Lede News

Construction of St. Joseph’s Cancer Complex Beginning this Summer Construction instead of demolition. Growth rather than decline. New, not old. That’s what is expected in Center Wheeling once the $122 million WVU Cancer Institute St. Joseph Regional Cancer Complex is under construction later this year, and the hope is there will be a renewed vibe buzzing around new retail and housing once the center is completed in the late summer of 2028. That was truly the best-case scenario for the property when Wheeling’s City Council voted unanimously in June 2020 to take possession of the former campus of the Ohio Valley Medical Center. The deal with Medical Properties Trust (MPT) was instigated by Councilman Dave Palmer’s idea to renovate the former Ohio Valley Professional Center into the new headquarters for the police department, and after a couple of years of maintaining and marketing the other 770,000 square feet of space, the City finalized an agreement with WVU Health System. The OVMC campus went silent in late September 2019 when Alecto-West Virginia shuttered the facility after just two years of operation. “I believe the people of the Wheeling area are going to witness the resurrection of Center Wheeling, that’s for sure,” said Jessica Moore, associate vice president of Foundation and Community Relations for WVU Medicine. “And I believe it will also increase the crowds at Centre Market because those businesses were impacted in a big way when the hospital was shut down. We talked a lot about the jobs that were lost there, but there was a lot of loss at Centre Market, too. “The negative impact was massive,” she said. “So, we’re excited for the businesses that are there now, and for the ones that open because this development is on its way. Right now, we’re looking at an $88 million economic impact during the construction phase alone. “That's why we chose that campus for this facility. It’s going to continue to be a place of healing, and it will be an economic driver for downtown and the Center Market area.” The corner of 22nd and Chapline streets is cleared now, but in two years, the WVU cancer complex will continue the tradition of healthcare on the property. The Centre Market businesses inside – and surrounding – the city’s two market houses realized immediate revenue reductions once Alecto-West Virginia shuttered all aspects of the medical center, a decision that erased more than 700 jobs in late September 2019. “But once the construction starts later this summer, it’s very likely that construction workers will be picking up Coleman’s fish sandwiches for their families or running down after work to pick up dinner from one of the other restaurants,” Moore said. “And while they’re there, they might stop at a shop for food or beverages or something else. “The contractors will need items from Lowe’s and other businesses in that area, too,” she explained. “It’s those kinds of purchases that aren’t thought about very often, but it’s all going to add up during construction, that’s for sure.” The SMITHGROUP renderings reveal a new, four-story, 122,477-square-foot structure that will be constructed into the hillside with parking in the front and rear. Ready, Set … The two-year demolition of the campus began in October 2023, and crews completed site clearance late last year. A utility building in the northeast corner of the property was removed a few months ago, and the hillside’s void was filled and secured in April. In other words, the property is ready. “From a building standpoint, we’re about a month away from when people are finally going to see activity on the property. That’s going to be a beautiful thing because so many people have been waiting to see what’s going to follow the demolition of everything on that land,” Moore explained. “There are so many interesting