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WHEELING, W.VA. – With a stretch of bitterly cold weather in the forecast for the area, the City of Wheeling is reminding residents to take steps to prevent frozen water lines and the problems they can cause. Water Superintendent Lori Siburt said freezing temperatures can quickly lead to blocked or burst pipes, especially in vulnerable areas of the home. “Any pipe exposed to cold air is at risk, including those in basements, garages, along exterior walls or even inside kitchen and bathroom cabinets,” Siburt said. “When temperatures drop this low, it doesn’t take long for water to freeze and create serious issues.” Siburt noted that one of the most effective ways to reduce the chance of freezing is to allow water to flow slowly through the pipes. “For homes that have experienced frozen lines in the past, we recommend keeping a small, steady stream of water running, about the size of a pencil,” she explained. “That movement helps prevent ice from forming and can save homeowners from costly repairs.” She added that taking preventative action now can protect water meters and service lines while avoiding unnecessary service disruptions. “Letting water run just a little can make a big difference during extreme cold,” Siburt said. “It’s a simple precaution that can help residents avoid damage and the inconvenience of frozen pipes.” The City of Wheeling urges residents to follow these precautions as temperatures fall. For additional guidance or questions, residents may contact the City of Wheeling Water Department at (304) 234-3849. Read the full article

Ohio County, WV – Interstate 470, eastbound, on Ramp 1C, in Wheeling, will be restricted to one lane, from 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., on Monday, August 17, 2026, and Tuesday, August 18, 2026, for deck repair.  Also, Ramp 1C will be closed on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, for deck repairs. Motorists are advised to use an alternate route. Alternate Route: Use WV 2/US 250 to Interstate 70 eastbound. Inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances may change the project schedule. Read the full article

Charleston, W.Va. - West Virginia continues to see improvements in student achievement in most grades, as demonstrated by the 2026 student assessment results released today at the West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) meeting in Charleston. Due to the hard work of administrators, educators and students, the 2026 proficiency rates in math and English language arts (ELA) now exceed 2019 pre-COVID proficiency rates overall and at most grade levels. The state’s overall percent proficient in math increased from 38% to 39%, while ELA proficiency remained steady at 48%. In science, which is only administered in Grades 5, 8 and 11, the percent proficient dropped from 30% to 29%, which was the same as in 2024. Students in most grades continued to see improvement with only a few exceptions. Mathematics The proficiency rate among all students for math is 39.4%, higher than the 38.7% before the pandemic. Almost all grade levels increased in math, with a 2% increase in Grades 5, 6 and 7 and a 1% increase in Grades 3, 8 and 11, reflecting continued growth in student learning. Grade 4 proficiency decreased by one percentage point. ELA Overall, ELA proficiency remained flat but still above pre-COVID levels. The percent proficient in ELA from 2025 to 2026 increased in Grades 5, 6, 7 and 8. Rates stayed the same in Grades 3 and 4. The outlier was Grade 11 ELA proficiency, which dropped 4% from 55% to 51%. The College Board has reported similar results on the SAT School Day in reading and writing from 2025 to 2026 in other states as well.   Chronic absenteeism impacts student outcomes, with a distinct correlation of lower proficiency results among students who are chronically absent. This includes nearly 15% lower proficiency rates in ELA and 20% lower rates in math across all grades. “Our teachers, administrators and staff in our public schools are working extremely hard every day to support our students and advance their learning, health and overall outcomes,” said State Superintendent of Schools Michele L. Blatt. “The increases we are experiencing are the result of the dedication of these men and women. They see our children’s potential and ensure their needs are met so they can be successful in school and beyond.”   The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) has continued several initiatives to support student learning. The literacy campaign known as Ready, Read, Write, West Virginia focuses on the Science of Reading in early grades. The department’s Unite with Numeracy targets improvement in mathematics.   A recent national study revealed some of the challenges facing the Mountain State, ranking it second in the nation for the most underprivileged children. Contributing factors include low-income households, low workforce participation rates and the number of children living in foster care or with grandparents. “It is difficult to compare West Virginia with states that have growing economies, bustling populations and higher educational attainment along with higher job participation rates,” Superintendent Blatt said. “However, as public schools and educators, we will continue to work through our challenges to give our children the best education and opportunities to succeed.”   The overall 2026 results include combined student performance across grade levels and across all the state’s summative assessments, including the West Virginia General Summative Assessment in Grades 3-8, the SAT School Day in Grade 11 and the West Virginia Alternate Summative Assessment (WVASA) in Grades 3-8 and 11. The WVASA is administered to students with the most significant cognitive disabilities.   The accountability assessment results are based on the performance of students who are enrolled for a full academic year, meaning they were enrolled for at least 135 days during the school year and were present in the end-of-year enrollment file.   For complete assessment results, including county- and school-level results, please visit the ZoomWV Dashboard. Read the full article

