Virtual Code Enforcement.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the government Orders restricting gatherings, upcoming meetings for the City of Wheeling’s Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) will be held virtually until further notice. The next meeting is slated for 9:30 a.m., Thursday, April 16. City Clerk Brenda Delbert explained the public will still have the opportunity to observe the proceedings and provide input where appropriate. The meetings will be live streamed on the Wheeling WV City Government Facebook page. For the public comment portion of the agenda, those desiring to address the board must call 304-551-2151 up until 15 minutes prior to the meeting’s start to sign up to speak. At this time, individuals will receive login information and a password provided by the City Clerk for the comment period that will be conducted virtually. The City Clerk will then call on those individuals at the appropriate time in accordance with the agenda. Facebook questions/comments will not be responded to during the meeting.

Tax Tips.

Jeff Yourkovich of Yourkovich & Associates will appear on The Watchdog (98.1 FM WKKX and 97.7 FM WVLY) beginning at 3:30 p.m., and listeners with the questions can call 304-214-1600.

Arrest Made.

Wheeling Police detective announced Monday one person has been arrested and criminally charged in an April 2 shooting, with a second suspect remaining at large. Clarence William Bertram, 28 of Wheeling was arrested Saturday and is charged with principle in the second degree and accessory before the fact.  He was transported to the Northern Regional Jail by WPD and was arraigned by an Ohio County Magistrate, who set a cash bond of $100,000. Meanwhile, Devon Alexander Bertram, 30 of Wheeling remains at large and wanted for attempted murder. Should anyone have information on his whereabouts, they are urged to call police at 304-234-3664.

Trail Closures.

Beginning this week, IPR Northeast will be doing sanitary sewer rehabilitation on behalf of the city of Wheeling for three weeks. During that time period, the use of Heritage Trail on Water Street between 43rd and 45th streets in South Wheeling may be disrupted from time to time. IPR will do their best to keep interruptions to a minimum. Residents may also notice an epoxy paint type of smell coming from the work area, but that is normal.

Emergency Contacted Needed.

The Wheeling Fire Department’s Bureau of Fire Prevention is currently seeking emergency contact information from city building and business owners in order to update its records system. The bureau is making this pro-active approach via telephone only and no in person business visits will occur. Officials with the Wheeling Fire Department will be making phone calls during regular business hours to current business/building owner information on file. WFD personnel will identify themselves when making these calls. Should anyone wish to update or verify their emergency contact information, they are asked to call 304-234-3726 or 304-559-4616.

Closures of Trails.

76 in W.Va. – COVID D-19 Update.

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) confirmed 27 new cases of COVID-19 have been officially reported to the state, making the total positive case count at 76. According to a press release from the DHHR, new cases were identified in Berkeley, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Kanawha, Marion, Marshall, Mason, Monongalia, Raleigh, Upshur and Wood counties. DHHR officials stated that the state breakdown of cases by county are: Four individuals from Berkeley County; four from Harrison County; five from Jackson County; four from Jefferson County; 15 from Kanawha County; one from Logan County; two from Marion County; three from Marshall County; one from Mason County, two from Mercer County; 24 from Monongalia County; one from Ohio County; one from Preston County; two from Putnam County; two from Raleigh County; two from Tucker County; one from Upshur County; and two from Wood County. According to the DHHR, following surveillance from several identified cases, the official case count changed for Ohio and Preston counties by one less each than originally reported as those cases were found to not be the county of residence of these individuals. As of March 26, 2020, at 9:30 p.m., the DHHR totals are that 1,855 residents have been tested for COVID-19, with 76 positive, 1,779 negative and 43 tests pending at state lab, according to the DHHR. Since COVID-19 is a new disease, DHHR officials explained, it is newly reportable to West Virginia’s public health system. Medical providers are required to report test results to their local health departments, which provide them to DHHR. Officials with the DHHR explained that commercial, or private labs are also required to report test results to the DHHR.  However, the release stated, the reporting of negative and pending tests to DHHR has been inconsistent. According to the DHHR, only the DHHR’s state lab has consistently reported all its negative results and pending tests. Officials with the DHHR explained that it is working with its public and private partners to ensure all required information is properly reported.

Testing Location Instructions.

Traffic Control: Once you enter Wheeling Park, FOLLOW the informational signs. Other motorists, golfers and park guests continue driving straight and park AWAY from the testing location. DO NOT WALK THROUGH TESTING FACILITIES. TESTING INFO: The testing is not for the general public. It is for at-risk patients who have a valid order from a physician.Roll up WindowsHave ID ReadyFollow Directions of on-site staff If you have questions, you may use the hospital’s COVID-19 number at 304-221-3995.

OCS Meals.

Meal distribution for Ohio County Schools students will re-launch next week with one major change – parents must bring their children with them to acquire the meals so school district officials can account for each package. The program was suspended on Tuesday so a restructuring could take place.

