Here's what the Kanawha Valley's talking about today:
Light the Night sees continued growth in 2025
One of the largest holiday light displays in the Kanawha Valley drew more than 100,000 visitors to GoMart Ball Park in downtown Charleston over a six-week period in 2025. The Salango Law Dirty Birds Light the Night event, which took place in November and December, saw the highest recorded nightly attendance in its two-year history. Partnerships with local schools, churches, and other nonprofits enabled nearly 10,000 patrons to enter the event free of charge, and several canned food, toy, and coat drives benefited several local nonprofits. Light the Night held its first event in 2023. [Metro News]
CPS, Kanawha BOE named in child death lawsuit
A mother has filed a lawsuit against the West Virginia Department of Human Services, three CPS workers and the Kanawha County Board of Education after her 10-year-old son was allegedly killed by his stepfather. On Dec. 5, 2023, police say 40-year-old Nicholas Hanshaw murdered his mother, 62-year-old Sherry Jean Russell, and his young stepson. Prior to the deaths, Russell’s family said they had called CPS regularly concerning the welfare of three children living in the same house as Hanshaw. CPS workers reported the children safe on Nov. 1, 2023, just one month before Russell and the 10-year-old boy were murdered. In the lawsuit, Chelsey Hancock, the deceased boy’s biological mother, alleges that CPS and the other defendants were negligent in their duties, resulting in her son’s death. Hanshaw is currently awaiting trial on first-degree murder charges. [Gazette-Mail]
Delegate holds town hall days before start of legislative session
Just days before the start of the state legislative session, one Kanawha County delegate held a town hall to hear about issues important to constituents. Delegate Tristan Leavitt, who represents Kanawha County’s 53rd district, held a town hall inside Dupont Middle School on Jan. 6. Local CBS affiliate WOWK reports that many issues were brought up during the town hall, including education and opportunities for school children in the region. The West Virginia Legislature returns for its regular session beginning Wednesday, Jan. 14. [WOWK]
