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Trial date set for former Martins Ferry fire chief

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — A trial date has been set for former Martins Ferry volunteer fire chief William Rinderer. Belmont County Common Pleas Judge Chris Berhalter scheduled a jury trial for Aug. 13 at 9:30 a.m. Rinderer appeared before Berhalter on Monday morning. He was indicted last week on one count each of gross sexual imposition and pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor. On Monday, Rinderer's bond remained unchanged from when he was indicted at $75,000, with certain conditions. Berhalter said Rinderer is to have no contact with the alleged victim or any minors. The ...

Briefs

Recreation grants awarded STEUBENVILLE — A little more than $213,000 in recreation grants is being distributed to cities, villages and townships across Jefferson County, just about half of the total requests that came in. The Jefferson County Commissioners said 2026 grant recipients are: Toronto and Wintersville, $13,000 each; Steubenville, Amsterdam, Mingo Junction, Richmond, Tiltonsville, Salem Township, Smithfield Township, Springfield Township and Warren Township, $10,000 each; Steubenville Township, Wayne Township and Wells Township, $9,000 each; Stratton and Saline Township, ...

Expand Energy hosts regional emergency management agencies

WHEELING — Representatives of emergency management organizations from across the Ohio Valley visited the offices of Expand Energy June 3 as part of a collaborative event allowing area first responders to get a better understanding of the natural gas company's operations. The company also ...

Property tax petition quest for Ohio ballot pushed to 2027

Ohio voters will not get the chance to eliminate property taxes in the state when they go to the polls this November. Organizers of a petition drive to get a proposed constitutional amendment banning property taxes on the ballot this fall need more time to gather the required number of signatures and are pushing the effort instead to 2027, Brian Massie, leader of Abolish Ohio Property Tax, said recently on the organization’s website AxOHTax.com. The group’s goal was to collect 620,000 signatures of registered voters to put the issue on the ballot this November, 200,000 more than ...

Briefs

Area groups among recipients NELSONVILLE — Area groups will share in the $65,000 the African American Community Fund, with support from its donors and in partnership with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, has awarded to advance 30 projects and programs in communities across Appalachian Ohio. Receiving grants were Second Baptist Church of Steubenville to support its 2026 Juneteenth celebration; the Ohio Valley Youth Network to support the Sycamore Youth Fishing and Mentoring Initiative, a hands-on outdoor education and character development program serving underserved youth in ...

A ROCKING MONDAY NIGHT

Craig Howell Area residents gathered in Wellsburg Monday night for a performance by Wheeling-based band On The Rocks, as part of the Monthly Monday Music Madness concert series. The next concert in the series, presented by the Brooke County Area Chamber of Commerce with support from local ...