Originally published Sept. 18, 2024

BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio – Shadyside resident Joyce Hartley confronted Belmont County Commissioners at their Wednesday meeting over what she described as a four-year struggle to have someone in authority recognize damage to her house and property.

Hartley said water runs across a road an onto her property and has caused significant damage over the years.

She listed issues with her house’s foundation and bowing and slipping.

She said she bought her home for $135,000 but its value has decreased substantially to $66,000 due to the water damage.

Hartley says this is not an issue for the township, but it the commissioners’ responsibility.

This needs to be fixed. It is your community ditch. It belongs to you.

Joyce Hartley, Shadyside resident

Hartley said she had brought the issue to commissioners and other officials before but the problem is still not solved.

You have yet to put me in handcuffs. I call you conspirators, corrupters.

Joyce Hartley, Shadyside resident

Hartley said she is now requesting a meeting with the full Board of Revisions since the last one she attended only had one member present.

Originally published Sept. 19, 2024

WHEELING, W.Va. – A Wheeling real estate developer was sentenced to five years in federal prison Thursday for fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of West Virginia.

U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld says Jeffrey James Morris, 37, swindled millions of dollars from investors.

Ihlenfeld said Morris received a 60-month sentence because of his scheme to defraud investors out of more than $5 million dollars.

Morris, managing member of Roxby Development, LLC, secured local and national funding to develop real estate in Wheeling, West Virginia. He acquired the Scottish Rite Cathedral, the McClure House Hotel, and the Mount Carmel Monastery, according to court statements. Morris solicited funds from investors to improve those properties.

Ihlenfeld says Morris misrepresented how money from investors would be used, provided forged documents, lied about the prospects of securing tax increment financing, and falsely claimed to be on the verge of securing bank financing to repay investors.

Morris made Ponzi-style payments, using one investor’s money to pay another instead of making improvements to real estate as promised and lied to investors about having received approval for historic tax credits, according to Ihlenfeld.

Jeffrey Morris preyed upon his investors, his employees, and upon the hope of Wheeling residents who believed that he was leading a downtown renaissance. Morris was a master manipulator who left a trail of broken promises in his wake.

U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld

U.S. District Court Judge John Preston Bailey presided and made a finding that Morris caused undue financial hardship to several investors, including a retired couple who invested their entire savings with him but did not receive repayment of any principal or interest as promised.

Morris was ordered to report to prison on October 28, 2024. The facility will be determined by the Bureau of Prisons.

Morris, who previously pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of tax fraud, must pay $4,901,413.32 in restitution to investors and $526,476.58 in taxes, penalties, and interest to the Internal Revenue Service.

U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod Douglas prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.

The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service-CI.

Originally published Sept. 16, 2024

MARTINS FERRY, Ohio – Martins Ferry school officials witnessed an act of kindness at the September board meeting when two members of the Martins Ferry Improved Order of Redman’s Club Post 75 made a donation for students.

Tracey Anderson of the Pocohontas division of the club and member Robin Guy donated 20 colorful bookbags filled with school supplies for Martins Ferry Schools students in need.

Anderson said her club had collected the items for students whose families might not have the means to buy items needed for school this year. She asked Superintendent Jim Fogle to make sure the bookbags and supplies went to students who really had need for them.

The Martins Ferry Redman’s Club made sure each bookbag had everything students need for a successful school year. They even included lunch boxes.

Anderson added that the club is accepting new members.

On hand to accept the donation were Superintendent Jim Fogle, Elementary School Principal Nickolas Stankovich, Middle School Principal Chas Yoder, and High School Principal Joe Mamone.

Originally published Sept. 18, 2024

ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio – Ohio State Senator Brian Chavez (R) and Ohio State Representative Don Jones (R-Freeport) announced at the Belmont County Commissioners meeting Wednesday that the Sargus Juvenile Center will receive $1 million for renovations.

Jones explained that the money comes from a capital bill that he and Chavez worked on together to bring the funds to Belmont County. He said the county received between $1 million and $1.5 million dollars in capital funds this year.

Jones said the allocations show how the tax dollars you pay can be put to work and brought back to the district.

Chavez said there were many requests for capital bill money for projects across Ohio.

Commissioners recently toured the Sargus Center and saw what they call the subpar condition of the bathroom and shower facilities. The center also hosted a 50th anniversary gathering that commissioners said was eye opening.

When D.J. [director] had the 50th anniversary, some of these things in that building were hard to look at.

Belmont County Commissioner Jerry Echemann

Jones said that some of the capital funds went to fire departments and EMS but it was unlikely future capital bill monies would go to these groups again.

This was a one-time strategic fund that we may never see again for fire and EMS.

Ohio State Representative Don Jones (R-Freeport)

Chavez took office in December and Jones is in his last term. Commissioners say the two politicians worked together to make the Sargus project happen and thanked them for their efforts.

We’d like to thank you as a board.

