Following the Coronavirus

Mask Order Could Get Teeth If Coronavirus Cases Continue to Spike

CHARLESTON — More than 48 hours after Gov. Jim Justice signed a mandatory but toothless executive order requiring face masks inside offices and businesses, Justice said penalties for not wearing masks could be coming if coronavirus cases continue to spike. Justice signed an executive order Monday requiring masks for residents age 9 and up for indoors, an order that went into effect Tuesday. Exceptions include inside residences, when sitting at a table in a restaurant, when social distancing is possible, and for people with breathing problems or who are unable to put on a mask ...

Residents Enjoying Oglebay’s Outdoor Activities

WHEELING – Even during a global pandemic, sunny summer weather is often too enticing to resist. For many Ohio County residents, the tennis courts and wide-open golf courses at Oglebay Park have become a refuge for people wanting to enjoy time outside while still practicing social distancing ...

Brooke Commissioners Discuss Coronavirus Precautions

WELLSBURG – A recent pandemic-related executive order by Gov. Jim Justice and the report of six new COVID-19 cases within the last few days led Brooke County commissioners to reiterate precautions being taken at the county courthouse and other buildings to prevent spread of the ...

New Color-Coded System Explains Ohio COVID-19 Restrictions

ST. CLAIRSVILLE – Ohio is implementing new regulations and restrictions during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, and local health department officials are planning how those will take effect locally. Belmont County Deputy Health Director Robert Sproul was interviewing potential staff during Gov. Mike DeWine’s briefing Tuesday and will review the regulations in detail. A color-coded public health advisory system was released several days ago, listing counties as yellow, orange, red and purple, with purple having the highest risk. Masks are mandated beginning in red ...

Coronavirus Pandemic Forces Cancellation of West Virginia’s Annual Bridge Day Celebration

FAYETTEVILLE (AP) — The annual bridge-jumping event in southern West Virginia has been canceled. The Bridge Day Commission announced Wednesday that the Oct. 17 event was called off due to uncertainty about the safety of mass gatherings during the coronavirus pandemic. Hundreds of BASE jumpers flock to Fayetteville on the third Saturday of each year, the only day that it’s legal to jump off the 876-foot-high New River Gorge Bridge. “We know that this is an enormous disappointment, but this is not a decision that has been taken lightly,” said Bridge Day Commission chairwoman ...

Marshall County Commencements to be Broadcast Sunday

MOUNDSVILLE — Due to public health concerns over COVID-19 and a lack of suitable gathering space, Marshall County’s seniors will have their graduation ceremony broadcast this weekend rather than hold an in-person commencement. School administrators held John Marshall and Cameron high ...