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🌱 Patch AM: What investigators are finding after the Tracewell House fire

And on the Parkersburg Patch calendar - Tech Night: Jack Box Games — Discovery World on Market

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Hi there, Parkersburg! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What investigators are finding after the Tracewell House fire
  • Which Parkersburg students made Concord University’s Fall 2025 Dean’s List?
  • See where Parkersburg’s most striking nativity scenes are glowing tonight

Also on today's calendar: 2025 Golden Apple Awards.

Find out what's happening in Parkersburgfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the little needle say to the mother needle when it brought home a failing report card? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Parkersburgfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Thursday: Mostly cloudy with mist, with a high of 52 and low of 35 degrees.
  • Friday: Some rain and a thunderstorm, temps: high: 61, low: 43.
  • Saturday: Low clouds, with a high of 51 and low of 44 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Historic Tracewell House catches fire in Parkersburg (wtap.com) — A fire early Christmas Eve badly damaged the historic Tracewell House in Parkersburg, drawing multiple volunteer fire departments and county agencies to the scene. No one was hospitalized, but part of the roof and chimney collapsed, and investigators with Wood County FIT are still working to determine the cause while preservation officials assess the landmark’s condition.
   

2. Concord University announces Fall 2025 Dean's List - West Virginia Daily News (wvdn.com) — Two Parkersburg students, Payton Harvey and Hallie Somerville, earned spots on Concord University’s Fall 2025 Dean’s List, recognizing full-time undergraduates with GPAs of 3.5 or higher. The long list highlights how many West Virginia communities, including Parkersburg, are represented among the university’s top achievers this semester.
   

3. A Savior Has Been Born…: ..and a Glimpse at Mid-Ohio Valley Nativity Scenes (newsandsentinel.com) — Several Parkersburg churches and parks are showcasing nativity scenes this Christmas, including First Lutheran on 19th Street, Emmanuel Baptist on 23rd Street, and City Park. The photo feature also highlights displays in nearby Marietta, Williamstown, Belpre, and Churchtown, paired with Bible verses telling the Christmas story for those enjoying lights around the Mid-Ohio Valley.
   

4. Carton Footprint: Bogan's shoebox donations bring holiday support to House to Home clients (newsandsentinel.com) — In Parkersburg, therapist Skylar Bogan has turned a childhood question about homelessness into a 16-year tradition, delivering 100 shoeboxes packed with food, warm gear, and toiletries to House to Home clients this week. Local partners, including Strong Tower Fitness and St. Joseph’s Recovery, joined in with packing help and treats, while House to Home urges residents to keep donating blankets, coats, socks, and basic supplies.
   

5. Local gymnast living out childhood dream (wtap.com) — A Parkersburg-born gymnast, Bella Wood, is heading to the University of Pittsburgh on a full athletic scholarship after years training with Gymniks Gymnastics in nearby Vienna. She credits Parkersburg’s tight-knit community and rare local meets for supporting her journey, and shares honest advice about persevering through injuries, mental blocks, and sacrifices to reach big goals.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Small brown dog.
    Faded red collar with a tag running around 600 block of Camden. Took off before I could get a pic (Nextdoor Camden Ave)
  • • Updates will be below!
    • • Grooming is here! Schedule now, starting in February. (Booking fast!) • Veterans get a 30% off discount for the first 3 times, then 15% off… (Nextdoor Blizzard Dr)
  • Lowe's Companies, Inc. posted a job opening for Retail Sales - Part Time in Parkersburg. Apply here.
  • Dunkin' posted a job opening for Restaurant Manager ($44,000/yr.-$53,000/yr.) in Parkersburg. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Parkersburg here.

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 guess I’m not as sharp as I thought.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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