Home Blog

River News Headlines: August 31, 2026

River News
-
0
River News Headlines: August 31, 2026

Ohio County Correctional Center to Close. West Virginia officials plan to close the Ohio County Correctional Center on Eoff Street in Wheeling as part of an effort to consolidate state resources.The facility currently houses 54 male technical parole violators, who will be transferred to other state correctional facilities with available space. Employees will be reassigned to help address staffing shortages elsewhere in the correctional system. State officials cited the cost of leasing the approximately 50-year-old building and its aging design as factors in the decision.

Measles Cases Rise in Ohio’s Amish Country. Health officials are urging people traveling to Ohio’s Amish Country to confirm that they are vaccinated against measles. Wayne County has reported seven confirmed cases since the beginning of August, including two cases confirmed within the past week. Officials are also investigating 27 suspected cases. The outbreak has been linked to unvaccinated groups and a horse sale in Sugarcreek. Health officials are concerned that additional cases could emerge as students return to school.

Fox Run Center Executive Faces Charges. The chief executive of Fox Run Center is facing multiple charges in Lorain County, Ohio. According to the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office, 59-year-old Randall Mackendrick of St. Clairsville has been charged with importuning, disseminating material harmful to a juvenile, possessing criminal tools and unlawful sexual contact with a minor. Mackendrick was booked by the North Ridgeville Police Department early Saturday and was scheduled to appear in court Monday morning.

Jefferson County Sewer District Requests Deadline Extensions. The Jefferson County Sewer District is asking the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to extend deadlines involving three aging sewer plants. The request involves the Maplewood, Mellwood and Century Hills package plants. District officials said additional time is necessary to complete the required work while maintaining the sewer system’s financial stability. The district is seeking extensions lasting several years. The Ohio EPA is monitoring the situation and has indicated that additional extensions may not be granted after this request.

Volunteers Build Beds for Local Children. Dozens of volunteers gathered in Wheeling over the weekend to build beds for children in need. Youth Services System partnered with Sleep in Heavenly Peace and Lowe’s for the project. Approximately 50 volunteers helped construct 30 beds that will be distributed to local children.

West Bellaire Community Celebrates Cornfest. West Bellaire Harvest Place held its annual Cornfest on Sunday in celebration of the community garden’s second year. The event featured handcrafted vendors, horse rides, a dunk tank and other activities for community members.

Beer Truck Remains Missing in California. Authorities are continuing to search for a Pabst Blue Ribbon truck carrying approximately 40,000 pounds of beer that was reported missing in California.

Fox Run CEO Facing Multiple Charges in Lorain County

River News
-
0
Fox Run CEO Facing Multiple Charges in Lorain County

LORAIN COUNTY, Ohio — The chief executive officer of Fox Run is facing several sex-related charges involving a juvenile in Lorain County.

According to information listed by the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office, Randall Mackendrick is charged with importuning, disseminating matter harmful to a juvenile, possessing criminal tools and unlawful sexual contact with a minor.

Mackendrick was taken into custody and booked early Saturday morning.

Additional information about the circumstances surrounding the arrest was not immediately available.

The charges are allegations, and Mackendrick is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

ICE Detainer Filed After Child Injured in Washington County Hit-and-Run

River News
-
0
ICE Detainer Filed After Child Injured in Washington County Hit-and-Run

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Pa. — Federal immigration officials have filed a detainer against a Venezuelan woman jailed in connection with a hit-and-run that injured a child in Charleroi.

The incident occurred Aug. 23 while a boy younger than 13 was crossing a street. Authorities allege that a speeding vehicle struck the child and left the scene.

Investigators identified the accused driver as Yorgelis Alexandra Matos-Bravo. Officials said members of her family persuaded her to return to the scene, where she allegedly admitted to striking the child.

Charleroi police charged Matos-Bravo with aggravated assault involving a victim younger than 13, recklessly endangering another person, leaving the scene of an accident, disorderly conduct, reckless driving, careless driving and speeding.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement filed a detainer requesting that Pennsylvania authorities notify the agency before releasing her from custody.

