Kids will be heading back to school soon, but there’s still plenty of time to soak up some summer fun throughout the region, with events and activities ranging from car shows to music festivals. One municipality has hired new employees, while another addressed a property dispute.
Here’s a roundup of what happened in July and a look ahead to August with municipal news, updates and events in the Kanawha Valley.
Belle
The town of Belle has hired former state trooper Billy Wriston as the new police chief, replacing former chief Robert Glenn. Timmy Farley has been hired as a part-time police officer and Lauren Walker is now town attorney. Additionally, two street department employees have been hired, one full-time and one part-time.
A new Girl Scouts troop, Troop 10729, met for the first time during a meet-and-greet event in July. With grant funding for uniforms, it is free for girls in kindergarten through third grade to join, and meetings will be the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at Belle Town Hall, 1100 E. DuPont Ave. Those interested in joining or learning more may contact troop leader Michelle Bowen for more information at 304-747-0499.
The West Virginia Office of Energy presented Belle with a grant for $10,000 to begin energy retrofits on Town Hall. “We’re hoping to get our new doors at Town Hall before winter sets in,†Mayor Melanie Vickers said.
A new committee, consisting of one council member and two town residents, has been established to work on town ordinances.
Children play in the water during the Kids Street Shower event in a parking lot next to Belle Elementary School on July 20, 2026.Â
LAURA BILSON | Gazette-Mail
The town is hosting a back-to-school bash from 6-7:30 p.m. Aug. 10 at Belle Elementary School, 401 E Sixth St., with a cookout, free school supplies and the last Kids Street Shower event of the season.
Belle Elementary will hold its open house from 5-6:30 p.m. Aug. 17. Residents and town council members will be distributing school supplies.
Each Thursday night in August there will be a jam session with live music in the Town Hall gym from 7-9 p.m. Vickers said everyone is welcome.
The next town council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 18 at the Town Hall.
Cedar Grove
D&M Sales will host a live auction Aug. 1 at the Cedar Grove Community Center, 322 Williams St. Doors open at 4 p.m., and the sale begins at 5 p.m.
The next council meetings will be at 7 p.m Aug. 11 and Aug. 25 at Town Hall, 302 Alexander St.
Chesapeake
Mayor Melissa Hill addressed ongoing proceedings regarding a residential property in town but said neither she nor town representatives will comment on specifics. “The Town of Chesapeake takes code compliance seriously and enforces its ordinances consistently and lawfully for every property owner,†Hill said in an email. “Several of the matters being raised are already part of proceedings that are a matter of public record," she wrote, in part. "Twenty-one demolitions and a total of 60 listed as dilapidated in 2024 means we have a lot of noncompliance issues.†Former Chesapeake council member Nathan King sold the property in question 10 years ago to a family member, though it is still in his name. The current resident, experiencing health issues, has recently had trouble maintaining it, King said, resulting in at-fault water and sewer bills that have now been resolved, with services resuming in June. King said the front porch of the structure, which he converted into an enclosed deck in 2013, is being called insecure and not in compliance by town officials. “There is nothing wrong," King said, with the property.
With renovations now complete, the Chesapeake playground will celebrate its grand re-opening from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Aug. 4, 12316 MacCorkle Ave.
The next town council meeting is set for 6 p.m Aug. 24 at 12404 MacCorkle Ave. SE.
Clendenin
The Clendenin Bluegrass Festival will take place beginning at 6 p.m. Aug. 8 at the Dr. O.M. Harper Stage on Main Street. The free festival features Johnny Staats and Robert Shafer.
Clendenin’s fourth-annual Jeep Jam & Bronco Bash will take place from 1-5 p.m. Aug. 22 on Main Street, followed by live music from 6-9 p.m. at Clendenin Brewing, 2 Main St.
Clendenin’s next scheduled town council meetings are set for 6 p.m. Aug. 10 and Aug. 24 at 4 First St.
Dunbar
Sponsored by the Dunbar Athletic Boosters, Dunbar will host a National Night Out 2026 event 6-8 p.m. Aug. 4 in the Dunbar Police Department parking lot with free food and drinks, a live DJ and kids’ entertainment.
The next city council meetings will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 3 and Aug. 17 at City Hall, 210 12th St.
East Bank
Mayor Chuck Blair said East Bank’s ongoing sewer project is set to be completed in the next few months.
East Bank’s next town council meeting will be at 6 p.m. Aug. 11 at Town Hall, 201 Walnut St.
Glasgow
Glasgow officials said they had nothing to report for July or August.
The next town council meetings are set for 7 p.m. Aug. 6 and Aug. 17 at Town Hall, 129 Fourth Ave.
