Charleston Gazette-Mail

Each year, state Sen. Amy Grady, who is also a teacher in Mason County, hears the exciting tales of her students' summer vacations. But this year, she had a story that doubles as a history lesson and involves meeting a former U.S. president.

From the classroom to Kennebunkport: Sen. Amy Grady meets former President Bush WV State Senator Amy Grady, R-Mason, recently returned to her classroom, teaching third graders at Leon Elementary in Leon, WV. She has no doubt heard about how they spent their summer vacations but this year, she had a story that doubles as a history lesson and involves meeting not only a former, b...

Check out photos from Week 4 of the 2024 high school football season in the Kanawha Metro area.

Photos: 2024 high school football in the Kanawha Metro region, Week 4 See all the photos from Week 4 of the 2024 high school football season in the Kanawha Metro area, including:

If you have questions and concerns about health care coverage options in the Mountain State, the Medicaid Matters Summit is for you.

Medicaid Matters: A chance to learn about a 'whole menu' of insurance options If you have questions and concerns about health care coverage options in West Virginia, this Charleston event is for you. The annual Medicaid Matters Summit, to be held on Oct. 1, will offer options and answers about Medicaid, "Obamacare" and other health care offerings. Ellen Allen, executive direc...

The annual Mothman Festival was created in downtown Point Pleasant in 2003, and since then, the free carnival has been an important part of the city’s fall schedule.

Annual Mothman Festival celebrates the paranormal in Point Pleasant this weekend The annual Mothman Festival takes place in Point Pleasant, West Virginia Sept. 21-22, 2024. The event commemorates the 1966 Mothman sighting, which led to the red-eyed winged legend. Visitors can take pictures with the Mothman statue, visit the Mothman Museum and check out local shops and vendors se...

An Upper Kanawha Valley elementary school was temporarily locked down Friday morning for what turned out to be hunters in the area for the first day of squirrel season.

Nearby squirrel hunters cause lockdown of Upper Kanawha Valley school; no injuries An Upper Kanawha Valley elementary school was temporarily locked down Friday morning for what turned out to be hunters in the area for the first day of squirrel season. No

“Her creativity flows powerfully in her veins, whether it’s on a canvas or whether it’s decorating our home,” Howard Johnson said of his mother, artist Betsy Johnson.

'You really wait 91 years': Charleston artist sees her work go up as city's newest mural As cardinal flowers blossom behind the Carter Giltinan Community Garden in Charleston, West Virginia, artist Betsy Johnson, 90, is seeing her art larger than it's ever been.

A contentious, four-hour-long meeting Thursday night at the Tyler Mountain Volunteer Fire Department may have finally given the community a new start after months of controversial infighting.

Turmoil to transition: Tyler Mountain VFD reshapes leadership after debate, vote A contentious, four-hour-long Tyler Mountain Volunteer Fire Department meeting may have finally given the community a new start after months of controversial infighting. Scott Nasby, the retired firefighter chaplain, said, "This is the strangest election I've ever seen, and I've been here for 37 yea...

“Whether it’s a joke or whether it’s a real threat, [the students] may not be aware of the seriousness of that, all the way down to just sharing a threat,” Jack Luikart, director of the WV Fusion Center, said during Gov. Jim Justice's briefing.

Justice briefed by task force investigating school threats; 23 arrests reported Last week, Gov. Jim Governor directed the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security to establish the School Safety Task Force to address the uptick in school threats statewide. The task force is made up of: West Virginia Fusion Center, West Virginia State Police (WVSP), West Virginia Safe School...

Congratulations to our Round 3 Winner!
Dan Meese!

But don't worry....
There are still plenty of chances to win!

Round 4 begins TODAY! 🏈🏆

It's not too late to register and pick your teams for your chance to win weekly prizes!

Games left without a team selected will count as a loss, so make sure to select a team for every matchup!

REGISTER TODAY!

Play for your chance to win $50 in Go Mart gift certificates every week! 🏈🏆

Round Four Matchups:

