CRIME & SAFETY

The fire that killed a Parkersburg resident last week has been ruled as undetermined but most probably accidental by West Virginia State Fire Marshal investigators. The fire began on Tuesday, Dec.5th at an apartment building on Market Street. The victim was found on the 3rd floor in an apartment and was declared dead at the scene by emergency medical services personnel.

This week in Parkersburg, West Virginia, there were three notable incidents. The first incident involved the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Gretchen Fleming, who went missing after leaving a local lounge one year ago. The second incident was a fatal fire in a downtown building, where one person lost their life. The third incident was a two-vehicle crash on Market Street, resulting in road closures and two individuals being transported for medical attention.

PARKERSBURG, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The fire that killed a Parkersburg resident this week has been ruled as undetermined but most probably accidental by West Virginia State Fire Marshal investigators. The fire began on Tuesday, Dec. 5th, at an apartment building on Market Street.  The victim was found on the 3rd floor of an apartment and […]

This week in Bellefontaine, Ohio, there were several incidents that occurred, including a drunk driving arrest and a suspect in a double murder being found dead in a motel room. Additionally, there was a discussion on a public affairs show about winter emergency levels and driving safety, with a future topic planned on mental health in the county.

On December 7, 2023, Washington County law enforcement officers responded to a variety of incidents. The day started with three 911 hang-up calls, followed by issuing warnings for speeding and poor driving. Deputies conducted inspections at junkyards, compliance, residence, and school checks, and responded to reports of suspicious persons and vehicles.

PARKERSBURG — One house was torn down in an emergency demolition Friday afternoon after an early morning fire, while another was damaged in a blaze the night before, the Parkersburg fire chief said. Authorities were notified at 3:17 a.m. Friday of a reported fire at 915 15th St., Fire...

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) - Shortly after 3:30 this morning, Parkersburg Fire Department responded to a structure fire on 15th Street in Parkersburg. No injuries have been reported. Parkersburg Fire Department had the fire contained within 10 minutes of their arrival, but were still investigating as of 4:00 a.m. The residence...

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WCHS) — One person was killed in a fire Tuesday morning in Parkersburg, firefighters said. The blaze was reported in a downtown apartment building on Market Street. Firefighters said the victim was a 27-year-old woman. The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time. No other...

On December 5, 2023, law enforcement officers across several townships responded to various incidents. Two 911 calls were abruptly ended, and a deputy was sent to Belpre Township after a report of a deer shot and abandoned on the roadside. In a separate incident, a deputy cleared a tarp from a state route.

The suspect in a double-murder in West Virginia who fled to Bellefontaine and reportedly shot and killed himself as local and federal law enforcement prepared to arrest him has been identified. Stevie Roseberry, 46, of Belpre, Ohio, had been on the run for less than 12 hours by the time...

On December 6, 2023, local deputies carried out a range of duties. They issued citations for traffic violations, conducted home, residence, and school checks, and responded to various incidents. They assisted the Reno Volunteer Fire Department with a patient, and supported the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Marietta Police Department.

Witness the aftermath of a two-vehicle crash on Market Street that resulted in minor injuries and temporary road closure. Discover how an SUV running a red light led to this incident, and the quick response from local emergency services.

In late November, the Wood County Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation into a series of trailer and equipment thefts in the Hawkins/Pine Mills area. As of December 5th, investigators successfully identified and located several suspects linked to the thefts. During the operation, authorities recovered three stolen vehicles, two stolen...

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) - One year after Gretchen Fleming disappeared, coping with her absence isn’t any easier for her father and stepmother, David and Jennifer. “It’s more like been a living nightmare for the last year,” David said. “Just taking it day by day and trying to be patient and letting the authorities do their job and gather their information that they need.”

On December 2, 2023, Deputy Young responded to a domestic violence report involving Cody Alan Meeks, 29, in Belpre Township. Meeks allegedly assaulted another person during an argument, causing injuries. He was arrested, charged with domestic violence, and taken to Washington County Jail.

It’s been over a year since Gretchen Fleming went missing Gretchen Fleming, 28, of Vienna, West Virginia was allegedly last seen at the My Way Lounge Dec. 3, 2022. The family of Fleming reported Gretchen missing on Dec. 12, 2022. Fleming’s purse and phone were found at the My Way bar but investigators say they don’t […]

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) - A fire in Parkersburg Tuesday morning left one person dead and forced others to flee their homes. The Parkersburg Fire Department responded to a call of a fire at 816 Market Street Apartment 3A at 10:46 Tuesday morning. Parkersburg Fire Chief Jason Matthews said fire fighters used an engine’s deck gun to blast the fire initially before entering the building.

WOOD COUNTY, W.Va (WDTV) - “I spent two whole days from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., until they would kick us out, just sitting there holding her hand.”. It was about 7:25 p.m. on Nov. 29 when Brianna Jones, of Ritchie County, was driving home from work on U.S Route 50 in Wood County when her life was threatened by a drunk driver.

PARKERSBURG — A Pennsboro woman remained hospitalized following a head-on collision that occurred on U.S. 50 Nov. 29. Brianna L. Jones was driving eastbound when Andrew Warwick, 36, of Williamstown, collided his black 2021 Toyota Tacoma with her 2022 Kia Niro. Jones was life-flighted to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown.

MINERAL WELLS, WV (LOOTPRESS) – An Ohio man faces charges following an incident in which a Wood County man was assaulted and held hostage last month. According to reports from Wood County Magistrate Court, on Friday, November 24, 2023, Sgt. J.S. Kidder with the Wood County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Go Mart convenience store […]