News

Unified Bank's Bailey takes top Odd Fellows post

Local News June 26, 2026

MARTINS FERRY — Unified Bank Senior IT Administrator John Bailey has been elected and installed as Grand Patriarch of the Grand Encampment of West Virginia, the highest elected leadership position within the Encampment branch of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in the state. Bailey, who has worked for Unified Bank for 21 years, began his term as Grand Patriarch on June 20. He will serve through June 19, 2027. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is a worldwide fraternal organization dedicated to helping others through its mission to "visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury ...

Neglect lawsuits and fines follow Ohio nursing home chain

Local News June 25, 2026

A pressure ulcer slowly tore open a hole in the skin over Sam Frank Ray’s tailbone, leaving his raw bone exposed over weeks to the infection that eventually killed him, according to a lawsuit his family filed late last year. Bedsores, the byproduct of cut-off blood circulation when the body lies still in one position for too long, are considered highly preventable injuries. They can be avoided by repositioning an immobilized person once every two hours. But they can turn lethal if they’re allowed to progress. Ray’s lawyers say he was left in the same position through 33 separate ...

Tour planned as Jefferson County Innovation Center nears finish line

Local News June 25, 2026

MINGO JUNCTION — The Jefferson County Innovation Center is nearing completion, and officials are preparing to offer the public a first look at the new facility before an Aug. 13 ribbon-cutting ceremony. Ground was broken last June, and the building — which will house a mix of health care, ...

Proposed ‘Stargate Ohio’ project draws Belmont County into data center conversation

Local News June 25, 2026

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Belmont County commissioners learned Wednesday of a proposed large artificial intelligence data center that may be coming to the county. St. Clairsville resident Paul Cameron, also a state representative candidate for Ohio’s 95th District, said he recently learned of a ...

Lawmakers want data centers to have separate utility rate

Local News June 25, 2026

Ohio House Democrats on Tuesday called on Gov. Mike DeWine to take “immediate action” to establish a separate statewide utility rate for large data centers so that residential customers don’t get stuck with the bill. The legislators cited an upcoming auction where companies will attempt to buy additional power generation capacity as a “backstop” safeguard to prevent blackouts when demand is high. According to legislators, one of those companies is expected to buy extra capacity power is PJM Interconnection, a regional grid operator serving Ohio and much of the Midwest, ...

Bellaire man arrested on multiple felony sex charges

Local News June 24, 2026

BELLAIRE — Detectives with the Belmont County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Unit arrested James L. White, 25, of Bellaire on multiple felony charges following an extensive investigation into allegations of sexual offenses involving minors Wednesday. The investigation began after ...