The Department of Homeland Security said Matos-Bravo entered the United States through Texas without legal authorization in July 2022. She was later released into the country and issued an Illinois driver’s license.

The charges remain allegations unless proven in court.

Motorcyclist Killed, Driver Seriously Injured in Tuscarawas County Crash

River News
-
0
Motorcyclist Killed, Driver Seriously Injured in Tuscarawas County Crash

TUSCARAWAS COUNTY, Ohio — A motorcycle rider was killed and another driver suffered serious injuries in a two-vehicle crash Saturday afternoon in Warren Township.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol said the crash happened at approximately 12:30 p.m. on State Route 212, east of Tabor Ridge Road.

Investigators said 73-year-old James H. Goodmote Jr. of Rootstown was traveling east on a 2012 Harley-Davidson when a westbound 2006 Honda Civic crossed the center line and collided with the motorcycle. The car was driven by 32-year-old Corey Fisher of Dover.

Following the collision, the motorcycle traveled off the right side of the road, hit a guardrail and continued down an embankment. The Honda spun off the opposite side of the road and struck another guardrail.

Goodmote was pronounced dead at the scene. Troopers said he was not wearing safety equipment.

Fisher was transported by Smith Ambulance to Aultman Hospital with serious injuries. According to the patrol, he was not wearing a seat belt.

Investigators believe impairment may have contributed to the crash. The incident remains under investigation by the patrol’s New Philadelphia Post.

Source: AVC News

Community Group Plans “Block the Flock” Event at Cambridge City Council Meeting

River News
-
0
Community Group Plans “Block the Flock” Event at Cambridge City Council Meeting

CAMBRIDGE, Ohio — Local residents are being encouraged to attend an upcoming Cambridge City Council meeting to raise concerns about automated license plate reader cameras installed in the community.

The “Block the Flock: Cambridge City Council Meeting” event is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 14, at 6 p.m.

Organizers say the gathering will focus on Flock Safety cameras and questions surrounding how the surveillance technology was approved, funded, contracted and governed. They are calling for greater public discussion, legislative oversight and accountability from local officials.

Flock Safety cameras automatically photograph vehicles and record information such as license plate numbers, vehicle characteristics, locations and times. Law enforcement agencies can use the collected information during criminal investigations.

Supporters of the technology say the cameras can help authorities locate stolen vehicles and identify vehicles connected to crimes. Critics have raised concerns about privacy, data retention, information sharing and the level of public oversight involved in their use.

The event description invites Cambridge residents, community members and taxpayers to attend the council meeting and participate in the discussion.

Hazardous Materials Cleanup Planned at Abandoned Oceana Property

River News
-
0
Hazardous Materials Cleanup Planned at Abandoned Oceana Property

OCEANA, W.Va. — State and federal environmental agencies are preparing to remove hazardous materials from the former Belchers Cleaners property in Wyoming County.

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection inspected the abandoned building after receiving a complaint from a resident. Inspectors found the property in significant disrepair, with a partially collapsed roof, unsecured entrances and containers holding dry-cleaning chemicals and other waste. Some of the containers were reportedly open or leaking.

Materials found at the site include tetrachloroethylene, also known as perchloroethylene or “perc,” a synthetic solvent commonly used in dry-cleaning operations.

WVDEP issued an enforcement order requiring the property to be cleaned and coordinated with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 3 office to arrange a federal removal operation.

EPA contractors were expected to arrive Friday, with initial waste-containment work scheduled to begin Saturday.

Officials said removing the materials now will reduce the possibility of additional releases caused by severe weather or further deterioration of the building.

No immediate threat has been identified for neighboring residents or businesses.

WVDEP and the EPA will continue evaluating the property as work progresses and may adjust safety measures based on conditions found during the cleanup. Additional updates are expected to be provided to the Oceana community.

Wellsburg Kiwanis Continues Decades-Long Chicken Dinner Tradition

River News
-
0
Wellsburg Kiwanis Continues Decades-Long Chicken Dinner Tradition

WELLSBURG, W.Va. — The Wellsburg Kiwanis Club held its annual chicken dinner fundraiser Thursday, continuing a community tradition that began in 1950.