parts of the construction, too, including a continuous pour to construct the ceiling and walls for the radiation oncology space in the building. “There are three treatment rooms, and the walls and ceilings will have a minimum of four-foot concrete shielding walls with an additional seven-to-eight-foot concrete shielding belt,” she explained. “It all has to be poured continuously so there are no joints or cracks in the shielding wall, so that will be an interesting beginning to this project.” The City of Wheeling and WVU Health System partnered to finance the demolition of the former medical facility. The SMITHGROUP renderings reveal a new four-story, 122,477-square-foot structure to be built into the hillside, with parking at the front and rear. The lot will feature plenty of landsculpting, a drive-up entrance, a balcony, and a bottom-level gathering area. “We are looking at seeing our first patients in the third quarter of 2028,” Moore revealed. “There are a lot of preparations taking place now that people may not be able to see, but residents will be seeing some movement on the property this month. The property has been silent for a little while because the crews were allowing the moved dirt to settle enough for the construction. “People saw a lot of dirt being moved around once the demolition was completed, and that’s because they were moving it to get the lot ready for the construction,” she said. “So, for the most part, the space is ready for the building’s construction, but there will be some other earthwork performed on the parking areas. There’s been a lot of permitting to get done for a project this size.” This roadway once took visitors to the center of the OVMC campus in Center Wheeling. A House of Healing For 129 years, this particular piece of property was a destination for those seeking help, and once the St. Joseph’s Cancer Complex begins operation in two years, that tradition will resume. The new center will welcome both local and regional patients, and many of the facility’s employees already are WVU Medicine employees, according to Moore. “On the complex is completed, we're looking at 150 full-time employees there in year one, and by year five, we'll probably add about 20 more employees,” she explained. “Now, several of those folks will be pulled from Wheeling Hospital's oncology department and Reynolds Memorial Hospital's oncology department, but that just means we're still putting 150 new people who haven't populated that space. This rendering was one of the first released by WVU Health System. “We're excited about the opportunity to help that community thrive again,” Moore added. “When I'm talking about this project from a Foundation standpoint, I talk about the other benefits that are going to be in that center because I feel this is also a very thoughtful project. One example of that is the fact that we're installing the windows that we were able to save from Mount de Chantal into the chapel.” The design is different than that of a hospital, and creating convenience was, well, on purpose. “There's so much that impacts healing,” Moore said. “Experiencing everything that goes into fighting back against cancer and then recovering from that fight is one thing, but when a patient experiences any kind of inconvenience during that battle, it’s very frustrating,” Moore said. “All of those kinds of aspects to receiving treatment were taken into account when this center was designed. “An example of that is the first-floor location of the treatment areas,” she said. “One of the things they appreciate most about this new facility is that our patients will be able to park easily and walk right into their appointments in radiation oncology on the ground floor. It’s those things that have been included with every aspect of this building’s design.” Read the full article

