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By unanimous vote earlier today by the six members of Wheeling Council and Mayor Glenn Elliott, the decision to either take possession of the OVMC campus property or pass on the deal was again tabled until the next regular meeting set for June 16 at 5:30 p.m. That decision obviously was fine with Ward 2 Councilman Ken Imer because on Monday during an interview Monday afternoon on The Watchdog (98.1 FM WKKX and 97.7 FM WVLY) the representative remained undecided. “I am still tossing the whole thing around in my head,” Imer said. “I was asked recently if the city really wants to be in the real estate business? And it was a good point, I thought, and I say that knowing that the city owns a lot of city properties because it’s been approved by mayors and council members, or because people have just abandoned the properties. “But the OVMC campus is different, and it would be a huge project that the city would take on,” he said. “There are good buildings involved, but there are the others that might now have a future. It’s a big decision.”

Wheeling Ward 2 Councilman Ken Imer and his family reside on Wheeling Island.

Potential

The first phone call only concerned the Valley professional Center on Chapline Street because a police department and city offices could be a nice fit. The owner, MPT Inc., countered with an-all-or nothing proposal. A part of the deal with the former operator of the OVMC operations, Alecto, involved the city financing the demolition of the former nurses’ quarters and $3 million renovation of the city’s Center Market Parking Garage. If the city were to agree with this, the razing still would need performed, and so would the garage renovation. The condition of the top tower, the structure that still features the OVGH signage, likely is the most concerning liability involved. In such a situation, demolition would be likely. “It is an old, historic building, and there would be resistance, I’m sure,” Imer said. “We did tour all of the buildings, and most of it looked like it was in decent shape. But I didn’t see the guts of the buildings. Some of the interiors of the buildings are nicer than the others, but the oldest one just doesn’t look like it’s in the greatest condition, and that is concerning to me. “When you walk through, you see the potential, and it is there,” he continued. “But the biggest problems for me is if we want to spend the money to make it what you really want it to be? Plus, if you put money into this building and that building to make it what it needs to be, there’s still money that would have to be put into them because they are still older buildings. It’s a big decision.”

Officials with the city of Wheeling have been in contact with the owners of the OVMC campus, and they have discussed a possible sale.

Then There Is the What If?

Varner on Air.

Ohio County Magistrate Janine Varner will be interviewed this afternoon at 4 p.m. on The Watchdog (98.1 FM WKKX and 97.7 WVLY). Varner was appointed to her position and is running to remain, and she will discuss how she’s operated her campaign despite the coronavirus crisis.

Weekend Weather.

According to the National Weather Service, there is an 80 percent chance of thunderstorms today and this evening with a high of 78 and a low temperature of 57. A cold front entering the Upper Ohio Valley will bring sunny skies but cooler temperatures Saturday and Sunday.

Water Interruption.

On June 1 at 8 a.m. in the Clearview area, here will be an interruption of water service until approximately 5 p.m. for the installation of a new valve. After service is restored, there will be a 48-hour boil order in effect. The following addresses will be impacted by probable loss of water or loss of water pressure: 109-132 Radcliffe Road (excluding 124) and all of Lee Road. In case of inclement weather, work will occur on June 2.

Comeback Continues.

The re-opening date for swimming pools and indoor amusement in West Virginia is May 30. Indoor amusement includes bowling alleys, pool halls, roller rinks and other type places. May 30 is also the same day spas and massage businesses can re-open as well as limited video lottery retailers. On June 5, movie theaters are able to re-open in the Mountain State, which is the same day casinos can open.

Job Openings at Health Department.

