|Photo by Joselyn King| Kevin Price, right, chief development officer for the Wheeling-Ohio County Airport, details plans for an air show there this summer. At left is Stephanie Hockenberry, growth and retention manager for Ohio County.

An air show is coming to the Wheeling-Ohio County Airport this summer.

County commissioners Tuesday night approved the payment of a $7,500 fee to an air boss to organize an air show at the airport on Aug. 24. The next day, Aug. 25, would be for clean up or a rain day, if needed.

All air shows in the United States are required to have an air boss who is authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration. The air boss serves as the event organizer who has a mastery of air show regulations, guidance and documents.

Kevin Price, chief development officer for the Wheeling-Ohio County Airport, had been directed to set up an air show by County Administrator Randy Russell.

There will be an attempt to cover all costs of the air show through sponsorships, Russell explained. The cost to attend will be determined in the coming weeks, and will be free or “nominal,” he said.

Price said the date of the event “couldn’t be better.” It falls between air shows already set for Dayton, Ohio, and in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.

An aviation program is set to begin at West Liberty University this fall in cooperation with Marshall University, and both universities have committed to participate.

Russell Escue, airport manager, also had been working on a separate project for an air show. He said he will now tell his contacts the county made other plans. Price indicated they might be able to coordinate and “get on the same page” for other events.

The air show circuit has a large following, according to Price. He previously was involved with one in Charleston that attracted about 30,000 people over a weekend.

He believes the one in Wheeling “could easily generate 15,000” in its first attempt with a one-day show.

In other matters, commissioners approved the hiring of Rickie Pritt as deputy director for Ohio County 911 dispatch. The current director, Theresa Rusell, is set to retire this summer, and had suggested to commissioners in December someone be hired as deputy director so she could train them to take over for her in the coming months.

Ohio County Schools had requested a community grant from the commissioners to help with expenses resulting from last weekend’s “Gateway To The West” robotics tournament at The HIghlands Sports Complex. Commissioners instead passed a motion to forgive a $4,500 expense to the school district for needed partition curtains at the event.

Jody Miller addressed commissioners about the upcoming documentary series “Gifted.” It will focus on the story of her daughter Heather Miller, and the importance of organ donation.

The documentary is set to debut March 15 in the J.B. Chambers Performing Arts Center at Wheeling Park High School. Commissioners passed a resolution declaring March 15 “Gifted Day” in Ohio County.

The commissioners will next meet on Feb. 20 at the City-County Building, 1500 Chapline St., Wheeling.