-3 p.m. — Bright Star Theatre Presents “Dino Academy: A Dinosaur Discovery Show,” St. Albans Branch Library, 602 Fourth St., St. Albans.
2-3 p.m. — Summer Library Club: Salsa Gardens, Cross Lanes Branch Library, 5449 Big Tyler Road, Cross Lanes.
4-5 p.m. — New River Gorge Ranger Talk, Kanawha County Public Library, 123 Capitol St., Charleston.
4-9 p.m. — Hump Day Hangout, Tickers & Timbers, 210 Capitol St., Charleston.
6 p.m. — Pride Cornhole Competition 2026, Lee Street Lounge, 222 Leon Sullivan Way, Charleston.
7 p.m. — Music Bingo, Huddle & Hatchets, 122 Capitol St., Charleston.
7 p.m. — Trivia Night, Recovery Sports Grill, 600 Virginia St. E., Charleston.
Upcoming
Friday, June 5 — 5 p.m.: 2026 Summer Bash Block Party, Prime 101, 101 Capitol St., Charleston.
Friday, June 5 — 6-10 p.m.: Drag Race & Block Party, City Center at Slack Plaza, 182 Summers St., Charleston.
Saturday, June 6 — 8 p.m.: Weird Al Yankovic - Bigger & Weirder 2026 Tour, Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center, 200 Civic Center Drive, 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:
Hannah Lynn Ball, 51, of Sod, died May 28, 2026.
Ruth Saunders Cogan, 93, of Charleston, died May 30, 2026.
Barbara Jean Eggleton, 82, of St. Albans, died June 2, 2026.
Mary Elizabeth Holdren, 74, of Sumerco, died May 19, 2026.
Kara Beth McCormick, 45, of Kanawha Valley, died May 30, 2026.
Support the Kanawha Valley Update
Without you, there’d be no Kanawha Valley Update. Here are a few ways you can help sustain this publication:
Forward this to a friend. Do you know someone who might be interested in community news, events, and other hyperlocal information? Share this newsletter with someone who may benefit from it.
Become a member. Consider supporting local independent journalism. Become a monthly member to ensure this publication never goes dark.
Give a one-time gift. If you’re not yet ready to commit to a monthly membership, that’s OK! Perhaps you’d give a one-time gift.
Advertise with us. We’d love to share the story of your local business with the Kanawha Valley Update’s engaged readers. Contact editor Michael Ramsburg at ramsburgreports@gmail.com.
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.