Belmont County Commissioner Jerry Echemann

D.J. Watson, Director of the Sargus Juvenile Center, also thanked those involved in approving the project. He said the center serves an average of 20 to 21 youths each day from Belmont and Harrison Counties. Some stay overnight while others stay a few weeks.

Watson said the restroom and shower facilities desperately need remodeled. He explained that this project is not like remodeling your home bathroom. It requires heavy-duty, stainless steel fixtures that are unbreakable.

Chief Deputy Jim Zusack of the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office says his department has a good rapport with Sargus Center staff.

We have a good partnership with Sargus. We try to work with them and pick the kids who need to be there.

Chief Deputy Jim Zusack, Belmont County Sheriff’s Office

Judge Albert Davies of the Belmont County Probate and Juvenile Courts stressed the importance of the Sargus Center in the community.

Sargus Juvenile Center is a very important piece of juvenile justice in Belmont County.

Judge Albert Davies of the Belmont County Probate and Juvenile Courts

Davies added that this area is a “special place” where local and state leaders work to get things done. He said he was appreciative of everyone involved in the Sargus project.

Originally published Sept. 18, 2024

BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio – The Belmont County Commissioners approved an agreement between the Belmont County Engineer’s office and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) concerning the replacement of the Blaine Hill Bridge during Wednesday’s commission meeting.

Belmont County Engineer Terry Lively called the agreement a consent formality involving U.S. 40 crossing over County Road 10 and Wheeling Creek. He said County Road 10 is not scheduled for any work during the bridge project.

Lively explained that ODOT will be starting preliminary plans for the bridge project by late summer 2025. He added that the project will take quite a lot of time to complete.

We’re talking months, if not years, for that project.

Terry Lively, Belmont County Engineer

ODOT closed the bridge totally August 5 due to deterioration and drivers ignoring closed signs and going the wrong way up the bridge facing oncoming traffic. ODOT had previously closed the bridge to westbound traffic beginning July 3.

Motorists remain inconvenienced by the bridge closure and resulting traffic snarls in the Bridgeport area.

The official ODOT detour for westbound traffic is I-70 from Marion Street to the U.S. 40 National Road/County Road 214 exit (Exit 220) to return to U.S. 40. Eastbound traffic will enter I-70 from County Road 214 to the U.S. 250/State Route 7 exit (Exit 225) to Marion Street to return to U.S. 40.

Follow River News Network online and on Facebook for updates.

Originally published Sept. 18, 2024

WHEELING, W.Va. – The body of an older man was discovered Wednesday morning along the Ohio River shoreline of Wheeling Island, according to the Wheeling Police Department.

Police and fire personnel responded to the shoreline of the back channel of the Ohio River near South Wabash Street around 11:35 a.m.

Police say they are conducting a death investigation.

At this time, police say no foul play is evident. The man’s body will be taken to the West Virginia Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy and identification.

Originally published Sept. 13, 2024

WHEELING, W.Va. – The city of Wheeling and homeless advocacy groups emphasize shelters and food services for the Friendly City’s homeless population, but are these groups addressing their hygiene needs?

There have been reports of the homeless using the city’s new splash pad at the WesBanco Arena plaza and the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston’s Cathedral of St. Joseph fountain for bathing this summer.

Dimitri Vassilaros of “Dimitri: Live & Dangerously Local” questioned city officials about whether the homeless are using the splash pad as a bathing area.

Michele Rejonis, Marketing & Community Relations Specialist for the city of Wheeling, says there are no reports of the homeless bathing in the splash pad.

I have spoken to the WesBanco Arena manager and the police department regarding your inquiry. We do not have any reports of members of the homeless population utilizing the splash pad for bathing.

Michele Rejonis, Marketing & Community Relations Specialist, city of Wheeling

Rejonis said the splash pad opened August 21 and cost $362,000. She added that it is a seasonal feature but will remain functional well into the fall.

If the homeless are not bathing in the new splash pad, are they cleaning up in the fountain at the at the Cathedral of St. Joseph courtyard?

Tim Bishop, Director of Marketing and Communications for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, tells River News Network that the diocese posted signs on access to the Cathedral of St. Joseph courtyard.

The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston has properly posted access restrictions and regulations regarding the Cathedral courtyard. Regulations are enforced to the best of our ability.

Tim Bishop, Director of Marketing and Communications for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston

Bishop added that the diocese offers resources to members of the homeless community through the work of Catholic Charities West Virginia.

River News Network reached out to the Wheeling Life Hub, a group that provides services to the homeless, for comment but they did not respond.

Originally published Sept. 17, 2024

WHEELING, W.Va. – A Virginia man filed a civil lawsuit in Ohio County Circuit Court against the Wheeling Park Commission organization and Robert Peckenpaugh, its President and Chief Executive Officer.

Bruce Fein of Great Falls, Virginia filed the lawsuit September 6 in Wheeling concerning the defendants Peckenpaugh and the Wheeling Park Commission’s alleged failure to comply with his request for information submitted under the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act.

