Tag: Wheeling

'Nuns on the Bus' Stop in W.Va. on the Way to See Pope Francis

This week half a dozen Catholic nuns arrived on a bus in Wheeling. The women are part of NETWORK, a National Catholic Social Justice Lobby, which educates, organizes, and lobbies for economic and social transformation. The Catholic Sisters visited shelters, schools, food pantries, and citizens, in Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio, and finally, West Virginia as they made their way to Washington DC. The tour is in response to Pope Francis’s call to transform politics and the economy.

This is the fourth national “Nuns on the Bus” tour themed, “Bridge the Divides: Transform Politics.” The 13-day, seven-state tour began in St. Louis, Missouri on Sept. 10 and made its way to Washington, D.C., this week where Pope Francis will be received by President Obama and Congress.

On the bus ride into West Virginia, Executive Director Simone Campbell explained that she and her sisters were coming to talk about the Pope, but also out of curiosity, to gossip about the state.

“I have three virtues for the 21st century that I promote: The first is Holy Curiosity – that we ask each other questions; that we raise issues; that I found out how you think and what are you aware of. The second is Sacred Gossip – once I’ve found what you’ve discovered, then I have a responsibility to tell others; we have to spread the message. The third is the virtue of Doing One Thing.”

Sr. Simone says it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with all the issues that exist in the world today. And that feeling, she says, often leads to paralysis. Her thought is that individuals need only find and focus on one issue, or task.

“So if each of us does one thing, it all gets done because we’re in community. So that’s what I’m just trying to do, is my thing,” she said with a laugh, “and right now it seems to be riding the bus, stirring people up.”

The nuns’ charter bus was wrapped in the Nuns on the Bus logo and several thousand signatures. It pulled into East Wheeling, where a small crowd was waiting. The nuns toured East Wheeling to learn about Grow Ohio Valley, an organization that includes community gardens, greenhouses and an inner-city farm. Kate Marshall of Grow Ohio Valley helped to organize and lead the tour. It was one of the 33 events planned during the 2,000 mile trip.

After a dinner at the Catholic Worker House in East Wheeling, the visit from the Nuns on the Bus culminated with a town hall meeting at Wheeling Jesuit University.  Director of WJU’s Appalachian Institute, Beth Collins, reported that about 150 people came out for the event – a mix of students, community members, and church leaders.

“We talked about what divides us as a community and solutions to bridge those divisions,” Collins said. “The sisters also shared stories from the road that were very inspirational.”

Back on the bus, Sr. Simone said she’s praying the pope’s visit will have an impact on legislators.

“I believe in the power of prayer,” Sr. Simone said, “but I also believe in the power of organizing. So the week after he’s here we’re having a big lobby day where over 30 sisters are coming in from all over the country to remind our legislators as they pass a budget to keep our government going, to remember what Pope Francis tells them.”

Wheeling to Boost Backup Water System, Drill Two More Wells

The city of Wheeling plans to boost its backup well water system’s capacity by drilling two additional wells.

City manager Robert Herron says the new wells will allow the system to pump an additional 1 million gallons of water per day. The system’s existing five wells can pump about 4 million gallons per day.

Herron tells The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register that the new wells were planned before a blue-green algae bloom prompted the city’s water treatment plant to close its Ohio River intakes for several days in August.

He says the intakes’ closure didn’t interrupt service to water customers.

Wheeling and Ohio County Water Conservation Order Lifted

Residents and businesses in Ohio County and Wheeling can resume normal water usage following the dissipation of algae in the Ohio River.Authorities on…

Residents and businesses in Ohio County and Wheeling can resume normal water usage following the dissipation of algae in the Ohio River.

Authorities on Sunday lifted a water conservation order issued last week.

The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register reports that the order was prompted by high levels of blue-green algae near the Wheeling water system’s river intakes. The city closed the intakes and used water from wells until the algae dissipated.

