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West Virginia State Trooper Helps Escort Expectant Mother to Hospital

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West Virginia State Trooper Helps Escort Expectant Mother to Hospital

WESTON, W.Va. — What began as a routine traffic stop quickly turned into an emergency escort after a West Virginia State Police trooper learned a driver was rushing to the hospital while in labor.

According to a social media post shared by the expectant mother, Brittany Ritchie, she was stopped for speeding Saturday night near Weston by Trooper Watson.

Ritchie explained that she was on her way to the hospital because she had gone into labor. After learning the reason for her speeding, Trooper Watson immediately shifted from enforcement to assistance, helping escort her vehicle approximately 12 miles to the hospital.

The mother later shared that the trooper safely guided them through traffic, allowing them to reach the hospital quickly.

A short time after arriving, Ritchie gave birth to a healthy baby girl named Zillah.

The memorable evening didn’t end there. After the delivery, Trooper Watson had the opportunity to meet and hold the newborn, creating a special moment for the family and the trooper alike.

West Virginia State Police later shared the story and a photo of Trooper Watson holding baby Zillah, celebrating the unique call for service and the safe arrival of the newest West Virginian.

Entire Barrackville Police Department Removed from Duty by Town Officials

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Entire Barrackville Police Department Removed from Duty by Town Officials

BARRACKVILLE, W.Va. — The Town of Barrackville is currently without a police department after the mayor and town council voted to remove all remaining officers from duty Tuesday.

According to a statement released by the Barrackville Police Department, every member of the department was relieved of their duties effective immediately. At the time of the decision, the department employed just two officers.

One of the former officers said the situation unfolded Tuesday morning after he discovered what he believed to be unauthorized entry into the department’s evidence room. He said he then requested a meeting with Mayor Tom Straight and members of the town council to discuss the matter.

During that meeting, the former officer alleged that town officials had accessed the evidence room and claimed a council member acknowledged possessing a set of police department keys. He said shortly after raising those concerns, both remaining officers were placed on inactive status.

The former officer also said the department’s police clerk resigned following the incident and that he intends to pursue whistleblower protections.

The dismissals come less than a week after former Police Chief Zachary Freeburn resigned from his position. According to the former officer, the chief’s resignation followed ongoing disagreements with the town council over what he believed was excessive involvement in police department operations.

A regularly scheduled Barrackville Town Council meeting planned for Tuesday evening was canceled the day before. In a public notice, town officials said the meeting was canceled because there was insufficient information regarding items listed under unfinished business.

As of Wednesday, town officials had not publicly addressed the allegations surrounding the evidence room or the removal of the department. Efforts to obtain comment from town officials were unsuccessful.

Despite the elimination of the town’s police department, Marion County Sheriff Roger Cunningham said the Marion County Sheriff’s Department will continue providing law enforcement services in Barrackville as it has historically done throughout the county.

Former Police Chief Freeburn also prepared a letter intended to be presented at the canceled town council meeting outlining his concerns regarding the ongoing dispute with town officials.

Buckeye Local Football Field Renovations Remain on Schedule for Season Opener

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Buckeye Local Football Field Renovations Remain on Schedule for Season Opener

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ohio — Renovations at Buckeye Local High School’s Ron Pobolish Football Field remain on track, with school officials expecting the project to be completed before the Panthers’ first home football game later this summer.

During the Buckeye Local Board of Education meeting on June 29, Superintendent Coy Sudvary provided an update on the ongoing improvements, saying crews have made significant progress despite weather-related delays earlier this year.

According to Sudvary, Hickory Valley Sod Farm LLC has completed the replacement of the field’s aging drainage system, removing infrastructure that had been in place since the 1950s.

The next phase of the project includes installation of a modern irrigation system by Rain One. The sprinkler system will be connected to a weather monitoring station at Wheeling-Ohio County Airport, allowing it to automatically adjust based on rainfall.

“If it rains, the sprinklers will not turn on,” Sudvary explained. “When there is no precipitation, the system will activate and provide the proper amount of water needed for the new sod.”

Although severe winter weather and heavy spring rains temporarily slowed construction, district officials said the project remains on schedule for completion before Buckeye Local’s first home football game on Aug. 28.

Additional improvements are also planned before the start of the season. New goal posts are expected to arrive soon, while McCart Construction will replace three sections of stadium bleachers. The new metal-and-concrete bleachers are designed to better withstand moisture and help prevent future water-related damage.

The latest upgrades build on improvements completed last year, which included the installation of a new ADA-accessible bleacher section, new stadium fencing and renovations to the surrounding athletic track.

