🌱 Patch AM: What’s really at stake in Parkersburg’s push to privatize trash pickup?

Good morning Parkersburg! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• What’s really at stake in Parkersburg’s push to privatize trash pickup?
• How badly was Parkersburg’s historic Tracewell House damaged in Wednesday’s fire?
• How one Parkersburg South senior juggles cheer, choir and big dreams

Also on today's calendar: 2025 Golden Apple Awards and 6 more events.

Today's riddle: How many sheep does it take to make a sweater? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Saturday: Cloudy and cooler, with a high of 47 and low of 37 degrees.
• Sunday: Rain; breezy in the morning, temps: high: 62, low: 42.
• Monday: Morning rain, with a high of 50 and low of 23 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Parkersburg property owner seeks sanitation hearings (newsandsentinel.com) — Parkersburg residents face a major decision on whether city sanitation and recycling services will be privatized, with a public meeting set for Jan. 6 and council action to follow. A city property owner is pushing for additional hearings and even a forensic audit, while city leaders say existing audits already provide financial assurance.
   

• Cause remains undetermined in fire at historic Parkersburg house (newsandsentinel.com) — A pre-dawn fire badly damaged the historic Tracewell House on DuPont Road in Parkersburg, forcing firefighters into defensive mode after part of the roof and a chimney collapsed. Crews from multiple volunteer departments spent hours containing the blaze, with only one minor firefighter injury reported. Historic preservation officials are now assessing whether grants could help repair the 1835 Greek Revival landmark.
   

• Teen of the Week: Parkersburg South's Ava Branham stays focused as she pursues her goals (newsandsentinel.com) — Parkersburg readers meet Parkersburg South High School senior Ava Branham, whose packed schedule spans student council, competitive choir, undefeated marching band color guard, and all-star cheerleading. She also volunteers locally through Cheerleaders for Charity and plans to continue her family tradition by studying exercise physiology at West Virginia University after graduation.
   

📸 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 ★

Monday December 29

• Sphero Workshop — Discovery World on Market
  Discovery World on Market, 900 Market St, Parkersburg
  10:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Sunday December 28

• Belpre Holiday Lights
  Artsbridge Civitan Park/ Belpre OH
• Frozen Adventures Ice Skating
  Artsbridge Discovery World- Market St Parkersburg WV
  12:00 pm

Monday December 29

• Belpre Holiday Lights
  Artsbridge Civitan Park/ Belpre OH
• Christine Rhodes- Multi Medium artwork up for display
  Artsbridge WesBanco- Market St Parkersburg WV
  9:00 am
• Frozen Adventures Ice Skating
  Artsbridge Discovery World- Market St Parkersburg WV
  11:00 am

Tuesday December 30

• Belpre Holiday Lights
  Artsbridge Civitan Park/ Belpre OH
• Christine Rhodes- Multi Medium artwork up for display
  Artsbridge WesBanco- Market St Parkersburg WV
  9:00 am

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

Saturday December 27

• Frozen Adventures Ice Skating
  Artsbridge Discovery World- Market St Parkersburg WV
  11:00 am
• Family Craft: Tissue Paper Stained Glass Snowflakes- all ages
  Artsbridge Belpre Public Library
  12:00 pm
• Girls Varsity Basketball vs Wirt Co.
  Hamilton Middle School Parkersburg, WV 26104
  4:00 pm
• Tech Night: Jack Box Games — Discovery World on Market
  Discovery World on Market , 900 Market St , Parkersburg
  5:30 pm

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

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Parkersburg PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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

🪧 Patch Classifieds

• Key Man Office or Rent 2,000 sq ft
  Office Space for Rent (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• West Virginia Staffing posted a job opening for Newborn Sales Photographer in Parkersburg. Apply here.
• Arby's Restaurant posted a job opening for Team Member in Parkersburg. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Parkersburg here.

🗞 Nearby News

Williamstown

• Basketball Game Preview: Ravenswood Red Devils vs. Ripley Vikings (maxpreps.com)

Ravenswood

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 have no idea. I didn’t even know sheep could knit.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook