Your weekday briefing returns
Plus: Candiate filing period opens, Charleston Restaurant Week menus debut, and more Kanawha Valley news and events
Jan. 12, 2026 | Weather: ☀️ 42° F / 🌘 30° F
Good Monday, neighbor!
It’s January 12. Welcome back to the Kanawha Valley Update’s weekday newsletter! I’ve been publishing to and making some changes on the Update’s website since the beginning of the year, but I am just now returning to this daily briefing. I apologize for the absence, but thank you immensely for continuing to welcome me into your inbox each weekday.
More changes (hopefully for the better!) will be rolled out through the website and newsletter in the coming days. Please bear with me as I work through the kinks.
West Virginia’s candidate filing period begins
Registered voters interested in running for public office in 2026 can now register for the upcoming May 12 Primary Election. The filing period begins today (Monday, Jan. 12) and runs through Saturday, Jan. 31.
ART CONTEST
Local students invited to participate in statewide sticker design contest
Select students from the Kanawha Valley and beyond are invited to participate in the "I Voted!" sticker design contest, hosted by the West Virginia Secretary of State's office.
COMMUNITY TIDBITS
Charleston Restaurant Week, free community dinner and more
A popular three-course dining event returns to the capital city, and one local middle school is offering neighbors a free feast of soup and sandwiches. Here’s the 411 from communities around the region, including Charleston, Malden and Cedar Grove.
IN OTHER NEWS
Light the Night growth, CPS child death lawsuit and more
Here’s some other Kanawha Valley news you should know about, as reported in other local media:
Light the Night sees continued growth in 2025
CPS, Kanawha BOE named in child death lawsuit
Delegate holds town hall days before start of legislative session
ICYMI
In case you missed it
Here are some other recently published stories:
City of Charleston in talks with Town Center owners for possible mall transfer
$540K in opioid settlement grants awarded to Charleston initiatives
Community Tidbits: Goodwill Outlet opening, survey deadline and more
In Other News: Tax cut proposal, cell phone policy update and more
Today
11 a.m. — Small Business Series Week 1, Base Innovations, 1001 Smith St., Charleston.
1 p.m. — Power Up Exercise Class, South Charleston Public Library, 312 Fourth Ave., South Charleston.
6 p.m. — Junior League Interest Meeting, Junior League of Charleston, 18 California Ave., Charleston.
6 p.m. — Sea Glass Tree Workshop, The Bucket, 4030 Washington St. W, Dunbar.
6 p.m. — U16 Girls Academy Tryouts, Shawnee Sports Complex, 1 Salango Way, Dunbar.
6:30 p.m. — WV Youth Symphony Winter Concert, South Charleston Middle School, 400 Third Ave., South Charleston.
9 p.m. — Open Mic With Gavin Mounts, The Empty Glass, 410 Elizabeth St., Charleston.
Today’s Public Meetings
4 p.m. — Kanawha County Public Library Board Meeting, KCPL, Second Floor Board Room, 123 Capitol St., Charleston.
6 p.m. — Clendenin Town Council Meeting, Clendenin Community Center, 103 First St., Clendenin.
6 p.m. — Smithers Town Council Meeting, City Hall, 2 Greyhound Lane, Smithers.
Upcoming
Tuesday, Jan. 13 — 6 p.m.: Cooking With Mrs. Fish, South Charleston Public Library, 312 Fourth Ave., South Charleston.
Tuesday, Jan. 13 — 6 p.m.: Habitat For Humanity Application Information Meeting, 815 Court St., Charleston.
Tuesday, Jan. 13 — 6-8:30 p.m. — All-Ages Open Mic Night, Pumzi's, 813 Hunt Ave., 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:
John Franklin Godbey, 91, of Sissonville, died Jan. 9, 2026.
Lola Ann (Eads) Hudson, 81, of Charleston, died Jan. 7, 2026.
Billy Eugene Huffman, 92, of Clendenin, died Jan. 7, 2026.
Bobby Joe Huffman, 89, of Charleston, died Jan. 9, 2026.
Paul Richard Kinzer, 87, of Charleston, died Jan. 7, 2026.
Rachel V. Byrnside Leshon, 91, of St. Albans, died Jan. 8, 2026.
Rita Mae O’Neal, 95, of Winifrede, died Jan. 8, 2026.
Virgie Rosetta “Cricket” Patterson, 73, of St. Albans, died Jan. 7, 2026.
Wayne Roger Ramsey, 82, of Charleston, died Jan. 10, 2026.
Megan Keith Ratliff-Unik, 46, of Charleston, died Jan. 5, 2026.
Okey G. Roberts, 92, of Dunbar, died Dec. 30, 2025.
Pamela Sue Schoolcraft, 60, of Elkveiw, died Jan. 2, 2026.
Glenna Light Skiles, 93, of Charleston, died Jan. 8, 2026.
That’s all for today. Thanks for reading! Looking for more locally-made news content from around the Kanawha Valley? Make sure you:
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Have a question, comment or story idea? Write ramsburgreports@gmail.com or call/text 304-370-3067.