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Jefferson County road work
STEUBENVILLE -- Several Ohio Department of Transportation projects are affecting traffic in Jefferson County.
U.S. Route 22 eastbound, which becomes SR 7 southbound, will be reduced to one lane just north of Steubenville Aug. 24-28 for highway lighting work.
The SR 7 southbound on-ramp from Fourth Street in Toronto remains closed for a slide repair project, with traffic detoured north to SR 152 before returning to SR 7 southbound. A separate slide repair project on northbound SR 7 near Fourth Street has one lane maintained. Both projects are expected to be completed Oct. 31.
SR 7 also is being resurfaced between Brilliant and Steubenville, with nighttime work in Steubenville and daytime work toward Brilliant. One lane will remain open in each direction. Completion is expected Oct. 31.
SR 152 will have daytime closures from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. through Aug. 28 south of Richmond for culvert replacements. Traffic will detour via SR 646 and SR 43.
SR 213 remains closed south of County Road 56 for a realignment project, with no reopening date currently available. A separate resurfacing project on SR 213 between Steubenville and Knoxville will maintain one lane with flaggers and is expected to be completed Nov. 30.
ODOT also is chip sealing SR 164 from Bergholz through Carroll County to Salineville, with flaggers maintaining traffic. Completion is expected Sept. 30.
Summer Crisis assistance available
STEUBENVILLE -- The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and Jefferson County Community Action Council are accepting applications for the Summer Crisis Program through Sept. 30.
Eligible households may receive help with electric bills, air conditioners or fans or central air conditioning repairs. A household may qualify if it has a disconnection notice, has had service disconnected, has a member age 60 or older or has a member with a documented medical condition requiring cooling assistance.
For a family of four, annual income must be $57,750 or less. More than 55,000 Ohio households received assistance through the program last year.
Jefferson County residents can schedule an appointment by calling 740-996-9062. For more information, call 740-282-0971, ext. 200, or visit energyhelp.ohio.gov.
DUI checkpoint planned
WHEELING -- The Wheeling Police Department will conduct a DUI checkpoint from 6-11 p.m. Aug. 29 along Zane Street on Wheeling Island.
Only westbound traffic will be affected. Motorists may use North Broadway Street or North York Street as alternate routes.
WV universities join water grant effort
CHARLESTON -- Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced a partnership Wednesday with West Virginia University, Marshall University and the state's 11 regional planning and development councils to help communities secure state and federal funding for water infrastructure projects.
The partnership will provide technical assistance and grant-writing support to cities, counties and public service districts seeking funding for aging water systems.
The West Virginia Grant Resource Centers, a partnership between WVU and Marshall launched in 2023, serve all 55 counties and helped secure more than $50 million for government and nonprofit projects in 2025.
WVU also will provide resources involving cybersecurity, rural water system operations and water quality.
Morrisey also announced an additional $145 million in state funding for water and wastewater infrastructure projects, with a goal of leveraging local and federal dollars to generate $1 billion in total funding.
JVS Preparing for New School Year
BLOOMINGDALE -- Jefferson County Joint Vocational School is preparing for the new school year, with more than 400 juniors and seniors set to return to classes next week.
The school's 18 career programs include automotive, culinary arts, cosmetology, criminal justice, health technologies, welding, HVACR and Fire/EMT. About 216 juniors are expected to begin the year.
Staff development is planned Monday, followed by junior orientation Aug. 25. Juniors will begin classes Wednesday, while seniors will pick up their Chromebooks from 12:30-2 p.m. that day. All students will return Thursday.
The school board also approved several staff hires, adult education courses and scholarships for the fall semester.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. Sept. 15 at the board office.