The City of Steubenville reports that the line break from this morning has been repaired.
The break occurred on a 6-inch line that is part of the Labelle pressure system that was the water supply for a few customers along University Blvd.
The break was repaired with little to no affect to customers and no boil advisory is in effect.
STEUBENVILLE, Ohio –
A water line break on University Boulevard in Steubenville has occurred on the Labelle System main line, according to the City of Steubenville.
Crews are working to isolate the break so repairs can be made.
As of early Tuesday morning, the City of Steubenville said it was unknown the full effect this may have on the residents of the Labelle pressure zone.
Expect lane restrictions on University Boulevard from Wellesley Avenue to Woodlawn Road. Please be aware of changing traffic patterns through out this work.
If you have any questions please call the filtration plant at 740-283-6041
If you need further assistance, call or text City of Steubenville at 740-762-4296.
WHEELING, W.Va. – Wheeling’s Police Chief dropped the annual 2024 crime statistics for the city which suggest an impressive decline in serious crimes.
Total calls for service have dropped by over six thousand compared to a decade ago.
On a percentage basis, burglary declined by four percent while assaults, motor vehicle thefts, larcenies, and drug offenses dropped by numbers between 12 to 20 percent.
The department reports that overdose deaths decreased 46%.
You can read the full report below:
The Wheeling Police Department released its 2024 annual crime statistics Wednesday, highlighting one of the lowest crime rates in the past decade. Nearly all major crime categories, along with overall calls for service, drug overdoses, and even traffic crashes declined over the past year, reinforcing Wheeling’s status as a safe city in West Virginia.
Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger said he is beyond pleased with this past year’s report.“It is remarkable when a system is established to monitor, take ownership of, and action to prevent and solve crime. Our geographic policing model, dedicated civilian support staff, and engaged community members all play a vital role in making this a successful year. Most importantly, I commend the men and women of WPD, who wear the uniform each day, offering selfless service and commitment to the community they have vowed to protect.”
Over the next year, the Chief hopes the numbers continue a downward trend. “I remain so proud of the men and women of the WheelingPolice Department. They inspire me each day. With that in mind, our goal is to double down on efforts so we can continue to see the results reflected in this past year’s reduced crime rates.”
Crime data is categorized into two main categories by the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) – “Group A” offenses, which are more felonies, property crimes and crimes against persons, and “Group B” offenses, which involve more misdemeanors, nuisance/quality of life and highway safety/traffic offenses.
After observing an initial decline in several “Group A” offenses in 2023, most categories continued to decrease further last year. These included assaults, burglary, vandalism, drug offenses, motor vehicle theft, and vandalism. 2024 was the first year in recent memory the department had no homicide investigations. A few categories’ numbers increased last year but overall are not concerning. Weapon offenses increased by 3 cases and robbery increased by 5 cases. Arrests remained mostly unchanged and the overall “Group B” category decreased by 7%.
Total calls for service were reduced by 4%, with the annual total reaching 20,858—a drop of over 6,000 calls compared to a decade ago. This reduction is linked to ongoing efforts in officer-initiated activities, nightly foot patrols, community policing, and various selective enforcement operations.
Drug overdose cases saw a substantial decrease compared to the previous year. Overall, overdoses dropped by 37%, with a total of 114 reported — marking the lowest number in seven years. In 2024, there were 14 overdose-related deaths, a 46% total reduction, following a notable increase the year before. These deaths are largely attributed to the continued prevalence of fentanyl, often mixed with other substances like xylazine and methamphetamine.
[Group A Crimes] (Serious Crimes) DECREASED 11%
Crime Categories that decreased from the previous year:
[Group B Crimes] (less serious crimes) DECREASED 7%
[Traffic Enforcement]
With no major road construction or significant weather-related incidents, crashes, and traffic citations decreased. The department did respond and investigate two fatal crashes in 2024.
[Drug Overdoses]DECREASED 37%
Drug-related overdoses are at their lowest level in seven years – a sign that the drug epidemic is perhaps slowing in the area. Overdose deaths also were cut in half from the previous year. The numbers are turning in a positive direction, thanks to the hard work of all officers, the Ohio Valley Drug Task Force, the new WPD Crisis Response Unit, which works with community partners on treatment, and the availability of Narcan.
[Overdose Deaths]DECREASED 46%
*Note: Overdose death numbers can change after annual statistics are released because of current pending cases with the state medical examiner’s office*
Rage 96.5 is the home for Wheeling Miners Indoor Football.
We will air all 5 home games on Rage 96.5.
Here is the schedule:
March 10th 9 pm
April 19th 7 pm
May 10th 7 pm
May 17th 7 pm
May 24th 7 pm
Rage will also broadcast live 90 minutes before each game at Wesbanco Arena
You can listen to the Wheeling Miners Coaches’ Show every Friday from 6-7 pm on Rage beginning this Friday, Jan. 24 and concluding May 23rd before the season finale.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two men died and a third was hospitalized in two separate fires this week according to the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The first fire occurred on Sunday, Jan. 19 in Harper’s Ferry in Jefferson County, West Virginia. A 73-year-old male was discovered deceased in his home located on Wide River Farm Drive around 4 a.m.
The second fire happened Monday, Jan. 20 in the town of Letart, Mason County where a house fire occurred at a home on Gill Ridge Road around 7 a.m. The victim in that fire was a 51-year-old male. An 83-year-old male was injured in the fire and transported to Cabell Huntington Hospital where he is still a patient.
The West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office investigated both fires which remain under investigation at this time.
The victims in both incidents were transported to the West Virginia Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy and positive identification.
