Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How will Charleston-led child welfare reforms change protections for kids?
Coming up on the Charleston Patch calendar: 8 Bit Brunch
Hello Charleston! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How will Charleston-led child welfare reforms change protections for kids?
- Are West Virginia schools moving fast enough to stop online sextortion?
- Why a Charleston church saved organ pipes for over 100 years
Also on today's calendar: WALK-IN WEDNESDAYS at Holistic Inc and 6 more events.
Find out what's happening in Charlestonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: What did the boat dock say when it was arrested? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Charlestonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Saturday: Low clouds, with a high of 39 and low of 16 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
- Sunday: Cloudy and bitterly cold, temps: high: 19, low: 7.
- Monday: Partly sunny and cold, with a high of 33 and low of 23 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Mayer taking federal child welfare audit ‘seriously' (theintermountain.com) — From the Capitol in Charleston’s human services secretary outlined eight major reforms to fix serious problems uncovered in a federal audit of Child Protective Services. The plan includes better support for foster and kinship families, more in-state treatment options, improved technology and data transparency, and tighter financial oversight, all aimed at protecting vulnerable children and restoring trust in the system. 
2. W.Va. lawmakers urge faster SWAT program rollout to combat sextortion (wchstv.com) — Reporting from Charleston, state education leaders are under pressure to speed up a new Safety While Accessing Technology (SWAT) program meant to teach students how to avoid online sextortion, after a Cross Lanes teen’s suicide. Lawmakers and Kanawha County school officials are scrutinizing rollout delays and pushing for stronger protections before more students are harmed.
3. Church installing new antiphonic organ with original 100-year-old pipes (wowktv.com) — Christ Church United Methodist in Charleston is nearing completion of a new state-of-the-art antiphonal organ that will surround worshippers with sound. The instrument incorporates more than 3,000 pipes, including original pipes from the church’s first 1903 organ, which members stored for two decades while planning this historic restoration for a future special debut service.
4. Lawmakers urged to boost support for homeless youth in upcoming session (wchstv.com) — From Charleston, state policy advocates are pressing West Virginia lawmakers to strengthen support for the roughly 15,000 students experiencing homelessness, many in rural areas. They’re urging action on a bill to ease access to IDs and licenses, plus changes in school roles so staff can better identify and assist homeless youth, aiming to reduce future adult homelessness.
5. Trail boss: Hatfield-McCoy Trails director rides into sunset after 20-year career (wvgazettemail.com) — A South Charleston resident who led the Hatfield-McCoy Trails for 20 years has retired after helping expand the network from 400 to more than 1,000 miles across nine counties. His work turned the southern coalfields into a major ATV destination, drawing mostly out-of-state riders and pumping millions into the regional economy that Charleston-area residents also benefit from.
📸 Around Charleston
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Charleston
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- 8 Bit Brunch
The Empty Glass, 410 Elizabeth St, Charleston
12:00 pm
Sunday December 14
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Cookies With Santa
Ruffner Elementary School Charleston, WV 25311
7:30 am - Winter Performance
Ruffner Elementary School Charleston, WV 25311
6:00 pm - WALK-IN WEDNESDAYS at Holistic Inc
4815 MacCorkle Ave SE , Charleston
9:00 am - Santa's Candy Gift Drop
South Charleston Farmers Market , 4006 Maccorkle Avenue S.W. , South Charleston
11:00 am - Holiday Movie Night
Community Center , 601 Jefferson Rd , South Charleston
2:00 pm - Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas The Musical
Clay Center , 1 Clay Square , Charleston
7:00 pm - North Pole On Ice with Santa
Memorial Ice Arena , 20 RHL Boulevard , South Charleston
4:00 am - Christmas Eve
Capitol Market , 800 Smith St , Charleston
10:00 am
Monday December 15
Tuesday December 16
Wednesday December 17
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
Wednesday December 24
📣 Charleston Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Freestyle Session
South Charleston Memorial Ice Arena , 20 RHL Blvd , South Charleston
9:00 am - Hymns, Harmonies, and Hops — FOOTMAD
Sam's Uptown Café , 28 Capitol St , Charleston
4:00 pm - APAWV Annual Board/Membership Meeting and Luncheon
Holiday Inn & Suites Charleston West by IHG , 400 2nd Ave , Charleston
10:30 am - Kenna Homes @ South Charleston
Kenna Homes Co-Op , 410 Kenna Dr , South Charleston
2:30 pm
Saturday December 13
Sunday December 14
Tuesday December 16
Wednesday December 17
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Thanks everyone for you helpful replays.
We someone looking at it now. Our gas furnace is in need of repair. Anyone have a person or company that they would suggest? We live in the Big… (Nextdoor Big Tyler) - Hi neighbors!
My friend just made a video about New Orleans and spent a lot of time working on it. If any of you would like to check it out and leave her some… (Nextdoor Hillsdale)
- The Page Program form is updated and live. The Page Program gives students, grades 6 thru 12, from West Virginia’s public and nonpublic schools an... (X: wvlegislature)
- WV health committee leaders have no plans for vaccine exemption legislation in 2026... via @wvgazettemail (X: LoriKerseyWV)
- The Walt Disney Company posted a job opening for Youth Activities Counselor in Charleston. Apply here.
- Pizza Hut posted a job opening for Hourly Assistant Manager in Charleston. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Charleston here.
Ok Charleston! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I demand a jury of my piers.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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