Former volunteer fire chief indicted on sexual charges

June 6, 2026

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Former Martins Ferry volunteer fire chief William Rinderer was indicted Wednesday on one count of gross sexual imposition and pandering of a minor. Rinderer was scheduled for a preliminary hearing Friday in Belmont County Eastern Division Court before Judge Adam Myser. However, before the hearing, the case was bound over to Belmont County Court of Common Pleas following the indictment. “He was indicted on Wednesday. There’s very little that we can release, though, just because he has not been sentenced, he’s not entered a plea. He’s just been indicted,” ...

Ex-FirstEnergy executives reindicted in Ohio in $60 million corruption scheme

June 6, 2026

COLUMBUS — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced Thursday that a grand jury has reindicted two fired FirstEnergy Corp. executives whose initial prosecutions in the state's long-running $60 million bribery scandal ended in mistrial earlier this year. Yost, a Republican, joined Summit ...

The US job market is strong but many Americans are still frustrated by prospects and rising prices

June 6, 2026

WASHINGTON — The American job market continues to show surprising strength — good news for President Donald Trump who has taken a beating in the polls over the surging gasoline prices that followed U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran. Employers added 172,000 jobs in May – roughly double ...

Voice of Valor: Clark’s life shaped by service and second chances

June 6, 2026

WHEELING — Nearly 40 years ago, Chuck Clark was a “shy, insecure” youth attending Bellaire High School when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Clark, 55, of Shadyside, said he matured and learned much during a military career that lasted from 1989 to 2009. During that time, he served as an ...

Ohio Constitutional amendment on voter photo ID advances

June 5, 2026

A resolution to give Ohioans the chance to make voter photo identification a part of the state constitution as well has passed the Senate and will next be considered by the House of Representatives. Voter photo identification is required by state law for in-person voting. Senate Joint Resolution 10 “is about ensuring long-term security in our elections,” Sen. Jane Timken, R-Jackson Township, said Wednesday in presenting the bill to the Senate. “Photo ID for voting helps secure the bedrock democratic principle of one person, one vote.” She pointed to Virginia as a reason for ...

Belmont County Safety Council leaves unsafe practices in the dust

June 5, 2026

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — With the rapidly changing workforce dynamic, Zehnder Clean Air Solutions Regional Sales Manager Derek Ennis is informing the Belmont County Safety Council about how his company can help. Ennis said he wants to provide employees with a safer, healthier workplace. He added ...