MedleyStory

Residents voice concerns about violence in Steubenville

Tue, 22 May 2012 23:28:03 -0400

The meeting got heated, as frustrated residents took the floor to voice their concerns and council members made it known that they won't tolerate the violence anymore.

"Those bullets that rang out (Monday night) could have very well been in my baby's bedroom. My 4-year-old wants to know why they're killing us," said Ayonna Muhammad of Steubenville. "I wouldn't want that for my child and I wouldn't want that for anyone else's child."

During the meeting, council members did their best to answer the dozens of questions about safety and violence that came their way. As residents used the meeting to voice concerns and pass along ideas to council members.

"I've had family members that have passed away due to the shootings and we just want to find an avenue where everyone can come together to try and stop it from happening," said a concerned Jawaun Brown.

Residents were heard loud and clear. "They're getting scared and they want to get involved they have little kids and those people they deserve to be able to come outside and sit on their porches," said 1st Ward Councilman Gerald DiLoreto. "It's a shame. I feel bad for them and the whole city."

The city says they have taken a stand against the violence and have called on other law enforcement offices for help, including the Ohio State highway Patrol and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.

"Enough is enough. We are taking back our community and we're not going to put up with it," said Steubenville City Manager Cathy Davison. "If you want to break the law here then get out because we're coming."

Attorney requests charges be dismissed after Christmas incident that left officer, man injured

Tue, 22 May 2012 17:33:15 -0400

A man's attorney asked a judge on Tuesday to dismiss charges filed after an incident involving a police officer in Wells Township.

Barry Starcher faces charges of obstructing official business and failure to disclose one's personal information.

During Tuesday's hearing, a judge listened to testimony from the officer involved and saw a video interview of Starcher.

The testimony and statement was presented by assistant prosecutor Jeff Bruzzese with regard to what's been made public about the case so far.

The case drew attention months ago when defense attorney Thomas Watkins spoke to NEWS9 about an incident Christmas night involving Starcher; Starcher's boyfriend, James Coil; and Wells Township Police Officer J.J. Kamerer.

Kamerer took the stand during Tuesday's hearing.

"When I rolled my window down, I asked if everything was OK. They began cussing at me," Kamerer said. "Mr. Coil started to walk away from me and I said, 'Hey stop -- what's going on? Hold on for a minute. Come back here.' And when he came towards me, I said, 'What's going on? What are you guys doing?' And that's when I was shoved."

Starcher's statement to a detective the day after the incident played in court recalls a more heightened reaction from the officer.

Starcher said, "The door flew open. He flew up out of the car and he said, 'You better do what the f*** I tell you to do when I tell you.' And that was what started it. … Then I hear him start to scream. I open my eyes and a car is pushing him forward and then he went flying."

Both the officer and Coil went to the hospital after the incident with severe injuries.

During closing statements, the defense tried to briefly bring up a claim that a possible motive for the officer's stop may have been because of the defendant's sexual orientation.

"That's disgusting for him to say that in this court," Bruzzese said. "There's not even any testimony to that effect, nothing to even suggest that. That's just reprehensible to me for that to even be mentioned and inferred in this case."

Watkins, Starcher's defense attorney, said, "The stop by the officer was to see if they needed help. Once they ascertained that they did not need help, it was beyond his authority to get out of the car and escalate the situation."

Kamerer defended his actions.

"It's almost 10 until 10 p.m. at nighttime. It's Christmas night. There's not a lot of people on the roadways. They're by an interstate by a highway. They're by the on- and off-ramps of state Route 7 near places that have been broken into in the past."

The purpose of Tuesday's hearing was only to rule on the validity of the initial stop. Judge David Scarpone said he is taking time to research the points brought up in the case and expects to have a decision within a few weeks.

Stay with NEWS9, WTOV9.com and WTOV9 Mobile for continuing coverage.

Mario Lemieux Foundation builds special playroom for children at Wheeling Hospital

Tue, 22 May 2012 16:58:11 -0400

Children visiting and being treated at Wheeling Hospital will be able to enjoy a generous gift from the family of a Pittsburgh sports legend.

The facility -- called Austin's Playroom -- is one of just a few in the country designed to ease the minds of children staying at the hospital.

The Mario Lemieux Foundation has created a comfortable room for children at the hospital, an idea sparked from the premature birth of the Lemieux family's son and namesake of the project, Austin.