Ohio County, WV – A portion of US 40 (National Road), in Elm Grove, will be restricted to one lane, beginning on Friday, June 19, 2026, through mid-July, for street light replacements.  Traffic will be maintained by flaggers. Motorists are advised to slow down and expect slight delays. Inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances could change the project schedule. Read the full article

WHEELING, W.Va. – The Wheeling Water Department is aware of the taste and odor issues affecting our system due to an algae bloom in the Ohio River.  The department has taken steps to alleviate that issue by increasing the amount of well water, flushing the system and other treatment measures.  The water is tested in the system and at the treatment plant every day to ensure the safety of Wheeling water customers.  We understand that it is not ideal, but the water is safe to use and drink. Read the full article

We encourage both the media and the public to come out and experience artists painting live throughout Wheeling. Participating locations include Heritage Port, Centre Market, Oglebay, the Suspension Bridge, Mount Wood Overlook, and other scenic sites throughout the city. Artists may begin painting as early as 7:00 a.m. and will be working throughout the day. The completed artwork will be featured in an exhibition at the Wheeling Artisan Center Gallery from July 2 through August 31.

Giguere becomes the franchise’s second head coach as the Gargoyles prepare for their sophomore campaign.

GREENSBORO, NC – The Greensboro Gargoyles, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes and the AHL's Chicago Wolves, announced today that Mitch Giguere has been named the franchise's second Head Coach. Giguere joins the Gargoyles after spending the past three seasons as Assistant Coach of the Wheeling Nailers, where he established a reputation for driving success. A native of Montréal, Québec, Giguere brings nearly two decades of coaching experience spanning junior, international, and professional hockey. “We are excited to welcome Mitch and his family to the Gargoyles, and we thank the Wheeling Nailers for allowing us the opportunity to speak with him,” said Zawyer Sports & Entertainment Vice President of Hockey Operations Joe Ernst. “Mitch's work over the last three seasons in Wheeling helping to build, recruit, develop, and win, combined with his detailed preparation, strong communication skills, and commitment to being an active part of the community, set him apart throughout the interview process. We look forward to seeing those same qualities make an impact with the Gargoyles, and we are excited to welcome Mitch, Audrey, and their four children as part of the Greensboro community.” Giguere, 40, began his coaching journey in 2008 and has since built a deep resume across roles as a coach, general manager, scout, consultant, and player development specialist while gaining experience in prestigious leagues including the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), Québec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), Western Hockey League (WHL), and Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL). During the 2021-22 season, Giguere guided Longueuil Collège-Français to the Napa Cup championship as champions of the QMJHL. He was also a member of the 2022-23 KHL Kharlamov Cup Champion Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, then led the University of Montréal to a fourth place finish in the nation. Giguere later joined the Wheeling Nailers in 2023, helping mentor a young roster to 2025-26 North Division Regular Season and Playoff Titles. “I have great excitement to rejuvenate the culture of Greensboro Hockey. I have spoken with former Monarchs and am ready to make the Gargoyles a team fans come to the rink and identify themselves with and players are proud to represent on and off the ice,” said Giguere. “I look forward to building a space where players want to be coached and feel they are trusted and believed in. Coming from a big family, with four kids and a wife, we want to build one big family between the players, coaches, and fans. There is a strong core here, now we focus on adding the next pieces.” Widely regarded for his work in player development, Giguere has coached and mentored numerous players who have advanced to the National Hockey League and American Hockey League levels. His developmental résumé includes work with current NHL players and prospects, with over 40 professional contracts signed in North America and Europe. Notable names include NHL 1st Round Draft Picks Peyton Krebs, Matthew Savoie, Connor Geekie, Owen Pickering, NHL 4th Round Draft Pick Daimon Gardner, NHL 6th Round Draft Pick Josh Filmon, 2022 Team USA Olympians Andy Miele and Kenny Agostino, and Chris Wideman, among others. Giguere becomes the franchise’s second head coach as the Gargoyles prepare for their sophomore campaign. Read the full article

The Wheeling Miners ask fans throughout the Valley to join us in welcoming Austin Nestor to the team as he begins the next chapter of his athletic career right here at home.

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Riley M. Moore presented a $2,000,000 check to the City of Wheeling for the federal funding to complete Northern Parkway Project today. The Northern Parkway Project is a critical infrastructure investment Rep. Moore secured through his work on the House Appropriations Committee in Fiscal Year 2026. The funding will allow for the complete reconstruction of an essential connector route between Main Street and several residential neighborhoods. The roadway serves families, school buses, emergency vehicles, and local commuters every day, making it a vital transportation corridor for the community. Years of deterioration have threatened the safety and reliability of the route, creating challenges for residents and first responders alike. The project will restore dependable access, improve mobility, and strengthen public safety for Wheeling families. Congressman Moore secured the funding as part of the Community Project Funding process to address one of the city's most pressing infrastructure needs. Congressman Riley M. Moore released the following statement: “An investment in critical infrastructure projects is an investment in the safety and the future of our communities. The Northern Parkway is an essential route that thousands of Northern Panhandle residents rely on every day, from parents taking their children to school to emergency personnel responding to urgent service calls. As this corridor continued to deteriorate, it became clear that major investment was necessary. I was proud to secure $2 million through the House Appropriations Committee to help rebuild this roadway, improve public safety, and ensure the people of Wheeling have reliable transportation infrastructure for years to come.” The reconstruction of the Northern Parkway will enhance connectivity between Main Street and surrounding neighborhoods while ensuring residents, businesses, and emergency services have safe and dependable access throughout the city. Please direct all media inquiries to Lauren Ridinger ([email protected]).  Follow Congressman Moore on X (Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram, and sign up for his newsletter here. Read the full article