WHEELING, W.Va. – The Glessner Group, an accounting, insurance, and wealth management group based in Wheeling, has teamed up with the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley to ensure students have a chance to head back to the classroom feeling confident and prepared. The Glessner Group Every Kid Counts Back to School Initiative will provide clothing vouchers to families of students in Ohio and Marshall Counties based on an application process. The Glessner Group is kicking off the initiative with a $10,000 donation to establish the fund. Businesses and individuals in the community are invited to donate to the Every Kid Counts Back to School Initiative which will allow the program to serve the maximum number of students and families. “The Glessner Group is excited to kick off this program that we hope will make a difference for the families in our community,” said Gary W. Glessner, CPA and President/CEO of The Glessner Group. “When I had heard that so many students were going to be starting the school year without the clothing assistance that so many families have come to rely on, I felt the need to step in and help.” “When the United Way was contacted by The Glessner Group we were excited to partner with Gary and his associates to help drive this initiative forward,” said Staci Stephen, Executive Director of the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley. “We have a similar program in Belmont County with the Department of Job and Family Services and the Community Action Commission where we have received an extraordinary response in applications, demonstrating the need of so many families in the region.” Applications will open on Wednesday, August 12, and will close on Wednesday, August 19, or when the application response exceeds the amount of funding available. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, and are approved based on whether families are receiving assistance from Temporary Assistance from Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and/or Medicaid benefits. Applications will be posted on the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley website under the “Community News & Events” section on the home page. After completing the process, applicants will receive an email within five business days regarding their status. Families who have been approved for the clothing voucher program will receive information regarding voucher redemption and the terms and conditions of the Ohio Valley Mall clothing vouchers. If an applicant does not hear about their application status after five business days they may contact the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley. Program sponsors include The Glessner Group and Expand Energy. Individuals and businesses wishing to donate to the Glessner Group Every Kid Counts Back to School Initiative can contact United Way Executive Director Staci Stephen by calling (304) 232-4625. Read the full article

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA — U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey has announced Department of Justice grant awards totaling $2.265 million for law enforcement partners and community service organizations across the Northern District of West Virginia. “Our district is strongest when law enforcement and outreach services are well-equipped to serve our neighbors and keep them safe,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey. “This funding not only assists the recipients in their good work, but it improves the lives of every person living in those communities.” The awards, provided through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, represent the nation’s leading source of federal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions, the District of Columbia, and all U.S. territories. For more than 20 years, the JAG program has provided critical funding to support law enforcement’s ability to protect the communities they serve, supporting critical needs such as personnel, equipment and supplies, technology, training, information systems for criminal justice or civil proceedings, and other operational priorities. JAG funding also supports a wide range of programs that strengthen crime prevention efforts and enhance the effectiveness of prosecutors, courts, corrections agencies, and services for crime victims and witnesses. “This funding strengthens our state, local, and tribal partners’ ability to address violent crime, support officers on the front lines, and keep our Nation’s communities safe,” said Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr. “The JAG Program continues to provide essential resources that help jurisdictions meet today’s public safety threats and uphold the rule of law.” The Office of Justice Programs has awarded $124,358 in Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance grants to five law enforcement offices in the Northern District of West Virginia to enhance officer safety, investigative services, and technology. Those departments awarded are: The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office - $23,697 for officer body armor The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office - $12,287 for firearms accessories and ammunition The Fairmont Police Department - $19,444 for technology equipment The Wheeling Police Department - $57,790 for investigative technology and equipment The Ohio County Sheriff’s Office - $11,140 for investigative technology and equipment BJA awarded more than $199 million in state JAG funding across 56 awards and more than $90 million in local JAG funding across 895 awards. In addition, the Office on Violence Against Women has awarded $2,141,039 in grant funding in West Virginia. The West Virginia Office of Justice and Community Services received $1,329,906 to strengthen law enforcement, prosecution, and court strategies to combat violent crime against women and to strengthen victim services in domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking cases.  The office also received $811,133 to support rape crisis centers and non-profit organizations that provide services to victims of sexual assault. For more information on the awards, funding availability, and applying for Department of Justice grants, go to https://www.ojp.gov/funding. Read the full article

