Man sent to jail for crack possession
A Columbus man, who was initially accused of selling drugs out of a Marietta residence, was sentenced Tuesday to 90 days in the Washington County Jail.
Thomas J. Givens, 25, pleaded guilty on Aug. 10 to a fifth-degree felony charge of possession of crack cocaine.
Givens had originally been indicted in February on a third-degree felony charge of trafficking in crack cocaine. He and another Columbus resident, Lance M. Glenn, were allegedly selling crack cocaine and heroin from a residence on Masonic Park Road in Sept. of last year.
Givens will be eligible to relocate to the SEPTA Correctional Facility after he serves 45 days in the county jail.
He was also sentenced to five years of community control, which will be monitored by the probation department in Franklin County, where Givens resides.
Williamstown Council gets sewer rate hike
By Jolene Craig
Special to the Times
WILLIAMSTOWN - City council unanimously passed the first reading of a 15 percent sewer rate increase Tuesday.
The increase, if passed on final reading Oct. 2, would add $2.28 a month to the minimum sewer bill while the average monthly bill would see an expected increase of $5.13.
The funds collected through the increase will go toward maintenance and an upcoming project to replace sewer lines along the west end of the city along West Virginia 14 to Poplar Avenue, including underneath CSX railroad tracks, said Councilman Ron Erb during the Sept. 4 council meeting.
The project is estimated to cost the city more than $300,000 as permits and other work with CSX are expensive, said Mayor Jean Ford.
The city must raise sewer rates to fund the project because the Public Service Commission of West Virginia has told Williamstown officials they do not charge enough in water and sewer rates to apply for grants or bonds to fund their projects, officials said.
If passed on second reading, the increase would go into effect in December, Myers said.
"It will be made effective on Dec. 1 to give the public time," he said.
In early July, council passed a 15 percent water rate increase that became effective on Sept. 1.
The water rate increase added $1.33 on the minimum monthly bill and $2.97 on the average monthly water bill.
In other business, council heard the city is looking at a 5 percent pay increase for city employees, with a few exceptions.
"Because of a 1 percent sales tax, how some employees are paid will change; what funds the pay comes out of for some will change," said Councilman Marty Seufer. "We will not raise water and sewer rates to increase salaries."
Army Field Band, chorus perform tonight
Special to the Times
PARKERSBURG - The 65-piece Concert Band of the U.S. Army Field Band and the 29-voice Soldiers' Chorus will perform a free concert at 7 p.m. today in the Field House at Parkersburg High School.
No tickets are needed for the performance, but attendees are asked to be in tgheir seats by 6:45 p.m. as all seating is first-come, first-seated. Doors will open for seating at 6 p.m.
The concert is sponsored by The Parkersburg News and Sentinel with the cooperation and support of Parkersburg High School.
Also taking part in the concert will be several PHS students.
PHS students Cassie Brown, Rebecca Cooper, Elliott Clark, Britton Dudley, Emily Cramer, Katie Quillen, John Bolton and Conner Nesselroad will be singing with the Soldiers Chorus.
Paige Hughes, piccalo; Codey Siers, tuba; Darcy McDougle, horn; Bobby Wolfe, trombone; Jason Dehaven, trumpet; Hyland Markle, percussion; Tyler Cunningham, percussion; Emily Tingler, percussion; Gabby Frontera, clarinet; and Donovan Kelly, baritone, will be performing with the Concert Band.
The PHS Navy Cadet Corps will present the colors prior to the performance.
While featuring a wide variety of music, the conert also will include a tribute to the various military branches, veterans, families and military supporters.
From local reports
