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Former Wheeling Inn in final demolition phase

Karen Fatula-News Director
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Former Wheeling Inn in final demolition phase

WHEELING, W.Va. – The Wheeling Gateway Center Project continues to make headway with the final phase of the demolition process officially beginning, according to Tipping Point, the real estate company managing the project.

The company now has a crusher on-site at the former Wheeling Inn which is being demolished to make way for the new center. The concrete debris from the demolition is now being processed on-site, a change from the original plan.

Tipping Point says it will soon announce when Heritage Trail will fully reopen.

Their project team is reviewing design firms for the future Heritage Experience within the Gateway development. Tipping Point says “innovative exhibit design firms from around the country have showed significant interest in putting together bids featuring their interpretation on the stakeholders’ visions of creating a unique experiential exhibit that will welcome visitors and residents alike into exploring the rich local history and businesses.”

No injures in Wheeling fire, but residents displaced

Karen Fatula-News Director
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No injures in Wheeling fire, but residents displaced

WHEELING, W.Va. –The Wheeling Fire Department responded to a structure fire Thursday night.

Wheeling firefighters were called to 2175–2177 National Rd. in Elm Grove after 8 p.m. and saw smoke and flames coming from the windows of a second-floor apartment.

Fire officials say crews had the fire under control in about a half an hour.

Officials say there were no injuries but several individuals were displaced due to the fire. 

Two businesses on the first floor of the building sustained water and smoke damage. An adjacent building was not effected by the fire. 

Wheeling Fire Department officials say the cause of the fire remains under investigation. 

Engine Co. 2, 10, 11, Ladder 1, Rescue 1, and Squad 1 all responded to the scene. 

Local woman arrested after man allegedly overdoses in home

Karen Fatula-News Director
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Local woman arrested after man allegedly overdoses in home

MONROE COUNTY, Ohio – A Monroe County woman was arrested on drug charges Tuesday after a man allegedly suffered a drug overdose in the home where she was the caretaker.

Items seized at Clarington home (photo courtesy of Monroe County Sheriff’s office)

This is according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office which received a call in reference to an overdose at a residence near Clarington. Deputies arrived at the residence and observed an unresponsive male.

Deputies administered doses of Narcan and started CPR on the male. An EMS unit arrived on scene from Wetzel County, West Virginia and transported the male subject to the hospital.

Deputies spoke with Lacy Richter, the caretaker of the house about the incident. Deputies searched the residence and found various drugs.

Richter was arrested and transported to the Monroe County Jail on charges of drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, tampering with evidence, obstruction, possession of drug abuse instruments, permitting drug abuse and conveyance into a correctional facility.

A Monroe County law enforcement officer tells River News Network that Richter was the caretaker of the home, not the individual who suffered an overdose.

West Virginia man and two children die in house fire

Karen Fatula-News Director
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West Virginia man and two children die in house fire

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – An adult and two children died in a fire Wednesday in Wirt County, according to the West Virginia Office of the State Fire Marshal.

The fire occurred on Dec. 4 around 9:30 a.m. at a home on Whited Road in Elizabeth, Wirt County.

The victims are a 25-year-old male, a 3-year-old male and a 2-year-old male.

One occupant of the home, a 22-year-old female, was injured in the fire and is now in a Cleveland hospital.


Investigators with the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office were at the scene and say the fire is undetermined in cause and still under investigation.


The victims have been transported to the West Virginia State Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy and positive identification.

Who’s in court today?

Karen Fatula-News Director
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Who’s in court today?

BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio – Here is the Belmont County court docket for Monday, December 9 from the court website.

31 cases are scheduled.

The schedule is subject to change per the site, which states “that not all events may be represented in the event list. The court has discretion over the information displayed. Also, the user must be a party or associated with a party on the case for the event to be listed in the event list. If you do not see an event in the list, do not assume that it does not exist.”

Check back here with the River News Network website and Facebook page and X for daily court docket updates.

