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Transportation needs to be discussed at public meeting

PARKERSBURG - A public meeting focusing on the transportation needs in West Virginia for older adults, individuals with disabilities and the public will be held from 3-4 p.m. Sept. 22 at the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council, 709 Market St., Parkersburg. The meeting, one of 11 around the state to update the transportation plan, covers the Region 5 counties of Calhoun, Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Tyler, Wirt and Wood. Consultants to the West Virginia Division of Multimodal-Facilities-Transit Section are updating the coordinated human services transportation plans in the state’s ...

One man killed in Athens County accident

ATHENS – One person was killed in a motorcycle accident Sunday afternoon in Athens County, according to the Athens Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. A 2005 Harley-Davidson driven by Thomas W. Burson, 45, The Plains, south on South Plains Road went off the right side of the road striking a curb and a sign, the post said. The accident happened around 1:30 p.m. Burson was taken to Fairfield Medical Center, then to the Adena Regional Medical Center for further evaluation, the post said. He died at the hospital as a result of the injuries, the post said. Athens County EMS and The ...

Parkersburg man pleads guilty to federal gun crime

CHARLESTON – A Parkersburg man has pleaded guilty in federal court for the Southern District of West Virginia to possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. According to court documents and statements made in court, Alphonso LeSean Johnson, 36, on April 8, 2025, possessed a Taurus model G3C 9mm pistol, United States Attorney Moore Capito said. Federal law prohibits a person convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Johnson knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his ...

Wood County Commission discusses development in the area

PARKERSBURG – Wood County has some prospects in the search for economic development projects, local development officials told the Wood County Commission Monday. Lindsey Piersol, executive director of Wood County Economic Development, and Andy Daniel, president of the Wood County Airport ...

Lawmakers seek compromise on Raylee’s Law

CHARLESTON – A group of lawmakers are trying to avoid the drama of the last night of the Legislature and find agreement on a draft bill meant to protect students from being pulled out of public school while under child welfare reviews, but homeschool advocates remain opposed and some ...

50th Sternwheel Fest in the books

MARIETTA – The 50th Ohio River Sternwheel Festival this weekend in Marietta is in the history books. About 30 sternwheel boats docked at the Ohio River Levee where residents gathered and enjoyed food and live music from performers, vendors, artisans on Front and Second streets and ...