Belmont jail ahead of schedule

By BRIANNA SADLER, Times Leader Staff Writer
THE LONG-anticipated completion of the Belmont County Jail construction will arrive sooner than expected, commissioners announced on Wednesday morning.

The jail project is scheduled to reach its final stages during the first week of June, months earlier than what was initially projected.

Commissioner Mark Thomas said that, other than the installation of additional training systems, new telephone lines and other equipment, the structure should be up and running next month, adding that the project will have stayed on budget by its completion.

A meeting between the commissioners and the sheriff is scheduled to take place to iron out the final details regarding inmate beds and staffing.

In other county business, the commissioners listened to a proposed refinancing plan of the Ohio Valley Health Services and Education Corp., the parent company of East Ohio Regional Hospital in Martins Ferry and Ohio Valley Medical Center in Wheeling.

Bond Council Tonya Miller explained that the two hospitals are working to refinance “a lot of debt.”

The EORH portion of the restructuring under the parent company entails the refinancing of its bond, which is currently outstanding in the amount of about $11 million, Miller said.

Further details about the hospital’s refinancing will be made available following the formal, written presentation of the plan to the commissioners.

Thomas said that the net result is that Belmont County is going to help the parent company do what they can to help them continue their services in the county.

“We want to secure Eastern Ohio Regional Hospital as an employer here for years to come,” Thomas said.

Also giving a special presentation during the commissioners’ meeting was Ohio State University Extension Office Family Nutrition Program Assistant Carol Kovachic.

Kovachic’s position is funded by the federal Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program grant; she works full time in the county, educating individuals and agencies about proper nutrition, healthy living and thrifty shopping by giving hands-on demonstrations and samples.

One example of a healthy snack that Kovachic teaches is the Southwest Snack Mix, which combines corn cereal, pretzels, pumpkin seeds and other ingredients to form the healthy, 93-calorie choice.

“It’s a healthy way to have a snack,” Kovachic said.

For more information on nutrition or for the complete recipe, call the OSU Extension Office at (740) 695-1455.

Sadler may be reached at bsadler@timesleaderonline.com