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Southbound Lane of 11th Street in Cambridge to Close for Sidewalk Improvements

CAMBRIDGE, Ohio — Drivers in Cambridge should prepare for traffic changes beginning Monday, July 27, as a portion of 11th Street will be closed for an extended construction project.

Starting at 7 a.m., the southbound lane of 11th Street will be closed between Wheeling Avenue, near the Elks Lodge, and the stop sign at R’s First Auto Sales. The closure is expected to remain in place for approximately two months.

Construction crews will be installing new sidewalks, curbs and driveway aprons as part of the improvement project.

An official detour will direct southbound traffic across the Southgate Bridge, located directly across from the Guernsey County Courthouse.

Officials said all side streets in the construction area will remain open, allowing local access throughout the project.

Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead, expect delays and use the designated detour while work is underway.

Weirton Library Hosts Bingo Event to Promote Inclusion and Accessibility

WEIRTON, W.Va. — The Mary H. Weir Public Library welcomed community members Wednesday for a special bingo event celebrating Disability Independence and promoting a more inclusive environment for people with disabilities.

Participants enjoyed games of bingo with opportunities to win free books, candy and other prizes. Organizers said the event was designed to help individuals with disabilities feel more comfortable visiting the library and exploring its resources.

Library staff said some people with disabilities may hesitate to visit libraries because of literacy challenges or uncertainty about using available materials. The event encouraged participants to engage with books and library services in a welcoming, relaxed setting.

The bingo event was part of Weirton’s weeklong Disability Independence celebration, which highlights inclusion, accessibility and community engagement for people of all abilities.

West Virginia State Penitentiary Continues to Draw Visitors With Storied Past

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MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. — The West Virginia State Penitentiary continues to attract thousands of visitors each year, with its historic architecture, infamous past and paranormal reputation making it one of the state’s most recognizable landmarks.

The former maximum-security prison opened in 1866 and operated until 1995. During its history, the facility housed as many as 2,500 inmates—far exceeding its intended capacity.

General Manager Amanda Wolverton said the prison’s history includes notable events such as the 1986 New Year’s Eve riot, hundreds of escape attempts and 95 executions before West Virginia abolished the death penalty in 1965.

Wolverton also noted that Charles Manson once sought a transfer to the prison during the 1980s, but the request was denied.

Today, the former prison welcomes visitors for guided tours through its original cellblocks, offering a look into life behind its walls. Since joining the West Virginia Paranormal Trail, the site has drawn roughly 15,000 visitors each season and has also gained recognition as a filming location for movies and television productions.

Tours of the West Virginia State Penitentiary are offered annually from April 1 through Nov. 30.

Grand Vue Park Continues Expansion With New Attractions and Upgrades

MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. — Grand Vue Park continues to grow as one of the Ohio Valley’s premier outdoor recreation destinations, with new attractions and infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing the visitor experience.

Over the past two decades, the park has expanded to include a $3.2 million waterpark, ziplining, camping, hiking and an extensive trail system spanning hundreds of acres.

General Manager Craig White, who has led the park for the past 19 years, said the continued improvements have been made possible through support from the Marshall County Commission. In addition to major attractions, the park offers free outdoor activities such as disc golf, mountain biking trails and more than 40 geocaches.

The park is now undertaking its largest infrastructure project in nearly 20 years. Construction is underway on four new treetop villas, while more than $1 million is being invested in sewer improvements.

Officials are also paving trails throughout the park, allowing visitors staying in cabins to rent golf carts and travel safely without using Grand Vue Road.

White said there is still room for additional attractions in the future if funding and community support continue.

Secret Service Investigated 10,000 Threats Against Trump, Other Officials in 2026

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Secret Service investigated approximately 10,000 threats against President Donald Trump and other protected officials during 2026, according to Secret Service Director Sean Curran.

Speaking to reporters ahead of Friday’s rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Curran said the agency is facing the most active threat environment he has seen in his 24-year career.

“The threat picture and environment is as large as I’ve ever seen it,” Curran said, noting the agency investigated roughly 7,000 threats during the same period in 2025.

The Secret Service provides protection for about three dozen individuals, including the president, vice president, their immediate families and others in the presidential line of succession. Officials said most threats originate online and are treated as potentially credible until investigators determine whether a suspect has the intent, means and ability to carry out an attack.

Curran also defended the agency’s response to the April shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, where prosecutors allege 31-year-old Cole Allen attempted to assassinate President Trump and other government officials before being stopped by Secret Service personnel at a security checkpoint.

Allen has pleaded not guilty to multiple federal charges, including attempted assassination of the president, assaulting a federal law enforcement officer and firearms offenses.

This year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner will be held Friday at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, D.C., where officials say enhanced security measures and new access procedures will be in place.