The WOCHD is seeking individuals to fill the following open positions at the health department and in the agency’s WIC Program: NURSE I (Health Department)HEALTH & HUMAN RESOURCES ASSOCIATE (Threat Preparedness Director, Ohio County)HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICE AIDE (WIC Program)NUTRITIONIST 1, 2, 3 (WIC Program, two positions available) These positions are full time (40 hours a week) and are considered day shift civil service positions with benefits (state retirement, health insurance, vision/dental insurance, paid sick/annual time off, etc). All interested candidates need to meet the minimum qualifications as stated in the West Virginia Division of Personnel, Classification Specification for the listed position. Other requirements and application may be found at www.personnel.wv.gov. For more information contact Howard Gamble, Administrator, Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department, (304) 234-3682 or [email protected].

Hydrant Flushing

Blame My Roots?

The founder of the Blame My Roots Festival, Chris Dutton, will be interviewed on The Watchdog (98.1 FM WKKX and 97.7 FM WVLY) and will discuss what the coronavirus means to the future of the second annual event.

Federal Funds Received.

Wheeling University has received $383,326 from the Department of Education as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Services (CARES) Act, to provide financial assistance to students impacted by the pandemic. The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Grant, totaling more than $6 billion, will come via the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund and will be distributed directly to colleges and universities to provide emergency grants to college students whose lives and educations have been disrupted by the COVID-19 outbreak. The CARES Act is providing nearly $14 billion to support postsecondary education students and institutions. College and university allocations are set by a formula prescribed in the CARES Act that is weighted significantly by the number of full-time students who are Pell-eligible, but also takes into consideration the total population of the school and the number of students who were not enrolled full-time online before the coronavirus outbreak. The Department is utilizing the most recent data available from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and Federal Student Aid (FSA) for this calculation.

A Parade for Declan.

It’s official. The parade for Declan will be Saturday at 2pm. We will meet at MCCanns Distributings parking lot, which is a block away from Declan. It’s at 42nd & Jacob st in South Wheeling, caddy corner from Animal Urgent Care. We will meet at 1:45. To answer some questions: Declan is NOT in the parade, rather this is a parade to drive past the house slowly so everybody can honk and wave at Declan, like as a welcome home parade. He is now home on hospice. Feel free to decorate your vehicle with signs if you wish. He will be outside in his wheelchair to witness everybody driving by. Once you drive by the house we can either go around the block again or you can just go on your way and get back on the interstate. We will appreciate anybody that can come out and make him smile that day.

St. Clairsville Council.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak and the changes that have been made to Ohio’s Open Meetings Act (which temporarily allows public bodies to conduct meetings and hearings electronically during this state of emergency), the regular scheduled May 4, 2020 St. Clairsville City Council Meeting will be conducted via TELECONFERENCE, beginning at 7:30 P.M. The Council members, Mayor Thalman, and the City’s Administrative staff will be TELECONFERENCE participants. Public bodies must provide public access to any meeting or hearing that the public would otherwise be entitled to attend.  Therefore, any resident who is interested in dialing in to the TELECONFERENCE is encouraged to do so.  Residents will be in a LISTEN ONLY MODE. Please dial in to the number listed below at 7:30 P.M.  The dial-in number and access code are: Dial-In Number: 740-232-9309; Access Code: 6493. Mayor Thalman and Council President Velas urge residents to listen in and become informed on timely City business.

A Reminder from the Diocese.

As the world continues to face the ongoing effects of the global pandemic of the coronavirus, Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has announced that the U.S. bishops will join the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops on May 1 in renewing the consecrations of the two nations to the care of our Blessed Mother. Archbishop Gomez will lead a brief liturgy with the prayer of re-consecration on Friday, May 1 at 3:00 pm EDT and has invited the bishops to join in from their respective dioceses and asked them to extend the invitation to the faithful in their dioceses for their participation. A liturgy guide will be available to assist the faithful who may join in by tuning into the USCCB’s social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

I-70 Ramps Closing May 11.

