People and businesses in Marietta are doing what they can to adjust to the staggering increase in unemployment brought on by business closures in relation to containing the COVID-19 virus. As of the end of last week, more than 3 million new claims for unemployment insurance had been filed ...

Batten down the hatches ⁠— that’s the advice Dr. Amy Acton, director of the Ohio Department of Health gave Friday. “My very early prediction on this was (for the peak to strike) end (of) April/mid-May… It’s closer at hand,” said Acton, predicting the coming surge in COVID-19 ...

People weren't keeping far enough apart at the basketball courts in City Park, so Parkersburg officials removed the temptation. They “were failing to abide by the physical distancing guidelines, and after repeated notification many failed to comply, so I as mayor elected to remove the ...

The whiplash of COVID-19 has especially affected child care. First schools closed, with the associated anxiety for working parents who needed someplace for their children during job hours. Then, non-essential businesses were closed, putting many of those same parents out of work and removing ...

Election Day in Ohio is neither March 17 nor June 2. The Ohio primary will be decided on April 28. But outside of those with qualifying disabilities, only absentee ballots will be added to early votes. Today, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is expected to sign into law Ohio House Bill 197, approved ...

Washington, Morgan, Monroe and Noble counties have a combined labor force of about 44,300 people. Unemployment before the community spread of COVID-19 was reported between 7.3 and 12.3 percent in those counties of Ohio in January. “Most people were anticipating a paycheck tomorrow,” ...

PARKERSBURG — A second person in Wood County has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department reported on Thursday. “Both (patients) are being treated at WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center,” the emailed news release said. No further information ...

PARKERSBURG — Wood County Schools will resume its student feeding program Tuesday, distributing boxes containing five days of meals at locations throughout the county. Superintendent Will Hosaflook said the times and locations will be announced through flyers, a call message to all parents, ...

People in Marietta stand ready to help their neighbors, but their neighbors, for now, seem to be doing OK. The NextDoor website that connects people in the Oak Grove and Devola communities posted a call for people willing to help the elderly and infirm, those unable or unwilling to go out in ...

The Memorial Health System announced Wednesday that an employee is exhibiting symptoms of the COVID-19 coronavirus. "We have an employee of our wound center that is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19," said Associate Vice President Jennifer Offenberger. "They have been assessed and tested, but ...

How does a family prepare for a 14-day quarantine? “You have to do what works for your family, a family of two to three people is going to be different than one of five to six members,” said Registered Dietician Kim Ambrose, a contractor with Memorial Health System. “And with so many ...

PARKERSBURG — The first person in Wood County to test positive for the novel coronavirus is being treated at WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center as health officials work to notify people with whom the individual may have had close personal contact. The West Virginia Department of Health ...

PARKERSBURG — Wood County Schools wrapped up a week of meal distributions at four schools Wednesday, but officials say the student feeding program likely will dramatically change when is restarts Monday. Schools throughout West Virginia and Ohio shut down last week due to concerns over the ...

Educators and behavioral health specialists are both echoing the same message to parents who are now finding themselves at home with young learners. “Remember to give yourself grace. We’re all trying to adjust to this change right now,” said Bethany Colvin, a fifth-grade teacher at ...

As Ohioans adjust to the statewide order to stay at home, telehealth services are available not only to cope with any added stress, but also to meet low-risk physical health concerns. “During this tough time, we have both dysregulated adults and children all trying to adjust,” said Doug ...

A grant from the Marietta Community Foundation is supplying around 8,000 pounds of food to Washington County food pantries. The food was dispersed Tuesday by vehicles owned by Washington County Harvest of Hope. Joe Baker delivered nearly 40 boxes and bins of food to Gospel Mission Food Pantry ...

With the closing of venues, it isn't just the staff that is out of work. It's also the people that play there. Parkersburg resident Todd Burge has been playing shows in the area for the last two decades. Now he has to find a new way to reach his fans. "Speaking for myself, everything I do ...

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — Less than two weeks ago the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. It wasn’t long afterward life changed for a lot of people, which included former standout student-athletes Maddy Sury of Waterford and Parkersburg High’s Lauren ...

PARKERSBURG — Residents testing positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus at a Monongalia County nursing home was a significant development, health officials said. Based on current knowledge, it was the first case of community transmission in the state of West Virginia, said Dr. Jeff Coben, dean ...

PARKERSBURG — The Wood County Board of Education met in regular session Tuesday, again going online to conduct business amid concerns of the spread of COVID-19. Tuesday marked the second online meeting conducted by the board, with officials switching to a Zoom online meeting platform. About ...