BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio – Here is the Belmont County court docket for Thurssday, October 3, from the court website.

113 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 for daily court docket updates.

Event type Judge Location Case description

Originally published Sept. 20, 2024

WHEELING, W.Va. – Court records concerning the Wheeling Park Commission’s alleged misuse of federal COVID funds and violation of the False Claims Act have been released.

Wheeling Park Commission and its CEO sued for not furnishing records on alleged $4 million federal COVID fund fraud

The commission’s law firm, Steptoe & Johnson, filed a motion for a protective order following the August 2024 FOIA request by Virginia resident Bruce Fein claiming he was seeking premature discovery.

Attorney J. Bryan Quesenberry of Lincoln City, Oregon acting pro se on behalf of the United States of America (federal government) and against the defendant, the Wheeling Park Commission filed a lawsuit on Feb. 26, 2024 in the United States District Court, Northern District of West Virginia an action to recover Payroll Protection Fund Program (PPP) monies loaned to the commission. The funds were part of the COVID relief funds and were intended to help small businesses facing financial hardship during the pandemic.

The lawsuit claims that more than $3.75 million dollars was wrongfully loaned. The loan was also forgiven, according the the lawsuit. The suit claims the commission knew it was ineligible for the loan but applied anyway in violation of the False Claims Act, thereby possibly denying small businesses of their access to those funds.

The False Claims Act prohibits an entity of making a false or fraudulent claim for payment or approval. Any borrower who knowingly makes such a claim is liable for three times the amount of damages sustained by the government, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit demands that the commission pay three times the damages the government suffers plus a civil penalty of not less than $5,500 and $11,000 for each violation of cited codes.

The lawsuit also demanded a jury trial and the cost of expenses, travel and legal fees.

The suit also alleges that the commission created false records.

On July 8, 2024, U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld submitted to the court a notice to decline intervention in the case.

The city of Wheeling has ownership and control over the Wheeling Park Commission, according to the suit.

Originally published Sept. 20, 2024

BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio – Why are so many local kids posting threats against schools on social media?

With the wave of these online threats to Ohio Valley schools in the past few weeks, many people are asking why this is happening and what can be done to stop it.

River News Network spoke exclusively with Dr. Tyanna (Ty) C. Snider, an expert in child psychology from Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus to learn more.

Snider is a pediatric psychologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and a Clinical Associate Professor at The Ohio State University.

Snider says caregivers and teachers need to consider the type of media consumption kids have, especially younger kids. Some students implicated in the Ohio Valley threat incidents are only in middle school. Two students were charged with inducing panic. Multiple schools including Martins Ferry, Buckeye Local, St. Clairsville, Edison and Weirton were closed or had lockdowns earlier this month due to threats.

The situation caught the attention of the FBI which issued a statement last week that the agency was working with local law enforcement to protect students and schools and investigate the threats.

Snider said with school shootings being in the news in recent weeks, kids may be exposed to media information that they might not be able to completely understand. Caregivers and teachers should try to help kids manage how they consume media and ask kids questions about what they are seeing and what they think about it. Snider says there is a lot of misinformation that the adults in kids’ lives can help them identify.

Snider added that children can model behaviors they see online and in the media. Some threats could be copycat reactions to what kids see online and in the media.

How a child’s peer group responds to media or something posted online can also influence that child, she says. If the other kids think making a threat or bullying someone is funny, the peer group might consider this acceptable behavior. The negative behavior becomes normalized.

Sometimes children do not understand that there are consequences to negative actions, Snider said. Kids can hit send or share something online instantly without thinking it through.

They can’t see the consequences. Kids don’t think of the repercussions.

 Dr. Tyanna (Ty) C. Snider, Pediatric Psychologist, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Snider says some mental health issues like ADHD can cause kids to act impulsively and not even consider the repercussions of a negative action like posting a school threat.

Snider says social media exposure can be harmful to some kids. It can have a negative impact on real-world social development and lead to increased anxiety and depression as well as lowered academic performance. Kids can also have lower self-esteem.

Snider warns that online safety is critical. She stresses that it is important to maintain offline, real-world ties. She warns that kids who try to connect with other kids online may not be talking to another child. They could be talking to an adult predator.

Snider recommends setting house rules for children regarding social media and setting limits on how much they can use it. Warning signs that a child may be spending too much time online include ignoring or avoiding real, face-to-face interactions.

Snider recommends having screen-free times each day, especially before bedtime. She says this screen-free time should include parents and caregivers, not just kids. If kids see the adults taking a break from their phones and tablets, it will reinforce this positive behavior, she says. Snider says this tip works and it’s something she does with her own family.

Parents and caregivers know their child best and can make the best plan for helping their child handle social media, but help is available if needed.

Caregivers are the experts on their child.

Dr. Tyanna (Ty) C. Snider, Pediatric Psychologist, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Caregivers should open up a dialogue with their child to prevent behavioral problems. She suggests asking kids about their school friends and the best and worst part of their day. She says its important to be supportive and promote conversation.

Snider listed signs a child may have a mental health issue including social withdrawal, decreased social functioning, tearfulness, poor sleep, declining grades and physical symptoms like an upset stomach. These symptoms could spell a serious issue if they continue for two or more weeks.

A child needs immediate help if they talk about harming themselves, dying or wanting to disappear.

Snider suggests caregivers contact their pediatrician, school counselor or mental health professional. Snider says you can also learn more about kids’ mental health from the Kids Mental Health Foundation and the Nationwide Children’s website.