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County to review subdivision regulations

An issue that has veered in and out of the pubic eye since the late 1960s is about to make a return. Monongalia County Planning Director Andrew Gast-Bray told the county commission on Wednesday that he’s laid out a tentative schedule that would have subdivision regulations before the commission for a vote in November. Gast-Bray explained that a draft copy of the regulations has been in the hands of the county commission and other involved stakeholders since August and that the document is continually being tweaked for clarity. Subdivision regulations help ensure safe and sustainable ...

Ex-firefighter accused of embezzlement

A grandmother indicted for leaving her grandson alone, who then got into her medicine, and a former volunteer firefighter accused of stealing from his department while acting as its treasurer were among the 24 people to plead not guilty on Wednesday. The 24 people who appeared before Judge Susan Tucker are the defendants in cases assigned to her following the September 2019 term of the Monongalia County grand jury, which returned 92 indictments — making it the smallest grand jury of the year. David Tennant, 57, of Morgantown, was indicted for embezzlement of more than $1,000. ...

Tunnelton couple charged with child neglect have prison sentences suspended, given probation

KINGWOOD, W.Va. — A Tunnelton couple who pleaded guilty to child neglect after their children were found living without heat, water or electricity in freezing temperatures were sentenced to probation Monday. Joseph and Brandy Velone each received a one-to-five-year prison sentence. Preston Circuit Judge Steve Shaffer suspended each sentence and gave the Velones four years of probation. The penalty for child neglect with the risk of injury is a fine of $1,000-$3,000 and one-to-five years in prison or both. Preston Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Megan Allender told the court ...

WVU, Marshall, WVSSAC partner to host two-day opioid summit

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- West Virginia University partnered with its southern counterpart, Marshall University, along with West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission to host an opioid summit Tuesday at the WVU Coliseum, an event attended by 7,000 area high school students. “We ...

Environmental study paves way for road work

An environmental study is underway ahead of a project that will dramatically alter the flow of traffic on Beechurst Avenue, particularly at its intersection with Campus Drive. Speaking with members of The Dominion Post Editorial Board, Morgantown Monongalia Metropolitan Planning Organization Executive Director Bill Austin said the improvements will run from Campus Drive to Fayette Street. Included in the work, which is estimated at $11.5 million and slated for the 2022 construction season, will be right turn lanes from Beechurst onto Campus and from Campus onto Beechurst. “The other ...

FSU president’s fate up for debate Monday

CHARLESTON — With an initial contract almost up for Fairmont State University President Mirta Martin, eyes are focused on a special meeting set for Monday. The meeting has gotten attention because the next regularly scheduled gathering of Fairmont State’s governing board is in mid-October. The official description of the special meeting says “actions emanating from Executive Session, if any, include possible discussion and potential action relating to the contract renewal for the president of the University.” So far, there’s been little elaboration on what that means. ...