Phyllis Smith

3 days ago | wtap.com | Phyllis Smith

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) -West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey talked to WTAP’s Phyllis Smith virtually to talk about making policy changes to the state’s foster care system. He has laid out six reforms. The state has been plagued by serious child welfare issues for years. Most recently, there was the fatal neglect of a teenager in Boone County in 2024, as well as the conviction in March 2025 of a couple for abuse and neglect of their foster care children.

4 days ago | wtap.com | Jason Leveille |Phyllis Smith

MARIETTA, Ohio (WTAP) - The Strategic Highway Safety Plan Southeast Ohio Regional Meeting was on Monday, June 2, 2025. This is a statewide-coordinated safety plan that provides a comprehensive framework for reducing highway fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads. It must be updated every five years. A lot has changed since the last update. Using a device that is not hands-free is now a primary offense in Ohio.

1 week ago | wtap.com | Phyllis Smith

WAVERLY, W.Va. (WTAP) - Wood County 911 confirmed there was a working house fire on Friday night. The call came in at 10:31 p.m. Dispatchers say everyone was able to make it out of the house safely, which was on Middle Ridge Lane in Waverly. Dispatchers say they were told the fire started in the back of the house. Deerwalk Volunteer Fire Department is investigating the fire. WTAP is working to learn the extent of the damage to the house. See an error in our reporting?

1 week ago | wtap.com | Phyllis Smith

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) -Parkersburg had its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday night. An ordinance to increase sewer rates passed on its first reading. It would increase rates by a total of 18.47% in phases spread over four years. Three other ordinances to authorize the issuance of bonds to fund an estimated 26 million dollar project to make improvements to the Parkersburg sewage system also passed on first reading. Parkersburg City Council last approved a rate increase for sewer in 2014.

1 week ago | wtap.com | Phyllis Smith

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WTAP) - The West Virginia Secretary of State’s office has issued an opinion about a complaint against a Wood County Board of Education member. Debbie Hendershot was appointed to a seat on the Wood County Board of Education in November 2024 to fill a vacancy on the board. Another candidate in the running for the position, Chad Conley, filed a complaint after it was announced Hendershot got the seat. He claimed she did not live in the correct district.