OHIO VALLEY — Road construction, severe weather, concerns over West Virginia’s shrinking attorney population and several community stories are among the headlines across the region.
A major resurfacing project is getting underway today on Wellesley Avenue in Steubenville. The work stretches from Bellevue Boulevard through Wellesley Extension to University Boulevard and is expected to continue for several weeks. Parking restrictions will be in place as crews move through active construction zones.
Severe weather also impacted parts of the Ohio Valley overnight. Guernsey County was under a flash flood warning, while additional flood warnings affected portions of the southern listening area. In Marshall County, crews were working to clear downed trees and blocked roads following storms.
Meanwhile, a recent report from the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia says 46 of the state’s 55 counties now qualify as “legal deserts.” The number of attorneys statewide has fallen by more than 9% over the past 12 years. The report also found that one-quarter of attorneys in private practice plan to retire within the next five years.
In Jefferson County, commissioners continue to deal with issues surrounding a State Route 213 water project. According to the newscast, questions have been raised over work reportedly completed without a bid, contract or purchase order. Commissioners voted to pay a portion of the bill, while the county auditor indicated he could not process the matter as presented.
In Bridgeport, a public interest group is pushing for the village’s Flock license plate reader cameras to be removed over privacy concerns. The group launched a petition earlier this month, while Village Solicitor Michael Shaheen has argued that the cameras’ benefits outweigh the potential risks.
Cambridge Police are also continuing their search for 35-year-old Katrina Day, who was last believed to be in the Buffalo area of Guernsey County and may have ties to Lore City. Anyone with information is asked to contact Cambridge Police at 740-439-4431.
In Mingo Junction, Community Days returned Saturday for the first time in more than a decade. Downtown streets filled with visitors and food vendors sold out as organizers described the event as an early step toward bringing additional activity and businesses back to the village.
The Washington County Fair also continues today, with events including the Market Hog Show and Spinning Contest at 4 p.m. Evening entertainment begins at 7 p.m. and includes the Morgan Gruber Band.
