Breaking News

No bids, plenty of questions for former EORH property

MARTINS FERRY — With no bids offered for the former East Ohio Regional Hospital after the second of two public auctions, Martins Ferry officials are waiting to see what comes next for the sprawling property — and whether another health care provider could still breathe new life into the ...

Ohio gas prices jump nearly 20 cents overnight

As high as gasoline and diesel prices are across the nation, they are even higher in Ohio, according to the American Automobile Association. It reported the national average as $4.43 on Thursday, but Ohio motorists are paying more – an average of $4.51 a gallon, a jump of nearly 20 cents overnight. Average diesel prices topped $6 a gallon nationally, according to Triple A, while Ohio set a record high Thursday. “Volatility in the Strait of Hormuz has pushed crude oil back in the $100 per barrel range for the first time since July,” AAA said. “Pump prices are currently ...

Belmont County voters prepare for November election

ST. CLAIRSVILLE – Ohio voter registration is open now through Oct. 5. The Belmont County Board of Elections has announced that the last day to submit an application to vote by mail is Oct. 27. Early in-person voting begins Oct. 6 and continues through Nov. 1. Election Day is Nov. 3. Board ...

Armed stand-off in West Liberty ends with surrender

WEST LIBERTY – West Liberty, Ohio County and Wheeling law enforcement agencies all were called to an all-night stand-off in the town of West Liberty early Friday morning. The incident resulted in some gun shots being fired at law enforcement while children were inside the home. The gunman eventually surrendered, and there were no injuries, according to Ohio County Sheriff Nelson Croft. Ryan Joseph Benfield, 40, has been charged with wanton endangerment involving a firearm, child neglect creating risk of injury, and assault on a law enforcement officer, Croft said. Benfield is ...

Steubenville church begins new chapter as Zion City Church

STEUBENVILLE — A downtown church that has served the community for more than a century is undergoing a change its pastor says will position it for its next chapter. Beginning Saturday, the worship center located at the corner of Kilgore and North Seventh streets will become Zion City ...

Local briefs

ODOT projects to impact Belmont County traffic BELMONT COUNTY — Several Ohio Department of Transportation construction projects are expected to impact traffic in Belmont County. All work is weather permitting. Work continues on the Interstate 70 and State Route 149 interchange improvement at Exit 208 near Morristown. Two lanes are maintained in both directions on I-70. The project is expected to be completed in 2029. A U.S. Route 40 resurfacing project is underway on 11 miles from Ladybend Hill at I-70 east to the western end of St. Clairsville. Traffic is being maintained with ...