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — An ongoing investigation by the Southwest Ohio Burglary Task Force has led to the arrests and indictments of four Chilean men, who are accused of carrying out a string of burglaries targeting multimillion-dollar homes, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced.
A Clark County grand jury on Tuesday indicted Jordan Francisco Sanchez, 22; Alexander Esteban Huaiquil-Chavez, 24; Bastian Alejandro Morales, 23; and Sergio Andres Cabello, 38. Each man faces the following charges:
Engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity (F1)
Participating in a criminal gang (F2)
Possessing criminal tools (F5)
The men were arrested on Jan. 10 and booked into the Clark County Jail, where they remain in custody.
Yost created the Southwest Ohio Burglary Task Force last year to investigate a series of home break-ins in Hamilton County. The task force is organized under the attorney general’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission and led by the AG’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Indian Hill Police Department. It includes representatives of the Amberly Village Police Department, Forest Park Police Department, Cincinnati Police Department, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Montgomery Police Department and Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office. Assisting the task force are the FBI, Ohio State Highway Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations. The Clark County Prosecutor’s Office is prosecuting the case.
This is an ongoing investigation, and no additional information is available at this time. Indictments are criminal allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proved guilty in a court of law.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) named Lt. Gov. Jon Husted to fill the Senate seat being vacated by Vice President-elect JD Vance.
Husted started his life in a foster home before being adopted. Husted also previously served as Ohio Secretary of State, Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, and a member of the Ohio Senate.
DeWine passed over Vivek Ramaswamy, the former presidential candidate. President-elect Donald J. Trump previously named Ramaswamy to lead the Department of Government Efficiency with Elon Musk.
Reports say Ramaswamy was not interested in the Senate seat but may run for governor of Ohio.
PICKAWAY COUNTY, Ohio — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and JobsOhio announced Thursday that Anduril Industries, a leader in defense technology, will establish an advanced manufacturing facility in Pickaway County, bringing more than 4,000 new production and service jobs to Ohio by 2035.
The five-million-square-foot facility, named Arsenal-1, represents the largest single job creation and new payroll project in Ohio’s history and is projected to add nearly $1 billion to Ohio’s gross domestic product.
Based in Costa Mesa, Calif., Anduril aims to “Rebuild the Arsenal” of U.S. military weapons and platforms by “hyperscaling” manufacturing with advanced software and production technologies. The Ohio facility will strengthen the state’s position as a nationwide leader in the development of better, faster, and more affordable critical national defense products to help the United States deter, defend, and lead in the world’s Great Power Competition.
“Ohio’s history of advancing aviation, aerospace, and national defense runs deep, but what sets this state apart is our readiness to embrace the future,” said Governor DeWine. “At this critical moment in time, our country needs rapid technological innovation, which Anduril will deliver using Ohio’s skilled, hardworking labor force. The future of American air power will be made in Ohio!”
The facility will be located on 500 acres in Pickaway County near Rickenbacker International Airport, with room for future growth. The company plans to invest over $900 million in capital into the surrounding area.
Anduril was attracted to Ohio due to the state’s supportive business climate, ready-made workforce, and legacy of military and federal support.
“Today is a proud day for Ohio as we welcome Anduril and celebrate the creation of thousands of new jobs in cutting-edge defense manufacturing,” said Lt. Governor Jon Husted. “This investment reinforces Ohio’s position as a leader in advanced technology and national security. When it comes to ‘Made in America,’ you can’t do it without ‘Made in Ohio.”
In addition to the 4,000 direct jobs at Arsenal-1, the project is anticipated to create a total of 4,500 indirect and induced jobs over the next ten years and more than $2 billion in annual economic output. Over $1 billion in in-state labor income will be generated, and projected tax revenues are estimated to be roughly $800 million.
“Arsenal-1 represents a significant step forward in how we build the autonomous systems and weapons our nation and allies need, leveraging Ohio’s world-class workforce, robust infrastructure, and scalable, software-driven manufacturing to set a new standard for securing the future of defense,” said Anduril Industries CEO Brian Schimpf. “We are ready to break ground and get to work building the capabilities that will strengthen America’s industrial base and national security for years to come.”
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – One man is dead after a house fire Wednesday evening in Richwood in Nicholas County, West Virginia, according to the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The 46-year-old male was the victim in a fire that occurred on Oakford Avenue at about 7 p.m. on Jan. 15.
Investigators with the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office have ruled the fire as undetermined in cause.
The victim has been sent to the West Virginia Medical Examiner’s Office for positive identification and autopsy.
Searchers found two Bigfoot hunters dead in a remote forest in Washington state late last month, according to a press release from the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office.
The men, ages 59 and 37, were from Portland, Oregon and lost their lives while searching for Sasquatch (Bigfoot) in eastern Skamania County.
On Christmas Day, the Skamania County Communications Center received a report of two overdue subjects who were searching for Sasquatch and planned to return home on Christmas Eve. When the pair did not return home, a family member reported the subjects missing and endangered.
Over the course of three days, the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Coordinator acquired over 60 volunteer search and rescue personnel, including canine, drone, and ground searching teams. Additionally, an air asset was acquired from the United States Coast Guard, based in Astoria, Oregon, to assist in the search utilizing F.L.I.R.
After a grueling, three-day search over difficult terrain and harsh weather conditions, the men were located, deceased, in a heavily wooded area of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
Both deaths appear to be due to exposure, based on weather conditions and ill-preparedness, authorities said.
BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio – Here is the Belmont County court docket for Wednesday, January 15 from the court website.
57 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.”