Water department superintendent David Nickerson tells the newspaper that no algae have been detected in river water coming through the intakes. But he says local officials will continue monitoring for the presence of algae in the water.

Residents are advised to use caution when swimming or engaging in other recreational activities in the river.

Blue-Green Algae Found in Ohio River, Residents Urged To Use Caution

The Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department and the city of Wheeling are asking residents to use caution after blue-green algae was found in water samples…

The Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department and the city of Wheeling are asking residents to use caution after blue-green algae was found in water samples taken from the Ohio River.

 

According to a health department news release, water testing on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at the Pike Island Lock and Dam on the Ohio River showed elevated levels of blue-green algae. The algae, at high concentrations, can cause health problems such as skin irritation, eye irritation or intestinal illnesses.

 

As a result, the health department and water treatment plant is urging residents to use caution when swimming, boating, fishing, or doing other recreational water activities in the Ohio River this weekend.

 

Public drinking water supplied from the Wheeling Water Department, including the Ohio County Public Service District, is being closely monitored, according to the release.

 

“People can be exposed to the blue-green algae in two ways — either by contact with the skin or by swallowing it,” said Howard Gamble with the Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department. “The basic message for this weekend is, if you see blue-green algae floating in the river, avoid swimming, jet skiing or any other water activity where you might come into contact with it.”

 

Anyone who may be experiencing symptoms related to exposure to blue-green algae, including stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, fever, muscle weakness, or difficulty breathing, is urged to contact their health care provider, particularly if they have been in contact with Ohio River water.

 

Other tips to avoid becoming ill from contact with blue-green algae include:

◦Taking a bath with warm, soapy water after swimming in water that may be contaminated.

◦Don’t drink, cook or shower with contaminated water.

◦Don’t let your pet drink or swim in contaminated water.

◦Use extra caution when children are near contaminated water, as they are more likely to swallow water.

 

Blue-green algae, also known as Cyanobacteria, are a group of photosynthetic bacteria that many people refer to as “pond scum.” It is most often blue-green in color, but can also be blue, green, reddish-purple or brown. Blue-green algae generally grow in lakes, ponds and slow-moving streams when the water is warm and enriched with nutrients like phosphorus or nitrogen. 

 

In certain conditions, blue-green algae can grow very quickly in number. Most species are buoyant and will float to the surface, where they form scum layers or floating mats.

 

Algae blooms can be the result of agricultural fertilizer runoff, sewage overflows and other pollution issues. Some factors that can contribute to algae blooms include sunlight; low-water or low-flow conditions; calm water;warmer temperatures; and excess nutrients (phosphorus or nitrogen). 

 

The primary sources of nutrient pollution are runoff of fertilizers, animal manure, sewage treatment plant discharges, storm water runoff, car and power plant emissions and failing septic tanks.

 

For more information, contact the Wheeling Ohio County Health Department at (304) 234-3682 or the WheelingWater Treatment Plant at (304) 234-3835.

 

WesBanco Says Data Taken From ATM

WesBanco says fraudulent activity following a security breach at an ATM in Ohio appears to be isolated.

WesBanco says a device was used to capture data from transactions at an ATM at the Ohio Valley Plaza in St. Clairsville, Ohio, from July 25 through Aug. 3.

The Wheeling-based bank said Monday in a statement that the breach didn’t affect customer data or branch and alternate channel transactions.

Debit cards have been reissued to a limited number of customers.

Local authorities and WesBanco are investigating the incident.

Beautification Continues in Wheeling

A downtown Wheeling beautification effort aims to create a window to history in a space city leaders hope will be a vital part of the future.

The tall, wooden frames that recently appeared along the wall at the north end of the city-owned property represent the start of Reinvent Wheeling’s latest project.

The small park is designed to provide a pleasant place for pedestrians walking through downtown.

Inside the frames will be large-scale reproductions of photographs of historic buildings in Wheeling — some still around, and others that are long gone or vacant. They will serve as the focal point of the space, according to Reinvent Wheeling board member Susan Hogan.

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