News

BELMONT COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Local News July 22, 2026

Sunday — 10:41 p.m., a caller reported a suspicious car idling in the parking lot at the Days Inn West on Holiday Drive in St. Clairsville after individuals in a room had been told to leave. Deputies responded and determined the vehicle belonged to a night-shift employee, according to the report. Deputies checked the rooms and found an intoxicated female still there. A sober driver picked up the female, according to officers. — 10:06 p.m., units responded to a report of domestic trouble at an address on Jug Run Road, St. Clairsville. A caller reported her sister was physically ...

Neglected pools prompt call for new ordinance in Martins Ferry

Local News July 22, 2026

MARTINS FERRY — Backyard swimming pools left to sit stagnant for years could soon become the target of a new Martins Ferry ordinance as city officials seek stronger enforcement tools to address what they say has become a growing nuisance. Mayor John Davies asked council last week to draft ...

Amish man sentenced to 31 years to life in prison for rape

Local News July 22, 2026

WOODSFIELD – An Amish man convicted of the rape of his two daughters was sentenced Tuesday to 31 years to life in prison. Albert Hochstetler was recently convicted of two counts of rape and two counts of gross sexual imposition after his two daughters came forward with the information that ...

St. Clairsville ends seven-month reliance on county water

Community July 21, 2026

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — For the first time in 2026, the city of St. Clairsville is no longer relying on Belmont County for its water supply. Since December 2025, the city has been purchasing water from Belmont County after one of the filters at its water treatment plant failed. Service Director ...

Brunner says Ohio remains nation’s political bellwether

Local News July 21, 2026

STEUBENVILLE — What happens in Ohio is an important indicator for the rest of the country, Ohio Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Brunner said Saturday. Brunner made the comment during her presentation at the state convention of the Federated Democratic Women of Ohio, held at the Steubenville ...

New Ohio law has attorney general reviewing litigation-funding contracts

Local News July 21, 2026

Ohio has passed a law regulating third-party litigation funding but stopping well short of requiring all parties to reveal outside financial arrangements in court. Gov. Mike DeWine signed HB 105 into law on July 7, requiring litigation finance firms to register with the attorney general and adhere to a detailed set of rules including a ban on foreign investors. The law doesn’t require parties to reveal their financial arrangements in court, however, instead making contracts public only after a case is resolved. With the new law, Ohio joins a growing number of states that mandate some ...