Experiences with the family's young children while Austin was being treated are what inspired Nathalie Lemieux to create the Austin's Playroom project in 2000. Since then, 26 other hospitals have been given a playroom by the Lemieuxs, each complete with an uplifting colorful backdrop, games, toys and even an aquarium.

Dr. Judy Romano of the hospital's Center For Pediatrics said the room is a "place where they can come be a child. Where nothing bad is going to happen to them. Where it's nothing but good. And we are so very excited."

Around noon on Tuesday, Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston Bishop Michael Bransfield and Nathalie Lemieux cut a blue ribbon, officially opening Austin's Playroom in Wheeling Hospital.

In the room, children's minds will be taken off the stressful notion of being with an ailing loved one or being ill themselves.

Wheeling Hospital Chief Executive Officer Ron Violi said, "We took a shot at this thing. …We were just really blessed that we got it. For Wheeling Hospital, a community hospital of our size, it's just wonderful."

Hospital officials said they had planned on building a playroom in Tower 5 anyway but said it was a true blessing to find out in the midst of its construction that they'd been awarded the Austin's Playroom grant.

Shots fired at group of people on Steubenville porch; 2 homes struck by bullets

Tue, 22 May 2012 16:18:30 -0400

Police are working to learn who fired shots Monday night in Steubenville at a group of people sitting on a porch.

The shooting happened in the area of 5th and 6th streets just off Lincoln Avenue.

Steubenville police said they believe a person got out of a car and fired at the people on the porch. People in that group started firing shots back, police said.

Bullets struck two homes and investigators towed a car from the scene as evidence. Officials are also interviewing witnesses.

Anyone with information is asked to call police or the NEWS9 Lauttamus Security Crime Busters Tipline at 800-862-BUST.

Arson that killed 3 boys, father ruled murder-suicide; domestic dispute preceded killings

Tue, 22 May 2012 09:26:33 -0400

A father intentionally set a fire that killed himself and his three young sons at an East Liverpool home, a final report has determined.

Ulrick Estimot, 37, set the March 17 fire to the home at 914 Vine St. house. He died along with his sons: Trey, 11, Terrell, 7, and Trenton, 5.

The Columbiana County coroner told NEWS9 the report, which was finalized Monday, determined that the blaze was a triple murder-suicide and all four died as a result of the fire that Estimot set.

The coroner has ruled the boys' deaths as murder by arson and the father's death as suicide by arson. All died from smoke inhalation.

Ulrick and Trenton Estimot were found on the first floor of the home, and Trey and Terrell were found on the second floor, according to the coroner's office.

Days after the fire, the children's mother, Angela Latshaw, told NEWS9, "They were just smiling, always happy. My 5-year-old loved to put a smile on somebody's face. The 11-year-old … they just all just loved to make people smile."

At a news conference on Tuesday in East Liverpool, officials said the murders and suicide happened the day after Estimont and Latshaw -- his girlfriend -- discussed ending their relationship.

"Mr. Estimont had said to his girlfriend that he could raise the three kids on his own and he was afraid of being alone, away from her," said East Liverpool Police Chief John Lane.

When Latshaw got home, she and a bystander broke in the door of the home. A witness said they tried to save the children, who were heard screaming inside the home.

Officials said Estimont poured gasoline throughout the house, including outside of the older boys' bedroom doors and downstairs, where he lit the fire.

"(The) point of origin was found to be at Mr. Estimont's location in the living room. There was a gas can that was found on the top on the landing that had melted down into the floor," Lane said.

Stay with NEWS9, WTOV9.com and WTOV9 Mobile for continuing coverage.

Bill Stewart remembered in his hometown

Mon, 21 May 2012 23:22:27 -0400

From his humble upbringings in Wetzel County. To his shining moments on college football's biggest stage Bill Stewart was and always will be a New Martinsville man first.

On Monday night locals recalled fond memories of the coach, the coach that was a Blue Eagle before he was ever a Mountaineer.

In 2010, Magnolia High School had it all as it claimed the state title and a homegrown hero was at the helm of the state's most beloved football program, at West Virginia University.

The school even named the field he grew up playing on in his honor. But he isn't just remembered for what he did on the football field. Everywhere you go there is always something or someone to remind you just how much he was loved in this small West Virginia town.

It is still unknown when services honoring Stewart will be held.

Wayward elk makes new home at wildlife center

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:00:00 -0400

The elk known as Elvis is now living like a king.