I know I’m biased, but what I witnessed over the past weekend was 255 mistakes. During the first and second rounds, I unrealistically hoped a team would “steal” him although he told me his agent was informed it would be between the fourth and seventh. Didn’t happen. When it was time for the final and “Mr. Irrelevant” pick, not a single supporter cared about the title and that’s because of confidence he’d prosper in the role. Prove ‘em wrong, of course, like Elijah Bell has so many times. He was small as a Little Patriot but grew tall by high school; Wheeling Park had never won a state championship, but Elijah joined a grand cast that included one of his best friends, Savion Johnson, to propel the Patriots to the 2015 Class AAA W.Va. Championship; and off then he went to North Carolina A&T to see what he could be. Championships? Check, check, check! Receiving records? Another triple-check with most catches, yards, and touchdowns in Aggie history. Selected in the NFL Draft? Not so much, but Elijah is far from done. Soon following the draft, the NFL shared that there are more Hall of Famers in Canton who were undrafted free agents (17) than overall No. 1 picks (14). That stat, though, is only one reason Bell remains determined. Consider the statistics he recorded during his three months in California as a member of a prospect camp. Elijah ran faster than Antonio Brown and the same as JuJu Smith-Schuster, and he outweighs both receivers by 25 pounds. All the NFL really needs to do is read what his mother, Dawn, posted on Facebook after the seven rounds of selections. The last few days didn’t go as we had hoped … but his opportunity isn’t over and he’s not giving up. He’s been underrated his entire career and this is nothing different!! When his opportunity comes, nobody knows better than me that he will make the BEST of it! He’s never expected anything to just come to him and come easy! He’s always worked extra hard to achieve his goals. This is just another chance for him to prove himself! He’s always gonna be in the record books and he’s NCA&T’s All-time leading WR!!! He’s still the GOAT in my eyes and nobody is more proud than I am!!! Mommy loves you Elijah!!! “North Carolina A&T is a very good school, but it’s a small school compared to the others, and Elijah is from West Virginia, too,” explained Daryl “Boogie” Johnson, one of Bell’s mentors. “Randy Moss had blazing speed when he came out of high school, and he went to Marshall which is a bigger school. That does make a difference. “But he’ll be OK. Elijah is far from done,” Johnson said. “He’d probably be signed right now if it wasn’t for this virus. All they gotta do is see him work out and catch that football. Whichever team takes a chance one him won’t regret it, that I know for sure.”

Kabler on the Air.

The awarding-winning reporter and columnist from the Charleston Gazette-Mail, Phil Kabler, will be interviewed this afternoon on The Watchdog (98.1 FM WKKX and 97.7 FM WVLY) to discuss the state’s current deficit, its response to the COVID-19 crisis, and the timeline for a legislative special session for state lawmakers.

Drug Arrests.

Two people are facing drug charges after Wheeling Police were sent to a Paxton Avenue house in Elm Grove to check a property. When officers checked the house, they found two people inside and detained them for trespassing. While searchinrg the suspects, officers found several grams of methamphetamine and a large amount of money. An additional search inside the house found more drugs and several drug related instruments. Jack Rooks Walton, 41 of Wheeling and Stephanie Nicole Seymour, 31 of Wheeling were both arrested and charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. They were arraigned by an Ohio County Magistrate Tuesday and were released after posting $10,000 bond. Both suspects also were charged with trespassing through the City of Wheeling’s municipal court.

Lunch with Books.

On our next Lunch with Books Livestream on April 28 at noon, the great Dr. Hal Gorby will launch his brand NEW hot off the press book, Wheeling’s Polonia: Reconstructing Polish Community in a West Virginia Steel Town. Don't forget: ORDER YOUR COPY ON WVU PRESS WEBSITE and get a 30% DISCOUNT! Use the code: POLONIA30.

No Town Hall.

Mayor Kathryn Thalman announced the postponement of this evening’s Water Town Hall Teleconference because of a new Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) mandate on the city and an accelerated timetable for their implementation.  Mayor Thalman adds, “Legal counsel advised the city that the new state mandates void a major part of the pending Aqua contract for the purchase of the city’s water and wastewater utilities. Therefore, while I remain committed to transparency as the city moves forward, holding this forum at this time would not be productive.”