WHEELING, W.Va. (Aug. 11, 2026) — The Wheeling-Ohio County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) has signed the construction contract for Base Bids 1 and 2 of the Wheeling Gateway Center, marking a major step to lock in pricing to begin construction mobilization.  Public bids were unsealed on April 16 earlier this year, and STONEMILE Group was selected as the qualified, lowest bidder. Construction contract negotiations began on May 11 and have been finalized at the publicly unsealed value of $15.8 million. “We’re proud to be partnering with numerous local companies that will perform a large majority of the scope of work on this project utilizing local tradesmen,” said Greg Kittridge, President of STONEMILE Group, LLC. Kittridge continued, “Recognizing the importance of engaging local skilled craftsmen is essential to the community. STONEMILE is committed to all stakeholders on the project, as well as the whole Ohio Valley community in making this effort the company’s top priority. We are very excited about the opportunity and look forward to being a part of an amazing project that all generations can look forward to for many years to come.” The construction schedule for this scope is expected to run 16 months with work beginning along the waterfront and trail connector, then continuing up the base of the hillside.  The technical teams will work closely with the State of West Virginia’s structural engineers to coordinate around the footprint of the historic Suspension Bridge.  These two bid packages deliver what the community has consistently named as the top priority: a new trail connector linking the historic Wheeling Suspension Bridge to the Wheeling Heritage Trail. This will also include hillside and site stabilization required to support the building, as well as the full core and shell of the Gateway Center. When this phase is complete, the building will stand fully enclosed on the site. “The Suspension Bridge is part of who we are. It was the original Gateway to the West, and people here have wanted to reconnect it to the river and the trail for a long time. Signing this contract means that connection is finally going to get built, and we’re going to have a real, enclosed visitors and heritage center standing there. That matters to a lot of us,” said Frank O’Brien, Executive Director of the Wheeling CVB. The timing also builds on the recent announcement of a new hotel coming to downtown Wheeling on 14th Street. The Gateway Center is designed to complement that investment by giving visitors a clear starting point — a place to learn about the area, connect to the trail and river, and then explore the rest of downtown, including the new hotel. “We’re genuinely excited about the new hotel,” O’Brien said. “Having a quality place for people to stay right in the heart of downtown, paired with a top-notch Wheeling experience, is something this community has needed. We believe the hotel and the center will work together to bring more visitors, encourage them to stay longer, and help create the kind of steady, year-round activity that supports full occupancy and a stronger downtown.” Scott Schenerlein, Executive Director of Wheeling Heritage, added: “Getting the trail connector and the building enclosure under contract is a big step, but the work isn’t finished. We’re continuing to raise funds for the heritage experience that will go inside — the part that will tell Wheeling’s story in a meaningful way. We’ll have more to share about that experience after the groundbreaking, and this historic moment marks the collective renewed commitment to seeing this once-in-a-generation project through completion.” “There’s still more work ahead to finish the full project, but today we can say the most important first piece is under contract, and that is real progress for our community,” O’Brien said. An official groundbreaking ceremony will be announced at a later date.    The CVB will share more about the project's next steps and details on what to expect during the construction process across its partner channels and local media. More information is available at https://wheelinggateway.tippingpointdev.com. Read the full article