The once-wayward Marshall County elk is now being kept at the West Virginia State Wildlife Center in French Creek.

"He's living the high life!" said Gene Thorn, wildlife biologist in charge of the West Virginia State Wildlife Center.

Elvis is now officially known as Elk No. 200, and the State Wildlife Center should be the last stop in a long journey for an animal that one state didn't want and that another state wanted killed.

Pennsylvania refused to let the animal return, and many people in West Virginia wanted to kill the animal so it could be tested for chronic wasting disease.

"As an agency in West Virginia, the Division of Natural Resources is charged with protecting and managing wildlife for all the citizens of West Virginia, and we wanted to make sure that this particular escaped elk didn't represent any type of wildlife disease risk," said Paul Johansen, assistant chief in charge of game management for the West Virginia DNR.

However, ultimately it was decided that the elk would live and that it would be taken to the State Wildlife Center to be tested and monitored.

"All those potential diseases that we were concerned about, results came back negative," said Johansen. "So that bodes well for the elk."

The elk is still being monitored for chronic wasting disease -- the only disease that couldn't be tested for -- and is in excellent health.

West Virginia Delegate Randy Swartzmiller, a Democrat from Hancock County, was one of many state lawmakers to lobby on behalf of the elk. Swartzmiller said the best option would have been to return the elk to its home in Pennsylvania, but given the circumstances, this was the best result.

"I had people come up and say they would tune in to NEWS9 every evening just to see what the update on the elk was," Swartzmiller said, "So it was a good outcome for the elk."

After the elk was tested and quarantined for 90 days, he was moved into a service area of the Wildlife Center where he's now a part of the center's breeding herd.

"He's a very large animal for his age," said Thorn. "So, he's a good one genetically to add diversity to our heard here."

And while the elk should live comfortably at the center for the rest of his life, the transition hasn't been perfect.

"Anytime you introduce a new animal into a heard like this, there's a social structure pecking order, and they are still working that all out," Thorn said. "Just the fact that he was moved from Marshall County to here was a traumatic experience, and he's overcoming that."

-- Click here for more information about the Wildlife Center

Historian takes walk down memory lane: East Wheeling block slated for demolition was once bustling neighborhood

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:16:55 -0400

Decades before a Wheeling block became mainly vacant homes, it was a vibrant neighborhood. And on Monday, a local historian gave NEWS9 a trip back in time to when the block was booming.

The East Wheeling neighborhood is being demolished to make way for a public sports complex. But as late as the 1970s, blue collar residents called the block home and cars lined the streets in the once lively neighborhood.

"People still tell stories of whenever this was a vibrant neighborhood and, you know, everyone had flowers in the planters, and there were children playing in the yards," said Bekah Karelis, a historian with the Wheeling National Heritage Area Corporation.

Today, the homes are overgrown with brush. Some have been torn down already, and others -- like one that was once considered the gem of the neighborhood -- now need to be demolished before they collapse.

Karelis showed NEWS9 some of the landmark spots, like a playground that was formerly a cemetery where several of Wheeling's founders were buried.

She said the block started to go downhill in the 1980s, and "it's just gotten progressively worse since then."

"You know, the kids don't want the house whenever their parents pass away. Maybe they weren't as emotionally invested as the parents were. So they're either absentee landowners, and they live elsewhere while taking care of this house or they rent it out, which you know, renting out a house can take its toll," she said.

In one area, the stacks for Central Glass are still visible.

"It was located on the hillside over here, and that's who would have lived in East Wheeling -- all of the workers of Central Glass," Karelis said.

With regard to why the former family homes are now piles of rubble and mere shells of what they once were, she said, "Well it really wasn't anybody's fault, so to speak. Nothing or no one event happened to make it be that way. Just over the passage of time with the loss of industry there, it took the people with it. People moved out."

Horse set to become part of Bridgeport police force

Mon, 21 May 2012 15:56:51 -0400

There's a new officer in town at the Bridgeport Police Department.

Lakota, an 8-year-old gelding horse, will soon be helping to enforce the law in the village.

Bridgeport Police Lt. Jerry Delman has had Lakota for three years, he said during a special customer appreciation event at Advance America.

Chief Any Klotz said right now, a policy and procedure are being set up in the village so Lakota can become a commissioned police officer and jump onboard with the department.

"If somebody were to hit the horse or anything like that, we could charge them criminally for assaulting a police officer," Klotz said.

Not only will Lakota help enforce the law, but Klotz and Delman said Lakota will serve as the village's new public relations officer.