WHEELING, W.Va. — The Wheeling Miners are proud to announce the signing of local standout kicker Austin Nestor following an impressive performance at the team’s recent tryout. A Wheeling native and 2022 graduate of Wheeling Central Catholic High School, Nestor has built an impressive athletic resume while establishing himself as one of the Ohio Valley’s most accomplished multi-sport athletes. Currently a student in the Pharmacy program at West Virginia University, Nestor excelled on the soccer pitch during his time with the Maroon Knights. He was a three-time OVAC All-Valley Soccer Team selection from 2019 through 2021 and earned OVAC Class 1A-3A Player of the Year honors in 2020. During that standout season, Nestor scored 24 goals and added 14 assists while helping lead Wheeling Central to its third consecutive sectional championship. He was later named First Team All-State and served as captain of the prestigious All-Valley Team. While soccer may have been his primary sport, Nestor’s athletic versatility was on full display throughout high school. In addition to soccer, he also competed in hockey, lacrosse, and track and field, demonstrating the work ethic and competitive drive that made him one of the area’s most respected student-athletes. Now, that athletic journey brings him to the professional football field. Following a successful tryout, Nestor earned the opportunity to join the Wheeling Miners and will bring his leg strength, accuracy, and hometown pride to the organization. “We’re always excited when we have the opportunity to add local talent to our roster,” said Chris Cipriani, GM of the Wheeling Miners. “Austin has proven himself as a competitor throughout his athletic career, and we’re thrilled to give a hardworking Ohio Valley athlete the chance to represent his hometown on the professional stage.” For Nestor, the opportunity carries special meaning. After years of competing throughout the Ohio Valley, he now has the chance to wear the Miners uniform and play in front of family, friends, former coaches, classmates, and the community that helped shape him. The Wheeling Miners ask fans throughout the Valley to join us in welcoming Austin Nestor to the team as he begins the next chapter of his athletic career right here at home. Read the full article

“I’m going to miss what I do, but I’m going to look forward to spending time with my grandsons and my husband and my kids,” she said. “I’m going to travel too.”

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There was a storm warning that came across our phones, and it mentioned something about flash flooding as it had before. And then it rained, hard in most areas of Ohio County, but then it stopped, and all was good. At least that’s what most believed. But what was happening in Valley Grove, Triadelphia, and Elm Grove was writing a much different, tragic, deadly story as many residents were forced to cling to what kept them from being swept away in what’s been described as white-capped water that claimed most of what was in its path. Everything from storage containers to backyard swing sets was consumed, and nine individuals – from 3 to 83 – lost their lives. Thousands of pounds of debris were cleared from the affected communities in Ohio County, and it was gradually hauled away over the weeks following the fatal flooding. Now, one year later, some wish to remember, and some, understandably, want to be left alone. As many as 500 folks attended the unveilings and dedications of the memorials yesterday at the Triadelphia United Methodist Church, and now the names of the victims will be remembered by all who visit. Michael Bokanovich, Michael and Connie Veronis, Lisa McMasters, Jesse Pearson, Kyleigh and Parker Shotton, Travis Creighton, and Sandra Parsons. But anyone who pumped out of their basements, or shoveled muck, ripped out walls, found a porch chair a mile down the road, and continues to battle back today needs to be honored as well. Sure, FEMA and the SBA finally arrived and were able to assist those who suffered material loss, but nothing can replace the photos, the diplomas, the birthday cards, the jewelry, the wedding dresses, or the first-step booties. More than 100 automobiles were destroyed by the flash flooding that took place one year ago this weekend. They know that now, and so should we. While several residents were permanently displaced and others have refused to return and rebuild, many residents who were directly affected have been forced to bend with nature, to live without answers, and to endure one “worst day” after another “worst day.” There are forever triggers, too; things as simple as a thunderstorm, the smell of dried mud, the sight of a crumpled car, and even the sound of a weather alert on our cell phones, and only time has the chance to heal those invisible wounds. Anyone traveling U.S. Route 40 through Triadelphia and Valley Grove these days can see the scars, the water marks, the empty lots, and the new construction, but what they don’t learn on those drives concerns the current residents, their communities, and their collective resolve to rise above and resurrect. Those will be the next stories to tell.   Read the full article