Club members expected to sell approximately 450 dinners during the event. Each meal included a half chicken prepared by Chef Jim DeMundo, along with a baked potato, roll and cookie.

Money raised through the sale supports Kiwanis projects benefiting children and families throughout Brooke County.

The club’s local work includes installing buddy benches at schools, supporting community shelters and completing other projects focused on area youth.

Wellsburg Kiwanis President Eric Fithyan said early versions of the fundraiser involved club members building pits and cooking the chicken themselves. Although the preparation has changed over the years, the dinner has continued with support from generations of Wellsburg residents.

The organization plans to continue the annual fundraiser in the years ahead.

New Jefferson County JVS Program Prepares Students for Fire and EMS Careers

River News
-
0
New Jefferson County JVS Program Prepares Students for Fire and EMS Careers

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ohio — Students at the Jefferson County Joint Vocational School can now receive training for careers in firefighting and emergency medical services.

The new program launched with the start of the 2026-27 school year after approximately five years of planning. School officials worked with Wintersville Fire and Rescue and the Gary R. Fellows Training Academy to develop the course.

Local emergency departments have reported difficulty finding qualified firefighter-EMTs. The program is intended to introduce students to the field earlier and create a pipeline of trained first responders within the region.

Jefferson County JVS Principal Heather Hoover said the course complements the school’s existing career-technical pathways while addressing a workforce need found locally and across Ohio.

Students will receive classroom instruction and practical training related to fire and emergency medical response. Those who complete the program are expected to graduate with professional Firefighter II certification and EMT credentials, along with other supporting training.

Wintersville Fire and Rescue Chief Rob Herrington said the program could help area departments recruit locally instead of searching outside the Ohio Valley for qualified employees.

Harmony House Celebrates 15 Years of Child Advocacy in Belmont County

River News
-
0
Harmony House Celebrates 15 Years of Child Advocacy in Belmont County

ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio — Harmony House is celebrating 15 years of providing therapy, advocacy and other services to children and families in Belmont County.

The organization’s St. Clairsville location opened Aug. 25, 2011. Its services include forensic interviews, therapy and support for children and families affected by abuse and trauma.

During the past year, Harmony House served 565 clients and family members, conducted 346 interviews and provided 592 therapy sessions. Staff members also completed more than 2,000 advocacy efforts, while community education programs reached over 10,000 people.

Referrals to Harmony House generally begin with law enforcement, the prosecutor’s office or child protective services. Once a referral is made, the organization provides its services at no cost to families.

During its anniversary celebration, Harmony House recognized the Belmont County Board of Developmental Disabilities, county commissioners and the Department of Job and Family Services for supporting its work.

The organization also honored Pam McCort, who helped establish Harmony House in Ohio, founding Executive Director Leslie Vassilaros and recently retired Executive Director Rita Coyne.

Harmony House officials said the anniversary recognizes both the organization’s history and the people who will continue its mission of protecting and supporting local children.

WVNCC Begins Academic Year Under New Leadership

River News
-
0
WVNCC Begins Academic Year Under New Leadership

WHEELING, W.Va. — West Virginia Northern Community College welcomed students back to class Monday while beginning the academic year with a new president and recently completed exterior renovations.

Dr. Andrew Langrehr officially assumed the presidency last week. He comes to WVNCC from Iowa and has held several leadership positions within the community college system.

Langrehr succeeds Dr. Daniel Mosser, who announced his retirement in June.

The new president said his priorities include ensuring the college’s academic programs meet regional needs and continuing to invest in WVNCC employees.

Langrehr also emphasized the role community colleges play in preparing students for employment or additional education. Programs such as nursing and welding can provide direct paths into the workforce, while other students may use WVNCC as an affordable starting point before transferring to another institution.

He said the college is positioned to demonstrate the value of its programs through lower education costs and career opportunities for graduates.

123...252Page 1 of 252