PARKERSBURG — The Wood County Sheriff’s Office released the following reports for the period from Feb. 28-March 6:

* During that period, deputies responded/answered 340 calls including: 87 traffic stops; 51 speak with complainant by phone or in person; 12 domestic calls/domestic violence protective orders served; 14 traffic crashes; eight mental hygiene order/pick up/transport; six suspicious person/vehicle; 10 residence/business/area check; 16 disorderly driver/subject; eight warrant service/warrant attempt; 10 intrusion alarm; 14 assist motorist/assist agency; eight check welfare/check subject; and three animal complaints.

Feb. 28

* A vehicle crash occurred on Red Hill Road/Whispering Oaks Lane. The driver was westbound on Red Hill Road, the windshield was not defrosted completely and she could not see well out of it. She went onto the shoulder and over-corrected on her steering causing the vehicle to spin around in the roadway and go off the right shoulder while now traveling backward. The vehicle struck one leg of a three legged road sign also striking some small trees coming to rest in a yard on Red Hill Road. The vehicle was towed and no injuries reported.

* Deputies responded to Crestview Circle in reference to a domestic incident. Paul Anthony Welch, 52, was arrested on a charge of violation of a domestic violence protective order as he was out on bond which prevented him from making contact with the female who was also present in the residence. He was transported to the Holding Center for processing and placed.

* Matthew Carl Fordyce, 36, of 17th Avenue, turned himself in on a warrant for Violation of a domestic violence protective order. He was processed, arraigned and released on a personal recognizance bond.

* A deputy responded to Division Street in reference to a hit-and-run which had occurred near U.S. 50 on W.Va. 892/DuPont Road close to Fairlawn Baptist Church parking lot entrance. The driver of the Buick had fled the scene after hitting the other vehicle. A citation was issued to Chanda Jo Ocurran, 42, of Princeton Street, for leaving the scene and expired OLN.

* Amber Marie Gorrell, 42, of Tygart Street, was issued a citation for No MVI and given a verbal warning on defective equipment.

* Deputies responded to Staunton Turnpike in reference to attempting to serve a domestic violence protective order and also to attempt three warrants. Matthew Wayne Carpenter, 42, was served with a domestic violence protective order and arrested on the three warrants for violation of a domestic violence protective order. He was transported to the Holding Center for processing and confined pending his arraignment.

March 1

* A vehicle crash occurred on Staunton Turnpike/Atkinson Ridge Road. The driver stated he was driving westbound on W.Va. 47 when a deer ran in front of his vehicle, he swerved to miss the deer and his right tires went off the pavement pulling him off the road and into the ditch. He struck the ditch and embankment coming to rest facing the opposite direction in the ditch. The vehicle was towed and the driver reported no injuries.

* A citation was issued to Joshua Eugene Mason, 36, of Virginia Avenue, for expired registration.

* Deputies responded to Little Kanawha River Road in reference to an unwanted person. The complainant stated she was the petitioner of a DVPO and she was granted the residence. Deputies arrived at the residence and observed the vehicle in the driveway belonging to the male subject. Upon knocking several times, banging on the windows and using the cruiser’s siren and air horn to create more noise no one would answer the door. Per phone conversation with the petitioner she had someone come with a key for the deputies to enter the residence. Upon opening the door and announcing Sheriff’s Office the male stepped from a bedroom. Howard Robert Lauderman, 59, of 16th Street, was arrested on charges of violation of a domestic violence protective order and obstructing. He was transported to the Holding Center for processing and placement pending his arraignment.

* A traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle after it was observed to have an expired inspection sticker. The Deputy was also informed that the driver had a capias on file. Charles Dana Johnson Sr., 60, of Division Street, was arrested on the capias for failure to appear issued through Family Court. He was transported to the Holding Center for processing.

March 2

* A deputy responded to Red Hill Road in reference to a vehicle fire. East Wood Volunteer Fire Department was on scene fighting the fire with the deputy observing a sedan style car consumed by the fire in a rear parking area along the wood line. The complainant stated he had been working on his Volkswagen Passat when a fire developed in the engine compartment, he attempted to extinguish the fire however it grew out of control with the vehicle having about $50 of fuel in the tank.

* A traffic stop was conducted after observing a SUV with a trailer not having taillights or registration plate displayed on the trailer. While conversing with both the driver and passenger they provided the deputy with their suspected marijuana. Kyle Ywain Life Sr., 37, of Belleville Drive, was issued a citation for possession of a controlled substance (marijuana) and no proof of insurance and a citation was issued to Austin Richard Dailey, 29, of Wildwood Drive, for possession of a controlled substance (marijuana).

* A traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle after it was observed to have an expired registration and expired MVI. The driver stated his license was suspended for unpaid citations (dispatch confirmed). A citation was issued to Patrick Steven Johnson, 40, of Juliana Street, for second-offense driving on suspended/revoked and given a verbal warning for the expired registration and expired MVI.