September 19, 2024
South Alabama Jaguars vs Appalachian State Mountaineers

September 20, 2024
Illinois Fighting Illini vs Nebraska Huskers

September 21, 2024
Kansas State Wildcats vs BYU Cougars
Baylor Bears vs Colorado Buffaloes
Houston Cougars vs Cincinnati Bearcats
Arizona State Sun Devils vs Texas Tech Red Raiders
Utah Utes vs Oklahoma State Cowboys
TCU Horned Frogs vs SMU Mustangs
Kansas Jayhawks vs WVU Mountaineers
The Virginia Cavaliers vs Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
James Madison Dukes vs North Carolina Tar Heels
Tulane Green Wave vs Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
Southern Miss Golden Eagles vs Jacksonville State Gamecocks Marshall Thundering Herd vs Ohio State Buckeyes
Michigan State Spartans vs Boston College Eagles
Charlotte 49ers vs Indiana Hoosiers
Villanova Wildcats vs Maryland Terrapins
Kent State Golden Flashes vs Penn State Nittany Lions
Rutger Scarlet Knights vs Virginia Tech Hokies
Iowa Hawkeyes vs Minnesota Golden Gophers
UCLA Bruins vs LSU Tigers
Northwestern Wildcats vs Washington Huskies
Arkansas State Red Wolves vs Iowa State Cyclones
USC Trojans vs Michigan Wolverines
Florida A&M Rattlers vs Troy Trojans
GSU Eagles vs Ole Miss Rebels
Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks vs Texas Longhorns
Purdue Boilermakers vs Oregon State Beavers
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This week, The Food Guy gives more details on Graziano's reopening their downtown Charleston pizza shop, and answers a reader's question about a particular sandwich's ingredients offered by the now-closed Blossom Dairy on Quarrier Street. Dig in.

The Food Guy: Graziano's reopens, fans seek Blossom Dairy sandwich ingredients Food Guy Steven Keith gives us details on the reopening of Graziano's in downtown Charleston, West Virginia. And a reader is looking for the ingredients of the Blossom Dairy's Dinsmore sandwich. And another readers is looking for a menu from Cagney's Restaurant in Charleston.

Man indicted for misdemeanor homicide caused by reckless driving in Charleston.

Man indicted for misdemeanor homicide caused by reckless driving This spring, the Kanawha County, West Virginia Grand Jury indicted a man for negligent homicide, a misdemeanor offense. According to the indictment, Brandon Scott Turley-Ward “did unlawfully drive and operate a motor vehicle in reckless disregard of the safety of others” and caused the death of ...

Charlotte, North Carolina-based Nucor Corp., which is currently building a new sheet mill in Mason County, announced guidance for its third quarter earnings.

Nucor, building steel mill in Mason County, expects lower earnings Charlotte, North Carolina-based Nucor Corp., which is currently building a new sheet mill in Mason County, West Virginia, announced on Sept. 17, 2024 guidance for its third-quarter earnings. The company said it expects lower earnings in the third quarter of 2024 primarily due to lower than average s...

In their 2020 book "Murder on Staunton Road: The Violent Death of Charleston Daily Mail Owner Juliet Staunton Clark," authors Charlie Ryan and Mitch Evans took a deep-dive review of the highest profile cold case in Charleston history.

'Lives Intertwined': New book sheds light on Charleston's chilliest cold case In their 2020 book "Murder on Staunton Road: The Violent Death of Charleston Daily Mail Owner Juliet Staunton Clark," authors Charlie Ryan and Mitch Evans took a deep-dive review of

Reports on two fatal incidents in West Virginia mines underscored key safety failures leading up to them during a state mine board meeting Tuesday.

State board hears WV mine fatality reports highlighting critical safety failures West Virginia mine fatality reports heard by the Coal Mine Health and Safety Board, on Sept. 17, 2024, highlighted critical safety failures that preceded two incidents resulting in mine worker deaths. The fatalities occurred at the Coal Mountain No. 1 and Wyco mines in Wyoming and Raleigh counties,....

Ground broken on $60M, 4-story TC Energy building in downtown Charleston.

Ground broken on $60M, 4-story TC Energy building in downtown Charleston A new building is being built at 200 Kanawha Blvd. East in Charleston, West Virginia to host TC Energy, who will be the sole tenant of the new development. The new development, built by a Canadian company called Re*****on Development Corp., will cost approximately $60 million. According to represent...

West Virginia's 'Hidden Figures' hero Katherine Johnson, others receive Congress's highest honor.

WV's 'Hidden Figures' hero Katherine Johnson, others receive Congress' highest honor The hidden figures of the space race were recognized with Congress’ highest honor at a medal ceremony on Wednesday. The Congressional Gold Medal was presented to the families of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson and Christine Darden at the U.S. Capitol. Darden watched the ceremony f...

Remains identified for missing Chelyan woman found in Boone County in 2022.

Remains identified for missing Chelyan woman found in Boone County in 2022 Remains of a woman found in Boone County, West Virginia in 2022 have been identified as Alyssa Smith, 22, a Kanawha County, West Virginia woman who was reported missing in August 2022. According to a release from the Kanawha County Sheriff's office, Smith was last believed to be in eastern Kanawha C...

Backup plan to a backup plan: Drought-stricken Richwood, in Nicholas County, looks to keep their town's water flowing.

Backup plan to a backup plan: Drought-stricken Richwood looks to keep town water flowing The city of Richwood, West Virginia in Nicholas County is looking for backup plans to provide water for about 6,000 people in the town and surrounding communities after severe drought has dried up the town's main water supply.

