Briefs

June 29, 2026

Smith Township trustees to hold July 13 meetings SMITHFIELD — The Smith Township Board of Trustees will hold two meetings on Monday, July 13, 2026, at Smith Township Park in Smithfield. The meetings include a 5:30 p.m. annual 2027 budget review session, followed by the regular monthly trustee meeting at 6 p.m. Residents wishing to be placed on the agenda may call 740-546-3079. Belmont County student graduates from Ohio Connections Academy COLUMBUS — A Belmont County student was among more than 480 graduates recognized in Ohio Connections Academy’s Class of 2026 during ...

US airstrikes again hit Iran as Tehran strikes Bahrain and Kuwait, further imperiling interim deal

June 28, 2026

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The U.S. military launched a second round of airstrikes Saturday targeting Iran at President Donald Trump’s direction as Tehran hit both Bahrain and Kuwait, underscoring rising tensions that threaten the interim deal between the two nations to stop the ...

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

June 28, 2026

LA GUAIRA, Venezuela — Tensions flared Saturday as desperation grew in Venezuela's state of La Guaira as rescuers and civilians searched for earthquake survivors and the death toll rose sharply to 1,430. Families reported at least 68,900 people missing Saturday, three days after the one-two ...

Winds hamper crews as fast-moving fire in Utah, the largest in the US, burns through forests

June 28, 2026

MARYSVALE, Utah (AP) — The largest wildfire in the United States marched through canyons and over mountainsides Saturday, blackening an already parched landscape in Utah as residents on the flanks of the blaze watched smoke billowing when the winds picked up. The Cottonwood Fire, burning in ...

Reds rally for 9-7 win over Pirates

June 28, 2026

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Eugenio Suárez hit a three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning that rallied the Cincinnati Reds to a 9-7 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday. Trying to protect a one-run lead, Gregory Soto (4-2) let the first two Reds batters reach safely in the ninth ...

DeWine takes first trip across Blaine Hill Bridge after two-year closure

June 27, 2026

BLAINE — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine rode across the newly reopened Blaine Hill Bridge on Friday, marking the official return of traffic to the historic National Road span after nearly two years of closure. He was escorted by Belmont County resident Jeff Kirk in his Ford Model T as officials ...