* A traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle after it was observed with an expired registration in June 2024 belonging on a Ford, this vehicle was a Chevrolet Cruz. The driver stated upon purchasing the vehicle he did not have it properly registered. There was no insurance on the vehicle as it had expired June 2023. A citation was issued to Wesley Levi Long, 38, of Windsor Circle, Mineral Wells, for improper registration and no insurance.

* A citation was issued to Lydia A. Ervin, 54, of Heather Place, Washington, W.Va., for expired registration.

* A citation was issued to Tammy Jo Varner, 58, of 58th Avenue, for expired MVI.

* A citation was issued to Marqueta Jo Stephens, 72, of Lewis Avenue, for expired registration.

* A traffic stop was conducted as the vehicle was observed with an expired MVI. Contact was made with the driver and passenger and advised them of the reason for the stop. The driver stated she was also suspended (verified through dispatch). A citation was issued to Tiffanie Renee Perry, 43, of Zanesville, Ohio, for third-offense driving on suspended/revoked and expired MVI.

* A citation was issued to Bradley Allen Richards, 44, of Ninth Avenue, for expired MVI.

* A citation was issued to Corie Lee Rhodes, 32, of Ravenswood, for expired registration.

* Deputies responded to Staunton Turnpike in reference to a vehicle crash with possible injuries. Upon arrival the driver had no injuries and was outside the vehicle. The driver stated he was westbound on Staunton Turnpike when he had a coughing fit causing him to lose control of the vehicle and exit the roadway to the right. The vehicle was towed.

* A traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle as the registration plate was being obstructed by a smoked license cover making viewing the plate impossible. Upon contact with the driver he stated he did not have Insurance on the vehicle and a local check through dispatch showed suspended. A citation was issued to Roy Daniel McElfresh, 42, of Willoughby, Ohio, for driving on suspended/revoked and no insurance.

* A deputy while observing traffic near the 171 mm of I-77 noted a vehicle traveling southbound at what appeared to be speeds greater than the posted 70 mph limit. Emergency lights were activated where the vehicle yielded at the 170 mm coming to a stop. While speaking with the driver and two passengers the odor of marijuana was detected emitting from inside the vehicle. The driver stated he was in possession of the marijuana and removed it from a sweatshirt pocket. Citations were issued to Mack F. Marks, 37, of Cleveland, Ohio, for speeding (93 mph in a 70 mph zone), no operators and possession of a controlled substance (marijuana). The vehicle was parked and a valid driver arrived to drive the vehicle home and pick up the occupants.

* A traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle and upon contact with the driver and passenger the male stated that he and the passenger had just met and did not know each other, he was very nervous, shaking and talking rapidly. The K-9 Sergeant arrived with the K-9 indicating on the vehicle. Drugs were located along with a hypodermic needle. Jessica Danielle Meredith, 40, of Ravenswood, was arrested on a charge of possession of a controlled substance. She was transported to the Holding Center for processing and placed. The driver, Timothy Ray Albright, 63, of W. Lake Street, was issued a citation for driving on suspended/revoked.

March 3

* A two-vehicle crash on Elizabeth Pike with no injuries was investigated. Vehicle 1 was at the intersection of Elizabeth Pike and Elizabeth Pike Bypass and was turning left onto W.Va. 14 northbound. Vehicle 2 was heading south on W.Va. 14 at which time Vehicle 1 did not see Vehicle 2 and pulled out in front of it without enough clearance. The front of Vehicle 1 struck the rear passenger tire of Vehicle 2, spinning it around and causing a 50-gallon gas tank to fly out of the bed of the truck and land in the northbound lane. The fuel leaked out of the tank and Vehicle 2 came to a rest on the right side of the southbound lane. Vehicle 1 moved out of the roadway and into the parking lot of the Comfort Suites. Both vehicles were towed. A citation was issued to the driver of Vehicle 1, Rebecca Lynn Thompson, 48, of Fox Run Road, Mineral Wells, for no insurance.

* A citation was issued to Nicholas Mark Bagnall, 35, of Coeburn, Va., for speeding (86 in a 70 mph zone).

* A citation was issued to Aaron M. Blavos, 44, of Oakwood Avenue, Marietta, for speeding (83 in a 70 mph zone).

* A citation was issued to Toni Renee Fluharty, 23, of Seventh Avenue, for speeding (78 in a 65 mph zone).

* A deputy was dispatched to a road rage incident in the area of I-77 where the problem party was tailgating the caller and then passing and not allowing the caller to pass. The deputy positioned his cruiser in the median at the 170 mm of I-77 observing the northbound traffic staged for the vehicles to pass. It appeared that the caller was attempting to get around the problem party but was unsuccessful. The deputy pulled onto the roadway to attempt to catch the vehicles posting the problem party vehicle to be going 83 in a 70 mph zone. A traffic stop was conducted. The driver stated he did not know what the problem was that led to the road rage. A citation was issued to Shah-Ameer Terrill Watson, 22, of Akron, Ohio, for driving on suspended/revoked. He was advised to pull into the Marathon where he was instructed to wait for a ride from Akron as he could not continue to drive the vehicle.