(Publisher's Note: Not long ago, the late-great Jack Cera reflected on his involvement with the search, rescue, and recovery efforts following the fatal flash flooding that flowed along Wegee and Pipe creeks and Cumberland Run near Shadyside on June 14, 1990. Twenty-six people perished, more than 800 homes were damaged or destroyed, and officials with the National Weather Service referred to the tragedy as "catastrophic." Cera, a former Ohio lawmaker who spent 23 years in the Ohio House of Representatives, passed away July 13, 2025, at the age of 69.) “When we arrived at the area where the first responders were, we really couldn’t see much at all because it was nighttime, so it was dark. All we did was stand there listening to the screams for help. But we were helpless. There was nothing we could do. It was terrible. I couldn’t believe it. It ripped our hearts out, is what it did.” - Jack Regis – Member of the Martins Ferry Volunteer Fire Department On a recent walk near his house outside of Bellaire and along Brooks Run, former Ohio lawmaker Jack Cera picked up a couple of fallen tree twigs and nearly tossed them into the stream. “That’s when I thought, ‘Oh, I probably shouldn’t do that,” admitted Cera, who was a state representative 32 years ago when 26 men, women, and children perished on June 14 in flash flooding along Wegee and Pipe creeks. “Because, when you’ve experienced it, you never forget it, and you think about it more than you realize.” Nearly six inches of rain had fallen on East Ohio that evening, and Cera said as many “three or four” fell in one hour after sunset. The storm’s flooding destroyed 80 homes and damaged at least 250 more. “I didn’t go to bed that night because it was raining so damned hard. And the lightning was crazy. It wasn’t a normal storm,” he remembered. “And all we heard after Wegee and Pipe creeks flooded back in 1990 was that the debris was the big problem. “And all I can tell you is when I was up in a helicopter above the river, it seemed like the debris covered the entire Ohio River. There was that much, and people with the National Guard said it was 15 acres wide,” Cera said. “All I know is that I spent most of my time in that helicopter looking for survivors in that debris. That’s what came into my mind right before I was going to toss those twigs into that stream, and that’s why I didn’t toss them.” Homes were destroyed and damaged by flash floods along Wegee and Pipe creeks 32 years ago. The Roar When the dam of debris broke, some people were in bed, others were at the 3 K’s Bar, and several residents were sitting in their living rooms until, of course, they didn’t have a living room anymore. It was close to that time when Cera’s home phone rang. “It was around 10 p.m. when a man who called himself the grandfather called me. He told me his grandkids got swept away by the water, and he couldn’t get anyone to help him look for them,” the former lawmaker recounted. “So, after I got down to Shadyside, I found a guy who was in the National Guard, and I was telling him about those children, and he was telling me about everything else his men were doing, and that's when Gov. (Richard) Celeste walked up and said, ‘Jack, what is going on?’ You saw the soldier’s eyes get real big at that point. “I told the governor that we had two babies that were missing and that we needed someone to try to find them, and the Governor made an order, and people went to look,” he said. “The Guard did send a crew, and they found the babies’ bodies in the creek. To this day, it’s one of the saddest things I’ve ever been involved with.” During the days and weeks that followed, Cera discovered how many of the victims he had known and that he was acquainted with several folks now without homes.    “You know how it is around here. It seems we’re all connected to each other somehow, some way, and when a tragedy like that takes place, it’s over and over again. It’s constant sadness,” he said. “It was just an awful experience, and we didn’t have the services and the equipment back then like we do now. Back then, we didn’t have swift boat rescue teams and things like that. “I know as a lawmaker I wanted to be involved with anything and everything that was going to develop those things and make things better than what they were because when those floods happened, we all felt so helpless, and that’s because there really was nothing we could do,” Cera said. “So, we went to Columbus after that, and we came up with an idea, and then we got the support we needed. It was the beginning, sure, but at least now people can get warned. There was no warning back then. None at all.” A run near Cera's house flooded, causing him and his neighbors to clean up a lot of mud. Funny Noises These days our radios, televisions, and cell phones deliver emergency notices, but that was not the case in 1990. Three decades ago, the residents of the Upper Ohio Valley had the daily weather forecast on which to depend and each other. That was about it. “There were people who had to drive up and down the roadways in the area to warn people more flooding could happen because that’s all they could do. We didn’t have cell phones then, and we didn’t have the internet or any type of warning systems,” Cera said with frustration in his voice. “Knowing so many were affected made it worse. Knowing that 26 people died may it THE worst. “Sitting here today, you just hope it never happens again, but at the same time, you worry it could,” he said. “Debris played a big factor in that flood, and I’m sure there’s debris along those creeks today. I saw from that helicopter the debris field in the river, and I fear we’ve made the same mistake again.” It wasn’t until 32 years ago today, June 15, 1990, according to Cera, when the screams faded, and reality really set in. “All we saw were piles of stuff,” Cera said. “The craziest thing about it was while you were riding along creeks the next day, you saw one house pushed off its foundation and down the road, and then there would be another house completely untouched because of the way the flood traveled that night. It was an experience I wouldn’t wish on anyone ever. “But then I take rides around the county these, and I see all of this stuff piled up along the banks, and it makes me worry,” the former lawmaker added. “With the kind of weather we’ve been having with these big dumps of rain, you never know anymore. And you always watch now where the storms are coming from, and I can tell you right now that if there’s a storm coming from the south, it makes me very nervous.” Twenty-six residents lost their lives when the flash flooding hit the area during the early morning hours. Read the full article

