COLUMBUS, Ohio — Legislation that would establish 18 as the minimum age for marriage in Ohio has stalled in the state Senate despite bipartisan sponsorship and support from Senate leadership.

Senate Bill 341, introduced by State Sens. Bill DeMora and Louis Blessing III, would eliminate provisions in Ohio law that currently allow some 17-year-olds to marry under specific circumstances.

Although the proposal received multiple hearings without public opposition, a small group of Republican senators has prevented the bill from advancing.

Among those expressing concerns is State Sen. Sandra O’Brien, who said personal family history influenced her opposition. O’Brien argued that setting a strict minimum marriage age could create unintended consequences and limit family decision-making in certain situations.

Supporters of the bill strongly disagree, arguing that minors lack many of the legal rights and protections afforded to adults and are therefore vulnerable within marriage arrangements.

DeMora said underage marriage can place young people, particularly girls, in difficult situations and maintained that marriage should be reserved for legal adults.

Advocates gathered at the Ohio Statehouse this week to urge lawmakers to move the legislation forward. Demonstrators, organized by the national advocacy group Unchained At Last, called for Ohio to join a growing number of states that have enacted laws prohibiting marriage before age 18.

Advocates argue that minors who enter marriages often face significant challenges because they cannot independently access many legal services available to adults, including certain legal protections and support resources.

Child welfare advocate Chris Graham described the issue as one centered on individual freedom and legal protections for minors.

According to supporters, 17 states have already adopted laws establishing 18 as the minimum age for marriage without exceptions.

The future of Senate Bill 341 remains uncertain as lawmakers continue discussions on the proposal.

MARSHALL COUNTY, W.Va. — Emergency responders were called to a Marshall County mining operation Thursday after a worker was injured underground.

According to Marshall County Emergency Management Agency Director Tom Hart, the incident occurred at the Shoemaker Portal Ohio County Mine when a male miner was struck in the back by a falling rock.

The Marshall County 911 Center received notification of the incident at approximately 12:47 p.m. Thursday.

Officials said the injured worker was underground at the time and faced an estimated 30-minute trip to reach the surface before medical personnel could provide further treatment.

Emergency crews responded to the scene as efforts were made to safely transport the miner out of the mine.

Information regarding the severity of the worker’s injuries has not yet been released.

Officials continue to monitor the situation, and additional details are expected as the investigation progresses.

This remains a developing story.

WHEELING, W.Va. — Wheeling University has announced a major financial gift that will help provide scholarship opportunities for students from West Virginia for years to come.

University officials said the institution recently received a $525,000 bequest from the estate of alumna Sandra Piper Sonneborn and her husband, Sydney Sonneborn. The contribution has been added to the university’s general endowment and will establish the Sandra and Sydney Sonneborn Scholarship Fund.

Income generated through the endowment will be used to provide scholarships for West Virginia students pursuing their education at Wheeling University.

University President Dianna Vargo said the gift creates a lasting impact that will benefit both current and future generations of students.

Sandra “Sandy” Sonneborn was a member of Wheeling College’s Class of 1960, graduating with a degree in biology as part of the institution’s second graduating class. Following graduation, she became a registered nurse and later earned a nursing degree from the University of Montana.

Sydney Sonneborn, also a Wheeling native, served in the U.S. Air Force before earning degrees from the University of Illinois and West Virginia University.

The couple relocated to Montana in the late 1960s before eventually retiring to Palm Desert, California.

University leaders said Sandy Sonneborn remained deeply connected to her alma mater throughout her life. Following her passing in 2014, Sydney Sonneborn continued supporting the university through alumni events and ongoing engagement with the campus community until his death in 2025.

Officials noted that the scholarship fund reflects the couple’s commitment to education and will help make college more accessible for students across the Mountain State.

University leaders say the endowment will continue honoring the Sonneborns’ legacy by providing financial assistance to future generations of Wheeling University students.

WINTERSVILLE, Ohio — Efforts to establish a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) in Wintersville are continuing, though village officials are still waiting for final approval from the state before the program can begin.

The proposed DORA would allow adults of legal drinking age to purchase alcoholic beverages from participating businesses and carry them within a designated area during approved hours.

While the village had hoped to have the program in place sooner, Mayor Mike Petrella said the project remains on track and is simply awaiting authorization from state regulators.

Once approval is granted, the village plans to install required signage and distribute official DORA cups that will be used within the designated zone.