* A deputy while patrolling on U.S. 50 observed the Division of Highways had crewmen actively working in the eastbound lanes with vehicles present in the closed off lanes with emergency lamps activated and also observed numerous signage of the road work and restrictions of lane closure posting the limit restricted speed limit to 50 mph. The deputy observed a vehicle clearly traveling at a speed greater than the posted 50 mph speed (radar confirmed) with the crewmen still working on the highway. Emergency lights were activated and a traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle. A citation was issued to Steven Michael Eddy, 61, of Pumpkin Knob Road, for speeding (62 in a 50 mph construction zone) and no proof of insurance.

* A traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle after it was observed to have an orange 2023 registration sticker. Upon contact with the driver she stated she knew the registration was not valid she was currently trying to get it registered, she did not have insurance or an MVI. A citation was issued to Kortney Elisa Elam, 24, of Warren Avenue, for no insurance and expired registration and she was given a verbal warning for no MVI. The vehicle was towed.

* A deputy while traveling northbound on I-77 entering the construction zone near the U.S. 50 interchange with proper signage and flashing lights observed a vehicle pass the deputy at a high rate of speed well above the posted 55 mph zone. The deputy bumped his siren in an attempt to slow the vehicle however the vehicle continued. A traffic stop was conducted with the driver being argumentative. A citation was issued to Tanner Coy Rake, 29, of 12th Avenue, for speeding (69 in a 55 mph construction zone) and no proof of insurance.

March 4

* A deputy while traveling westbound on the Juliana Street Bridge to enter U.S. 50 westbound observed a vehicle traveling westbound on U.S. 50 at an extremely high rate of speed as it approached the Marrtown Road underpass. The deputy began following the vehicle for about one mile with emergency lights and siren activated with the vehicle failing to slow, as it approached the 2.5 mm the vehicle abruptly slowed and pulled onto the shoulder of U.S. 50, at this time a traffic stop was conducted. A citation was issued to David Allen Settle, 38, of Larkmead Road, for speeding (90 in a 65 mph zone).

* A traffic stop was conducted as a vehicle was observed on U.S. 50 from Red Hill Road approaching the deputy at a speed greater than the posted 65 mph. A citation was issued to Simon Aric Mitchell, 48, of Mooresville, Ind., for speeding (90 in a 65 mph zone).

* A deputy while on U.S. 50 near East Seventh Street received a call advising of a disorderly motorist traveling east being a dark colored motorcycle. At I-77 and U.S. 50 the motorcycle was observed and a registration check showed the plate to be terminated. A traffic stop was conducted near Elizabeth Pike. The driver was unable to provide proof of his registration or proof of insurance. He also did not have a motorcycle endorsement. A citation was issued to Scott Allen Pennington, 55, of Sandyville. for no proof of insurance and no motorcycle endorsement. He was advised to contact the DMV about his registration issue. The driver agreed to park the motorcycle until a friend arrived to tow it.

* Tina Louise Shears, 47, of Pennsboro, was arrested on a Capias for failure to appear on a charge of embezzlement. She was transported to the Holding Center for processing, arraigned before a magistrate and due to there being No Bond on the Capias she was confined back into the Holding Center pending transport to North Central Regional Jail.

* A traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle after it was observed with a defective registration light. Upon speaking with the driver the odor of marijuana was detected emitting from inside the vehicle. Upon asking the driver if any marijuana was inside the vehicle she provided the deputy a plastic baggie from her purse containing a green leafy substance suspected to be marijuana. A citation was issued to Stacey Lynn Bartlett, 59, of Green Meadows Addition, for possession of marijuana and given a verbal warning on the defective equipment.

* A deputy while patrolling south in the construction zone of Emerson Avenue observed a vehicle traveling south in front of the deputy going left of center by crossing the double yellow center line on at least four separate occasions. Emergency lights were activated and a traffic stop was conducted. Upon contact with the driver and passenger ID was required from both with the driver stating his was suspended. A search of the passenger purse revealed suspected marijuana and suspected methamphetamine which the passenger stated the driver gave her to hide, the driver admitted to this. Dustin Glen Leffel, 44, of Middle Hill Road, Waverly, was arrested on charges of second-offense driving on suspended/revoked, possession of a controlled substance (marijuana), possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), left of center and defective equipment. He was transported to the Holding Center for processing, arraigned before a magistrate and given a $500 PR bond with specifications of bond to receive treatment. The passenger left with the vehicle.

* A deputy while observing traffic on I-77 noted a vehicle traveling southbound at a speed believed to be greater than the posted 70 mph limit (radar confirmed). A traffic stop was conducted and a citation was issued to Jenny Rebecca Whisman, 49, of Charleston for speeding (88 in a 70 mph zone).

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Wood County Sheriff’s Office reports for March 5-6 will run online after they have run in print.