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Cops and Courts

Judges Scudiere and Tucker will resume in-person hearings

Chief Judge Debra Scudiere and Judge Susan Tucker will resume in-person hearings once their already set dockets are clear.Scudiere said her docket is already set for the next few weeks with most being handled by telephone or video conference.After that, there's no set time or big opening planned, Scudiere said. She'll play it by ear and handle each case in a way that suits it.Tucker's docket is filled with telephone and video hearings through the end of May, according to Law Clerk Esha Sharma. While the court could resume in-person hearings earlier, attorneys deserve as much notice as ...

Preston County Sheriff’s Dept. wants to take possession of cash, drugs, 16 guns and body armor related to drug crimes

KINGWOOD — The Preston Sheriff’s Department wants to take possession of cash, drugs, 16 guns and body armor found in a Masontown home last year when they served a search warrant.The petition for forfeiture was filed on behalf of the department in Preston Circuit Court by Preston Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Megan Allender.It relates to a Dec. 13, 2019, search of David Wayne Gamble’s home. Gamble was indicted by the Preston County Grand Jury in March on charges of delivering methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl.“The property sought to be forfeited … was equipment used in ...

Mon County Bar Association hosts candidate forum

The Monongalia County Bar Association hosted a candidate forum for the three circuit court candidates on Thursday night."The judge you decide to support is an important impactful decision," MCBA President Travis Prince said.Circuit court judges have a real day-to-day impact in the lives of area residents, Prince said. They hear civil cases about any matter over $7,500, hear felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, appeals from family and magistrate court and child abuse and neglect cases that flood the system.Rock the Vote gave voters, lawyer and not, a chance to hear from each candidate ...

Man wrecks into farm tractor while driving drunk

KINGWOOD — A Moatsville man admitted to driving drunk and hitting a farm tractor, which caused head and leg injuries to the tractor driver. Under a plea agreement Stephen Roy Sigley, 30, could receive two to 10 years in prison and be fined $1,000. Sigley pleaded guilty to felony DUI causing serious bodily injury in Preston Circuit Court Thursday.    Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Savannah Wilkins said the victim of the accident suffered head and leg injuries when his farm tractor overturned and rolled after being struck in the rear by Sigley’s Chevrolet Silverado truck.The ...

Staff member at FCC Hazelton tests positive for COVID-19

HAZELTON — The U.S. Bureau of Prisons (BOP) confirmed Thursday that a staff member at FCC Hazelton has tested positive for COVID-19.The president of Local 420 of the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents workers at Hazelton, confirmed the positive test Wednesday morning. The case appears to be related to travel, the union said.On Wednesday the Bureau of Prisons told The Dominion Post, “We can confirm that there are no inmates and no staff members who are positive with COVID-19 at FCC Hazelton as reported on our website which updates daily.” That website ...

Man charged with entering courthouse with marijuana

KINGWOOD — A Kingwood man going into the courthouse to get hooked up for home confinement is charged with trying to take marijuana and two smoking pipes inside.According to a criminal complaint by Preston Sheriff’s Cpl. C.R. Cline, Gerald Franklin Uphold, 45, was carrying a bag with suspected marijuana and two pipes commonly used to smoke marijuana when he approached courthouse security on Oct. 1, 2019.The security officer noticed the items when he scanned Uphold’s belongings, which is standard practice for anyone when entering the courthouse.The charge was not made until this ...