Linsly Learning.

Linsly Head of School Justin Zimmerman is scheduled to explain how the school has continued to educate its students this afternoon on The Watchdog, 98.1 FM WKKX and 97.7 FM WVLY.

Grants Available for Artists, Entertainers.

While our grant program continues to fulfill the mission of Wheeling Heritage to lead community efforts in recognizing, communicating, and preserving Wheeling’s heritage, we recognize a need during this pandemic to create an emergency Partnership Grant by diverting our current grant funds to the most pressing concern. The grant is open to professional working artists and entertainers, as well as small business owners, who have had a loss of income due to COVID-19. Professional working artists or entertainers or small business owners are those who devote a significant portion of their time to their craft or business and depend on this income for their livelihood. To apply for this grant, the person or small business must be in the Wheeling Heritage Area (the Wheeling city limits). Applicants may apply for up to $1,000 with priority being given to those with immediate needs of shelter, food, and other essentials. Applications will be open immediately and be accepted on a rolling basis. Grants applications will be reviewed and awarded on a weekly basis until funds are exhausted. Based on the demand and available funds, you may receive a partial award. One application for each individual or business will be reviewed and only one grant will be awarded.

Call for Carry-Out.

76 in W.Va. – COVID D-19 Update.

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) confirmed 27 new cases of COVID-19 have been officially reported to the state, making the total positive case count at 76. According to a press release from the DHHR, new cases were identified in Berkeley, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Kanawha, Marion, Marshall, Mason, Monongalia, Raleigh, Upshur and Wood counties. DHHR officials stated that the state breakdown of cases by county are: Four individuals from Berkeley County; four from Harrison County; five from Jackson County; four from Jefferson County; 15 from Kanawha County; one from Logan County; two from Marion County; three from Marshall County; one from Mason County, two from Mercer County; 24 from Monongalia County; one from Ohio County; one from Preston County; two from Putnam County; two from Raleigh County; two from Tucker County; one from Upshur County; and two from Wood County. According to the DHHR, following surveillance from several identified cases, the official case count changed for Ohio and Preston counties by one less each than originally reported as those cases were found to not be the county of residence of these individuals. As of March 26, 2020, at 9:30 p.m., the DHHR totals are that 1,855 residents have been tested for COVID-19, with 76 positive, 1,779 negative and 43 tests pending at state lab, according to the DHHR. Since COVID-19 is a new disease, DHHR officials explained, it is newly reportable to West Virginia’s public health system. Medical providers are required to report test results to their local health departments, which provide them to DHHR. Officials with the DHHR explained that commercial, or private labs are also required to report test results to the DHHR.  However, the release stated, the reporting of negative and pending tests to DHHR has been inconsistent. According to the DHHR, only the DHHR’s state lab has consistently reported all its negative results and pending tests. Officials with the DHHR explained that it is working with its public and private partners to ensure all required information is properly reported.

Testing Location Instructions.

Traffic Control: Once you enter Wheeling Park, FOLLOW the informational signs. Other motorists, golfers and park guests continue driving straight and park AWAY from the testing location. DO NOT WALK THROUGH TESTING FACILITIES. TESTING INFO: The testing is not for the general public. It is for at-risk patients who have a valid order from a physician.Roll up WindowsHave ID ReadyFollow Directions of on-site staff If you have questions, you may use the hospital’s COVID-19 number at 304-221-3995.

OCS Meals.

Meal distribution for Ohio County Schools students will re-launch next week with one major change – parents must bring their children with them to acquire the meals so school district officials can account for each package. The program was suspended on Tuesday so a restructuring could take place.

Linsly Learning.

Linsly Head of School Justin Zimmerman is scheduled to explain how the school has continued to educate its students this afternoon on The Watchdog, 98.1 FM WKKX and 97.7 FM WVLY.

Grants Available for Artists, Entertainers.

While our grant program continues to fulfill the mission of Wheeling Heritage to lead community efforts in recognizing, communicating, and preserving Wheeling’s heritage, we recognize a need during this pandemic to create an emergency Partnership Grant by diverting our current grant funds to the most pressing concern. The grant is open to professional working artists and entertainers, as well as small business owners, who have had a loss of income due to COVID-19. Professional working artists or entertainers or small business owners are those who devote a significant portion of their time to their craft or business and depend on this income for their livelihood. To apply for this grant, the person or small business must be in the Wheeling Heritage Area (the Wheeling city limits). Applicants may apply for up to $1,000 with priority being given to those with immediate needs of shelter, food, and other essentials. Applications will be open immediately and be accepted on a rolling basis. Grants applications will be reviewed and awarded on a weekly basis until funds are exhausted. Based on the demand and available funds, you may receive a partial award. One application for each individual or business will be reviewed and only one grant will be awarded.

Call for Carry-Out.