Public Meeting Set to Discuss Future of Local Schools: Feb 7, 2018 6:30PM

A much anticipated public meeting has been scheduled by the Kanawha County Board of Education to discuss the status of Clendenin Elementary School and Herbert Hoover High School.

This public meeting will be held at the Clendenin Volunteer Fire Department on February 7, 2018 at 6:30pm, and there will be a question & answer session.

Many in the Clendenin and Elk River Valley areas have expressed ongoing concerns about the relocation and rebuilding of these schools. This will be a very important meeting and everyone is strongly encouraged to attend.

Clendenin Planning Commission Established, Facilitated by WVU Law

In the earlier months following the 2016 Flood, Kanawha County Commissioner, James Young, presented an economic development grant opportunity, through WVU, to the former Clendenin town administration. It was approved, applied for, and the grant was secured and passed on to the new administration when they took office.

A variety of local residents were selected and appointed to the new Clendenin Planning Commission. They include: Russel Underwood, Kevin Clendenin, Kay Summers, Mayor Shana Clendenin, Jeanie Ladd Bird, Dave Knight, and Susan Jack.

On Wednesday, October 25th, 2017 they held their first meeting, which was facilitated by the WVU Law Department. An election of officers was conducted, and Kevin Clendenin was named President, and Jeanie Bird, Vice President. Discussions of timelines, scope, bylaws, and other issues took place. <See Agenda and other documents>

The Clendenin Planning Commission Meetings are OPEN to the public. You do not have to live within town limits to attend and/or participate in these meetings. Everyone in Clendenin and the surrounding area is encouraged to attend.

The next meeting will be held Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at 6:30 PM at the Clendenin Rec Building located beside Town Hall. The third meeting has been scheduled for Monday, January 23, 2018 at the Clendenin Rec Building located beside Town Hall at 6:30pm.

Local Volunteers Helping Out in Clendenin

It takes a village to restore a village. The people of Elk River know this well, having lived through the devastating flood of 2016, and having welcomed thousands of volunteers into the area to assist in recovery efforts. Town maintenance crews have been working hard to restore the infrastructure and cleanliness of Clendenin, but it’s a very large and ongoing task. Now that some locals are catching up on their own personal recovery issues, several are giving back to the community by volunteering their time and efforts to the town as well.

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Hoover Alumnus, Garrett Burgess Named 2017 WVU Mr. Mountaineer, Hunter White Finalist

Every fall during Mountaineer Week at West Virginia University, two outstanding students are recognized as Ms. and Mr. Mountaineer. Five male and five female finalists are selected from the student body based on their outstanding academic achievements at WVU and their involvement in extracurricular activities. The honorees are then announced during halftime of the WVU football game at Milan Puskar Stadium, marking the conclusion of Mountaineer Week. (more…)

American Legion Post 61 Holds Annual Christmas Dinner, Hosted by Crown Catering

Every year American Legion Post 61, typically holds their Christmas Dinner in Clendenin where it is hosted by Crown Catering. Post 61 is comprised of veterans mostly from the Clendenin, Clay County, Elkview, and surrounding Elk River Valley areas.

This is a traditional and special annual gathering for the Legion membership and their families at Christmas time. Due to the 2016 Flood which left many Clendenin buildings heavily damaged, including Crown Caterings, last years dinner was held in Elkview.

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Introducing “Meet Your Neighbor”

Meet Your Neighbor is a great way to get acquainted, or re-acquainted with folks you may or may not know in the Elk River and/or Clendenin areas. We will just randomly select individuals on a regular basis, that we cross paths with in our travels, who are game for some fun! We will ask them to briefly answer, on video, three questions:

  • What is your name, occupation, activities, and your background in relation to our community?
  • Can you tell us a positive and/or funny story about an experience you once had here?
  • What does Clendenin and/or the Elk River Community mean to you?

We want to keep this light and informal, positive, and fun! So be ready! One day we may just walk up and invite you to be profiled on “Meet Your Neighbors”!

Enjoy!

Clendenin Christmas Celebration Hosted by Clendenin Homecoming Festival

As a warmup for the Clendenin Christmas Parade that was held on Saturday, December 9th, the Clendenin Homecoming Festival held a fun event at the Rec Center in Clendenin the night prior in which they had a Christmas decoration competition. The following morning, just hours before the parade, Breakfast with Santa was held at Momma Payne’s Restaurant.

Mayor Shana Clendenin invited County Commissioner Ben Salango to assist with the judging of the lights and decorations around town. Homes and businesses were judged, and trophies were awarded for first, second, and third place in each category. (more…)