Trump Announces Civil Nuclear Deal With Saudi Arabia Tied to Abraham Accords

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WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Thursday that the United States will move forward with a civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, but only if the kingdom agrees to join the Abraham Accords.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the proposed agreement would allow Saudi Arabia to develop civilian nuclear facilities for non-military purposes and would not permit uranium enrichment.

“The Civil Nuclear Deal… will be approved, but is totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords,” Trump wrote.

The announcement came one day after U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman signed a peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement. The agreement, announced by the U.S. Department of Energy, did not initially mention Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords as a condition.

The proposed deal must still be reviewed by Congress, and it remains unclear how Trump’s new condition could affect the agreement.

Saudi Arabia has long maintained that it will not normalize relations with Israel until there is a clear pathway toward establishing a Palestinian state.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office welcomed the possibility of Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords, calling it a significant opportunity to expand peace in the Middle East.

Ohio Officials Warn of Utility Scam Targeting Older Residents

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COLUMBUS, Ohio — State officials are warning Ohio residents about a scam targeting older adults by posing as employees of the Ohio Department of Aging.

According to the department, scammers are calling residents and claiming to discuss utility bills in an attempt to obtain banking and other financial account information.

Officials emphasized that the Ohio Department of Aging does not contact residents by phone to request banking or financial information.

Anyone who receives a suspicious call is urged to hang up immediately and avoid sharing personal or financial details. Residents should be especially cautious of callers who pressure them to act quickly or threaten utility shutoffs.

Suspected scams can be reported to the Federal Trade Commission through its online fraud reporting system or to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office using its consumer complaint process.

Steubenville Pursues Funding for Parks and Recreation Improvements

STEUBENVILLE, Ohio — The City of Steubenville is seeking new funding that could help advance future improvement projects at parks and recreation facilities through the Mayors’ Partnership for Progress initiative.

During Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Ralph Petrella said the city has applied to participate in the organization’s Technical Assistance Program, which provides funding for engineering studies needed before many capital improvement projects can move forward.

City officials recently met with representatives from the organization to discuss potential opportunities and identify projects that may qualify for assistance.

Among the projects being considered is a roof replacement for the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, which the city has been evaluating since April. Officials are also looking at the Starter House in Belleview Park to determine whether repairs or a roof replacement may be needed.

Petrella said the city plans to focus much of the potential funding on parks and recreation facilities and hopes the program will provide resources to help complete projects without placing additional strain on local finances.

The city’s application is expected to be completed by the end of the week, with officials anticipating additional information about the program in the coming weeks.

First Lettuce, Now Eggs: Another Major Food Recall Raises Questions

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Another large food recall is drawing national attention, just weeks after a widespread lettuce recall, as nearly 1.6 million cartons of eggs have been voluntarily recalled over possible salmonella contamination.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the recall affects 1,589,577 cartons of white and brown eggs produced by Midwest Poultry Services between June 6 and July 3. The eggs carry sell-by or best-by dates ranging from July 20 through Aug. 17, 2026.

The recalled products were distributed to foodservice and retail customers in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana, including Kroger and Brookshire Grocery stores, along with other smaller retailers. A variety of Kroger, Simple Truth, Brookshire’s, Country Morning and Sunups branded eggs are included in the recall.

Officials say the eggs may be contaminated with Salmonella enteritidis, a bacterium that can cause fever, diarrhea and stomach cramps, particularly in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. At the time the recall was announced, no illnesses had been linked to the affected eggs.

Consumers who have recalled eggs are advised not to eat them and should return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund. The FDA has also published a full list of affected products, including plant codes, UPCs and date ranges, to help consumers determine whether their eggs are included in the recall.

Pennsylvania Officer Charged After Allegedly Removing Body Camera Before Incident

CAMBRIA TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A Cambria Township police officer is facing criminal charges after investigators allege he removed his body camera before having inappropriate and unlawful contact with a woman while on duty.

According to Pennsylvania State Police, Walter Joseph Maul Jr., 36, has been charged with misdemeanor counts of official oppression and false imprisonment, as well as summary charges of harassment and disorderly conduct.

The investigation began in May after the Cambria Township Police Department requested assistance from state police regarding allegations involving one of its officers.

Investigators say the incident occurred on May 16 at approximately 8:30 p.m. while Maul was on duty and in full uniform. Authorities allege he texted an adult woman he knew earlier that day before going to her apartment.

State police allege Maul removed his department-issued body camera and left it in his patrol vehicle before entering the residence. Once inside, investigators say he engaged in inappropriate and unlawful contact with the woman, including placing her in handcuffs.

Following an interview with Maul, the Cambria County District Attorney’s Office approved the criminal charges.

Pennsylvania State Police said they could not comment on Maul’s employment status, referring questions to the Cambria Township Police Department. Investigators are asking anyone with additional information about the case to contact the Pennsylvania State Police station in Ebensburg.