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Disneyland reopening marks California COVID comeback

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Disneyland swung open its gates to cheering visitors donning sequined Minnie Mouse ears and snapping selfies Friday, marking a dramatic turnaround in a state so overwhelmed with coronavirus cases just four months ago that patients were being treated in outdoor tents. California’s world-famous theme park, which reopened after an unprecedented 13-month closure, is admitting only state residents and operating under a limited capacity for now. Once inside, guests decked in Disney gear waved excitedly at employees tidying up the park’s hallmark Main Street, ...

Belmont County makes plans for stimulus funds

Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of articles that will examine how much money local governments will receive as a result of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, as well as how the funds may be distributed and invested. ST. CLAIRSVILLE — There is no shortage of uses for Belmont County’s share of the American Rescue Plan stimulus funding. The $1.9 trillion aid package approved in response to the COVID-19 pandemic provides another round of Economic Impact Payments in the form of $1,400 to most individual Americans. It also extends federal unemployment benefits, ...

The expected COVID baby boom may be a bust

NEW YORK (AP) — When most of the U.S. went into lockdown over a year ago, some speculated that confining couples to their homes — with little to entertain them beyond Netflix — would lead to a lot of baby-making. But the statistics suggest the opposite happened. Births have fallen dramatically in many states during the coronavirus outbreak, according to an Associated Press analysis of preliminary data from half the country. The COVID-19 baby boom appears to be a baby bust. Nationally, even before the epidemic, the number of babies born in the U.S. was falling, dropping by ...

Belmont senior centers to get active

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Belmont County’s senior citizens can look forward to a step-by-step return to activities and events at area senior centers if COVID-19 cases decline as anticipated. During a report to the Belmont County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday, Senior Services Director Dwayne Pielech said he was encouraged by the high number of vaccinated senior citizens in Belmont County combined with the improving weather and the prospect of holding outdoor events. “The coronavirus and all the rules and regulations that go with it have been difficult on Americans, and it’s no ...

Harrison County Health Department urges residents to get vaccinated

CADIZ — More than 8,600 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered over four months in Harrison County with 30 percent of residents now fully vaccinated. Garen Rhome, administrator of the county health department, said around 5,000 residents received first doses and 3,600 received ...

Vaccines offered in Belmont County schools

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Belmont County Deputy Health Commissioner Robert Sproul updated the county Board of Commissioners on Wednesday about COVID-19 infections and vaccination clinics at schools and reminded people to stay safe as festival plans proceed. Sproul said about 50 first doses were administered at St. Clairsville High School on Tuesday. More shots were given at Bellaire High School on Wednesday. First doses will be available 4-5:30 p.m. today at the Ohio Valley Mall clinic, and Friday at Shadyside High School. “We’re seeing some uptake. Not as much as we’d like, but ...