Originally published July 26, 2024

ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio – Don’t tell Sheriff Dave Lucas, but there’s a new Deputy Dawg in town, and he’s hanging out at the new Belmont County Dog Park.

Lucas was instrumental in bringing this dog park to the county, so officials named the park the David M. Lucas Dog Park after him at the ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday.

The park is divided into two sections with separate entrances for small and large dogs, though larger dogs may prefer a bigger space to roam. The fences between the sections seem high enough to stop jumpers and keep little dogs from the big guys.

To cool your best friend off on a hot day, there are wading pools, shade trees and faucets splashing water into deep buckets. There are plenty of fire hydrants in case nature calls.

Your dog’s human companions can relax on the colorful park benches.

There are memorial bricks donated by the public to remember departed canine friends.

Puppies must be older than 6 months. Owners must clean up after their dogs.

The dog park was funded entirely through donations and a grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Inmates from the nearby Belmont Correctional Institution assisted with construction.

The David M. Lucas Dog Park is located behind the Belmont County Health Department off Route 331 outside St. Clairsville. The park is open from sunrise to sunset, in daylight hours only.

Originally published July 31, 2024

BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio – The CEO of a local facility reportedly housing approximately 13,000 tons of radioactive waste avoided a jail sentence Monday by posting a reduced bond.

Brad Domitrovitsch, owner of Austin Master Services, also called AMS, in Martins Ferry, faced a possible jail sentence if he and his company did not pay a hefty $1.2 million bond for contempt of court in failing to clean up the toxic waste at the facility.

Domitrovitsch, Austin Master Services, and its parent company, American Environmental Partners Inc., appealed the ruling. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost brought a case against these parties.

However, Belmont County Common Pleas Judge John Vavra reduced Domitrovitsch’s bond from  $1.2 million to $25,000 on July 25.

Domitrovitsch had a July 29 deadline to pay the bond or report to jail. He paid the bond on its due date.

The Martins Ferry Austin Master Services facility reportedly contained 13,000 tons of solid waste materials, some of which were radioactive, according to previous court documents.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources stated it would begin cleanup of Austin Master on July 23, but area environmental leaders question how such a facility was even allowed to operate in the community.

Bev Reed of Concerned Ohio River Residents (CORR) says the facility is within a few feet of the Ohio River and 5 million people drink water sourced from the river each day. They say spring floods this breached Austin Master’s building, but government response to the flooding was slow.

ODNR didn’t take immediate action on the flooding.

Bev Reed, Concerned Ohio River Residents

Reed explained that oil field waste, some of it radioactive, was stored at the Austin Master facility.

Stay with River News Network online and on Facebook for updates on this developing story.

Originally published Aug. 5, 2024

ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio – Following a series of accidents on the I-470/70 west split in Belmont County, the Ohio Department of Transportation stepped in to address this ongoing problem in late July.

River News Network followed up with ODOT Statewide Press Secretary Matt Bruning about the completion of its safety measures on what locals who know the road’s dangers call it–the “St. C. Suicide Split.”

Last month, ODOT added a microlayer to both east and westbound lanes to improve traction and this should improve safety, Bruning says.

We believe this will address any safety issues on this stretch of I-470.

ODOT Statewide Press Secretary Matt Bruning

Bruning said since 470 was repaved in August or September of 2023, there have been issues with crashes, especially when the pavement is wet following rain.

Bruning said there have been approximately 380 crashes on I-470 since 2019 and about 130 of those were speed-related. He cautions drivers to reduce their speed.

Bruning said the microlayer work was completed within a couple of days in late July 2024 to improve traction.

Crews put down a microsurface on top of the pavement. This microsurface increases the friction between the pavement and tires of vehicles using the roadway.

ODOT Statewide Press Secretary Matt Bruning

Bruning says ODOT is not aware of any traffic accidents occurring since the microsurfacing work was completed. He adds that ODOT is not planning additional work on the roadway at this time.

Bruning explained how rainy conditions and speed affect highway safety.

Moisture on the surface of the roadway can reduce friction and cause drivers to lose control of their vehicle. That’s why road drainage is so important. We also need drivers to slow down and obey the speed limit.

 ODOT Statewide Press Secretary Matt Bruning

ODOT is also looking at other factors that could affect safety on 470 such as the the curve of the road, surface, speed, lane markings and whether flashing lights and additional signs would improve safety.