Delman said, "The horse seems to attract people to it. It gives us a chance to interact with the public on a more positive note, atmosphere, things like that."

The Bridgeport Council is drawing up a resolution for Lakota that is scheduled to be passed at its next meeting.

Franciscan University sues government for right 'to live the faith we believe'

Mon, 21 May 2012 12:26:53 -0400

Franciscan University of Steubenville has joined other Catholic organizations -- including the archdioceses of Washington, D.C., New York, and St. Louis -- in an effort to overturn the federal health care mandate.

Administrators said Monday the university has filed a federal lawsuit against Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and the Obama administration. According to a news release from the university, "The lawsuit, which was unanimously approved by Franciscan’s Board of Trustees, challenges the Obama administration’s unprecedented mandate that attacks the freedom to practice religion without government interference."

-- Click here to read the unedited news release from Franciscan University

Under the federal mandate, employers must provide insurance coverage that includes abortion-inducing drugs, contraceptives and sterilization procedures. Franciscan University officials maintain that the "requirement to fund and facilitate such activities violates its core religious and moral convictions as a Catholic university."

“Franciscan University’s mission is and always has been to teach from the heart of the Church,” said Franciscan University President Father Terence Henry, TOR, in the release. “The Obama administration’s mandate is a grave threat to our ability to carry out that mission. It makes it impossible for us to operate freely as a Catholic institution without overbearing and invasive governmental interference.”

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, seeks to have the mandate declared unconstitutional and enjoin the government from enforcing the requirement, the news release stated. Henry said a ruling could come down next month.

In addition to Franciscan University’s lawsuit, 42 other plaintiffs filed a total of 12 lawsuits on Monday in U.S. District courts around the country. Those plaintiffs are all Catholic organizations including dioceses, schools, universities, and charitable organizations.

-- Click here to read the full complaint

“The Church is speaking with one unified voice on this issue,” Henry said in the release. “Every single American bishop has condemned this unjust mandate as an unconscionable violation of religious liberty. If allowed to stand, it will coerce Christians into cooperating with acts that violate core tenets of our faith.”

When first proposed in August 2011 by the Department of Health and Human Services, the mandate was met by strong objections from numerous Catholic bishops, hospitals, and institutions. In January 2012, Obama and Sebelius said that the mandate would go into force as originally planned, with no accommodations made for individuals or groups who objected on religious grounds, Franciscan University's news release stated.

Catholic and Christian institutions were given one additional year to comply with the rule to “figure out how to violate our consciences in order to be in keeping with the law,” said Henry, echoing New York’s Timothy Cardinal Dolan. “It is our hope and fervent prayer that the courts and Congress will check this monumental overstep of the Executive Branch as soon as possible."

Henry said that Franciscan "did not go looking for this battle." The university has retained Jones Day, one of the world’s largest law firms “because it has the resources to fight the government as long as it takes, and we will settle for no less than a restoration of our First Amendment right to freedom of religion.”

In the release, Henry said, “Under no circumstances can Catholics be both in compliance with this new law and at the same time live the faith that we believe. Franciscan University will continue to stand with the Church in its opposition to this mandate. Our ancestors came to America because they knew that on these shores they would be free to faithfully live what they believed. This mandate is not only a grave infringement on religious liberty; it is a betrayal of those who sacrificed to make this country what it is today.”

For more information, including a video statement from Henry, visit www.franciscan.edu/ReligiousLiberty.

Reactor overheats, releases antifreeze vapors at Tuscarawas Co. chemical plant

Mon, 21 May 2012 11:55:44 -0400

Part of Interstate 77 was closed and residents were asked to stay indoors for several hours after a reactor overheated and released antifreeze vapors at a Tuscarawas County chemical plant on Monday.

The incident happened at Dover Chemical Corp. around 9:20 a.m. Monday. By 2 p.m., I-77 through Dover was reopened and Tuscarawas County sheriff's officials said people were cleared to go outside.

According to a news release from Dover Chemical, a reactor overheated and dipropylene glycol -- which is antifreeze -- vapors were released. The EMA had put a shelter in place and initially urged all people in the area to stay indoors.

The news released stated, "We are aware of two people who were driving by who went to two different hospitals for treatment of respiratory irritation."

The company said all employees were accounted for and no plant personnel or firefighters were injured.

