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Wheeling Considers $95,500 Design Contract to Address Elm Terrace Flooding

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Wheeling Considers $95,500 Design Contract to Address Elm Terrace Flooding

WHEELING, W.Va. — Wheeling City Council is considering a $95,500 engineering contract aimed at addressing recurring stormwater problems near Elm Terrace.

Council members heard the first reading of the proposed measure Tuesday. The funding would pay Verdantas to provide engineering and design services for potential drainage improvements affecting Elm Terrace Plaza and the Gaewood area.

Mayor Denny Magruder said engineers have already conducted an initial assessment of the existing stormwater system. The next phase would produce detailed plans for possible upgrades.

Potential improvements include redirecting runoff so less water collects in the low-lying Elm Terrace area. The project could also involve installing additional catch basins, removing some parking spaces and improving access to the nearby creek.

Magruder emphasized that the proposed $95,500 would cover planning and design services only. Construction expenses are not included in the measure.

The proposal must receive a second reading before it can receive final approval. Council is expected to consider it again during its next meeting.

Authorities Remove 24 Gaming Machines During Cambridge Gambling Investigation

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Authorities Remove 24 Gaming Machines During Cambridge Gambling Investigation

CAMBRIDGE, Ohio — Authorities seized or disabled approximately 24 suspected illegal gaming machines while executing a search warrant at a Cambridge business Monday.

The Ohio Casino Control Commission conducted the operation with assistance from the Cambridge Police Department at 224 Dewey Avenue, Suite 5.

According to the commission, the investigation began after authorities received complaints alleging that the business was operating gambling machines in violation of Ohio law.

Investigators also seized an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency from the property.

Andromeda Morrison, interim executive director of the Ohio Casino Control Commission, thanked Cambridge police for assisting with the operation. Morrison said cooperation between state and local agencies is important to identifying and closing unlawful gambling establishments.

Officials did not disclose whether anyone was arrested or charged. The investigation remains ongoing.

Three Receive Prison Sentences in Brooke County Methamphetamine Case

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Three Receive Prison Sentences in Brooke County Methamphetamine Case

WELLSBURG, W.Va. — Three people have been sentenced to prison after admitting to a drug offense connected to the discovery of 125 grams of methamphetamine during a traffic stop in Brooke County.

Brooke County Prosecuting Attorney Allison Cowden said Alicia Wilson, 35, Wayne Yoho, 36, and Steven Conway, 35, each pleaded guilty Aug. 24 to one count of possession with intent to deliver a Schedule II controlled substance.

Circuit Court Judge Jason Cuomo sentenced each defendant to serve between one and 15 years in the West Virginia Division of Corrections.

The case originated on Feb. 24, 2026, when the Marshall County Drug Task Force was reportedly monitoring a vehicle occupied by the three defendants in Pittsburgh.

Troopers later encountered the white Chevrolet while conducting routine patrols in Follansbee and initiated a traffic stop.

According to the Brooke County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Conway appeared heavily intoxicated while sitting in the back seat and repeatedly reached into a pocket of his hoodie. Officers removed him from the vehicle and conducted a safety search, allegedly finding a pipe commonly used to consume methamphetamine.

K9 Kane then performed an open-air sniff around the vehicle and alerted officers to the possible presence of narcotics. A subsequent search allegedly uncovered approximately 125 grams of methamphetamine inside the glove compartment.

Police Investigate Masked Group’s Entry Into Boardman Restaurant

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Police Investigate Masked Group’s Entry Into Boardman Restaurant

BOARDMAN, Ohio — Police are investigating after six masked individuals reportedly entered a fast-food restaurant and searched the building for someone.

According to a police report, officers responded shortly after 1 p.m. Tuesday to the restaurant in the 1100 block of Boardman-Poland Road. An employee told officers the incident occurred around 9 p.m. the previous evening.

The employee reported that a group initially arrived in a white Nissan sedan. A person inside the restaurant allegedly referred to the occupants as “opps” before running from the business.

The sedan left the area but later returned with a second vehicle, according to the report. Six males wearing ski masks then entered the restaurant and looked throughout the building, including inside the restrooms.

Employees told police the group did not commit a crime while inside the restaurant. However, a manager requested that the individuals not return to the property.

Investigators received information about the vehicle and subsequently identified two people of interest. No arrests or charges were reported.

River News Headlines: Local Projects, Court Proceedings and Digital ID Expansion

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River News Headlines: Local Projects, Court Proceedings and Digital ID Expansion

Several developments are making headlines across the Ohio Valley, including funding proposals in Wheeling, preservation work in Weirton and delays affecting two Steubenville projects.

Wheeling City Council gave first-reading approval Tuesday to two funding measures. One proposal would allocate more than $95,000 for stormwater design and engineering work at Elm Terrace, where officials are considering new catch basins to address water accumulation.