Visit the River News Network page or follow us on Facebook for updates on this story.

Originally published Aug. 5, 2024

WETZEL COUNTY, W.Va. – Wetzel County Schools Superintendent Cassie Porter filed an emergency appeal to the West Virginia Supreme Court Monday to keep Paden City High School shuttered.

Porter’s appeal follows last Wednesday’s ruling by Wetzel Circuit Judge Richard Wilson who ordered that Paden City High School will remain open for the upcoming school year.

Porter points to benzene and “dangerous chemicals” found in the air in the school as a grave risk to children.

Paden City High School sits atop a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Superfund site. According to the EPA, Superfund gives EPA the funds and authority to clean up contaminated sites. In July 2024, EPA received questions about benzene in the high school and completed vapor intrusion testing which they say showed no significant levels of contaminants.

Porter released this statement on her appeal Monday:

“I have reviewed the order of the Circuit Court of Wetzel County reversing the temporary closure of Paden City High School.  I trust the process; however, I am disappointed in the court’s decision which requires school children to attend a school in which benzene and other dangerous chemicals have been detected in the air. I have filed an emergency appeal to the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals and requested that our state’s highest court take swift action to stay and reverse the circuit court’s order. 

My highest duty is to provide all students with a safe learning environment. In ordering the temporary closure of Paden City High School, I fulfilled that duty with the guidance and support from the West Virginia Department of Education. If the Circuit Court’s order is not immediately stayed, then students and staff will report to Paden City High School while the appeal is pending.

Cassie Porter

Wetzel County Schools

Superintendent

According to the West Virginia Record, a group of Paden City residents and school employees represented by Wheeling attorney Teresa Toriseva had initially filed a petition asking the court to stop the school’s closure following Porter’s concern over toxic chemicals.

Porter had planned to move the Paden City High School students to Magnolia High School.

Plaintiffs in the case cited Paden City High School’s academic and athletic achievements and historic importance to the community as some of the reasons it should remain open. Students are scheduled to resume classes August 19.

Turn to the River News Network website and follow our Facebook page for updates.

Originally published July 29, 2024

BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio – The Ohio Department of Transportation is planning changes to the busy Morristown area in Belmont County, according to Lauren Borell, Public Information Officer for ODOT District 11.

The area along State Route 149 and the I-70 are heavily traveled with gas stations, restaurants and a clinic. Union Local High School and the Pilot Travel Center are also in this corridor. With the addition of the new Love’s Travel Stop in Morristown, ODOT says it is responding to the anticipated increased traffic on roadways in that area.

ODOT has been in conversations with Loves since fruition for the building of the truck stop at this location.

 Lauren Borell, Public Information Officer for ODOT District 11

Borell says bridge replacements and road widening are planned. The project is in its preliminary stages but is slated to begin in 2026 and last two years.

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is developing plans for an interchange improvement project at the I-70/State Route 149 interchange. Construction is anticipated to commence in 2026 and last at least two years. It will involve widening State Route 149 and replacing the existing bridges on I-70.

 Lauren Borell, Public Information Officer for ODOT District 11

Love’s should open in 2025 and is being built where a golf course once operated.

Originally published July 31, 2024

ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio – Belmont County Department of Job & Family Services officials updated county commissioners on this year’s school clothes and supplies voucher program at Wednesday’s commissioners’ meeting.

Belmont County DJFS Fiscal Administrator Jack Regis Jr. told commissioners the agency is gearing up for the next school voucher program shopping event scheduled for August 12, 13 and 14.

Regis said Belmont County DJFS approved 900 voucher applications for families and 1,530 children will benefit. He said an additional 80 applications will be approved for families whose income was slightly above eligibility guidelines. The Community Action Commission (CAC) will help fund those 80 applications.

Regis said Ohio Valley Mall and stores in the voucher program will benefit since the shopping days are outside of the Ohio tax-free shopping days. He says 400 families are scheduled to do their shopping on the first day of the program, August 12.

Belmont County DJFS Director Jeff Felton says each child will receive $300 to shop.

Commissioner Jerry Echemann thanked Belmont County DJFS for their work on the voucher program and agreed that it benefits Belmont County families and businesses.

The families and merchants will be happy.

Belmont County Commissioner Jerry Echemann

Felton said families and kids really appreciate the opportunity to buy new school items and called their expressions on their faces “priceless.”