The Kelseyville Presbyterian Church hosts its annual chili and chowder dinner on Friday from 4 to 9 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.   The menu features chili, clam chowder, cornbread, rolls, beverages, and dessert. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children under 12. Dessert/beverage only is $5. To-go meals are offered. Proceeds benefit the church’s Food Pantry.  Parking for the event is also a fundraiser for facilities and Food Pantry upgrades.

Additional information has been released after a 13-year-old unlicensed driver and five passengers, including the 20-year-old owner, Alexis Miller, were seriously injured in a crash in Lakeport late Sunday night.  CHP reports the juvenile failed to yield, causing the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta to hit a telephone pole, a fence, and finally a tree. None of the related occupants was wearing a seat belt, and alcohol was not a factor. Both the driver and Miller, as well as two other passengers, suffered major injuries in the crash.  Investigation is ongoing.

Columbia Bank is once again providing the Christmas Wish Tree for children in Lake County under Child Welfare Services’ care. Select a tag at the Lakeport or Kelseyville Columbia Bank locations to fulfill a child’s wish. To participate: visit a branch, choose a tag, sign the register, and return the gift with the tag by Dec. 10. Monetary donations are also accepted, and the bank will purchase the gift. The community’s help is needed to ensure every child receives a gift.

The Lake County Registrar of Voters Office has certified the final results for the special November statewide election on Proposition 50, a congressional redistricting plan favoring Democrats. Statewide, Prop 50 passed with 64.4% of the vote. However, in Lake County, the measure narrowly failed by 49 ballots, with 50.1% voting no. County turnout was 53.71% of registered voters. The County Board of Supervisors will review the results on the 9th, and the Secretary of State will certify the statewide results on the  12th.

Registration is now open for Artesia Little League. Signups for the Tee-ball through Majors levels are open from now until January 7th. You can visit Artesia Little League’s website to register. Signups for the Junior/Senior division will happen later. As a reminder, Artesia Little League is not run by the City of Artesia. The city asks that you direct any and all questions to Artesia Little League.

The City of Nitro has officially broken ground on the long-awaited Walker Street Stormwater Project to address flooding issues that date back to the 1980s. Mayor Dave Casebolt says the project has been four years in the making and will redirect stormwater from Wilson Street, near the police station, down to Walker Street and into the Kanawha River. The two-phase project includes installing new drainage pipes, and construction is expected to cause some traffic delays. The project is funded in part by $2.88 million secured through Senator Shelley Moore Capito’s office, along with $722,000 from the state. Phase one, running from Walker Street to First Avenue, is expected to take about a year, with phase two extending from Route 25 to Wilson Street.

The case against three Floyd County men charged in the 2023 stabbing death of Amber Spradlin is moving through the courts. Spradlin was found dead in the home of Prestonsburg dentist Dr. Michael McKinney, one of the three defendants.

At a status hearing Monday, the judge reduced bond for one defendant and set a new trial date. Attorney Steve Romines, representing Michael “M-K” McKinney III — the only defendant still in custody and charged with murder — criticized delays, saying prosecutors weren’t ready for trial.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Brent Turner said the continuance is needed to finish reviewing DNA evidence collected at the time of the murder.

The court also discussed possible mediation, though attorneys say a full resolution is unlikely. The trial is now set for May 11th in Pike County.

The Clarksburg History Museum unveiled a new “Wall of Fame” recently, honoring 24 well-known past and present residents of Harrison County. The exhibit features authors, artists, political figures, and entertainers, including former U.S. Senator Jennings Randolph, actor Tony Anthony, and local historian Dorothy Davis. Community members and relatives of the honorees attended the ceremony. Museum President Michael Spatafore says the goal is to highlight local history and show young people that even those from small towns can achieve great things. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 to 4.

Dunbar’s Fire Station No. 2 in Roxalana has been closed since April after black mold was found throughout the building. The city approved demolishing the station in October, but that plan is now on hold as officials reassess their options.

Council member Amy Fogg says the city is gathering estimates for tearing up concrete, fixing drainage along Roxalana, and potentially rebuilding the station on the same site.
Eyewitness News said a drainage fix alone is estimated at about $50,000, and previous construction bids have been too high for the city’s budget.

Dunbar was denied a federal grant that might have allowed relocation, leaving rebuilding on the current property as the most likely option. City leaders say the project is urgent and they’re exploring every path to get Station No. 2 back open.

Charleston’s 22nd annual FestivALL is set for the final week of May next year. The arts festival runs May 22nd through 31st and will feature a mix of returning favorites and new events. Organizers say the popular Carriage Trail hike and the Capitol Street Art Fair will be back, and they’re asking the community for ideas through an online survey. Suggestions chosen for production will receive support from FestivALL staff. You can find the survey and more details on the FestivALL website or on Facebook.