Curbside.

While all classes at West Virginia Northern Community College (WVNCC) are online the rest of the spring semester due to COVID-19, and students are no longer on campus, Students Activities is still finding ways to engage with students. In addition to numerous virtual events like egg hunts, women history month events and more, they are offering an event to help feed their students and support local businesses. On Friday, April 24, they are offering for any Northern students to pick up carryout food at a local restaurant up to $10 off their food order. WVNCC, with campuses in Wheeling, New Martinsville and Weirton, have partnered with a restaurant in each of its campus locations. Participating restaurants include Tacoholix (Wheeling), PJ’s Pizza (New Martinsville) and Mario’s (Weirton). All students need to do is let the restaurant know they are a Northern student when they order, then show their student ID when they pick it up to receive $10 off.

Virtual Conversation.

School Buildings Closed for Year.

Although W.Va. Gov. Jim Justice ordered all school buildings closed, online learning programs and food distribution in the Mountain State will continue until the completion of the schedule academic year.

Curbside.

While all classes at West Virginia Northern Community College (WVNCC) are online the rest of the spring semester due to COVID-19, and students are no longer on campus, Students Activities is still finding ways to engage with students. In addition to numerous virtual events like egg hunts, women history month events and more, they are offering an event to help feed their students and support local businesses. On Friday, April 24, they are offering for any Northern students to pick up carryout food at a local restaurant up to $10 off their food order. WVNCC, with campuses in Wheeling, New Martinsville and Weirton, have partnered with a restaurant in each of its campus locations. Participating restaurants include Tacoholix (Wheeling), PJ’s Pizza (New Martinsville) and Mario’s (Weirton). All students need to do is let the restaurant know they are a Northern student when they order, then show their student ID when they pick it up to receive $10 off.

Police Chief on The Watchdog.

Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger will be a guest on The Watchdog (98.1 FM WKKX and 97.7 FM WVLY) beginning at 2 p.m. Topics will include current criminal activity, the challenges thanks to the coronavirus, and the removal of homeless encampments in the city.

Hero Pay.

The Ohio County Commission approve a plan to implement “Hero Pay” to offset expected costs associated with the coronavirus crisis. The decision is connected to W.Va. Gov. Jim Justice’s announcement last week that each county will receive $100,000 under the Cares Act. The Commission will add $225,000 to the state grant and will distribute the monies throughout Ohio County, including the city of Wheeling.

Postponed.

Mayor Kathryn Thalman announces the postponement of an April 23, 2020 Water Town Hall Teleconference because of a new Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) mandate on the city and an accelerated timetable for their implementation.  Mayor Thalman adds, “Legal counsel advised the city that the new state mandates void a major part of the pending Aqua contract for the purchase of the city’s water and wastewater utilities. Therefore, while I remain committed to transparency as the city moves forward, holding this forum at this time would not be productive.” Mayor Thalman extends her gratitude to Steve Novotney for his willingness to serve as moderator and for residents who had submitted questions to be presented. The city will alert the public at the earliest possible time of arrangements for a future public forum to debate this timely issue.

West Virginia needs you to respond to the 2020 Census.

School Buildings Closed for Year.

Although W.Va. Gov. Jim Justice ordered all school buildings closed, online learning programs and food distribution in the Mountain State will continue until the completion of the schedule academic year.

Curbside.

While all classes at West Virginia Northern Community College (WVNCC) are online the rest of the spring semester due to COVID-19, and students are no longer on campus, Students Activities is still finding ways to engage with students. In addition to numerous virtual events like egg hunts, women history month events and more, they are offering an event to help feed their students and support local businesses. On Friday, April 24, they are offering for any Northern students to pick up carryout food at a local restaurant up to $10 off their food order. WVNCC, with campuses in Wheeling, New Martinsville and Weirton, have partnered with a restaurant in each of its campus locations. Participating restaurants include Tacoholix (Wheeling), PJ’s Pizza (New Martinsville) and Mario’s (Weirton). All students need to do is let the restaurant know they are a Northern student when they order, then show their student ID when they pick it up to receive $10 off.

