OVN Local Medley Issue #1

• Kevin Strope, 53, of Cameron pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges after many of his cows died from malnourishment. Judge Mark Karl decided against banning Strope from owning cows. His privileges will instead be suspended for 80 years, allowing him to own cows again when he breaks the old age record at 133.

• A 2 year-old girl who went missing from Preston County, WV was reportedly found safe at the Washington County shopping center in Pennsylvania. According to reports, the girl was missing for half an hour when police found her with her babysitter at the mall. The girl's mother called police after the babysitter didn't answer the phone when she was at work.

• A string of burglaries continued in Newell, WV this week. Police say that vandals broke in to the abandoned concession stand at Newell Memorial Field. Residents were outraged to learn that the thieves stole a bag of chips fifteen years past expiration.

• A Steubenville man's bond was set at $100,000 dollars after being charged with intimidating a witness. The man, Fred McShan, told reporters that he will raise the money by way of a bake sale.

• Westley Bowling of Toronto was arrested for violating his house arrest. Police say that he left his premises and tried to act like he was helping an 11-year old girl who had been run over by a car. 

• A Wetzel County teacher was suspended for a month without pay earlier this week for not following the school's code of conduct. The teacher reportedly told a student to work on his punctuality instead of screaming at him for being tardy.

• Former Water and Sewer Clerk for Smithfield Katherine Staten was indicted this week after claims that the town's water tasted 'fishy'.

• Catholic Charities of West Virginia said that that they are close to reaching their fundraising goals for their annual Mardi Gras celebration. The charity will provide local poor people a chance to get drunk, gamble and engage in as much 'dangerous' activity as possible just like everyone else celebrating the holiday.

• Police say that Derek Bradshaw and Charles Heathcote were arrested after robbing a home in Bellaire. Investigators say that the homeowner chased the burglars across multiple state lines on foot before police caught up with the group in New Jersey.

• The ringleader of the Amish beard and hair cutting attacks was sentenced to 15 years in prison this week. The aptly named Samuel Mullet will spend more time in prison than some people have for murder, rape, theft and kidnapping. "That will show them," said Judge Dan Aaron Polster.

• Wellsville residents said that they're happy police have shut down a 'nuisance' bar on Main St. Police say that local residents were complaining about the bar playing 'Sweet Home Alabama' on repeat every night.

• The Marshall County Health Department has voted to ban smoking in public outdoor areas. Officials say that they are tired of the fire department being called for false alarms when people mistake the smoke for house fires.