Village leaders believe the program could provide an economic boost by encouraging residents and visitors to spend more time supporting local businesses and community events.

Petrella also addressed concerns about public safety, emphasizing that the DORA would operate within clearly defined boundaries and would not change existing laws regarding public behavior.

Officials remain optimistic that the program could launch later this summer, potentially coinciding with future Wednesdays in Wintersville events.

As the popular weekly event series gets underway, organizers are reminding attendees to remain alert while traveling through the area, particularly along Sunset Boulevard, where increased traffic and pedestrian activity are expected.

Event coordinator Joel John encouraged visitors to use marked crosswalks and designated pedestrian areas when moving through the event zone to help ensure everyone’s safety.

Village officials say they will provide updates on the DORA proposal as soon as a decision is received from the state.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio — A major rehabilitation project at the historic St. Clairsville Bike Trail is entering its final phase, with city officials expecting the trail’s iconic tunnel to reopen in the coming days.

The project, which has been underway for more than a year, is approaching completion as crews finish paving and site improvements around the trail corridor.

According to city officials, work has included a 90-foot extension on the tunnel’s south end, replacement of retaining walls, stabilization of surrounding slopes, resurfacing of the trail, and construction of a new trailhead area.

Paving operations recently began on the section of trail between the gazebo area and the tunnel, with officials anticipating that work will wrap up by the end of the week, weather permitting.

The tunnel, originally built in the early 1900s for railroad use, later became part of the city’s Rails-to-Trails system. It remains the only rail trail tunnel in Ohio and is one of the area’s most recognizable recreational landmarks.

Additional improvements have also been completed at the trail’s upper parking area, including new paving and upgraded access routes connecting visitors to the main trail.

City officials say portions of the project will continue after the tunnel reopens, including work on pathways linking the upper parking lot to the trail system. However, those remaining improvements are not expected to delay public access to the tunnel.

The nearly $3.3 million project is being completed by Shelly & Sands Inc. and remains on schedule for completion this summer.

Officials have emphasized the importance of the investment, noting both the historical significance of the trail and the safety improvements made throughout the project area.

The reopening is expected to be welcome news for residents and visitors who regularly use the trail for walking, running, and cycling.

Meanwhile, the city’s popular Gazebo Acoustic Nights summer concert series will proceed as scheduled, with no disruptions anticipated from the remaining construction work.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio — The Sinclair Foundation is seeking greater cooperation from the Belmont County Land Bank as it works to advance neighborhood revitalization efforts in Bellaire’s Rose Hill area.

Foundation co-founder Donn Sinclair addressed the Belmont County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday, expressing concerns about what he described as delays and obstacles affecting a proposed partnership focused on removing blighted properties.

The foundation is currently investing in a project that includes the construction of five new single-story homes in the Rose Hill neighborhood. Sinclair said the organization is also looking to expand its efforts by targeting vacant and deteriorating properties on Monroe Street for demolition.

According to Sinclair, the foundation has asked the Belmont County Land Reutilization Corporation, commonly known as the county land bank, to assist with acquiring tax-delinquent properties that could be demolished as part of the revitalization effort.

A key point of disagreement centers on how demolition work would be managed. Sinclair said the foundation wants the ability to select contractors for projects it is funding, while the land bank has indicated a preference for a competitive bidding process.

Foundation officials maintain that they are seeking collaboration rather than oversight, noting that private dollars are being used to support the demolition work.

Commissioners asked Sinclair what assistance was needed from the land bank. He responded that the foundation is looking for expedited acquisition of blighted properties and a commitment to participate in the redevelopment initiative.

Commissioner Jerry Echemann encouraged Sinclair to participate in the next Belmont County Land Bank meeting, scheduled for June 15. Because Sinclair resides in South Carolina, arrangements are expected to be made for him to join the meeting remotely.

The foundation has identified numerous properties in the Rose Hill neighborhood that it believes are candidates for demolition. Sinclair said removing blighted structures is an important part of improving the neighborhood and increasing the marketability of newly constructed homes.

He added that the project is personal for him, recalling his childhood in Bellaire and expressing a desire to help restore and strengthen the community for future generations.

The discussion is expected to continue as foundation representatives and land bank officials explore ways to move the proposed partnership forward.

BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio — The Belmont County NAACP is bringing back one of its signature fundraising events this week, with proceeds helping local students pursue higher education.

After a one-year break, the organization’s annual steak fry is returning Friday evening at Ebbert Farm Market. Organizers say the event plays a key role in supporting the group’s scholarship program, which provides financial assistance to area students.