A separate measure would transfer $575,000 in tax increment financing funds to the city’s waterfront hotel development. Demolition work connected to the project is expected to begin within the coming weeks. Both measures require a second reading before receiving final approval.

In Weirton, work is underway to stabilize the former Elks Lodge in the city’s downtown area. The long-vacant property is now owned by the Business Development Corporation of the Northern Panhandle.

Years of roof leaks reportedly caused extensive damage and mold inside the building. Current improvements include a new roof and utility work. The City of Weirton is contributing up to $145,000 toward the effort to preserve the structure.

Steubenville officials are addressing separate complications involving a development site and a city street. A legal filing has temporarily stopped demolition at the location of a planned brewery project, with a court hearing scheduled to address the dispute.

Wellesley Avenue also remains closed after a city truck sank into unstable brick pavement. Engineers believe moisture trapped beneath the roadway contributed to the failure. Officials hope to reopen the street next week.

In Harrison County, opening statements have begun in the murder trial of Mickey Green. Green is accused of fatally shooting Steven Andrews during a roadside confrontation last year. Prosecutors maintain that Green fired the fatal shot, while the defense argues that he acted out of fear and in self-defense.

West Virginia State Treasurer Larry Pack has released a report explaining how tax revenue from data center developments would be distributed to counties. Two proposed projects in Berkeley and Putnam counties could generate more than $100 million annually for schools and local governments, according to the report. Critics, however, continue to argue that the applicable tax rate is too low.

Ohio has also expanded its Mobile ID program to Android devices. The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles says residents can now add an Ohio driver’s license or state identification card to Google Wallet.

The encrypted digital identification can be used at participating locations, including TSA checkpoints and casinos across the state. Officials emphasize that residents must continue carrying their physical identification cards.

Chocolate Eyeball Candy Recalled in Ohio Over Undeclared Milk

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Chocolate Eyeball Candy Recalled in Ohio Over Undeclared Milk

A Halloween-themed chocolate product sold in Ohio and 12 other states is being recalled because its packaging does not disclose that it contains milk, according to a company announcement published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Crystal Temptations of North Arlington, New Jersey, is recalling several packages of its Chocolatey Eyeballs. The candy was available under the Crystal Temptations brand at Marshalls, TJ Maxx, HomeGoods and Sierra stores.

The affected products were distributed in Ohio, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Wyoming.

Consumers should check for the following style numbers:

Style numberPackage
54040-CHEY10-ounce plastic bag with a decorative header card
54077-CHEY7-ounce acrylic box with a paper wrap
58008-CHEY10.5-ounce round plastic jar
58089-CHEY16-ounce designer plastic pouch
54083-CHEY11-ounce plastic bag tied with a tag

People with a milk allergy or severe sensitivity could experience a serious or potentially life-threatening reaction if they consume the recalled candy.

No illnesses had been reported at the time of the recall announcement.

Consumers who purchased an affected product are advised to destroy it. Refund requests should be directed to Crystal Temptations rather than the retailer where the candy was purchased.

Near-90 Temperatures and Storm Chances Return to the Ohio Valley

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Near-90 Temperatures and Storm Chances Return to the Ohio Valley

WHEELING, W.Va. — A stretch of hot and humid weather is returning to the Ohio Valley, bringing temperatures near 90 degrees and the possibility of strong afternoon thunderstorms.

An area of high pressure that produced extreme heat across the western United States has expanded eastward. The resulting pattern is expected to deliver the region’s hottest conditions since early July.

High temperatures will approach 90 degrees over the next several days. Increased humidity could push heat index values into the middle or upper 90s, making conditions feel significantly warmer than the measured air temperature.

The combination of heat and moisture may also create favorable conditions for scattered thunderstorms Tuesday and Wednesday. Widespread rainfall is not anticipated, but some storms could become strong. Damaging wind gusts and large hail would be the primary concerns if severe weather develops.

A cold front is expected to arrive Friday, bringing a greater chance of widespread rain. Temperatures and humidity levels should fall behind the front, providing more comfortable conditions for the weekend.

Looking ahead to the second week of September, temperatures may remain above seasonal averages. Precipitation is expected to be slightly below average during the same period, suggesting that warmer but somewhat drier conditions could continue.

Residents should monitor updated forecasts, limit strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day and remain alert for changing weather conditions.

White House Expands Drug-Pricing Agreements to Nine Additional Manufacturers

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White House Expands Drug-Pricing Agreements to Nine Additional Manufacturers

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Monday that nine additional pharmaceutical companies have agreed to participate in his administration’s effort to reduce prescription drug prices in the United States.

The agreements are part of the administration’s Most Favored Nation initiative, which seeks to align certain U.S. medication prices with lower prices available in other countries. The new commitments bring the total number of participating manufacturers to 26, representing approximately 89% of the country’s branded prescription drug market, according to a White House fact sheet.

