Kanawha County | featured news

By Sandy Wells

On 17 meticulously groomed acres off Smith Road in South Hills, Dave Ranson built a personal paradise, a slice of Kentucky horse country, "a little bit of Lexington," he calls it.

By Staff reports

A Parkersburg man faces felony charges after police say he fired at least one shot while being chased by police early Sunday morning. Krystopher Neff, 29, is in police custody and "multiple felony charges" are being filed against him, according to a news release from the Charleston Police Department.
A Nitro police officer started the police chase, which eventually entered the city of Charleston. Neff, who was riding a motorcycle, allegedly fired at least one shot while being pursued along Interstate 64 eastbound near the Oakwood Road exit.

By Staff reports

A Sissonville woman and her child have been found safe after being reported missing, according to a release from the Kanawha County Sheriff's Office.
Abagail Brooke Rupe, 20, and her baby returned home safely, the sheriff's office said in a release late Saturday.
They had last been seen Friday night, according to the sheriff's office. Rupe did not show up for training at her job Saturday, the release said.

MusicTHE 13TH ANNUAL AUNT JENNIE MUSIC FESTIVAL: 1 p.m. Free. Annual festival honoring Virginia Myrtle "Aunt Jennie" Wilson. Chief Logan State Park, 376 Little Buffalo Creek Road, Logan.
"MOUNTAIN STAGE": 7 p.m. Advance tickets $30. At the door $35. Featuring Dan Wilson, Martin Sexton Trio, Son Little and more. Culture Center Theater. Call 877-987-6487 or visit www.mountainstage.org.
Etc

Ethan McLeod Leef received his Eagle Scout rank and Bronze Eagle Palm on Sept. 19 at a Boy Scout Court of Honor held by Troop 5 at First Presbyterian Church in Charleston.
He is the son of Dr. Johnsey Leef III and Margaret Leef. He is the grandson of Dr. Johnsey Leef Jr. and Alfreda Leef, and The Rev. H.M. McLeod III and The Rt. Rev. Mary Adelia Rosamond McLeod.

By Staff reports

A 20-year-old woman from Sissonville and her child have been missing since Friday night, according to a news release from the Kanawha County Sheriff's Office.
Abagail Brooke Rupe was last seen leaving her residence at around 11:30 p.m. Friday, the release said.
According to the release, Rupe's parents "assumed a ride was waiting outside the residence for her and that she got into a vehicle with the baby."
Rupe's parents have been unable to reach her since and Rupe did not show up for training at her job Saturday, the release said.

By Max Garland

Former Charleston National Bank employees gathered at the Elks Lodge in Charleston Saturday to catch up and reminisce about their time at what was once West Virginia's largest bank.
Founded in 1884, Charleston National Bank grew steadily for decades during a thriving era for the southern West Virginia economy. Various consolidations and mergers helped it reach the status of largest bank in the state.

By Ryan Quinn

The Kanawha County public school system plans to reveal Sunday whether Capital High School will reopen Monday, following Kanawha's attempt to lower levels of mold and carbon dioxide at the school.
School system spokeswoman Briana Warner said Kanawha closed the school Tuesday after results from air sampling throughout the school finished coming in Monday morning.

By Erin Beck

She knew what people expect - "needles, spoons and depressions," she said, and "whatever list they've decided to put us at the bottom of."
Elaine McMillion Sheldon grew up in West Virginia. She knows what happens when national media swoops in.
"That's one of the reasons I'm still here making work," she said.
Sheldon, who won a Peabody Award for her interactive documentary on McDowell County, "Hollow," felt it was her responsibility, as a storyteller, to tell "a more complex story" about West Virginia's opioid crisis.

By Jake Zuckerman

The 23 EMS workers from Kanawha County who went to Florida to assist recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Irma returned Saturday - though their homecoming may be short lived.
Chuck Runyon, vice president of the board of directors for the Kanawha County Ambulance Authority, said the team could get orders at any minute from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to fly out to Puerto Rico to aid recovery efforts from Hurricane Maria.