Police Chief on The Watchdog.

Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger will be a guest on The Watchdog (98.1 FM WKKX and 97.7 FM WVLY) beginning at 2 p.m. Topics will include current criminal activity, the challenges thanks to the coronavirus, and the removal of homeless encampments in the city.

Hero Pay.

The Ohio County Commission approve a plan to implement “Hero Pay” to offset expected costs associated with the coronavirus crisis. The decision is connected to W.Va. Gov. Jim Justice’s announcement last week that each county will receive $100,000 under the Cares Act. The Commission will add $225,000 to the state grant and will distribute the monies throughout Ohio County, including the city of Wheeling.

Postponed.

Mayor Kathryn Thalman announces the postponement of an April 23, 2020 Water Town Hall Teleconference because of a new Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) mandate on the city and an accelerated timetable for their implementation.  Mayor Thalman adds, “Legal counsel advised the city that the new state mandates void a major part of the pending Aqua contract for the purchase of the city’s water and wastewater utilities. Therefore, while I remain committed to transparency as the city moves forward, holding this forum at this time would not be productive.” Mayor Thalman extends her gratitude to Steve Novotney for his willingness to serve as moderator and for residents who had submitted questions to be presented. The city will alert the public at the earliest possible time of arrangements for a future public forum to debate this timely issue.

West Virginia needs you to respond to the 2020 Census.

School Building Closed for Year.

Although W.Va. Gov. Jim Justice ordered all school buildings closed, online learning programs and food distribution in the Mountain State will continue until the completion of the schedule academic year.

Curbside.

While all classes at West Virginia Northern Community College (WVNCC) are online the rest of the spring semester due to COVID-19, and students are no longer on campus, Students Activities is still finding ways to engage with students. In addition to numerous virtual events like egg hunts, women history month events and more, they are offering an event to help feed their students and support local businesses. On Friday, April 24, they are offering for any Northern students to pick up carryout food at a local restaurant up to $10 off their food order. WVNCC, with campuses in Wheeling, New Martinsville and Weirton, have partnered with a restaurant in each of its campus locations. Participating restaurants include Tacoholix (Wheeling), PJ’s Pizza (New Martinsville) and Mario’s (Weirton). All students need to do is let the restaurant know they are a Northern student when they order, then show their student ID when they pick it up to receive $10 off.

Police Chief on The Watchdog.

Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger will be a guest on The Watchdog (98.1 FM WKKX and 97.7 FM WVLY) beginning at 2 p.m. Topics will include current criminal activity, the challenges thanks to the coronavirus, and the removal of homeless encampments in the city.

Hero Pay.

The Ohio County Commission approve a plan to implement “Hero Pay” to offset expected costs associated with the coronavirus crisis. The decision is connected to W.Va. Gov. Jim Justice’s announcement last week that each county will receive $100,000 under the Cares Act. The Commission will add $225,000 to the state grant and will distribute the monies throughout Ohio County, including the city of Wheeling.

Postponed.

Mayor Kathryn Thalman announces the postponement of an April 23, 2020 Water Town Hall Teleconference because of a new Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) mandate on the city and an accelerated timetable for their implementation.  Mayor Thalman adds, “Legal counsel advised the city that the new state mandates void a major part of the pending Aqua contract for the purchase of the city’s water and wastewater utilities. Therefore, while I remain committed to transparency as the city moves forward, holding this forum at this time would not be productive.” Mayor Thalman extends her gratitude to Steve Novotney for his willingness to serve as moderator and for residents who had submitted questions to be presented. The city will alert the public at the earliest possible time of arrangements for a future public forum to debate this timely issue.

West Virginia needs you to respond to the 2020 Census.