OHIO VALLEY — Here are some of the top stories making headlines across the Ohio Valley from River News.
A weekend crash is creating an indefinite traffic change along State Route 7 in Steubenville. City officials say a two-vehicle crash Saturday damaged the traffic signal control cabinet at Dean Martin Boulevard, knocking out the signals and forcing the closure of left-turn lanes leading to University Boulevard and the Veterans Memorial Bridge. City engineers have not provided a timeline for repairs.
Meanwhile, planning continues for the eventual replacement of Steubenville’s Market Street Bridge. Officials have completed field reviews of five potential alternatives for the project. Alternative Four, which would replace the bridge at its current Market Street location, emerged as the public’s preferred option, although a final decision has not yet been made.
In Ohio County, WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital is preparing to expand its presence at The Highlands with a new 17,000-square-foot outpatient clinic. Plans call for the facility to offer urology, eye care, sports medicine and additional services. The WVU Health System has also signed an affiliation agreement with Fulton County Medical Center in Pennsylvania.
A Marshall County man is also facing significant prison time following a shooting at a home on Dragon Highway. Prosecutors say Matthew Horn of Cameron pleaded guilty Friday to attempted murder and wanton endangerment. Investigators said 15 rounds were fired into a residence where 15 people were inside. Horn could serve up to 30 years in prison.
In Wellsburg, City Council members are considering new rules governing how meetings are conducted. Proposed changes include requiring phones to be muted, allowing one person to speak at a time and limiting debate to items listed on the meeting agenda. Council is expected to continue discussing the proposed rules at its next meeting.
And West Virginia lawmakers are taking a closer look at automated license plate readers. A legislative committee spent approximately two hours Sunday reviewing the technology, including systems such as Flock cameras. Supporters point to their ability to help locate stolen vehicles and missing children, while critics have raised concerns about surveillance and the collection of information involving drivers who are not suspected of crimes.
Stay with River News for continuing coverage of these stories and more from across the Ohio Valley.
