Martins Ferry braces for winter storm

January 23, 2026

MARTINS FERRY — With the National Weather Storm forecasting a massive winter storm that is expected to dump heavy snow across the region this weekend, Martins Ferry officials are calling on residents to use both caution and common sense when venturing out in blizzard conditions. “There’s not a whole lot you can do on ice, so slow down your speed and try to be a little bit slower and cautious,” Martin Ferry Services Director Andy Sutak said. The significant storm is expected to blanket the Ohio Valley with at least six inches or more Saturday night into Sunday morning. An ...

Syrian military, Kurdish-led forces announce new truce after guards leave camp housing IS families

January 21, 2026

RAQQA, Syria (AP) — Guards from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces abandoned a camp Tuesday in northeast Syria housing thousands of people linked to the Islamic State group, and the Syrian military said that allowed detainees to escape. Hours later, the Syrian government and the SDF announced a new four-day truce after a previous ceasefire broke down. The two sides have been clashing for two weeks, amid a breakdown in negotiations over a deal to merge their forces together. The al-Hol camp houses mainly women and children who are relatives of IS members. Thousands of accused ...

St. Clairsville spellers move on to county bee

January 10, 2026

Photo Provided Seventh-grader Liam Capers, left, and eighth-grader Mason Kiene show off their awards for finishing first and second, respectively, in the St. Clairsville Middle School Spelling Bee. Both advance to the 2025-26 Belmont County Spelling Bee, scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 12 at the ...

BRIAN MAYBERRY

January 10, 2026

Brian Jay Mayberry, 48, of Barnesville, Ohio passed away on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, in Morgantown, West Virginia. He was born on September 26, 1977 in Wheeling, West Virginia to Susan (Stewart) and the late John “Jay” Mayberry. Brian overcame so many ...

CAROL BALK

January 10, 2026

Carol Sue Balk, 88, of Martins Ferry, passed away Wednesday, January 7, 2026. She was born on December 25, 1937, the daughter of the late, Paul Maguire and Anna E, (Malis) Maguire Pappa. Carol was retired from the former Islay’s of Martins Ferry and Rogers Jewelers- OVM Office. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by 3 brothers and 1 sister. Surviving are her children, George (Kelli) Balk, Jr. of Glen Robins, Julie Perry of Arizona and Lisa (Randall) Reasbeck, grandchildren, Brandi, Randall, Jr., Michael, Cassandra, Kevin and Chantell, great-grand ...

Blomquist ready for another quality season at Wright State

January 10, 2026

FAIRBORN — Braylen Blomquist comes from a baseball family. That family includes his father, Dave, and older brothers, Tyler and Kaden, both of whom starred at West Liberty. However, being the youngest, Braylen had a chance to learn the game at a young age by watching. “I grew up ...