Event type/Judge/Location/Case description

08:00 AMHOUSE ARRESTCOSTINE, ERICCOURTROOM 124TRC02384W STATE OF OHIO vs. Dye, Darin P OSP
08:30 AMPre-Trial Scheduling ConferenceBerhalter, ChrisCB-Belmont County Courthouse, Room 30324 CV 0253 Lewis, Heather N VS. Schleppi, John D CB
08:45 AMPre-Trial Scheduling ConferenceBerhalter, ChrisCB-Belmont County Courthouse, Room 30324 CV 0181 US Bank National Association VS. De Blasis Unk Heir Dev Leg and Assigns if any, Michael J CB
09:00 AMMotion for ContemptBUSIC, AMYMagistrate’s Courtroom23 DR 0005 Carbasho, Stefanie Lynn VS. Travis, Taylor Leighann CB
09:00 AMPre-Trial Scheduling ConferenceBerhalter, ChrisCB-Belmont County Courthouse, Room 30323 CV 0136 Dye, Heather F VS. Ohio Valley Mall Company CB
09:00 AMMotion for ContemptBUSIC, AMYMagistrate’s Courtroom00 DR 0303 LEE, DONNA L VS. BALWANZ, VERNON W JAV
09:00 AMMotion for ContemptBUSIC, AMYMagistrate’s Courtroom22 DR 0118 Shaw, Bobby Jo VS. Shaw, Dustin L JAV
09:30 AMPre-Trial Status ConferenceBerhalter, ChrisCB-Belmont County Courthouse, Room 30323 CV 0137 Neira, Brenton VS. Patterson UTI Drilling Company LLC CB
09:30 AMIV-D Divorce HearingBUSIC, AMYMagistrate’s Courtroom23 DR 0412 Dominguez, Savannah VS. Dominguez, Jake JAV
09:45 AMReview HearingBerhalter, ChrisCB-Belmont County Courthouse, Room 30321 CV 0058 Discover Bank VS. Brooks, Alice CB
10:00 AMPre-Trial Scheduling ConferenceBerhalter, ChrisCB-Belmont County Courthouse, Room 30324 CV 0235 Main Street Bank Corp VS. Tomlin, Nicholas CB
10:15 AMPre-Trial Scheduling ConferenceBerhalter, ChrisCB-Belmont County Courthouse, Room 30323 CV 0141 Nisperly, Justin R VS. Hess Corporation CB
10:30 AMMotion to Compel filed by PlaintiffBerhalter, ChrisCB-Belmont County Courthouse, Room 30324 CV 0059 Davis, Louis E VS. United Dairy Company CB
11:00 AMJudgment Debtor ExamVavra, John AJAV Belmont County Courthouse, Room 30919 TL 00209 Ohio Department of Taxation VS. Barath, Dean M
11:45 AMPre-Trial Scheduling ConferenceBerhalter, ChrisCB-Belmont County Courthouse, Room 30323 CV 0335 Richey, Kevin VS. Jackson, Ty CB

Stay safe, stay warm at these Belmont County warming centers

Karen Fatula-News Director
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Stay safe, stay warm at these Belmont County warming centers

BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio – The Belmont County Emergency Management Agency announced that the following warming centers are now open to residents needing to come out of the cold weather.

Officials advise people to bring important items such as prescription medications, cell phones with chargers, drinks, snacks, blankets and other things you deem necessary.

Please call ahead to ensure the center is open. The warming center list is subject to change.

You also call Belmont County EMA at 740-695-5984.

Weirton holds swearing-in ceremony for newly-elected officials

Karen Fatula-News Director
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Weirton holds swearing-in ceremony for newly-elected officials

WEIRTON, W.Va. – The City of Weirton held a swearing-in ceremony for newly-elected officials Wednesday evening at the Millsop Community Center.

The following officials were sworn in:

Mayor:

Dean M. Harris

Council members:

Timothy C. Connell – Ward 1
Ralph Cunningham – Ward 2
Jesse Keeder – Ward 3
Rick Stead – Ward 4
Brittany Holloway – Ward 5
Anthony Rocchio – Ward 6
Christopher Jonczak – Ward 7

Their terms will be effective from January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2028.

West Virginia man dies in house fire

Karen Fatula-News Director
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West Virginia man dies in house fire

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – On Wednesday, the Office of the West Virginia State Fire Marshal reported the death of a Mineral County man.

