[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5983200,"mediaKeyId","5799039-1711421a071c8b1c884537359325076b","parentId",5799039,"title","Morgan's Kitchen to host fall festival Sept. 27; mayor cites $10,000 support and ongoing hillside stabilization needs","audioSeconds",33,"startMs",1699000,"endMs",1732000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5799039-1711421a071c8b1c884537359325076b&start=1699&end=1732","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5799039-1711421a071c8b1c884537359325076b/thumbnail_1699000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5983200/St-Albans/Kanawha-County/West-Virginia/Morgans-Kitchen-to-host-fall-festival-Sept-27-mayor-cites-10000-support-and-ongoing-hillside-stabilization-needs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5983200-eecef3504428729a88e37e9ba8fb8f0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773661400&Signature=Uo-OXhL0h3WyUvCey3iT~w6qGMEDjw9yY3KnV~2pbRz5xPB9xVnunA1J6kzB3AaC56HO2WNYAy867Xoz9K6iGfO-HYm~HxuoocNmdpUJEoTl3xRgZe6sOBud0jyr4nLisYdhed6nL7mhwgGKyMD0o2LN-z-Qc1MknHjBqsu2-4JlJUlvNgvkmtmRwLJeDK4rqfz2TqRR-tHbEWToWgBlw9QPG6ZPJcqovSBK-R1xl4rJgljNygILiaA1EIqwYu7oj9AxG199O238~miXYts6uiTNT7Ud79uLe--K-waIDQB1EqYoX68QHYGHeJNECRFgOltGde-zheHSDJM8ZrKqqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of St. Albans, WV","date","2025-09-16T12:13:06Z","article","Mayor Scott James said Morgan's Kitchen, a historic structure and site in St. Albans, will hold its annual fall festival on Sept. 27 and that local leaders secured $10,000 in assistance to shore up the building.

\"They received $10,000. I know, Delegate Hall was very, influential in getting them $10,000 to shore up the structure of the building,\" James said on the podcast. He said that work is intended to address hillside slipping near the site and that the state Department of Highways has been mentioned as a future partner to perform larger-scale stabilization along a two-mile stretch of hillside above the road.

James described recent improvements on the Morgan's Kitchen grounds, including an Eagle Scout project to build a fire pit that will be used for the festival's apple-butter demonstrations. He said the fall festival will feature the apple butter and arts-and-crafts vendors and encouraged the public to attend on Sept. 27.

The mayor cautioned that state work on the hillside has been discussed for years and that the timing of any Department of Highways stabilization project is not certain. Residents seeking specifics about state involvement or the $10,000 expenditure should consult Morgan's Kitchen organizers and DOH project listings; the podcast provided the mayor's summary, not detailed engineering or grant documents.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Episode 004 - September 2025 - City of St. Albans Podcast w/ Mayor Scott James","oneSentenceSummary","Mayor Scott James said Morgan's Kitchen will hold its annual fall festival Sept. 27 and that Delegate Hall helped secure $10,000 to shore up building structure; he also said state Department of Highways work is expected at some point to stabilize a slipping hillside.","taxTitle","St. Albans, Kanawha County, West Virginia","taxId",71338,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5983206,"Mayor: St. Albans mall has been sold; owners pursuing repairs but no tenant announcements yet",24,1230000,1254000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5799039-1711421a071c8b1c884537359325076b&start=1230&end=1254","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5799039-1711421a071c8b1c884537359325076b/thumbnail_1230000.jpg","/articles/5983206/St-Albans/Kanawha-County/West-Virginia/Mayor-St-Albans-mall-has-been-sold-owners-pursuing-repairs-but-no-tenant-announcements-yet","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5983206-0ba4544a80a2ea6168ccc9670cf46afe/orig.mp4?Expires=1773661400&Signature=VVvehFzEY-~oPJXVMsuEYvy1zKbaJd4tVB31c2kiz2EXlfuFSrEKxbjG-bpmBedMvB5zpnkI3Q0xb0yaCCFikDObVCm2qtvsthesar0vtKiltBYkxcEKg5L1LCd7wlhYkR6ljquqMQNU~I9HpCDfJmBZC6M-7488p-WbfkuXAFZox478lyVWZmvO2h1RuWG~6V-uIfc3vAV8LyzsfOBrp-~0-AeRbX7ngL4XuRWjDNZK~-WlAVj2i9ydQYBymvuqXVRxkTfxPRoYjfQFUGNCqo7MIzASSpSrluzs8S2pPj1YVoZWREFC21L-uYnB74XzGqfesb1l1Xdo9iy8kXvYRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Scott James said the mall property that includes the former Kmart building has a new owner who is working on code and repairs but that the city has no confirmed tenant announcements to report.

\"The mall has been bought. That's public information,\" James said on the city podcast. He said the buyer is focused on bringing the mall \"up to code\" and that the project is being internally referred to as \"Project Touchdown.\" \"They call it Project Touchdown,\" he said.

