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School Spending Rises Nationally Amid Enrollment Decline

Public school enrollment has declined in recent years even as staffing and spending have increased, prompting debate among education leaders over how resources are being used and whether they are improving student outcomes. Total annual public school spending is nearing $1 trillion nationally, according to a Reason Foundation report. According to Edunomics Lab at Georgetown University, public school enrollment has declined by roughly 750,000 students since 2014. In that same time, public school employment has grown by more than 600,000 positions. Only about one-third of students score ...

HVAC Project At City-County Building Nearing Completion

WHEELING – The $12 million, multi-year project to replace the heating, ventilation and air conditioning units at the City-County Building in Wheeling is nearing the finish line. Work is 99% complete on the HVAC replacement project, according to Melissa Marco, project coordinator for Ohio ...

3 arrested on drug charges in Martins Ferry

MARTINS FERRY – Three men were arrested on drug related charges in Martins Ferry this past Sunday. City residents Mark Kinkus, Michael Kurtley, and Reed Morrow were arrested at a home on Clinton Street around 5 a.m. after several community tips, according to Martins Ferry Police Chief Vincent West. West said that the ongoing investigation started by complaints about traffic and different people going in and out of that residence. “We definitely take the tip seriously. We ask any residents with any information of suspicious activity in their neighborhoods to please call ...

Ohio County Sheriff’s Office Awaiting Arrival Of Second K-9

WHEELING – The Ohio County Sheriff’s Department should have a second K-9 deputy on duty by the start of summer. In May 2023, county commissioners approved a community grant from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to the Ohio Valley Wellness Coalition to purchase a “comfort” dog for the Ohio County Sheriff’s Department in the amount of $12,000. A dog was never purchased with the money, and the funding was set aside, explained Sheriff Nelson Croft. In November, coalition members agreed with the department’s request that the dog should instead be a second drug detection dog for ...

Youngstown State Sets Initial Offerings For Steubenville

STEUBENVILLE — Youngstown State University has officially announced the approval of its first slate of academic programs, beginning this fall, for Youngstown State University – Steubenville, the site of the former Eastern Gateway Community College. This marks a significant milestone in the university's commitment to expanding higher education access and workforce opportunities in the Upper Ohio Valley. The newly approved offerings represent the first step in establishing a comprehensive YSU presence in Steubenville, focused on creating academic and career pathways aligned with ...

Moundsville Council Holds Second Reading of Proposed Stormwater Rate Fee Hike

MOUNDSVILLE – Moundsville City Council on Tuesday approved the second reading of a proposed ordinance to increase stormwater rates – a move that would generate an additional $210,000 per year in revenue for the city. City Manager Rick Healy said residents can speak on the matter during a ...