BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio – County Road 56, Mount Victory Road, will be closed for slip repair work from October 20th through November 15th, according to the Belmont County Engineer’s Office.
Human Trafficking Sting in Steubenville Arrests 8 Local Men Seeking to Buy Sex
STEUBENVILLE, Ohio — A joint sting operation by the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force and the Steubenville Police Department recently led to the arrest of eight men including men from St. Clairsville, Follansbee and Wheeling who allegedly attempted to buy sex, including one who sought sexual conduct with a minor.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Steubenville Police Chief Ken Anderson announced today that the operation, conducted Oct. 7 and 8, targeted the demand for human trafficking.
“We’ve said it many times and will repeat it until the message resonates: Don’t buy sex in Ohio!” Yost said. “We’re committed to going after those who fuel the exploitation of human beings through trafficking.”
“It is vital that we continue to work together and commit our time, effort and resources to combat human trafficking,” Chief Anderson said. “These operations not only hold the suspects who perpetrate these crimes accountable for their actions but they also raise awareness of the ongoing issue across our state.”
Charles Shifflett, 51, of Follansbee, West Virgina, faces three felony charges of compelling prostitution (third-degree) and attempted unlawful sexual conduct (fourth-degree), and possessing criminal tools (fifth-degree). Shifflet was arrested after allegedly seeking to have sex with a minor.
Justin Sabo, 38, of St. Clairsville, was charged with promoting prostitution (a fourth-degree felony) after allegedly arranging for a potential victim to have sex with an undercover agent.
The six others who were arrested face misdemeanor charges of engaging in prostitution and possessing criminal tools:
- Kenneth D. Anderson, 29, Coraopolis, Pennsylvania
- John Denk, 45, Allison Park, Pennsylvania
- Richard Matve, 65, Coraopolis, Pennsylvania
- Jerrod Rhine, 45, Toronto, Ohio
- Jeffrey Romey, 61, Wintersville, Ohio
- John Williams, 38, Wheeling, West Virginia
The joint operation was the second between the task force and the Steubenville Police Department. In July 2024, 10 men were arrested seeking to buy sex.
The Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force is organized under Yost’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission and led by the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office. The task force includes representatives from the Ohio Investigative Unit, East Palestine Police Department, Salem Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Portage County Sheriff’s Office, BCI, Youngstown Police Department, Austintown Police Department, Beaver Township Police Department, Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office, and Homeland Security Investigations.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office assisted with the operation
School backpack program seeks volunteers
BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio – The Belmont County Farm Bureau is packing school backpacks with nutritious food for local students in need and they are asking for your help.
Belmont County Farm Bureau Backpack Program Packing Event VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! (1)_compressed (1)Download
The group will meet two days in November at Friends Church in St. Clairsville. See flyer above for details.
Students may return to St. John Central Academy in Bellaire
BELLAIRE, Ohio – St. John Central Academy in Bellaire may house students once again should an out-of- state buyer cut a deal.
The interested buyer plans to enter a partnership with a Wheeling resident for the purchase and would like to close the deal by the end of November.
Stolen truck found in the Ohio River
BROOKE COUNTY, W.Va. – Pennsylvania State Police have taken over the investigation of how a stolen truck ended up in the Ohio River in Brooke County.
The McKinleyville VFD received some drone footage suggesting a submerged vehicle and recovered it Tuesday evening.
Pennsylvania State Police connected the truck to a March 2025 theft case in their area.
Moe’s on Main & Touch of Amish: A Hub for Local Creativity in Follansbee
FOLLANSBEE, W.Va. – What started as a way to support local entrepreneurs has grown into one of Follansbee’s most unique shopping destinations. Moe’s on Main & Touch of Amish, located at 1031 Main Street, brings together more than 40 small businesses under one roof, offering everything from handcrafted gifts to homemade Amish jams, relishes, and cheeses.
Owners Monica and Elmer Myers and Kevin and Ann Carroll opened the consignment gift store in September 2017 with a mission: to give local artisans and small business owners a place to sell their products every day.
“We wanted to promote small businesses and provide a space where creativity could thrive,” said co-owner Monica Myers.
At Moe’s on Main & Touch of Amish, shoppers can browse an ever-changing mix of locally made crafts, home décor, and specialty foods—all while supporting the community’s makers. The shop also hosts crafting classes and private craft parties, giving customers the chance to learn new skills and create their own keepsakes.
The store is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information or to explore their variety of products and classes, visit dot.cards/moesonmain or call 304-527-7320.
Governor DeWine Declares Consumer Product Emergency for Intoxicating Hemp
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed an executive order Wednesday declaring an Adulterated Consumer Product Emergency for consumable items containing intoxicating hemp. The order requires Ohio retailers to cease the sale of all intoxicating hemp products by Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
According to Ohio Revised Code 3715.74, the governor has the authority to declare an Adulterated Consumer Product Emergency if there is reason to believe a product has been adulterated and presents a threat to public health and safety.