A grand jury has returned a murder indictment against the mother and two grandparents of a 14-year-old Boone County girl whose emaciated body was found in her home in April.

Mother, grandparents indicted on murder charge in death of emaciated Boone County girl A grand jury has returned a murder indictment against the mother and two grandparents of a 14-year-old West Virginia girl whose emaciated body was found in her home. The death

Are you looking for something to do this week, Sept. 17-23, 2024?

Check out our compiled list of live music and entertainment happening around the Kanawha Valley below👇

Things to do this week: Sept. 17-23, 2024 For the week of Sept. 17-23, 2024, look for Healing Appalachia, Dunbar Fall Festival, the Clay Center's “Life On The Edge” exhibit, the West Virginia Tattoo Expo and other events.

We’ve been keeping an eye on the weather, and it looks like…

100% chance of beer, wine, fun & THE BEST DAY EVER! 😁🍻🍷
Delicious tastings, yummy food, awesome live music, raffle prize giveaways (we’ve got some pretty awesome stuff to giveaway too, just so you know)…why would you want to miss it?!

Like Mexican Cuisine? Be sure to stop by and enjoy the amazing tastings of our food sponsor El Botanas while you’re there! They’ll have plenty of goodies to pair with your favorite brews and vino! 🌮
Tickets still available on Eventbrite! Grab 'em now & we’ll see you Saturday! 🙌🏻🍻🍷

Corks & Kegs Get ready to sip on some fine wines and craft beers at Corks & Kegs - the ultimate celebration for all the beer and wine lovers out there!

Fall falls officially on the calendar this Sunday, Sept. 22, but plans are brewing (and, in some instances, already in motion) for a veritable cornucopia of ways to experience autumn adventures throughout the Kanawha Valley.

Fall fests, feasts, fundraisers, frights in store throughout area Fall falls officially on the calendar this Sunday, Sept. 22, but plans are brewing (and, in some instances, already in motion) for a veritable cornucopia of ways to experience autumn

Along with presenting a slew of musical acts including Tyler Childers, Sierra Ferrell, My Mourning Jacket and Shooter Jennings, the festival will showcase recovery groups, offer naloxone training, and maybe provide a small shot at redemption.

Ohio native dealt with his own addiction before joining Healing Appalachia music lineup Ohio native, musician Darrin Hacquard handled his own addiction before joining the Healing Appalachia music lineup in Lewisburg, scheduled for Sept. 19-21, 2024 in Lewisburg, West Virginia. Healing Appalachia will feature musical acts including Tyler Childers, Sierra Ferrell, My Mourning Jacket and....

The Loudon Heights Road retaining wall project will be completed ahead of schedule.

Loudon Heights retaining wall project to be completed ahead of schedule The Loudon Heights Road retaining wall project is completed ahead of schedule. According to a news release from the city, the project, which closed Loudon Heights Road between Olson and Wild Acre roads, is expected to re-open late Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 17, 2024. The next retaining wall project....

On Saturday, two days after announcing the retirement of Joe Graziano and the permanent closure of the pizza parlor at 243 Capitol St., the restaurant posted on Facebook that it would be open once again for business🍕

👉Read more about the owner's decision here: bit.ly/GrazianosReopening

Charleston buys a former bank building for their new police headquarters.

Without a big-enough headquarters, Charleston police officers, vehicles and equipment are spread throughout the city. But soon, they’ll all be under one roof.

Charleston buys former Truist building for new police headquarters Without a big-enough headquarters, Charleston police officers, vehicles and equipment are spread throughout the city. But soon, they’ll all be under one roof. On Sept. 16, 2024, Charleston City Council unanimously approved the purchase of the old Truist Operations Facility and Data Center at 1 Pie...

The 2024-25 school year began nearly a month ago, with no sign of the program opening.

Bridge to nowhere: Recovery high school has not opened, has no plans for when it will Bridge to Hope Academy, in St. Albans, Kanawha County, West Virginia, was supposed to be the state's first drug recovery high school when organizers announced that it would begin instruction this fall. However, school has been in session for nearly a month with no sign of the program opening. Tina R...

Two more middle schoolers have been charged with making terroristic threats.

Two more Kanawha County middle schoolers charged with making terroristic threats Two more Kanawha County, West Virginia middle schoolers have been charged with making terroristic threats. The two are eighth graders at Elkview Middle School. The threats were made on school property, said Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney Deb Rusnak Monday, Sept. 16, 2024.

School back to normal after bullets found at South Charleston Hight School.

Lockdown lifted at South Charleston HS following the discovery of bullets in a bathroom Bullets were found in a South Charleston High School restroom just before noon on Sept. 16, 2024, leading to a school lockdown in South Charleston, West Virginia. No one was injured in the incident, according to police and school officials. Capt. Andrew Gordon of the South Charleston Police Departme...