🌱 Patch AM: Could rising jail costs force Wood County to raise your taxes?

Coffee in hand, Parkersburg? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Could rising jail costs force Wood County to raise your taxes?
• How 450 local children are getting Christmas gifts this year
• See how Parkersburg honored veterans on National Wreath Day

Also on today's calendar: Solstice Mini Retreat and 7 more events.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Cloudy; afternoon rain, windy, with a high of 57 and low of 37 degrees.
• Friday: Partly sunny; windy, cooler, temps: high: 41, low: 23.
• Saturday: Sun and areas of high clouds, with a high of 51 and low of 33 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Wood County officials discuss jail costs (newsandsentinel.com) — Parkersburg-based Wood County commissioners are wrestling with a steeply rising regional jail bill that could eventually pressure local taxes if the state doesn’t change how jails are funded. Officials heard ideas like faster bond hearings and “Day 1” legal representation to cut unnecessary jail days, while staff continue to uncover thousands in overcharges each month.
   

• Parkersburg Salvation Army distributes Angel Tree gifts to 450 children (wtap.com) — Hundreds of Parkersburg-area kids will have presents under the tree after the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program supplied gifts to 450 children from 212 Mid-Ohio Valley families. With strong support from local volunteers and businesses, parents picked up bags of donated toys and clothes on Wednesday so their children can enjoy a brighter Christmas morning.
   

• Mid-Ohio Valley ceremonies mark National Wreath Day (newsandsentinel.com) — Parkersburg residents joined volunteers at Mt. Olivet Cemetery on National Wreath Day to honor veterans with red-bowed wreaths on their graves. The local Sons of the American Revolution chapter and nonprofit Wreath Adventures helped expand the tribute across the Mid-Ohio Valley, with ceremonies also held at Cedarville Cemetery in Belpre.
   

📸 Around Parkersburg

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Parkersburg

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Sunday December 21

• Solstice Mini Retreat
  Life Balance Healing, 200 Putnam St, Marietta
  1:30 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday December 19

• Christine Rhodes- Multi Medium artwork up for display
  WesBanco - Market St Parkersburg WV
  9:00 am
• Family Story Time
  Belpre Public Library
  10:30 am
• German Influences on Early Christmas Trees of WV
  Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History , 137 Juliana St , Parkersburg
  11:00 am
• Small Fry Tales- ages 4-5
  South Parkersburg Public Library
  1:30 pm
• K Pop Demon Hunter's Party- all ages
  Barlow Branch Library
  2:00 pm
• Evening Book Club- 18+
  Belpre Public Library
  5:00 pm
• Gingerbread Build Off- grades 1-6
  Discovery World , 900 Market St. , Parkersburg
  5:30 pm
• Country Christmas Cruise
  Valley Gem Sternwheeler
  6:00 pm

Wednesday December 31

• 2025 Golden Apple Awards
  Jan Dils Attorneys At Law , 963 Market St , Parkersburg

📣 Parkersburg 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

Friday December 19

• Christine Rhodes- Multi Medium artwork up for display
  WesBanco , Market St , Parkersburg
  9:00 am
• Tiny STEAMers: STEM Holiday Celebration — Discovery World on Market
  Discovery World on Market , 900 Market St , Parkersburg
  9:30 am
• Family Story Time
  Belpre Public Library
  10:30 am
• German Influences on Early Christmas Trees of WV
  Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History , 137 Juliana St , Parkersburg
  11:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• As of 12/16/2025 still missing.
  If you see him or know where he is, please text or call me immediately - every hour matters. Even partial sightings help - please text if you are… (Nextdoor City Park-Washington Ave)
• We having a free Christmas lunch for everyone that attend Eastwood Bible Church this Sunday December 21.
  Sunday School at 9:45 am and 10:30 am Worship. We will have special Christmas music from children group, ladies group, poems scripture reading,… (Nextdoor North Parkersburg)

• Kroger posted a job opening for Grocery Clerk in Parkersburg. Apply here.
• Tractor Supply posted a job opening for Team Member in Parkersburg. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Parkersburg here.

🗞 Nearby News

Vienna

• Downtown Parkersburg Christmas decorating contest aims to boost foot traffic (wtap.com)
• Vienna prepared early for weekend snowstorm, keeps roads clear (wtap.com)

Williamstown

• Bunch, Burt lead Williamstown past St. Marys, 53-49 (wvmetronews.com)

Ok Parkersburg! 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 don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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