School officials say the renovations are intended to modernize the facility and improve the game-day experience for athletes, students and fans alike.

West Virginia Man Sentenced to 18 Years After Drug Delivery Death Conviction

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West Virginia Man Sentenced to 18 Years After Drug Delivery Death Conviction

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — A Berkeley County man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after pleading no contest to charges stemming from a fatal drug trafficking case.

According to Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney Joseph R. Kinser, 51-year-old Brian Keith Nolls of Hedgesville entered a no contest plea in Berkeley County Circuit Court to one count of delivery of a controlled substance resulting in death and one count of carrying a concealed firearm as a convicted felon.

Following the plea, the court sentenced Nolls to a combined 18-year prison term, which prosecutors said is the maximum sentence allowed under the convictions.

Authorities said the investigation was conducted by the Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office and the West Virginia State Police.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney Shannon F. Kiser.

A no contest plea is not an admission of guilt but has the same legal effect as a guilty plea for purposes of sentencing in criminal court.

Three Arrested After Latest Break-In at Former East Ohio Regional Hospital

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Three Arrested After Latest Break-In at Former East Ohio Regional Hospital

MARTINS FERRY, Ohio — Three people were arrested after allegedly breaking into the former East Ohio Regional Hospital, marking the latest in a series of trespassing incidents at the long-vacant facility.

According to Martins Ferry Police Chief Vince West, officers responded after a citizen reported seeing people inside the abandoned hospital. Martins Ferry officers, assisted by the Bridgeport Police Department, searched the building and located three individuals on the second floor.

Police said the suspects — two adult men and one juvenile female — attempted to flee but became trapped in a locked room with no exit. All three were taken into custody on breaking and entering charges.

Chief West said officers continue to find evidence that people have been entering and staying inside the hospital. During the investigation, police discovered someone had been living in a rooftop structure that houses air conditioning equipment. The door had reportedly been secured with wire to prevent others from entering.

Investigators also found signs that a king-size bed in the hospital’s former sleep study area had recently been used, along with graffiti covering portions of the building’s interior walls.

According to West, this is the fifth group of people arrested for unlawfully entering the former hospital. Previous trespassers have claimed they were exploring the building for paranormal activity, while others were allegedly attempting to steal copper and other materials. Police have also encountered individuals who appeared to be camping inside the property.

West noted that while some former patients or employees may have legitimate reasons to retrieve personal belongings left inside the building, entering the property remains dangerous because they could encounter individuals who are there illegally.

Police also reported that one of the suspects arrested during the latest incident was carrying a firearm.

Authorities continue to urge residents to stay out of the abandoned hospital and to report any suspicious activity around the property to law enforcement.

Local Rescue Highlights ‘Black Dog Syndrome’ to Help Overlooked Dogs Find Homes

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Local Rescue Highlights ‘Black Dog Syndrome’ to Help Overlooked Dogs Find Homes

OHIO VALLEY — A local animal rescue is drawing attention to a little-known adoption trend known as “Black Dog Syndrome” in hopes of helping two deserving dogs find permanent homes.

The rescue recently featured two black dogs that organizers say are affectionate, well-behaved and would make excellent companions. Despite their personalities, both have spent more time waiting for adoption than many other dogs.

Animal welfare advocates use the term “Black Dog Syndrome” to describe the tendency for black-coated dogs to be overlooked in shelters and rescue organizations. While there is no single proven cause, many believe dark-colored dogs can be harder to photograph for online adoption listings or are sometimes passed over in favor of lighter-colored animals.

The rescue hopes to change that perception by encouraging potential adopters to look beyond a dog’s appearance and focus on its personality and compatibility.

Organizers say both featured dogs are comfortable in a home environment and have plenty of love to offer the right family. They are asking community members to share the dogs’ adoption profiles on social media, noting that increased visibility can make a significant difference in helping overlooked pets find homes.

“Sometimes all it takes is one person seeing a post at the right time,” the rescue said.

According to animal welfare organizations, awareness campaigns about Black Dog Syndrome have helped increase adoptions in some communities, though black dogs continue to spend longer in shelters in many areas.

The rescue encourages anyone interested in learning more about the featured dogs to visit their adoption profiles, which have been shared on the organization’s social media page.

Residents Voice Concerns Over Proposed Wheeling Data Center During City Council Meeting

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Residents Voice Concerns Over Proposed Wheeling Data Center During City Council Meeting

WHEELING, W.Va. — A large crowd filled Wheeling City Council chambers Tuesday evening, with many residents using the public comment portion of the meeting to express concerns about a proposed data center planned for the former Centre Foundry property in Warwood.

