🌱 Patch AM: What a major Charleston fentanyl case means for local neighborhoods

Good morning Charleston! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• What a major Charleston fentanyl case means for local neighborhoods
• See how Rainbow Harvest lit up Charleston's Capitol Market
• How new nurses and smart helmets could impact South Charleston families

Today's riddle: What is the difference between a jeweler and a jailer? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
Today's Charleston Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Charleston Patch AM possible.
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Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Humid; an afternoon t-storm, with a high of 88 and low of 63 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Friday: Mostly sunny and humid, temps: high: 85, low: 63.
• Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high of 89 and low of 63 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Two Kanawha County women plead guilty to federal drug crimes (wvnstv.com) — Federal prosecutors say two Charleston women have pleaded guilty in a fentanyl and meth trafficking conspiracy that operated in Charleston, South Charleston, and nearby communities. The case, part of a larger eight-defendant investigation, involved drugs prepared in local homes and even a sale in a Charleston convenience store bathroom, with multiple co-defendants from Charleston awaiting sentencing later this year.
   

2. Inaugural 'Rainbow Harvest' combines diversity with culinary craft (wsaz.com) — Charleston's Capitol Market just hosted its first-ever Rainbow Harvest, a Market Table event celebrating local LGBTQ+ chefs and diverse cuisine with a four-course meal from well-known city eateries. Organizers say it showcased how LGBTQ+ residents are woven into everyday West Virginia life, and they're already looking ahead as Capitol Market's fall produce season opens Sept. 1.
   

3. WVU Medicine's Thomas Hospitals welcome 16 new nursing students (wsaz.com) — New nursing students are joining WVU Medicine's Thomas Hospitals in South Charleston through the Aspiring Nurse Program with Bridge Valley Community & Technical College, strengthening local healthcare. The hospital is also donating high-tech Riddell InSite helmets to South Charleston High School's football team, aiming to better track player impacts and improve student safety on the field.
   

4. Gov. Morrisey announces new rural health funding through RHTP (wvnstv.com) — From Charleston, Governor Patrick Morrisey has announced up to $7.1 million in new Rural Health Transformation Program funding to improve how rural West Virginians get to medical appointments. The money will support regional hubs and mobility coordinators to better coordinate transportation and healthcare access, aiming to reduce missed appointments and strengthen a more connected statewide care network.
   

5. Jack Chambers sworn in as US Marshal for West Virginia Southern District (wowktv.com) — A new U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of West Virginia has been sworn in in Charleston, where Jack Chambers will oversee fugitive apprehension, judicial protection, and federal prisoner transport. Chambers, a veteran of West Virginia State Police and Capitol Police, says he'll focus on public safety and strong partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies across the region.
   

📸 Around Charleston

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Charleston

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Thursday August 27
• The Legacy: A New Ballet from the Music of Mark Scarpelli
  City of Charleston Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences
  7:00 pm
Friday August 28
• Meador Reading Horizon's Training →
  Ruffner Elementary School Charleston, WV 25311
  8:00 am
• The Legacy: A New Ballet from the Music of Mark Scarpelli
  City of Charleston Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences
  7:00 pm
Saturday August 29
• Downtown Art & Architecture Walking Tour
  City of Charleston WesBanco Bank
  8:30 am
Monday August 31
• Cemetery Walk with a View
  City of Charleston Spring Hill Cemetery Park and Arboretum
  9:00 am
• Celebrating Our Continued Level II Arboretum Accreditation
  City of Charleston Spring Hill Cemetery Park and Arboretum
  6:00 pm
Tuesday September 1
• Sweet Charity
  City of Charleston Capitol Market
• Fall Produce Season Begins
  Capitol Market 800 Smith St, Charleston, WV 25301

📣 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

Thursday August 27
• SCI Talk: Black Holes: Beyond the Event Horizon
  City of Charleston Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences, Caperton Planetarium & Theat
  6:00 pm
• Nitro Varsity Football @ South Charleston →
  South Charleston High School, 1 Eagle Way, South Charleston
  7:00 pm
• The Legacy: A New Ballet from the Music of Mark Scarpelli
  City of Charleston Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences
  7:00 pm
Saturday August 29
• Downtown Art & Architecture Walking Tour
  City of Charleston WesBanco Bank
  8:30 am

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

• While it may make me look sic, I think this is the most beautiful photo I've ever taken.
  Capp has been out there since November and Bellz has never stepped on, much less laid on his grave. I think she knew we were celebrating him even… (Nextdoor Edgewood)
• I never thought about it, but it is very true ...
  Someone once said that while you know your dog's name, you will never know the name he gave you. (Nextdoor Edgewood)

• West Virginia Department of Education posted a job opening for Extra-Curricular - Archery Club Sponsor in Charleston. Apply here.
• BoxLunch / Hot Topic posted a job opening for Part-Time Assistant Manager - Level 1 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: A jeweler sells watches and a jailer watches cells. (Thank you Jean D. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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