Additional information regarding the application process may be obtained by visiting www.wvgop.org or contacting the Ohio County Republican Executive Committee or the West Virginia Republican Party Executive Director Ryan Jacinto at [email protected] or 304-890-9401.

To Those Suffering in Silence: You know who you are, but many may not realize why you’re no longer out and about like you used to be; why you keep coming up with excuses to remain alone in a solidarity you’ve come to trust instead; and why, truth be told, you no longer like people. Far too often, you’re too quiet to raise awareness about what ails you. Instead, you sit silent in a Hell that leads to the worst possible outcomes, and that’s a primary reason why, on average, about 18 American veterans die by suicide each day in the United States. Most often, “Military grade” Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a result of a soldier’s extreme experiences at war, and those scars leave the triggers that make common life nearly impossible. The same is true for those in law enforcement, and for those who have endured any brand of terrifying trauma that changed you and has made you retreat from what was once considered your normal. You avoid the pain, but for far too many, it chases, it corners, and it captures your existence without sirens or any other signs of seizure. It’s likely most don’t know June is PTSD Awareness Month, and that’s because there’s still a stigma attached to the pain that imprisons those who are suffering. Too often, you are considered broken and unfixable, but that’s far from true. There is help, and we, as a society, must improve at spreading awareness instead of ignoring the real realities of life. Sincerely, Your Family & Friends Read the full article

