STAR CITY – The juvenile suspect wanted in a July 2 shooting was arrested the end of last week in Harrison County.
Star City Police Chief Glen Staley said Tuesday the male teen was stopped by Harrison County Sheriff’s deputies for another incident and, when they discovered he was wanted for the shooting in Monongalia County, he was arrested.
Staley had updated Star City Town Council July 7, telling members the U.S. Marshal Service had joined the search for the suspect. He said Tuesday the marshals were not involved in last week’s apprehension.
Because the suspect is a juvenile, Staley could not share other details of the case.
The shooting took place about 2 a.m. July 2 at University Commons Drive.
Bikes and helmets
Counselor Jennifer Hunt asked that Star City police officers be on the lookout for individuals riding motorized bikes and scooters in town limits without wearing helmets. She and other members of council agreed that helmets are mandated by town ordinance as well as state law.
“I’ve noticed an increase of kids not wearing helmets, blowing through stop signs and I think we should enforce the helmet law,” Hunt said.
Staley said the town has helmets to give out to those riding without them if they don’t have access to one. Hunt said she’d like officers to give warnings and education about the need for the helmets.
“We’ve got to get helmets to these kids,” she said. “Cars are running stop signs and eventually those two are going to meet and the kid is not going to make it. I love that the kids are outside playing. I don’t want to take that from them. We’ve just got to make them safe.”
Staley said he would talk to the police officers about the issue and the helmets they can provide.
Sidewalk project
Bobby Doyle, the town’s building code official, updated council on the sidewalk project. He had sent members a preliminary plan, but said Tuesday that it was not detailed or complete. He said he should have more information by the end of the month when they would be ready to go out to bid.
Star City is preparing for a sidewalk improvement project. Work will be done along University Avenue from St. Mary Roman Catholic Church to the end near the Monongahela River.
He said representatives from the Thrasher Group would attend an upcoming meeting to provide details on the project and answer any questions. He explained that Lakecrest Construction would be handling the ADA corners. He said that company is now doing that same work on state roads such as W.Va. 705/Chestnut Ridge Road. Doyle said by going with the same company as the state, Star City would be able to save about $100,000 on the project.
Mayor Sharon Doyle said the sidewalk project will begin on University Avenue near St. Mary Roman Catholic Church and run to the end toward Monongahela River.
“TIF (tax increment financing) money is funding the Star City portion,” the mayor said. “The taxpayers will be able to see the benefit.”
In other business:
— The Star City Planning Commission will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday to consider a request by Springdale LLC to rezone property on Somerset Street. The commission will make a recommendation and town council will have the final vote.
— Legal ads for the town’s paving project will be published in the Dominion Post beginning today. Bids will be open at the Aug. 18 meeting.
— Jeff Simpkins was appointed to the town’s Board of Zoning Appeals. He fills the vacancy left by Jeff Quinn, who had to step down from the commission when he was elected to council earlier this year.
— A community yard sale will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. Participating streets: Congress Avenue, Crawford Avenue, Fenwick Street, Kensington Avenue, Mansfield Avenue, North Parkview and Hawley Lane.
