What's stirrin'
Holler Happenings
Here's what's on around Putnam County, as of Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026. Dates and hours can change, so check with the host before you go. 🍂
Civic
Early Voting & Election Day 🗳️
Early voting: Oct. 21–31
- 📍 Putnam County Courthouse, 2nd floor, 12093 Winfield Rd, Winfield
- 📍 Valley Park Conference Center, 1 Valley Park Dr, Hurricane
- 📅 Weekdays: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
- 📅 Saturdays, Oct. 24 & 31: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
- ✉️ Absentee ballot application deadline: Oct. 28
Election Day: Tues., Nov. 3
- 🕡 Polls open 6:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m.
Do your own homework, darlin'
- 🗳️ GoVoteWV.com: sample ballot & polling place
- 📜 WV Secretary of State: Elections
- 🏛️ Putnam County Clerk: election information
Official information only. Putnam Preserve doesn't endorse candidates or issues.
Spooky season
Fall Fun 🎃
- 🎃 Free pumpkin carving, Hurricane City Park: Sun., Oct. 25, from 3 p.m.
- 👻 Countywide trick-or-treat: Sat., Oct. 31, 6–8 p.m. Porch lights on, good candy only.
- 🌽 Gritt's Farm, 864 Gritt Rd, Buffalo: fall farm open through Oct. 31. Wed.–Fri. 2–9 p.m., Sat.–Sun. 10 a.m.–9 p.m., closed Mon.–Tue.
Eat local
Putnam Farmers Market Pop-Ups 🌾
The Putnam Farmers Market has gone indoors for the off season, the 2nd Saturday of each month, 9 a.m.–noon, inside Area 34, the Putnam Chamber of Commerce building, 971 WV Route 34, Hurricane.
- Sat., Nov. 14, 2026
- Sat., Dec. 12, 2026
- No market in January 2027
- Sat., Feb. 13, 2027
- Sat., Mar. 13, 2027
- Sat., Apr. 10, 2027
Friday Night Lights
Friday, Oct. 23 🏈
The ton of Putnam County scatters across the Kanawha Valley in its finest school colors. All four of our teams are on the road:
| Our team | Game | Kickoff |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane | @ Riverside (Belle) Beyond Yonder | 7:30 p.m. |
| Winfield | @ Nitro Beyond Yonder | 7:00 p.m. |
| Poca | @ Sissonville Beyond Yonder | 7:00 p.m. |
| Buffalo | @ Point Pleasant Beyond Yonder | 7:00 p.m. |
Schedules: WVSSAC and MaxPreps. Wrap up warm, pack the pepperoni rolls, and holler loud.
Facts only, no spin either way
The Buffalo Data Center: What We Know
As of Oct. 18, 2026.
- 🏢 Who: Google, through its affiliate Cumulus Group LLC. Gov. Morrisey announced the project Mar. 27, 2026, and the state certified it as a High Impact Data Center under HB 2014.
- 🗺️ Where: About 1,699 acres on both sides of Charleston Rd. (WV 62) at the north end of Buffalo, along the Kanawha River.
- 📄 Permits: The state air permit application was filed July 22, 2026. As of Oct. 18, the state lists it as an application, not yet issued.
- 🏛️ The County: On Sept. 29, 2026, the County Commission unanimously passed a nonbinding resolution asking developers to pay 100% of utility upgrades, fund water studies, and limit noise and light.
- 🗣️ Supporters point to tax revenue, jobs, and community grants. Opponents raise concerns about water, wells, flooding, air emissions, noise, light, property values and local say.
- 🗓️ Status: Proposed and in permitting. No groundbreaking or opening date has been announced.
Straight from the source
- Putnam County Commission (meetings, agendas, contact)
- Town of Buffalo, Town Hall
- WV DEP air permit applications (Buffalo, permit R13-3782)
- WV DEP public notices & comment
- WV Public Service Commission
- HB 2014 (2025) bill status
- Find your legislator (district maps)
- Governor's announcement, Mar. 27, 2026
- Putnam County Development Authority statement
Sources: WV Governor's Office, WV MetroNews, HD Media/Gazette-Mail, WCHS, WV DEP. Please keep it neighborly. 🕯️