Election 2016 Results

Voters Approve Tax Levies in Belmont County

Voters in Belmont County approved tax levies to continue supporting their senior citizens and 911 emergency services, while Martins Ferry voters decided to OK a new levy to raise $300,000 a year for its police department. According to unofficial vote totals, the senior services levy was overwhelmingly approved in a 22,133 to 7,676 decision. The Belmont County 911 Services levy also was approved by a large margin — 21,458 in favor and 8,010 against. Martins Ferry’s police levy is a 5-mill levy that will generate $300,000 a year for the next five years. It will be used to maintain ...

Gruzinskas Takes Marshall County Commission Seat

A former sheriff will soon take on a new role to serve the Marshall County community. John “Big John” Gruzinskas, a Democrat, ousted Marshall County Commission President Stanley Stewart for his commission seat Tuesday by more than 3,000 votes. Gruzinskas received 8,150 votes, while Stewart received 4,798. Gruzinskas retired from the West Virginia State Police with 25 years of service before being elected sheriff twice, in 2004 and 2008. As sheriff, Gruzinskas was appointed twice as one of five of West Virginia’s 55 county sheriffs to serve on the Governor’s Sheriff’s ...

OVRTA Levies Approved By Voters in Wheeling, Bethlehem and Benwood

Bus service will continue for residents in Wheeling, Bethlehem and Benwood until 2020 under the Ohio Valley Regional Transit Authority. Voters strongly supported levies in each location, with unofficial results showing a 74 percent vote in Wheeling at a total of 8,288 to 2,856; 77 percent in Bethlehem, with 1,094 votes against 321; and Benwood with 83 percent approval, at a total of 360 to 74. The measures required 60-percent support to pass The measure was to approve a four-year continuation of OVRTA services without raising the existing levy rates. Belmont and Jefferson counties ...

Tight Race for Wetzel County Commission

In an incredibly tight race, Democrat Lisa Heasley captured the office of Wetzel County Commission, garnering a mere 115 more votes than her opponent, Republican Charles Clements. And in Tyler County, political newcomer Brian Weigle defeated a trio of rivals to be elected sheriff, while Republican Commissioner Eric Vincent was re-elected to a second term, defeating Democrat Arnold Schoolcraft. Charles Clements garnered 3,014, compared to Heasley’s 3,129, according to unofficial totals. Heasley will replace current commissioner Donald Mason, who is retiring at the end of ...

It’s In With the New For Harrison County

With a long and tumultuous election season coming to an end, Harrison County residents elected Paul Coffland to the county commission and Joshua M.A. Willis as recorder. The race for commissioner pitted Coffland, a Republican, against current Commissioner William Host, a Democrat. Host has served on the Harrison County Board of Commissioners for 12 years. His opponent isn’t new to the political game, either, having run for county commissioner against Host four years ago. Coffland captured 3,572 to Host’s 3,264. Host said his campaign had worked as hard as it could, and seemed to ...

Howard Wins Ohio County Sheriff Race

Democrat Tom Howard will be the new sheriff in Ohio County starting in January. Howard, a Wheeling police officer who serves as prevention resource officer at Triadelphia Middle School, captured 9,233 votes in defeating Republican John Powell, who received 8,445, according to unofficial election night totals. “Thank you to everyone in the community,” Howard said. “It’s our community, and we have to bring it back together.” Howard has been with the Wheeling Police Department for 20 years, where he holds the rank of sergeant. He indicated he wants to continue ...