An adult male died after a fire at his home in Keyser on Sunday.


The fire occurred in the First Street area of Keyser, Mineral County, around 5 p.m. on Dec. 1.


The Keyser Volunteer Fire Department responded and found the man with severe burns and
transported him to Potomac Valley Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.


The victim will be sent to the West Virginia State Medical Examiner’s Office in Charleston for positive identification and autopsy.

Commissioners approve Belmont County Department of Job and Family Services’ nearly $40,000 consultant contract

Karen Fatula-News Director
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Commissioners approve Belmont County Department of Job and Family Services’ nearly $40,000 consultant contract

ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio – At their most recent meeting, the Belmont County Commissioners approved the Belmont County Department of Job and Family Services (DJFS) to continue a nearly $40,000 contract with a fiscal consultant.

The board of commissioners approved and signed the Performance of Services contract between Belmont County Department of Job and Family Services and Rebecca Safko, Consultant, for fiscal services relative to the Workforce Investment Opportunity Act (WIOA) Area 16 effective Jan. 1, 2025 through Dec. 31, 2025 in an amount not to exceed $39,203.49.

Commissioner Jerry Echemann explained that Belmont County DJFS Fiscal Administrator Jack Regis, Jr. contends that the contract with Safko is essential since she contributes to the positive and recent perfect state audits the agency receives. Echemann also said Regis contends that the agency would need to hire another worker if it did not have Consultant Safko’s services.

The board also approved the agreement by and between the County of Belmont and the Belmont County Tourism Council, Inc., effective Jan. 1, 2025 through Dec. 31, 2025. The agreement automatically renews for one five-year period unless terminated by either party. The county shall contribute revenue from the Lodging Tax to Tourism.

The county will advertise for bids to repaint McKeever water storage tank for the Belmont County Water and Sewer District, based upon the recommendation of Kelly Porter, Director. The engineer’s estimate for the job is $600,000.

The board approved a quote from Global Industrial for $4,215 for the purchase of nine cordless floor dryers with safety cones for the Belmont County Animal Shelter.

The board accepted the retirement requests of two county workers, Richard Maleski, full-time Chief Wastewater Plant Operator III at the Belmont County Water and Sewer District effective Jan. 1, 2025, and Dave Mcfarlan, full-time Child Support Investigator/Case Manager at the Belmont County Department of Job & Family Services, effective Dec. 31, 2024.

The board’s regular meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 11 will start at 11 a.m. instead of 9 a.m. due to a scheduling conflict.

You can view the most recent Board of Commissioners meeting on the River News Network Facebook page under the videos tab.

Gov. Justice announces nearly $20 million surplus after November revenue collections

Karen Fatula-News Director
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Gov. Justice announces nearly $20 million surplus after November revenue collections

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Governor Jim Justice (R) announced the Mountain State’s massive revenue collections in this press release and video below:

“Gov. Jim Justice announced that West Virginia’s revenue collections surpassed $400.4 million in November, the fifth month of Fiscal Year 2025, exceeding estimates by $18.8 million.

Justice touted the surplus in the video below:

‘We are watching West Virginia continue to grow, and we are excited about the future,” Gov. Justice said. “We’ve cut over a billion dollars in taxes. That’s not just for one year. That’s forever. Even with these tax cuts, West Virginia continues to perform well and succeed. My term is almost over. We should certainly celebrate some of these big wins. But I would urge you to support our current and future leaders. Push us to keep making things better and better. It was really tough digging ourselves out of the massive hole. But we’ve done it. We are producing surplus after surplus, and today is more proof of that. There’s no reason for us to slow down.”

Additional November revenue highlights include:

  • Personal income tax collections exceeded estimates by $8.3 million and prior year amounts by 7.7%. 
  • Consumer sales tax collections exceeded estimates by $5.4 million and prior year amounts by 5.5%. 
  • Corporation net income tax collections exceeded estimates by $10.9 million and prior year amounts by 63.8%.
  • Year-to-date severance tax collections are 14.5% ahead of prior year.

For more detailed information, you can access the monthly revenue and cash flow reports from the West Virginia State Budget Office by clicking here.”

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