According to the Belmont County NAACP, it is the only county-level NAACP chapter in Ohio that operates and funds its own scholarship initiative. Money raised through community events helps provide educational opportunities for students working toward their academic and career goals.

The steak fry is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $30 and must be purchased in advance. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own drinks and eating utensils.

In addition to the meal, guests will enjoy musical selections from the Lord’s Girls of Macedonia Choir, who will open the evening’s program. Organizers say volunteers will also be available to assist with cooking steaks for attendees who prefer not to prepare their own.

Belmont County NAACP President Jerry Moore said the fundraiser serves as both a community gathering and an opportunity to invest in local students.

Organizers hope the event’s return will help generate additional support for scholarships while bringing residents together for an evening of food, music, and community engagement.

FOLLANSBEE, W.Va. — Residents recently had an opportunity to see the progress being made inside the Follansbee Community House as renovation work continues on the longtime gathering place.

City officials opened the facility for public tours, allowing community members to view completed improvements and learn more about future plans for the building.

Recent upgrades include new flooring, updated lighting, and fresh paint throughout portions of the facility. Officials say the improvements are part of an ongoing effort to modernize the building while preserving its role as a community centerpiece.

Mayor Scott McMahon praised the work completed so far, noting that city leaders and staff have invested significant time and effort into the project.

The renovation initiative remains dependent on fundraising and additional financial support. City officials continue working to secure funding needed to complete future phases of the project.

Upcoming improvements are expected to include replacing exterior doors and the building’s overhang, along with renovations to the kitchen area and several back rooms.

The Community House has served as a gathering place for generations of residents, hosting events, meetings, celebrations, and community activities throughout the years.

Officials say they hope the continued renovations will ensure the facility remains a valuable asset for Follansbee residents for years to come while providing an updated space for future events and community functions.

CADIZ, Ohio — Live music returns to Cadiz this weekend as the Mark at the Park summer concert series launches with a celebration of 1990s hits and entertainment.

The concert series begins Friday night with a performance by Fool House, a band known for bringing the music and energy of the 1990s to audiences across the region.

The show is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m., with gates opening at 6 p.m. Admission is $20.

Local officials say the concert marks the start of a busy summer season at the park, which will feature a variety of events designed to bring residents and visitors together.

In addition to live music, park organizers have planned activities throughout the summer aimed at families and children. Those events include youth fishing derbies, campground activities, and other community gatherings intended to encourage outdoor recreation and park participation.

Ryan Coffman, manager of the Village of Cadiz Park and Recreation Department, said the goal is to provide opportunities for people of all ages to enjoy the park while taking part in community events.

The Mark at the Park series is expected to feature multiple performances throughout the summer, adding to a growing lineup of seasonal activities in Cadiz.

Organizers encourage attendees to arrive early and enjoy an evening of music as the summer concert season officially gets underway.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — West Virginia lawmakers are continuing efforts to improve drinking water systems across the state by pushing for significant federal funding to address long-standing infrastructure challenges.

Members of the state’s congressional delegation are advocating for up to $250 million in funding through federal appropriations legislation aimed at supporting clean water projects in communities facing aging systems and water quality concerns.

During a recent House Appropriations Committee meeting, Congressman Riley Moore introduced an amendment encouraging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide technical assistance to water districts struggling with infrastructure needs. While the measure does not include a specific funding amount, supporters say it could help communities access expertise needed to plan and complete critical upgrades.

The proposal is part of a broader effort to improve drinking water access throughout West Virginia, particularly in areas where aging infrastructure and environmental challenges have created ongoing concerns for residents.

Moore and Congresswoman Carol Miller have both advocated for additional federal investment as lawmakers work to secure funding through the Interior Appropriations Bill. The requested funding would support projects designed to improve water reliability, modernize systems, and help communities meet federal drinking water standards.

West Virginia has faced persistent water infrastructure challenges for decades, with many rural communities relying on aging systems that require costly repairs and upgrades.

Federal funding has already supported several projects across the state in recent years, and lawmakers say additional investment remains necessary to address remaining needs.

Moore said improving access to safe and reliable drinking water has remained a priority throughout his time in Congress and pledged to continue pursuing resources for communities across the Mountain State.

If approved, the funding could support water infrastructure improvements in communities throughout West Virginia and provide additional assistance to areas facing some of the state’s most significant water challenges.