Officials said crews were concerned about a vessel rupturing and causing a fire. As of 2 p.m., fire crews and plant personnel were cooling the vessel down and the process appeared to be working.

"The situation is ongoing but appears to be improving," the statement said.

Hazardous material teams from Tuscarawas and Stark counties are at the scene monitoring the situation, and fire departments form New Philadelphia, Strasburg, Bolivar, Sugarcreek and Smith Ambulance are also assisting.

According to the company's website, http://www.doverchem.com/, Dover Chemical Corp. "is a leading producer of alkylphenols, chlorinated paraffins, polymer additives, liquid and solid antioxidants (including organophosphites), flame retardants, and additives for water-based and oil-based metalworking fluids." The corporation is a subsidiary of ICC Industries Inc., which is headquartered in New York.

Stay with NEWS9, WTOV9.com and WTOV9 Mobile for continuing coverage as details become available.

UNEDITED NEWS RELEASE: Franciscan University Sues Government for Right “to Live the Faith We Believe”

Mon, 21 May 2012 11:33:18 -0400

May 21, 2012

Franciscan University joins rising tide, including the Archdioceses of Washington, D.C., New York, and St. Louis, seeking to overturn the HHS mandate.

STEUBENVILLE, OHIO—

Franciscan University of Steubenville announced today that it has filed a federal lawsuit against Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and the Obama administration. The lawsuit, which was unanimously approved by Franciscan’s Board of Trustees, challenges the Obama administration’s unprecedented mandate that attacks the freedom to practice religion without government interference.

Under the HHS mandate, employers must provide insurance coverage that includes abortion-inducing drugs, as well as contraceptives and sterilization procedures. Franciscan University maintains that the requirement to fund and facilitate such activities violates its core religious and moral convictions as a Catholic university.

“Franciscan University’s mission is and always has been to teach from the heart of the Church,” said University President Father Terence Henry, TOR. “The Obama administration’s mandate is a grave threat to our ability to carry out that mission. It makes it impossible for us to operate freely as a Catholic institution without overbearing and invasive governmental interference.”

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, seeks to have the mandate declared unconstitutional and enjoin the government from enforcing the requirement.

In addition to Franciscan University’s lawsuit, 42 other separate plaintiffs filed a total of 12 lawsuits today in U.S. District courts around the country. Those plaintiffs are all Catholic organizations and include Catholic dioceses, schools, universities, and charitable organizations. Numbered among the plaintiffs are the Archdioceses of New York, Washington, D.C., and St. Louis, as well as the Dioceses of Dallas, Ft. Worth, Rockville Centre, Pittsburgh, and the Michigan Catholic Conference, which represents all seven dioceses in the state.

“The Church is speaking with one unified voice on this issue,” said Father Henry. “Every single American bishop has condemned this unjust mandate as an unconscionable violation of religious liberty. If allowed to stand, it will coerce Christians into cooperating with acts that violate core tenets of our faith.”

When first proposed in August 2011 by the Department of Health and Human Services, the mandate was met by strong objections from numerous Catholic bishops, hospitals, and institutions. Although a small exemption for some religious institutions was written into the original proposal, it was too narrow to cover the vast majority of them, particularly those, like Catholic universities, which both employ and serve people of other faiths or no faith at all. The mandate effectively puts the federal government in the position of deciding which organizations are “religious enough.”

At the time, Franciscan University took a public stand opposing the proposed rule. Then, as now, Franciscan University objected to the mandate, noting that the government placed it and other religious institutions in an untenable position.

“Throughout our 65-year history, Franciscan University has educated people because we are Catholic, not because they are. And, again, because we are Catholic, Franciscan cannot provide coverage of drugs and procedures that violate Church teachings on the sanctity of life,” Father Henry said. “Under the HHS mandate and its narrow exemption, the government punishes us for reaching out to serve and employ those who do not share our faith.”

Unfortunately, in late January 2012, President Obama and HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that the mandate would go into force as originally planned, with no adequate accommodations made for individuals or groups who objected on religious grounds.

Catholic and Christian institutions, however, were given one additional year to comply with the rule, a year in which they could “figure out how to violate our consciences in order to be in keeping with the law,” said Father Henry, echoing New York’s Timothy Cardinal Dolan.

“It is our hope and fervent prayer that the courts and Congress will check this monumental overstep of the Executive Branch as soon as possible,” he added.