James said he has spoken with the new owners and that the city's role has included sharing names and contact information for parties interested in leasing space, but he emphasized the city will not preannounce tenant deals: \"I know nothing about any businesses going in at the mall at this time,\" he said. He added that any company announcements will be made publicly once negotiations are \"signed, sealed, and delivered.\"

The mayor also noted there were negotiations on the Parkway Building but said he would not name prospective companies until agreements are finalized. The podcast did not provide purchase documents, closing dates or prospective tenant names; those formal records should be sought from the mall owner or city economic development office for verification.","Mayor Scott James said the mall property that includes the former Kmart has been bought and the new owner is working to bring the property up to code. He said city officials have shared contact information with prospective tenants but that no business openings have been confirmed.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5983210,"St. Albans water tower project causes short-term road closures after crews find buried logs; mayor says work should finish late 2025",27,880000,907000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5799039-1711421a071c8b1c884537359325076b&start=880&end=907","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5799039-1711421a071c8b1c884537359325076b/thumbnail_880000.jpg","/articles/5983210/St-Albans/Kanawha-County/West-Virginia/St-Albans-water-tower-project-causes-short-term-road-closures-after-crews-find-buried-logs-mayor-says-work-should-finish-late-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5983210-1d1bfdd27b869d375581a51b627d483f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773661400&Signature=N7jnIcV0pTWNB97g~fRMcYTqCzPBO91AASh6wMVVItCnnHzQc9xTNAND-lB-vNT2apDKPpiGp~Oj8z099tbhCRx-M3WTt8mYt2lLREv1PHYOeNejyEmoGxfYgPxIXw1SJCsqpFpcCCxySoMHAwRs12eL91cf5uymD06nTjOGzYZEK6-I5~cQzrls8khmHJlSJvEJRuqfZgcTvsBC~XrO0HRzdDCsWC~3uB0-v0Tv1m8fXC11vnNT4l85z6vKIL1C3335TJH183cJnd~Xm~LiTRuK9eMgstHzcq2BMT-nsu5d7U72tsDBfUulT43NV~we-EUdhzZetfN6M~Y4y-uPlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Scott James said construction of a new St. Albans water tower is progressing but crews discovered old logs and fill under the access road, creating a temporary closure and a need for culvert repair.

\"The city water tower, the new one that they're building, is making forward progress,\" James said. He described an unexpected condition: \"When they were digging to put the water line in, and there were logs under the road. They went all the way across the road.\" He said crews delayed tearing up the road until they could install a new culvert and remove the buried debris to avoid undermining adjacent concrete.

James described traffic impacts and accommodations during work: daytime closures reroute access to City Park via Highland Drive and access near the pool; \"after work hours, they'll have to be one lane open,\" he said. He noted the closure affected \"6 houses above that\" portion of the road and thanked residents for patience.

On the tower itself, James said it is roughly a million-gallon structure and described staged construction: crews built and raised successive sections. He gave a project timeline, saying he hopes the project will be finished in November or December and that work on the older Highland Drive tank would follow in spring.

The podcast discussion did not present construction contracts, formal change orders or exact completion dates from the contractor; those official records and the city public works updates should be consulted for formal schedules, traffic-control plans and final costs.","Mayor Scott James described construction progress on a new city water tower, a discovery of buried logs under the access road that required a temporary closure, culvert and road repairs, and a projected completion window of late 2025 to early 2026.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5983215,"St. Albans to run POTA outdoor drinking district on Main Street for Sept. 19 music event",100,305000,405000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5799039-1711421a071c8b1c884537359325076b&start=305&end=405","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5799039-1711421a071c8b1c884537359325076b/thumbnail_305000.jpg","/articles/5983215/St-Albans/Kanawha-County/West-Virginia/St-Albans-to-run-POTA-outdoor-drinking-district-on-Main-Street-for-Sept-19-music-event","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5983215-735ce977cfc33bfde087994e66915652/orig.mp4?Expires=1773661400&Signature=c07XqNUCqbg9jJ9J7-l3Wg5OEymYXm8gIljeXA0t8xthBRTGchxKfWxEIyQfcAHqn~V5sG7N4DmmntHFTxZLRan4qR1zpwIdLKGvtrT4Ng2kg3mlH~CpUIi8ENrEgEtKWeb3gpQnhorjBYpkxDuajQ325n5omWZTmShNK9RMkqUZLZzd9uUKU~AbQisly6Qjzmagt3xGsHbECA2HruJIU6SSDTrMiIkVHlH2eyZEESamOI8xsCDYwlXYJUF66Zi0pAdvtGwaA6zhe2fmT4bO9AQPkx0OrG-a0lyvJrTe6pNIyjVf0lcC1ucuu3dwYOrBGisRoi~Ae080c3oaPClaYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Scott James said St. Albans will operate a Private Outdoor Temporary Area, or POTA, for a Main Street music event and described the program's boundaries, hours and logistics.

\"We're having our second POTA event this Friday,\" James said on the city podcast. He said the city will close Main Street at 5 p.m., the POTA will take effect at 6 p.m. and run to 9 p.m., and the music (Soul Mountain with Chris Sutton) will play from 7 to 9 p.m.

