In the News
Youth Turkey Hunting Season Harvest
COLUMBUS, OH — Youth hunters in Ohio harvested 1,740 wild turkeys during the state’s special youth-only turkey hunting weekend last week according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife.
The annual two-day season is open to hunters age 17 and younger, each required to be accompanied by a non-hunting adult.
The Division of Wildlife had issued 6,731 youth turkey permits for the 2025 season. Each permit allows for the harvest of one bearded turkey.
Area harvest totals were Monroe (62), Noble (60), Guernsey (55) and Belmont (52).
Drought is Over
COLUMBUS, OH – The most severe drought in area history is finally over. Ohio’s drought conditions began in June 2024. By August, the U.S. Drought Monitor created a D-4, Exceptional Drought level, primarily for southeast Ohio. By late September, D-4 level conditions covered around 13% of the state. At the peak, drought conditions of some level impacted nearly 90% of the state and nearly all 88 counties. In response to the conditions, the U.S. Department of Agriculture designated 28 Ohio counties as natural disaster areas because of the state’s drought.
Statewide drought conditions slowly improved late in 2024 and into 2025. With the recent rainfall across Ohio, the latest U.S. Drought monitor report, for the first time in nearly a year, is showing no drought conditions in Ohio.
Tunnel/Trail Project Continues
(photos provided)
Construction continues on the rehabilitation of the c.1870 B & O Railroad Tunnel that runs under East Main and Arch streets. On the outside work centers on stabilizing the embankments that run from the street to the former rail roadbed.
Bethesda, Quaker City Experience Water Breaks
Some Bethesda residents were without water for a while this past week when the system experienced two water breaks. On Sunday afternoon, a break occurred on Railroad and East Spring streets.
The village also cautioned customers that the county Belmont County water tank called McKeever Tower is currently out of service for a repainting project. During this time, customers may experience low water pressure, the notice cautioned.
Then on Wednesday morning a small water break on East Spring Street, again affecting the same area as before resulted in a 48-hour boil order after service resumed. The notice pointed out the break was in “the old 1935 cast iron water line.”
In Quaker City a 48-hour boil order was lifted Thursday after repairs were completed, the village providing notice that the older affected all customers in the village of Quaker City “and those extending out to Salesville.”
Animal Shelter Issues Request
The Belmont County Animal Shelter put out word this week that the facility is running low on blankets and bleach. Also needed is wet and dry dog food, soft treats, milk bones, pate and wet cat food, laundry detergent and clumping cat litter.
The shelter is located at 45244 National Road West, St. Clairsville. Telephone (740) 695-4708. The center is open in the afternoon but closed on Tuesdays.
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