Noting that Franciscan University did not go looking for this battle, Father Henry said the University retained Jones Day, one of the world’s largest law firms, with whom the University has had a relationship for the past twenty years, “because it has the resources to fight the government as long as it takes, and we will settle for no less than a restoration of our First Amendment right to freedom of religion.”

Father Henry concluded, “Under no circumstances can Catholics be both in compliance with this new law and at the same time live the faith that we believe. Franciscan University will continue to stand with the Church in its opposition to this mandate. Our ancestors came to America because they knew that on these shores they would be free to faithfully live what they believed. This mandate is not only a grave infringement on religious liberty; it is a betrayal of those who sacrificed to make this country what it is today.”

For more information, including a video statement from Father Henry, go to www.franciscan.edu/ReligiousLiberty.

RG Steel eyeing asset sales, spokeswoman confirms

Mon, 21 May 2012 11:13:57 -0400

A spokeswoman for RG Steel says the company is considering selling steel mills in three states, including the Sparrows Point plant outside Baltimore.

RG Steel spokeswoman Bette Kovach on Monday confirmed reports that potential buyers have expressed interest in acquiring company facilities and all options are on the table. Kovach did not provide any further details.

RG Steel bought plants in Wheeling, Maryland and Warren, Ohio, last year, making it the fourth-largest flat-rolled steel producer in the country. However, the company has struggled financially since then.

The company shut down the Sparrows Point blast furnace just before Christmas and notified state officials that it was laying off about 720 workers. RG restarted the blast furnace earlier this year after receiving financing from a New York hedge fund.

Stay with WTOV9, WTOV9.com and WTOV9 Mobile for continuing coverage as details become available.

Jefferson Co. water line break forces school to dismiss early; hundreds without water service

Mon, 21 May 2012 10:45:14 -0400

A local school dismissed early on Monday after a water line broke in Mingo Junction.

The Jefferson County Christian School on Commercial Avenue dismissed classes by 10:30 a.m., administrators said.

The line break on Commercial Avenue is affecting about 500 customers and, as of noon, crews said it could be hours until service is restored. After water is back on, customers will be under a 48-hour boil order.

Stay with NEWS9, WTOV9.com and WTOV9 Mobile for continuing coverage.

Double crash in Brooke County

Sun, 20 May 2012 21:58:33 -0400

WELLSBURG, W.Va.--

One woman was taken to Weirton Medical Center after police said she crashed twice in Wellsburg.

Police said the driver went into diabetic shock while driving southbound on Route 2.

She first crashed into another car at 16th Street.

Then moments later she took down a utility pole and crashed into a building at the corner of 10th Street.

Witnesses at the scene were shocked but said their first reaction was to make sure the driver was OK.

"It's just crazy, I mean, it's nuts! I mean, I hope she's alright," said witnesses Josh and Stacie Elias. "My friend got a bat and started smashing in the window trying to get her out of there."

A medical helicopter was called to the scene but was not needed.

Police said the driver will not be cited for the accident.

Woman faces burglary, drug charges

Sun, 20 May 2012 20:54:04 -0400

WHEELING, W.Va.--
A woman is behind bars after she allegedly tried to break into a Woodsdale area home.
Suzanne Nicole Trudy was arrested by Wheeling police and is now facing burglary and drug possession charges.
Police said late Saturday night Trudy got into an argument with someone and then tried to break into that person's home.
She is being held in the Northern Regional Jail without bond.

Ohio state fire marshal visits, discusses arson investigations

Sun, 20 May 2012 17:34:56 -0400

The Ohio State Fire Marshal visited the Ohio Valley this weekend to bring attention to achievement from Jefferson County fire departments. While Larry Flowers was here, NEWS9 caught up with him about several on-going arson investigations in our area.

Many viewers ask why it takes so long on fire investigations, or just wanted an update on past and current arson cases. NEWS9's Briona Arradondo took a list of questions to the fire marshal about the process. Flowers said his office has seen an increase in arsons in the state. Investigators are working with local fire and police departments to solve arson cases around the state, he said.

"That's for several different reasons. Typically, when the economy is bad, we see that," said Flowers. "But what we're seeing arson in Ohio now (it's) being used for is to cover up other crimes."

Flowers said arsonists set fires to cover up homicides and other crimes.

In April 2011, a fire killed a mother and her child in Bloomingdale. Most recently, an arson in East Liverpool back in March that killed a father and his three sons. A cause has yet to be determined for this Columbiana County fire, East Liverpool police said.