While council members heard comments on several topics, the proposed data center dominated the discussion as residents questioned the project’s potential impact on the community.

Those speaking before council raised concerns about issues including electrical and water infrastructure, environmental impacts, increased utility demands, and whether enough information has been shared with the public as the project moves forward.

Mayor Denny Magruder acknowledged the strong public interest in the proposal and said city officials are listening to residents’ concerns.

“We want to hear what people have to say,” Magruder said, noting that council members regularly speak with residents both publicly and privately. He added that while public meetings don’t always allow for in-depth conversations, the turnout demonstrates that people care deeply about the future of Wheeling.

Several residents urged city leaders to take a stronger stance on the proposed development. Among them was Warwood resident Polly Bark, who criticized what she described as a lack of transparency surrounding the project and called on council to adopt a formal resolution opposing data centers that could negatively affect neighborhoods or the environment.

Following the meeting, Magruder said many questions surrounding the project remain unanswered.

“We don’t have all the concrete data yet,” he said. “Council has many of the same concerns as residents, but we have to separate fact from speculation and continue gathering information before making decisions.”

The mayor also noted that the city does not have complete control over the property because it has already been sold to a private buyer. He said officials must carefully consider the legal aspects of the project as they continue reviewing available information.

In addition to the data center discussion, several residents used the meeting to voice ongoing concerns about flooding in the Elm Grove neighborhood. Magruder said the city continues working to identify long-term solutions to address the recurring issue.

Guernsey County Farm Bureau to Host Town Hall on Data Centers in July

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LORE CITY, Ohio — Residents interested in learning more about the growing role of data centers and their potential impact on local communities will have an opportunity to hear from industry experts during a public town hall meeting later this month.

The Guernsey County Farm Bureau, in partnership with the Guernsey County Commissioners, will host the event on Thursday, July 23, at 6 p.m. in the Buckeye Trail High School Auditorium, located at 65555 Wintergreen Road in Lore City.

The meeting will focus on data centers and what they could mean for Guernsey County and surrounding communities as interest in large-scale technology infrastructure continues to grow across Ohio.

Featured speaker Dale Arnold, the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation’s director of energy, utility and local government policy, will discuss the topic and answer questions from attendees.

The event is free and open to the public. Organizers encourage those planning to attend to RSVP by emailing guernsey@ofbf.org or calling 740-425-3681.

To help streamline the discussion, attendees are encouraged to submit questions in advance using the online form or QR code provided by organizers. Additional questions will also be accepted from the audience at the conclusion of the presentation through the Farm Bureau table at the event.

The town hall comes as discussions surrounding proposed and future data center developments continue to draw attention across eastern Ohio, with supporters citing economic opportunities while others raise questions about energy use, water resources and local infrastructure.

Kurt Weinschenker Minute – July 7

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Kurt Weinschenker Minute – July 7

A heartbreaking discovery in Monroe County. A five-year-old boy who disappeared during Sunday’s flash flooding has been found dead. Deputies and firefighters located the child in a creek near State Route 78 after an extensive search. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public to keep the family in their thoughts and respect their privacy during this difficult time.

Another flood emergency had a happier ending. On Sunfish Creek, a man jumped into the rushing water to rescue a young girl, but both became trapped by the rising current. Firefighters safely guided them to shore. Moments later, a sheriff’s deputy and four firefighters also became stranded and were rescued with the help of a dive team using a boat and a drone-delivered rope.

The Greater Wheeling Sports and Entertainment Authority continues to battle financial challenges, reporting operating losses of more than $900,000 this year. Officials say a successful Wheeling Nailers playoff run generated nearly $150,000 in concession sales, helping keep the agency narrowly in the black.

And some sweet economic news from St. Clairsville. Kirke’s Homemade Ice Cream is expanding with a $900,000 investment, including a $50,000 JobsOhio Small Business Grant. The company is building a new 5,000-square-foot production facility that will create nine new jobs and expand production seven days a week.

Hancock County Board of Education Elects New President, Swears In Members

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Hancock County Board of Education Elects New President, Swears In Members

HANCOCK COUNTY, W.Va. — The Hancock County Board of Education welcomed new members and selected its leadership during a reorganization meeting held Monday afternoon.

Melissa Bane and Tiffany Gale officially took the oath of office as the board’s newest members. Jeff Woofter, who was sworn in last week, was nominated and elected to serve as president of the Board of Education.

Following the election of board officers, members selected Bane to serve as vice president.

The annual reorganization meeting establishes the board’s leadership and prepares members for the upcoming school year and future district business.

The Hancock County Board of Education is scheduled to hold its next regular meeting on Monday, July 27, at 5:30 p.m.

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