Ohio colleges fare poorly in free speech report

September 16, 2026

Thirteen Ohio colleges and universities are in the 2027 College Free Speech Rankings, but Ohio’s average grade for free speech is D-, no better or worse than the national average, according to the non-profit organization that compiles the list, Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. The Ohio school with the best ranking overall is Wright State, which is ranked in the top 25th nationally in part because of strong administrative support, which indicates students “trust administrators to defend speech,” according to FIRE. In contrast, the University of Dayton is ranked ...

Mountaineer Brewfest pours $50K into Wheeling YMCA – $374K to date in the community

September 16, 2026

WHEELING -- The taps may have stopped flowing at this year's Mountaineer Brewfest, but the money raised by the annual celebration of craft beer is still making its way into the community. The Mountaineer Brewfest Committee and board presented $50,000 to the Wheeling YMCA on Tuesday evening at ...

Clarington man killed in Monroe County crash

September 16, 2026

A Clarington man was killed Tuesday in a two-vehicle crash that occurred on Ohio 7 in Salem Township, the Ohio State Highway Patrol said. According to OSHP, a 2002 Subaru Outback driven by Brady Dye, 27, of Lowell, was headed northbound on Ohio 7 when it traveled left of center and struck a ...

BELMONT COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

September 16, 2026

Friday — 10:23 p.m., a caller from a retirement center on Conno Mara Drive in Bellaire reported possible elder abuse. The incident was a verbal exchange between residents and the nursing home was to handle the matter internally. A deputy returned to the address to speak with the complainant after he called 911 and was reportedly belligerent and threatening toward the dispatcher. After a lengthy conversation, the man settled down, the report stated. — 10:17 p.m., a caller from Bellaire reported a suspicious male was captured on cameras on her property, possibly heading toward Neffs. ...

Valloric sentenced in case involving more than 10,000 images

September 15, 2026

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Former Bellaire High School teacher and track coach Shawn Valloric was sentenced to 14-15 years in prison Monday. Valloric pleaded guilty to 52 charges involving child pornography in August. In April, he was arraigned on 52 counts of pandering sexually oriented matter ...

Shadyside plans to go from Halloween to Hallmark

September 15, 2026

SHADYSIDE – The village of Shadyside will now have trick-or-treat on Halloween, Oct. 31, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. During village council’s meeting Monday evening, council member Melanie Haswell addressed a motion that was passed during council’s previous meeting. At the past meeting, ...