The nine companies joining the initiative are Alcon, Astellas Pharma, BeOne Medicines, BridgeBio, CSL, Kyowa Kirin, Sun Pharma, Teva Pharmaceuticals and UCB.

The White House said the agreements cover medications used to treat several chronic, rare and costly conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, hemophilia, glaucoma, macular degeneration, liver disease, skin disorders and certain forms of cancer.

State Medicaid programs will also receive access to the negotiated prices for products manufactured by the nine companies. However, the extent to which the agreements will reduce individual patients’ out-of-pocket expenses remains unclear because Medicaid already receives federally required drug discounts.

Administration officials estimate that the broader pricing initiative could save Americans more than $600 billion over the next decade. That figure is a projection and will depend on how the agreements are implemented and how broadly the reduced prices are made available.

As part of the arrangements, the nine manufacturers have collectively committed to investing at least $19.6 billion in U.S. pharmaceutical production. Several companies will also contribute ingredients used to manufacture certain medications to the Strategic Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Reserve, an effort intended to strengthen the country’s emergency drug supply and reduce dependence on foreign sources.

The administration has previously reached similar agreements with 17 pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk.

Some participating manufacturers are also offering discounted medications through TrumpRx, the administration’s prescription-drug purchasing platform. The White House reports that patients have saved more than $700 million through the service since its launch in February.

Trump initially revived the Most Favored Nation policy through an executive order signed in May 2025. The administration is continuing to promote the initiative as part of its broader healthcare affordability agenda.

New Steubenville Restaurant Brings Fresh-Food Focus to Sinclair Avenue

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New Steubenville Restaurant Brings Fresh-Food Focus to Sinclair Avenue

STEUBENVILLE, Ohio — A new restaurant offering freshly prepared meals and an alternative to traditional fast food is now open in Steubenville.

Build A Bite opened in late August along Sinclair Avenue and is now fully operational. Owner Jennifer Brown said the restaurant focuses on simple, fresh ingredients while limiting the use of soy.

Brown had considered opening a restaurant for approximately 20 years before deciding it was time to pursue the idea. Her goal is to bring more real-food options to the community for customers seeking something different from typical fast-food offerings.

The restaurant has received an encouraging response during its first few weeks, particularly through residents sharing information about the business on social media. Brown said she hopes that support will help more people become familiar with its location.

Future plans for Build A Bite include expanding the experience by adding an art gallery featuring work from local artists.

River News Headlines: Arrests, Economic Development and Community Efforts Across the Ohio Valley

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River News Headlines: Arrests, Economic Development and Community Efforts Across the Ohio Valley

Several developing stories are making headlines across the Ohio Valley, including an armed robbery arrest, a major drug investigation and new economic development discussions.

The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office says a suspect is in custody following an armed robbery Monday morning at the Circle K in Scio. Deputies said the suspect fled in a stolen van that was identified with assistance from Tuscarawas County dispatchers.

Flock Safety license-plate reader cameras reportedly tracked the vehicle into Pennsylvania. Authorities from Jefferson County and Allegheny County assisted in locating and arresting the suspect near Imperial several hours after the robbery.

In Belmont County, two Cleveland men are facing trafficking charges after investigators reportedly recovered more than 100 grams of cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl and heroin, along with approximately $6,500 in cash.

The Belmont County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspects as Leneal Johnson and Jermaine Walton. Detectives said the investigation remains active and additional arrests are possible.

Meanwhile, U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno visited the Cardinal Power Plant in Jefferson County on Monday. During the visit, Moreno pledged to support efforts to lower electricity costs in rural Ohio and discussed federal funding previously directed toward modernizing the facility. He also expressed support for keeping Unit 3 operating beyond 2028.

Toronto officials are considering the creation of a new tax-incentive area intended to encourage economic development. The Jefferson County Land Bank presented the proposal last week. Officials emphasized that the idea remains under consideration, pointing to Steubenville’s experience with a similar development tool.

Fox Run Center has also issued a statement following the arrest of its director, 59-year-old Randall Mackendrick. The facility said Mackendrick has been placed on administrative leave and described the allegations as a personal matter involving conduct outside the facility and unrelated to patient care. Fox Run said patient safety remains its highest priority.

Wheeling Health Right is asking residents, businesses and community organizations to participate in its Community Care Drive throughout September. The nonprofit is collecting food, personal-hygiene products and winter essentials for Ohio Valley families. The campaign concludes Sept. 30 with its Fill the Mobile Unit Day.

In other regional news, 11-year-old Luke Giffen of Williamstown, West Virginia, placed second in the junior division at the Pokémon World Championships in San Francisco. Giffen advanced to the final before losing in a tiebreaker. He previously won an international championship in New Orleans in June.

Ohio drivers are also showing increased support for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library through the state’s specialty license-plate program. According to the Ohio Department of Public Safety, $25 from each plate sold supports the childhood literacy initiative.

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