PARKERSBURG - Newly elected Wood County officials will take the oath of office during an 11 a.m. ceremony Friday in the lobby of the Wood County Courthouse.
Commission President Blair Couch will be sworn in for a second term. Couch defeated his Democratic opponent attorney Harry Deitzler in the November general election to reclaim his seat.
Sheriff-elect Ken Merritt and his newly appointed chief law enforcement deputy Lt. Shawn Graham and new chief tax deputy Bob Tranquill will be sworn in as well. Graham has worked for the sheriff's office for 24 years. Tranquill has been chief tax deputy for the three terms in office previously served by Merritt as sheriff. Merritt defeated incumbent sheriff Jeff Sandy to take back the sheriff's post.
Assessor Rich Shaffer and Prosecutor Jason Wharton will both take the oath of office Friday as well. Both incumbents were unopposed in the election.
County surveyor Scott Stewart is also scheduled to take the oath of office on Friday.
The new terms for the officials begin Jan. 1.