The suit says that Fein submitted a records request to the defendants on August 23 regarding a reported fraud investigation by the United States Department of Justice concerning approximately $4 million dollars allegedly loaned to and not repaid by the Commission under the federal COVID-19 relief program called the Paycheck Protection Program.

Fein’s lawsuit claims that the Commission and Peckenpaugh had five days to answer Fein’s request by furnishing records or denying the request. The suit claims that an attorney, Shawn Morgan, who reportedly identified herself as representing the Commission, allegedly told Fein that his FOIA request did not cover public records and was for general, not specific documents. Morgan also allegedly told Fein, the suit claims, that the Commission had applied for a protective order after receiving his FOIA request.

Fein claims in the lawsuit that the Commission and Peckenpaugh willfully and without a valid legal reason violated their duty under West Virginia law to furnish the documents that Fein requested.

Fein asks the court for an injunction to provide the documents he requested and and also requests an expedited hearing and trial on the matter. Fein also requests that the defendants pay all his attorney’s fees and costs.

Fein is represented by the Manchin Injury Law Group of Fairmont, West Virginia.

Follow the River News Network online and on Facebook for updates on this developing story.

Originally published Sept. 17, 2024

BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio – Who is living in poverty in Belmont County? It might not be who you think.

Belmont County Department of Job & Family Services Director Jeff Felton says there are a lot of misconceptions about the poor and how prevalent poverty is in the county.

For instance, Felton says most people who receive public assistance benefits such as food stamps (SNAP) and Medicaid have jobs.

Felton says despite a tough economy, Belmont County’s unemployment rate is stable at around 4.8 percent and work is available.

We still have lots of jobs around here.

Jeff Felton, Director, Belmont County Department of Job & Family Services

The federal government also mandates work requirements for some welfare recipients depending on which benefits they receive such as food stamps. Work requirements typically involve community service work. The federal government is now considering work requirements for Medicaid coverage, but Felton says nothing is set yet.

Finding a job and keeping a job can be difficult, and Felton says that his agency can help people overcome barriers to employment and overcome poverty. They offer referrals to parenting skills classes and therapy and operate the Ohio Means Jobs work center in Martins Ferry. Ohio Means Jobs offers job search and funds for training in areas like CDL and STNA. They also offer GED information and services for dislocated workers.

Employment is one pathway out of poverty, but where you live is also a factor. One reason poverty lingers in an area is the community’s standards, Felton explained. Some neighborhoods and towns remain enmeshed in poverty due to the status quo, things remain the same. For instance, once a community is in decline, it can be hard to bring it and its residents back financially.

Belmont County’s population is 64,918, according to the United States Census.

The county poverty rate is 17.2 percent while the state poverty rate is 11.5 percent.

The child poverty rate is 21.2 percent in Belmont County. Felton says that for the 2024 school voucher program, 14.6 percent of all children under age 18 in Belmont County qualified for the program.

Felton says Belmont County DJFS offers many services for low-income individuals such as food assistance, cash assistance, Medicaid, kinship services and foster care referrals. Call Belmont County DJFS (740) 695-1075 for details.

Originally published Sept. 12, 2024

CAMBRIDGE, Ohio – A Martins Ferry man who allegedly drove a school bus filled with students and coaches to an out-of-town sporting event while under the influence is headed to court.

Ronald D. Irvin Vah Jr., 58, of Martins Ferry, was charged with OVI (operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol) , implied consent to a chemical test, physical control, and endangering children while driving a Martins Ferry City Schools bus on August 26.

Vah reportedly was driving a bus carrying Martins Ferry City Schools students and coaches to a volleyball game in Cambridge.

Martins Ferry Schools Superintendent Jim Fogle confirmed to River News Network that Vah is no longer a school district employee.

The Cambridge Police Department had responded to a complaint about a reportedly impaired man at Cambridge Middle School during a student volleyball game. Parents at the game witnessed Vah allegedly “stumbling, screaming and wobbling” at the volleyball game.

Cambridge Patrolman Zach Smith found a cooler allegedly belonging to Vah on the bus with medicine bottles and a stainless steel tumbler with liquid that reportedly smelled like alcohol.

Martins Ferry Coach Nikki Baranski told police Vah was driving “really bad” and that that she and two other coaches witnessed Vah allegedly almost hit other cars with the bus in traffic on Interstate 70 in St. Clairsville. Baranski told the officer the bus left Martins Ferry around 3:30 p.m. and arrived at Cambridge Middle School around 5 p.m.

Vah apparently did not stop driving after the alleged near-miss accidents in St. Clairsville, and allegedly drove on to Cambridge, which is approximately another 45 minutes’ drive.

According to Cambridge Municipal Court, Vah is scheduled for an evidentiary hearing there on September 18. He is scheduled to go to trial October 28.

Another former Ohio bus driver in the Mason City School district was charged in August with 46 counts of endangering children after allegedly driving the students to school while intoxicated, according to WCPO.

River News Network will continue to follow former Martins Ferry bus driver story, so check for updates on our website and Facebook.