"It's a horrible tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved," said Flowers. "It's especially difficult for all of us -- the firefighters, the law enforcement community, when there's children involved."

Questions about each investigation were raised over time, and Flowers said it takes the arson investigators weeks or months to determine a cause from collecting many pieces of evidence.

"It takes a lot of time to get all that information collected," said Flowers. "It takes autopsies often times to get information that we need, but it's about working together to be successful."

NEWS9 is in touch with detectives on the East Liverpool arson. Police said they are waiting on the medical examiner's report to determine a cause.

Police investigating armed robbery

Sun, 20 May 2012 15:20:47 -0400

WHEELING, W.Va.--

Police are investigating an armed robbery at the Rite Aid on Warwood Ave. in Wheeling.

It happened around 1 p.m. Sunday.

“The suspect walked into the Rite Aid, went to the pharmacy, jumped over the counter, held both pharmacy employees at gunpoint, and ordered them to open up their safe,” Wheeling Police Sergeant Phil Redford said.

Police describe the robber as a white male in his late 30's to early 40's, between 5'8" and 5'10" wearing black Dockers pants, brown boots, a blue hooded sweatshirt, sunglasses and a hat.

They said he was able to get away with multiple prescription drugs and fled across the parking lot towards N. 21st Street.

“We are not sure if he is a person who lives in that immediate vicinity or if he had a car parked in that area,” said Redford.

Rite Aid is offering a $5,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the man responsible.

Any information to help police, call the NEWS9 Crimebusters tip line at 1-800-862-BUST.

Stick with NEWS9, wtov9.com and WTOV9 Mobile for continuing coverage.

Drugs found inside a woman’s body

Sat, 19 May 2012 20:15:25 -0400

Jefferson County, OH.—

A woman is behind bars after being charged with several counts of drug possession.

Shawna Bellum is facing four counts after Steubenville police found marijuana and prescription pain killers hidden inside her body.

Police said they stopped Bellum on the 600 block of McDowell Avenue Friday night.

While in custody, police discovered the woman had crack cocaine, heroin and xanax stashed in her body.

As of now, her bond has not been set.

Fire rips through a Belmont County apartment

Sat, 19 May 2012 20:11:18 -0400

Belmont County, OH.—

Fire officials are still trying to determine the cause of an apartment fire that left a family of six homeless.

Martins Ferry Firefighters arrived at the scene within five minutes of getting the call about the fire.

The blaze broke out on 1821 North 9^th street around 11:00 a.m. Saturday.

Four young children and two adults were inside at the time, but the father helped to makes sure everyone got out safely.

First officials said the father did suffer minor burns and was treated at the scene.

The American Red Cross is helping the family with basic needs.

Official said the apartment is a total loss.

Hundreds turn out for groundbreaking for new Toronto city schools building

Sat, 19 May 2012 18:27:16 -0400

Groundbreaking for a new school brought out hundreds in Jefferson County Saturday.

State and Toronto city officials shared the plans for the new building about two years in the making. Residents and parents shared the excitement of the event.

"All the hard work we put into the last couple of years is finally coming to an end to where we can enjoy what we accomplished through the years of passing the levy," said Julie Ault, a parent with children in the school district.

Many turned out for the event, including state senator Lou Gentile (D-30th district). School officials said residents were instrumental in helping create the plans when the city voted on a bond issue in 2010 to fund the new school building.

"From there we did extensive planning, then we had to go back and replan because of the budget," said Toronto City Schools Superintendent Fred Burns. "Now we have a new plan set to go. All the contractors have been set in place."

A $10 million grant from the state will help transform the barren area on Dennis Way into a facility. The building will house up to 500 students from sixth to 12th grades. Residents said they believe the new school will revitalize the community.

"They're excited, and I think the whole town is excited," said Dan Zdinak, a parent with young children. "The community seems to be energized, and I think it's helping the whole city."

School officials said they expect work to start as early as next week. The new school will be open next August, about the same time construction crews will tear down the old high school, officials said.

Two injured in motorcycle accident

Sat, 19 May 2012 18:19:37 -0400

HARRISON COUNTY, OH--

A man and woman were both injured in a head-on collision that happened Saturday at around 6 p.m.

According to officials, a pickup truck was turning into the Tappan Lake launching ramp when a motorcycle was turning out. They collided, and both the driver and passenger of the bike were ejected.

Sergeant Jeff Bernard of the Ohio State Highway Patrol said drivers need to look closely for motorcycles and be extra cautious, because they don’t have the protection that most vehicles have.