Clandestine chemists have created intoxicating hemp by manipulating compounds found in the legal, non-intoxicating hemp plant and creating intoxicating compounds, including delta-8-THC and delta-9-THC that are found in marijuana. The products create a high similar to marijuana, but unlike marijuana, intoxicating hemp is not regulated and is legal for anyone, including children, to purchase. Intoxicating hemp products have no quality control and are sold in a variety of stores marketed as candy, cookies, gummy candy, and other products that are attractive to youth.
Left – Legitimate Nerds candy; Right – Intoxicating hemp product packaged simlarly to Nerds candy
“Intoxicating hemp products are known to have significant impacts on young, developing brains, yet these products are legally marketed to kids, sold to kids, and ingested by kids in Ohio,” said Governor DeWine. “When voters chose to legalize marijuana, they voted for a highly regulated market that only allows sales at licensed dispensaries to those 21 and older. Intoxicating hemp completely bypasses these laws, and we must do more to keep these products away from kids.”
According to Ohio Poison Control, exposures to delta-8-THC and delta-9-THC among those ages 19 or younger increased from 419 in 2021 to 994 in 2024, with more than half of all cases involving children ages five and under. The number of exposures in the 0-5 age group nearly tripled with 202 exposures 2021 to 555 in 2024. Ohio Poison Control also reports that about 90% of delta-8-THC and delta-9-THC exposures involving children up to age 12 resulted in an emergency department visit, and approximately two-thirds of these cases required hospitalization.
The emergency order will not go into effect until Tuesday, October 14, 2025, to give retailers time to remove intoxicating hemp products from their shelves. When the order is active, local and state authorities – including the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) – will have the authority to seize intoxicating hemp products still available for sale. Retailers who continue selling intoxicating hemp could be fined $500 each day the products remain on sale.
Ohio law allows the consumer product safety emergency to be in effect for a maximum of 90 days, unless renewed by the Ohio General Assembly.
Left – Legitimate Gushers candy; Right – Intoxicating hemp product packaged similarly to Gushers candy
The executive order also directs ODA to change the administrative rules that define hemp and hemp products in Ohio. This change to the Ohio Administrative Code will exclude adulterated, intoxicating hemp from the definition of what is considered legal hemp. The executive order suspends the normal rulemaking procedures to allow for the adoption of the revised definitions. The rule will be valid for 120 days, allowing time for the regular rulemaking process to proceed with the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review.
The full executive order signed by Governor DeWine can be found at governor.ohio.gov. The order does not apply to non-intoxicating hemp products legalized by the Ohio General Assembly in 2019 and has no impact on the regulated sale of marijuana.
Ohio Officials Approve Five Projects Creating 218 Jobs, Including 41 in Guernsey County with $2.3M Payroll
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jim Tressel, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik announced on Wednesday the approval of five projects that will create 218 new jobs and retain nearly 1,165 jobs statewide, including several in Guernsey County.
The Ohio Bridge Corporation, in Cambridge (Guernsey County), expects to create 41 full-time-equivalent positions, generating more than $2.3 million in new annual payroll as a result of the company’s expansion in Cambridge.
U.S. Bridge designs and constructs steel bridges in addition to a full range of services, including project scoping, engineering, fabrication, shipping and erection of bridges. The proposed project includes the expansion of their current facilities with the construction of a 70,000- square- foot building for advanced welding equipment and streamlined production. The project includes the renovation of older buildings to optimize operations and support workforce growth, boosting efficiency, and capacity. TCA approved a 1.163, six-year Job Creation Tax Credit for the project.
During its monthly meeting, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority (TCA) reviewed economic development proposals brought to the board by JobsOhio and its regional partners. The projects are expected to result in more than $14 million in new payroll and generate over $2.1 billion in investments across Ohio.
Tell them what you think…sign the petition to AX OH property taxes today!
BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio – You can sign the petition to eliminate property taxes in Ohio TODAY, WEDNESDAY!
Here is the schedule and locations for Belmont and Jefferson Counties:
- BELMONT COUNTY: 3200 Guernsey Street in Bellaire across from the library every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- JEFFERSON COUNTY: 106.3 River Studios in Steubenville at Fort Steuben Mall (Walmart entrance) every Wednesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
River News is hosting local petition signing petition stations. The campaign to eliminate property taxes is led by Ax Ohio Tax, https://axohtax.com/
Steubenville plans water outage today
STEUBENVILLE, Ohio – A water outage is scheduled for the Alikanna area of Steubenville. This water outage will take place October 9th between the hours of 10 am and 3 pm.
A pressure relief valve has malfunctioned and needs repaired. There will be a boil advisory in place once water is restored and will be lifted once test results indicate no contamination occurred.
If you have any questions about this water outage please call the filtration plant at 740-283-6041. The city wants to thank its residents for their patience and apologize for any inconvenience during this work.
If you need further assistance, call or text City of Steubenville at +17407624296