Break-ins under investigation
BEECH BOTTOM - The Brooke County Sheriff's Department and Village Police are investigating two break-ins that occurred on Second and Third streets recently.
According to police reports, an electronic book-reader and its charger and many pieces of jewelry and gold coins were taken from a home on Second Street Tuesday morning.
The resident found the home ransacked and a rear screen window damaged.
The departments also are investigating a break-in at an unoccupied home on Third Street last week.
A window of a rear door was broken out with a rock, and soot was found in several areas of the house, according to police reports.
Anyone with information about the two incidents should call the sheriff's department at (304) 737-3660.
County issues two water boil orders
WINTERSVILLE - The Jefferson County Water and Sewer District has issued two water 48-hour boil orders after line breaks on Thursday in Empire and Pottery Addition.
The boil order for Empire expires at 2 p.m. Saturday, and 5:30 p.m. Saturday for Pottery Addition.
Man sentenced in business break-in
STEUBENVILLE -Shawn A. Rood, 26, of 413 N. Fifth St., Toronto, was sentenced to one year in prison on Thursday by Jefferson County Common Pleas Judge David Henderson after pleading guilty to breaking and entering, theft and receiving stolen property.
Rood and co-defendant Christopher J. Rice, 34, 105 Seneca St., Toronto, were charged with breaking into the BP gas station in the 1500 block of Franklin Avenue, Toronto, in March. Both men were arrested by Toronto Police about five days after the break-in. Toronto Police reported items taken in the break-in were found at the residences.
Rice has served two prior prison sentences for breaking and entering and receiving stolen property. Rood also has served two prior sentences for burglary. The one-year prison sentence given in the recent cases was the maximum.
Discarded drugs accepted at plaza
Discarded prescription drugs will be accepted at Riley Plaza from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in cooperation with the Toronto Police Department and as part of the Drug Enforcement Administration's National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.
Area residents with unwanted, unused prescription drugs may safely dispose of them there as well as the Brooke or Hancock county courthouses, Riesbeck's in Wintersville and Tri-State Pharmacy at Weirton Medical Center during the same hours.
In addition to Toronto Police, the Brooke and Hancock county sheriff's departments and Weirton Police Department are participating in the event.
Natural gas causes evacuation
NEW CUMBERLAND - County employees, members of law enforcement and others inside the Hancock County Courthouse were evacuated on Wednesday morning after natural gas was detected inside of the building.
According to Hancock County Sheriff Mike White, officials believe that the natural gas entered the building through a vent, but they aren't positive about the cause yet.
The New Cumberland Volunteer Fire Department and Mountaineer Gas were on scene to secure the building so that business could continue.
"We're just trying to make sure everybody's safe," said White.
After both the fire department and the gas company tested the air quality in the building and determined that it was safe to enter, the courthouse reopened.
From staff reports