Marmet’s final meeting regarding its comprehensive plan will begin at 6 p.m. Aug. 13, with representatives presenting the plan to the town.
The next Saturday Night Dances will be Aug. 1, 8 and 15 with live music at the Marmet Recreation Center, 8515 McCorkle Ave. Admission is $10.
Marmet’s next council meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 17 at Town Hall, 9403 MacCorkle Ave. SE.
Nitro
Antique car lovers take in the sights at the Cruise-In classic car show in Nitro.
Courtesy file photo
The Nitro Antique Car Club will hold a Cruise In from 5-8 p.m. Aug. 7, on Second Avenue next to City Hall, 2009 20th St., with free hot dogs and drinks.
The City of Nitro’s second Catfish Tournament of the summer will be Aug. 21 at Ridenour Lake. Registration is from 4:30-6 p.m. at the Gazebo, with fishing from 6-11 p.m. A cash prize is awarded to the fisherman with the heaviest total catch.
Anglers fish at Ridenour Lake in Nitro.
Courtesy file photo
A football card show is set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 22 at Nitro High School, 1300 Park Ave., with special guest Owen Schmitt, former West Virginia University football player.
Nitro’s next city council meetings will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 4 and Aug. 18 at 497 First Ave. S.
Pratt
Officials did not report anything for July or August.
The next council meeting for the town of Pratt is scheduled for 6 p.m. Aug. 11 at Town Hall, 200 Center St.
If St. Albans councilman-at-large Jared Page replaces former commissioner Lance Wheeler on the Kanawha County Commission, St. Albans city council will take nominations for — and vote on — his replacement, according to Mayor Scott James. Nominations must live in city limits. “It’s not a ward council position; council-at-large can live anywhere in St. Albans,†James said.
The next Movies and Music on Main events will be at the Joe Dobbs Square Aug. 1, 15 and 29 from 6-10 p.m. A private outdoor designated area will be in effect from 5-8 p.m. each night, live music begins at 6 p.m. and movies begin at dusk.
Mountaineer Main Street, featuring current and former athletes and coaches from WVU, as well as live music, will be from 2-7 p.m. Aug. 22. “It’s always a well-attended, huge event,†James said. “We have probably 3,000 people in and out throughout the day.â€
Comedian Joey Stepp will perform a back-to-school magic bash starting at 7 p.m. Aug. 8 at the Alban Arts Center, 65 Olde Main Plaza. Tickets are $15 for ages 13 and up, and $10 for kids age 12 and under.
Comedian Shelly Belly will perform at 6 p.m. Aug. 16 at the Alban Arts Center as part of her Unapologetically Me tour.
James addressed thefts of air conditioning units in the city. Local restaurant Angela’s on the River, located at 2 Sixth Ave., had two recent thefts of their units. James said there are "no more than the usual. But we’ve had a business that got hit twice." James said after the first time, it was suggested that owner Angela Samples install a fence, put cameras or both. "It didn’t happen, and she got hit again. When people get on social media, it blows everything up, and it makes it look like it’s occurring more than it really is,†he said. Samples did not return a request for comment.
St. Albans’ next city council meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 3 and Aug. 17 at 51 Sixth Ave.
Clarissa Evans (foreground) watches the first day of Summerfest, at the Mound in South ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, on Aug. 13, 2025.
LAURA BILSON | Gazette-Mail file photo
Summerfest 2026 runs Aug. 12-15 on Seventh Avenue and D Street. Featuring live bands, food vendors and a kids’ zone, there will also be a drone show at 10 p.m. Aug. 14, as well as a car show from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 15. “We’ve got some new bands this time,†Mayor Frank Mullens said. “We hope everybody comes out. We got a great new drone show coming up, and fireworks and entertainment. It’s going to be a good time as always.â€
Pizzas & Cream, in South ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, is seen on July 14, 2026.
Courtesy photo
Mayor Mullens reported that Kroger Marketplace’s grand opening was the second-largest grand opening in the history of the company from a sales standpoint. “They’re off to a great start,†Mullens said.
Pizzas & Cream will have a ribbon cutting at 12 p.m. Aug. 4. Located in Suite 40-N at the Park Place Shopping Center, Pizzas & Cream offers wood fired pizza and homemade ice cream, gelato and Italian ice, and its regular hours once open will be Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Chipotle and 7 Brew Coffee have started construction at Park Place. “There’ll be 13 businesses open up in those two buildings under construction, and so you’ll see those start popping up little by little,†Mullens said. “Sketchers has their building permits, so we expect them to start anytime.â€
The next city council meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 13 at City Hall.
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