James described the POTA district boundaries for the event: \"The POTA actually goes from Third Street all the way across Second Street down to B Street, and then you go right and left on B Street to the alleyways, and that's where POTA District ends\" (podcast). He said the district ends \"at the metal post outside of Drummys.\" He cautioned that the cafe on Main Street will not be inside the closed block for this event and warned about patrons crossing Second Street to rejoin the music.

The mayor explained logistics for cups and vendors: the city purchased reusable POTA cups and he offered to sell them to bars at cost (\"I'll sell them to them at our cost\"). He said a cup could be reused for future POTA events.

James said POTA is intended to support local businesses by reducing indoor congestion and keeping customers on Main Street during festivals. He cited other regional successes, saying Huntington and Charleston have run similar programs.

The podcast also cited the state's Alcohol Beverage Control Administration (ABCA). James said ABCA recognizes the mayor's office as having final decision-making authority on whether to permit POTA in a given event.

Residents and business owners seeking a formal ruling or permitting instructions should consult the city's event notices and ABCA guidance; the podcast was an informational discussion ahead of an announced event.","Mayor Scott James described the city's POTA (Private Outdoor Temporary Area) rules, boundaries and hours for a Main Street event: street closure at 5 p.m., POTA 6–9 p.m., band 7–9 p.m., and reusable POTA cups available to businesses.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5983220,"St. Albans mayor says resolution to begin Sun Valley annexation will go before council; city service fees to rise 20%",51,620000,671000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5799039-1711421a071c8b1c884537359325076b&start=620&end=671","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5799039-1711421a071c8b1c884537359325076b/thumbnail_620000.jpg","/articles/5983220/St-Albans/Kanawha-County/West-Virginia/St-Albans-mayor-says-resolution-to-begin-Sun-Valley-annexation-will-go-before-council-city-service-fees-to-rise-20","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5983220-f8626e660c0ac21c38ba2aca92d29ab3/orig.mp4?Expires=1773661400&Signature=QYuIX9eVGBHvqaSlJpdhzhqbjqJBxq5TgUnXSkkahP2VnNcbgJn3bRF4aLp~T2wEKxGF8o3mUIH29u5Lp42jhE8F~Cw5M7Xj9eTCQDSjC0a6cD0hK6vGHH5Zq2C2p5UVAZ7A0DHqB64qKoaTCPD5aS0jMET2Ylh5Mqv9s~udLE98IvilADL8Ti8UjeenOXUJQxSsxAWC8bOszovgofAu-IyfcVTKCgFCscGBv6mx42CY0BoVFclA5iTIzPnDTZ7gZPf26HkV1sc8dw~lM2wXv-vypscgsK4mbh2Q~xtTBpGBJHrE27jsvWh0-Pnp8bsSS50cp1ut1hflF62epdzDaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Scott James said St. Albans will ask the city council to pass a resolution to continue the annexation process for the Sun Valley area and that the city will raise city service fees 20 percent to cover municipal services.

The move matters because annexation would bring property owners in the Sun Valley corridor into St. Albans city services and tax regime. \"Tonight, we are we have to pass a resolution to continue,\" Mayor Scott James said on the city podcast, referring to the council agenda. He said the annexation area runs \"up Lakewood Drive to Forest Brook\" and will include the storage units across from Lakewood Elementary.

James said the annexation process requires signatures from property owners. \"We have to have 50.1% of the property owners. Now if you rent, you don't get to vote,\" he said. He added that once annexed, residents would receive city services including police, fire and trash pickup.

On fees, James said, \"city service fees are gonna go up 20%. That's a $60 increase over a year, $15 a quarter.\" He described the new fee as $360 a year, or $90 a quarter, and said the last increase was around February 2009. He said the higher fees are meant to pay for personnel, vehicle maintenance and materials needed to sustain services.

Discussion on the podcast stressed that the fee boost supports operations such as fire, police, trash, roads, parks and senior services. James said the increase was intended to be modest but necessary: \"We tried to limit it at first,\" he said.

Because the podcast is a pre-meeting discussion of items on the council agenda, the comments do not by themselves enact annexation. The mayor described the next steps as a council resolution followed by signature gathering of affected property owners; he did not state that council had already voted. The exact timing of any council vote or implementation of fee changes was not specified on the program.

For residents, the distinction between homeowners and renters matters: the mayor repeated that only property owners may sign to approve annexation. He also noted that some of the area already receives city water and sewer service but would gain municipal trash pickup and other services if annexed.

City officials and residents seeking formal details should consult the council agenda, official resolution text and published meeting minutes for any vote or ordinance that follows the podcast discussion.","Mayor Scott James said the city will seek a resolution to begin annexing Sun Valley properties and that city service fees will increase 20%, a $60 annual rise, to cover police, fire, trash and other services.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Morgan's Kitchen to host fall festival Sept. 27; mayor cites $10,000 support and ongoing hillside stabilization needs

Mayor: St. Albans mall has been sold; owners pursuing repairs but no tenant announcements yet

St. Albans water tower project causes short-term road closures after crews find buried logs; mayor says work should finish late 2025

St. Albans to run POTA outdoor drinking district on Main Street for Sept. 19 music event

St. Albans mayor says resolution to begin Sun Valley annexation will go before council; city service fees to rise 20%