DeWine seeks immediate federal storm damage assessments

August 26, 2026

The state of Ohio has asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration to expedite damage assessments as soon due to the repetitive and ongoing storm impacts. The request impacts Washington, Noble, Muskingum and Morgan counties, among others affected by recent storms. Severe storms have caused flooding and tornados. Three tornados touched land at the same time in Washington County last month. Because storms have continuously caused increasing damage, Gov. Mike DeWine is requesting that joint preliminary assessment teams from FEMA and SBA begin ...

West Virginia election officials monitoring rulings on absentee voting by mail

August 26, 2026

CHARLESTON – The U.S. Supreme Court handed President Donald Trump a partial victory for an executive order placing certain restrictions on mail-in voting, though the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office said those restrictions likely will not affect the November general election. The ...

Wood County Board of Education weighs former Fairplains school demolition

August 26, 2026

PARKERSBURG – Repeated break-ins at the former Fairplains Elementary School have left the interior stripped of copper wiring, gasoline siphoned from cars and windows broken, prompting Wood County Schools officials to say demolishing the building may now be cheaper than renovating it. Safety ...

Parkersburg City Council advances recycling changes, sends food truck ordinance back

August 26, 2026

PARKERSBURG – Members of Parkersburg City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance designed to comply with a judge’s order about the municipal recycling program – after amending it to reflect suggestions from the plaintiff in a lawsuit that prompted the ruling – and voted ...

Waste Authority studying possibility of recycling drop-off site

August 26, 2026

PARKERSBURG - A local agency is studying whether it can establish a recycling drop off site in Wood County. A location close to the interstate and U.S. 50 would be ideal to benefit the most residents and existing recycling providers, Sarah Robinson, executive director of the Wood County Solid ...

Liotti releases single about pet

August 26, 2026

A Parkersburg native who is a writer, actor and performer has released a song about a beloved pet that died. “Before I Go” by Rob Liotti is available at all major digital streaming platforms and radio providers across the country. The song can be heard on YouTube. Liotti, who now lives ...