Man pleads guilty
to sexual battery
A Marietta man pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of sexual battery, a third-degree felony.
Aaron E. Harter, 33, of 313 Van Bergen Ave., Marietta, was arrested Aug. 14 after allegations arose that Harter had molested two young girls. According to the initial statement of facts from the Marietta Police Department, one of the victims said she was 8 at the time.
That abuse allegedly continued when Harter and the victims moved to Marietta in January 2010, according to Marietta police.
Harter was indicted in October on two third-degree felony counts of gross sexual imposition, one third-degree felony count of sexual battery and one third-degree misdemeanor count of sexual imposition.
The Washington County Prosecutor's Office dropped all three gross sexual imposition charges, said Washington County Prosecutor Jim Schneider.
Harter is set to be sentenced Dec. 12 at 8 a.m. and could receive a maximum prison sentence of five years.
Muskingum zoning board to meet
The Muskingum Township zoning board will meet Monday, Nov. 5, at 5 p.m. in the Muskingum Township meeting room at 26 Town Hall Road in Devola to consider a zoning variance issue.
The House of Wines restaurant is requesting the variance in order to expand its facilities along Ohio 60 within the township.
The meeting is open to the public.
Houses broken into in Williamstown
WILLIAMSTOWN -Authorities in Williamstown are cautioning residents after two day-time burglaries occurred on Wednesday.
Someone entered the houses at 412 Henderson Ave. and 404 Dodge Ave., the residences of Victoria Brown and Bill Lane, respectively, where electronics, pills and money were taken, Police Chief B.D. Adkins said.
The burglaries occurred during the day and were discovered and reported after the victims returned home, he said.
An undetermined amount of money and pills were taken from the Dodge Avenue residence, Adkins said. A laptop computer, an electronic book, a Wii and remotes, an Apple media player and a video game were taken from Henderson Avenue, he said.
Police have no leads, he said. The homes are several blocks from each other, Adkins said.
No sign of forced entry was found at the Henderson Avenue residence, he said. A back door was kicked in at the Dodge Avenue residence, Adkins said.
Witnesses can contact the police department at (304) 375-4935.
Residents should keep their homes secured and keep an eye on whats happening, he said.
"Tell people to lock their doors and be vigilant," Adkins said.
In September, Adkins warned residents to lock their cars after someone went through unlocked vehicles, probably looking for money or anything that could be quickly converted into cash to buy drugs, Adkins said.
A dozen unlocked cars were entered in the Poplar and West Fourth streets area near Fenton Art Glass.
Candidate for
Vienna mayor dies
PARKERSBURG - A procedure has been established for write-in candidates to file for mayor of Vienna after a candidate for the office died Thursday morning.
Jack Roush, 51, was pronounced dead at Camden Clark Medical Center. He suffered a heart attack, officials said.
Roush was running against Randy Rapp in the non-partisan election for mayor.
A filing period will be open until 4 p.m. today for write-in candidates for mayor, Wood County Prosecutor Jason Wharton said. Representatives from the city, the prosecutor and the county clerk met Thursday morning to determine the procedure to be followed.
Eligible residents shall file a write-in candidate certificate of announcement with the city before the close of business at 4 p.m. today, pursuant to West Virginia Code 3-6-4a, Wharton said. The procedure was determined in consultation with the secretary of state, the prosecutor, the city of Vienna and the county clerk, he said.
Early voting started Oct. 24, County Clerk Jamie Six said. If Roush wins, a vacancy in the office of mayor will occur on Jan. 1.
Roush formerly owned the Hill House on West Virginia 2 and was a manager at Applebee's in Marietta.
From local reports
