When you got a good thing going, why change?

Such is the case with Belmont County Judge Frank Fregiato and his live courts in Belmont County high schools.

The Northern Division Court judge initiated the program in the spring of 1997. It was first held at Martins Ferry High School to demonstrate to local students the consequences of their actions.

The program quickly took off as students, parents, school administrators and faculty members embraced its benefits. Thus, live-court appearances took root in every high school in Belmont County.

The program is believed to be the first of its kind in the nation.

“The program has been a huge success in educating our students and demonstrating to them the consequences for the actions,” Judge Fregiato noted. “That is why we have made it an annual function for each of our high schools.”

This year’s live-court schedule unfolds Oct. 8 with Bellaire High and Guernsey Street neighbor St. John Central each playing host to Judge Fregiato.

The remaining docket is as follows: Shadyside, Nov. 5; St. Clairsville, Dec. 3; Bridgeport, Feb. 4; Martins Ferry, March 4; Barnesville, April 8; and Union Local, May 6.

Judge Fregiato indicated that the live-court program will continue for years to come.

BUBBA’S BITS

SOME COACHES will do anything to win.

Case in point: Houston Nutt. The University of Mississippi head football coach has agreed to let Jeremiah Masoli join the Ole Miss grid squad. That is after Masoli was recently booted from the University of Oregon football team. The star quarterback ran into major legal problems twice at Oregon, including stealing laptops from a college dorm. So much for winning with class.

I SEE a miscarriage of justice when Lindsay Lohan serves just 13 days of a 90-day sentence. The average criminal would not get the same special treatment. Celebrities shouldn’t get special legal favors. Moreover, Charlie Sheen also got off light after pleading guilty to assaulting his wife during a Christmas Day argument. Sheen will see no jail time and more serious charges were dropped.

IT WAS only a matter of time before the eventuality of St. Clairsville seeking a city income tax would come to fruition. The ultimate decision is in the hands of voters, as should be the case, but with the current state of municipal finances throughout the state, I can understand why city officials are seeking the tax.

WHAT KIND of sickos do we have in the Ohio Valley? Why would anyone smash a pet alligator that was tied up in Neffs? Animal cruelty is out of control in the area.

IT IS bittersweet to see St. John Arena in Steubenville become a YMCA. The hilltop arena used to be the hub of prep basketball in the Ohio Valley. Tournament doubleheaders attracted overflow crowds in days past. I can still remember vividly as a grade school kid sitting in the aisle watching St. John’s legend Allan Hornyak play his final prep game at the arena, losing to powerful Zanesville High in the district tournament.

THE MONROE County Chamber of Commerce now offers playing cards. They feature many Monroe landmarks, past and present. One of the cards features former Beallsville High pitching ace and current Texas Rangers’ hurler Dustin Nippert. The cards make ideal gifts. The chamber can be reached by calling 740-472-5499.

JOE DUNLEVY has distinguished himself as one of the premier basketball coaches in the OVAC during his tenure at Indian Creek. He has now taken on the added responsibility of being the Redskins’ athletic director. He will do well.

THE BELLAIRE Octoberfest meeting will be held Tuesday, Aug. 10 in village council chambers. Much help is needed and everyone is invited to attend.

The festival will be held Saturday, Oct. 9. Anyone with questions or needing additional information should call Councilman Rickie Parker at 671-3858 or Gloria LeMasters at 676-2768.

THE?BARNESVILLE Board of Education has joined Cambridge and Martins Ferry as Eastern Ohio school districts to implement drug testing.

I wholeheartedly agree.

More districts will follow in coming years. It may cost a few bucks, but a drug-testing program can go a long way to turning around a young student’s life. You cannot put a price tag on that.

I WAS not at all surprised to hear that Rich Rodriguez is linked to alleged illegalities with the WVU football program. I was stunned, however, to hear that Bill Stewart may have carried on that rule-breaking tradition. Rodriguez is going up in flames.

Hopefully, Stewart avoids the heat.

Kapral may be reached at bkapral@timesleaderonline.com