UP: To Wood County 911 dispatcher Aaron Fleenor who on Wednesday morning helped nervous father Paul Russell deliver his brand new baby daughter. Russell's wife Lindsay went into labor with the family's third child early Wednesday and when her water broke they left for the hospital. Russell was forced to stop in the Blennerhassett Volunteer Fire Department parking lot and call 911 when his wife could no longer wait. Fleenor, a dispatcher since 1999, said this was his first such incident. He was able to talk Russell through the delivery. Emergency medical people took the Russells to the hospital where both mother and baby, Avalea, were doing well.
DOWN: To the absolute loathsome group of thieves who broke into a Parkersburg family's home while the family was attending the funeral of a relative. The family returned from the funeral home to find their front door kicked open, the home ransacked and several items missing. While it is hard to be surprised about the actions of some people these days, this has to approach a new low. As Parkersburg police Sgt. Greg Collins told the newspaper, "It's futile to try and apply any rationale to a crime like this. I'm certain there is a special place in the afterlife for someone who commits this type of crime." Yes, that is undoubtedly true. However, let us hope these despicable lowlifes are captured so they can also spend a considerable amount of time in a special place reserved for people like them before they reach the afterlife.
UP: To the Rotary clubs that collected 20 generators and took them to Tucker County where they can be used in the disaster relief effort. On Thursday, Rotary District 7350 Gov. Greg Smith and fellow Rotarian Roy Greathouse took the 5,000 to 8,000kw generators where they will be dispersed to areas where they are needed the most.
DOWN: To the Wood County Board of Education for going into executive session to discuss a personnel issue which was not on the agenda. The was a violation of law as the board cannot add to its agenda once it is finalized. We hope this isn't going to be a regular practice with this board.
UP: To today's opening of the Winter Market. The winter version of the farmers market opens at WVU-P's Downtown Campus on Market Street from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and will include 10 vendors.