“This time of year now, we have a lot of motorcycles on the road,” Bernard said. “You just have to pay a little bit extra attention to the roadway when you're turning to make sure there's nothing coming."

The motorcyclists -- a man and woman -- were both injured and taken to the hospital. The driver's injuries are unknown, but he was alert and talking. The female was not, and officials told NEWS9 she's in serious condition. Both were wearing helmets.

Other motorcyclists said drivers need to pay extra attention to motorcycles on the road.

“Motorcycles have the same rights on the road as cars,” said Jim Kayser of Cadiz, Ohio. “Let us have our space; watch us as we watch you. Be safe.”

Officials have not released the name of the two motorcyclists. No one in the pickup truck was injured, but the driver faces pending charges for failure to yield. Stick with NEWS9 for continuing coverage.

Weirton police raid business after drug investigation

Sat, 19 May 2012 00:20:53 -0400

WEIRTON, W.Va.

Weirton police said four people are facing charges in connection with a raid of a downtown business.

They searched Club Sensations in the 3000 block of Main Street Friday night.

Detectives said the arrests stemmed from a long-term investigation into the distribution of marijuana.

Micahel Burns and ZjaondezelDouglas, of Weirton, are both facing charges, along with Marquel Jeter of Steubenville.

Chris Bishop, of Weirton, is charged with obstructing an officer.

Stay with NEWS9 for continuing coverage.

Load of coal spills onto Harrison County roadway

Fri, 18 May 2012 23:46:25 -0400

A tractor-trailer accident left a big mess along a highway in Harrison County on Friday night, when its trailer flipped over, dumping a load of coal it was hauling onto the roadway.

It happened on State Route 9 in New Athens Township about 5 p.m. Police said the truck was traveling south when the incident happened.

When I arrived on scene crews had the majority of the roadway clear of the coal, but between the trailer and the coal, traffic was tied up for several hours.

But how did it get there? Even after hearing from the driver, emergency crews aren't 100 percent sure.

"He advised me that there was a vehicle traveling on the yellow line. The subject's not here at this time. So, he was charged with failure to control a motor vehicle, which is a minor misdemeanor," said Eric Derrington of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Derrington said a safer speed might have prevented the driver from losing the load.

"He would have been better off going a little slower if the car was on the yellow line. He may have had more time and the ability to be able to handle the evasive action better," said Derrington. "This is a windy, hilly road that it does happen a lot, and you have a lot of coal mines in the area, so it's going to happen."

Everyone is just thankful that no one was hurt.

"We were fortunate there was nobody traveling down the hill at the time of the accident," said Chief Randy Culbertson of the New Athens Fire Department. "We're very thankful for that."

Ohio gov. says welfare drug testing could be beneficial; local residents respond

Fri, 18 May 2012 17:11:58 -0400

Ohio Gov. John Kasich says creating a pilot program to tie welfare benefits to clean drug tests would help protect tax dollars and provide help for people who are poor and using drugs.

Kasich said such a program could be an opportunity for advocates for the poor to help tackle drug abuse.
Opponents say that drug testing welfare applicants is discriminatory and attacks the poor, but Kasich said he doesn't see it that way. He said it would not only save taxpayers money, but it would also address the growing problem of drug abuse in Ohio.

GOP state lawmakers had added the contentious pilot program to a wide-ranging midterm budget bill being considered by the Legislature, but the provision was removed this week before the legislation cleared the Senate. Now, the welfare drug-testing provision is expected to be taken up in a separate bill at a later date.

Jefferson County Department of Job and Family Services officials said at least 20 percent of the county's population gets public assistance through Medicaid or food stamp programs. If the pilot program it is passed, welfare recipients would have to be tested for drugs.

Under the program, if someone fails the drug test, they could receive treatment but could not receive welfare benefits for at least six months.

So far this year, four states have already approved similar programs for drug testing welfare applicants.

Local residents had varying ideas about the proposal.

"You're not going to make everybody happy no matter which way you go with this, but I still believe that the idea itself speaks for itself, and anything else, as with legislation, there may be loopholes that need to be fixed," James Swearengen said.

Others said they were concerned about privacy.

"It's like an invasion of privacy in a sense because some people are drug addicts, some people are alcoholics," said Brandy Taylor, of Mingo Junction.

Stay with NEWS9, WTOV9.com and WTOV9 Mobile for continuing coverage.