News

Ohio colleges fare poorly in free speech report

Local News 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 ...

Belmont auditor warns of phone scam targeting residents

Local News September 16, 2026

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The Belmont County Auditor’s Office is issuing a notice to help protect residents from potential fraud and identity theft. Auditor Cindi L. Henry said that her office has recently received a report of individuals making phone calls claiming to represent the Belmont ...

Local Briefs

Community September 15, 2026

Colerain trustees to meet Thursday ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Colerain Township trustees will hold a special meeting at 9 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, at the township complex, 70730 Crescent Road, to discuss quotes for paving Township Road 1330, East Road. No other business will be discussed. The meeting is open to the public. For more information, call 740-695-5430. Franciscan criminal justice career fair set for Friday STEUBENVILLE — Franciscan University of Steubenville will host its sixth annual Criminal Justice Career Fair from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at the Pope St. Paul VI Event ...

BELMONT COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Local News September 15, 2026

Wednesday — 10:06 p.m., a deputy assisted St. Clairsville police with a report of lightning striking a pole in Orchard Terrace, St. Clairsville. — 9:16 p.m., a caller reported a man's car had been vandalized in the parking lot of the Belmont County Fairgrounds on Roscoe Road in St. Clairsville. An officer responded. — 7:02 p.m., an officer conducting a traffic stop on Interstate 70 eastbound near mile marker 224 issued a warning to a motorist for expired tags. — 4:22 p.m., an officer responded to a report of domestic trouble in Bethesda. According to central dispatch, a ...

EPA says it’s eliminating rule that limits greenhouse gas emissions from power plants

Local News September 15, 2026

WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency said Monday it is repealing rules that limit planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions from power plants fueled by coal and natural gas and announced it is taking a separate but related step to prevent future administrations from regulating climate pollution from power plants. The rule change, first proposed last year, represents a fundamental shift from efforts by Democratic Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama to address climate change and clean up industrial pollution. Environmental groups decried the change, saying it would come at ...

Shadyside plans to go from Halloween to Hallmark

Local News 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, ...