CRIME & SAFETY

On September 26, 2023, Deputy Peters and K9 Timmy patrolled Pioneer Township. They stopped a vehicle, driven by Isaac D. Blair, for failing to adhere to a stop sign. Blair was driving without a valid license and was arrested after a search revealed drug paraphernalia and suspected methamphetamine in his possession.

MARIETTA — A Marietta man charged with three counts of arson related to a 2021 fire at a Marietta College sorority house was one of 15 people indicted this week by the Washington County Grand Jury. Austin Garrett Jones, 26, last known address 312 Sixth St., Marietta, was indicted...

MARIETTA, Ohio (WTAP) - The first week of the murder trial of Oscar Hernandez Diaz wrapped up with testimony from a family member of the alleged murder victim. Axell Olvera Casamiro, brother of alleged victim Abraham Olvera, told the jury about the events that led up to his brother’s death.

On September 26, 2023, local law enforcement had a busy day. It started with a 911 hang-up call. This was followed by deputies serving civil paperwork and executing active warrants. They also conducted checks at residences and schools, and responded to additional patrol requests.

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) - The Wood County Sports Association, with the help of one of its sponsors, is offering a monetary reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction of people who’ve been vandalizing the Don Godbey Fields. WTAP has more on this crime’s impact. Wood County...

On September 26, 2023, Robbie Degamore, 33, was arrested at his home in New Matamoras, Ohio. The Southeast Major Crimes Task Force and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team carried out the arrest. Three other individuals were at the residence during the arrest: Mitchell Greenwood, Crystal Slonaker, and Jonathan McIntyre. McIntyre was apprehended after trying to escape.

The Parkersburg Police Department and the Wood County Sheriff’s Office will receive $43,936.

MARIETTA, Ohio (WTAP) - Results have been released following a Marietta Police Department Therapy Dog’s death in July. Marietta Police Chief Katherine Warden said that a necropsy, which is a dog autopsy, reveled that K-9 River passed due to a virus that she contracted while at an independent boarding facility.

PARKERSBURG — Domestic violence and sexual assault victims in Wood County will soon have a way to file petitions and attend follow-up hearings without having to be in the same building with the people they are seeking protection from. The final test of the Wood County Remote Victim Outreach...

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) - – Domestic violence and sexual assault victims in Wood County will soon have a way to file petitions and attend follow-up hearings without having to be in the same building with the people they are seeking protection from. Starting Monday a virtual way of attending...

Tune in to hear the Parkersburg police chief delve into department data. Get an insider's perspective on local law enforcement operations, understand the numbers behind the scenes, and learn about the challenges and successes of the Parkersburg police department.

BELPRE, Ohio (WTAP) – A crash at the end of Memorial Bridge shut down traffic for nearly an hour. The crash occurred around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023. The crash involved two vehicles. One of the drivers was slightly injured but no one was taken to the hospital, according to an official with the Belpre Police Department.

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) - Parkersburg Police Chief Matthew Board presented an overview of crime and police numbers through the last eight years at Tuesday night’s city council meeting. More specifically in the first nine months of each year. WTAP has more on police staffing, crime numbers, and the why...

On September 24, 2023, several incidents were reported in different townships, according to local law enforcement. Deputy Davis responded to a domestic violence case on State Route 7, Marietta Township. The suspect, Devonn Curtis, allegedly choked a victim. Curtis was arrested during a traffic stop and charged with domestic violence and strangulation. He was taken to the Washington County Jail.

PARKERSBURG — A fatal motorcycle crash occurred Friday night on Murdoch Avenue in Parkersburg. The crash, between the 2800 and 2900 blocks of Murdoch Avenue, was reported to the Wood County 911 Center at 8:33 p.m., authorities said. An 18-year-old, driving a truck, was traveling on the left side...

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) - Tuesday marked the last shift of a long-time Vienna police captain. Captain Rick Berdine retired after 22 years of service in the Vienna Police Department. Captain Berdine joined the department in 2001 and was promoted to the rank of Captain in 2022 after 21 years of...

ELKINS, W.Va (WDTV) - A Belington man has been sentenced for traveling from Ohio to sell meth in Upshur County. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District of West Virginia, 35-year-old Jonathon A. Swiger has been sentenced to 172 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) - A section of Blennerhassett Heights Road was blocked off early Monday evening due to a head-on collision. According to officials, injuries were minor. One person was transported to the hospital out of precaution. Officials said one driver veered off the road and lost control when correcting...

Multiple felony drug charges and a volume of confiscated drugs came out of a six-hour series of traffic stops Friday conducted on Interstate 77 by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. Close to 50 grams of fentanyl, a gram of rock cocaine, three grams of powder cocaine and a little...

WILLIAMSTOWN, W.Va. (WTAP) - Local emergency departments gathered at the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport to run plane crash emergency response drills. The situation was a simulated plane crash complete with an actual plane on fire. Fire departments, law enforcement, and EMS personnel all participated. While one side of the airport...