"Barely a trickle”. That’s how the mayor of Valley Grove describes how Little Wheeling Creek usually flows through his town of about 250 residents. That wasn’t the case, of course, about a year ago when portions of Ohio County were pounded with multiple inches of rain in a short amount of time, and Valley Grove, Triadelphia, and parts of Elm Grove were flooded worse than most residents remember. Nine individuals perished, too, and homes, vehicles, and everything not tied or weighted down were swept away as far as the Ohio River. This Saturday at 11 a.m., a memorial for the victims will be unveiled and dedicated at the Triadelphia United Methodist Church, and on Sunday, Kleeh will welcome residents, first responders, and volunteers to Valley Grove’s Picnic at 1 p.m. at the Community Park. Valley Grove Mayor Chad Kleeh has hope for his hometown after seeing the collective reaction of the members of his community. “I remember after there was some time that had passed after the flooding when we didn’t get any rain for about two weeks, and I looked down at (Little Wheeling Creek) and there was barely a trickle that couldn’t have been a foot wide,” he recalled. “Just two weeks earlier, and it was more than nine feet deep and a whole different story. “A lot of the flooding started in Valley Grove because the rain hit up above us in Ohio County. It all flowed down the hills, hit us, but then it did so much damage downstream,” Kleeh said. “We had a lot of residents who had their basements full, but they were out helping others because of how bad it was in Triadelphia and in parts of Elm Grove.” Kleeh was away on Father’s Day weekend so he wasn’t immediately aware that a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Ohio County before, according to the National Weather Service, between 2.5 and 4.5 inches of rain fell during a two-hour stretch of time. Most of the damage caused by the flash flooding in Triadelphia and Valley Grove has provided never-before-seen images. While nine individuals ranging from 83 to 3 years old were killed, first responders rescued more than 100 individuals who were found clinging to trees and fences and telephone poles along U.S. Route 40. “I can still remember very clearly the first time I drove around, and I remember the moment I thought to myself, ‘You’re the mayor. You have to do something.’,” Kleeh said. “And I remember not knowing where to start. I had no idea. I don’t think anyone did. “We just kind of looked around at first, not believing our eyes. No one had ever seen anything like it,” he recalled. “All of a sudden, it was like 500 pounds had fallen on everyone’s shoulders. It was just very emotional. That's all I can say. It was emotional.” Little Wheeling Creek was clogged at several points during the flash flooding that destroyed parts of Ohio County on June 14th. Tears and Fears The residents immediately looked to their mayor, a man who had just been elected – again – for his fifth term in office. Officials with the Ohio County Emergency Management were calling, and so were the Governor’s Office, the sheriff’s department, and every other first responder agency in the region. And Chad Kleeh’s head was spinning. “But after about a week, I got into a routine with all of the volunteers, the county officials, and the first responders, and one night I sat down on my porch with my girlfriend, and I just melted. I remember her telling me to let it out,” said Kleeh, now in his 20th year as Valley Grove’s mayor. “She said to me, ‘I don't know how you've been holding it up this long. You've been strong for everybody.’ But that’s just what the mayor is supposed to do, right? Kleeh is a member of The Roadhog Band, a group that has played for donations that have benefited the flood victims in Ohio County. “So yeah, I cried like a baby that night,” he explained. “I’m sure everyone involved had that moment, too, because it seems like once we did one thing, there were always 10 more things to do for people. There were cars in the creek, and furnaces and hot water tanks to rip out, and the meetings and the Governor and everything else. It was the toughest time.” But then a team of representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the federal Small Business Administration (SBA) landed in Ohio County, and so did volunteers with national Christian groups known as Samaritan’s Purse and Eight Days of Hope. And progress was finally visible, and it’s continued since. Nearly 100 vehicles were swept into Little Wheeling Creek during the flash flooding. (Photo by Erika Donaghy) “It’s good to see so many of our residents have been able to get back into their houses after their basements and first floors got hit with the flooding because I really thought it would take much longer,” Kleeh said. “But, in the beginning, I don’t think anyone anticipated the arrivals of the national Christian groups that came in to help. Those folks were incredible, and they joined in with all of the volunteers from Wheeling and from around the valley. “We’re all just so thankful,” the Valley Grove mayor said. “We’ll never be back to normal, especially in Triadelphia, but we’re far ahead of where I thought we’d be after a year. At first, I had no idea how we were going to deal with everything.” In September 2004, Ohio County was hit with flash flooding along Big Wheeling Creek, and hundreds of properties were damaged between the Elm Grove and Fulton neighborhoods. Mounds of debris bordered roadways for weeks, and FEMA, the SBA, and the Red Cross were in the Wheeling area for a few months. The monument will honor the nine victims of the fatal flash flood that swept through Valley Grove, Triadelphia, and parts of Elm Grove. But there wasn't the death, the destruction, or the devastation. “By far, this is the worst tragedy I have ever seen happen here in this area. There’s nothing I’ve seen during my lifetime that comes close to comparing,” Kleeh said. “We’ve had floods in Valley Grove before, but we’ve never lost lives like we did last year. “I guess I was very lucky not to see a tragedy like that until I was 48 years old, but I wish I had never seen it at all,” he said. “I cried when I saw our communities destroyed. It was overwhelming.” https://ledenews.com/pastor-mike-palmer-were-recovering-from-it-and-were-doing-it-together/ https://ledenews.com/top-stories-of-25-historic-flooding-claims-9-lives-in-ohio-county/ Read the full article

“We are very community minded,” she said. “We help many people, when they have a fire or are low on food. People can have flags in their yards that we put up which shows our patriotic spirit and continued pride in the Bridgeport communities.”