aolson@theintelligencer.net
File Photo by Scott McCloskey â Crews from Panhandle Cleaning and Restoration and the West Virginia Division of Highways clean one of the former homeless encampments along Wheeling Creek in October.
WHEELING Springtime was a tumultuous time for the Ohio Valley, as the worst effects of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic set in, alongside the start of what would be a several-month struggle concerning Wheeling’s homeless population.
In mid-April, the city had begun setting out to dismantle several encampments around Tunnel Green, which city manager Robert Herron had said was in response to several complaints to the city about crimes reports of vandalism and theft, sometimes to the equipment of construction crews who were working on Interstate 70.
Staff Writer
BELLAIRE – Homeless shelters in the Ohio Valley helped ensure dozens of people in need had a warm place to sleep and an enjoyable Christmas day this year.
The Bellaire Salvation Army provided a hot holiday meal to nearly 30 people in need on Christmas day, along with presents for adults and children to open Christmas morning.
Major Louis Patrick said the shelter had 29 residents call the shelter home for Christmas this year. At around 10 a.m. Friday morning, guests at the shelter began their holiday by unwrapping gifts. The gifts were provided to residents through donations collected by the Salvation Army.
Photo Provided
Kate Marshall, Youth Services System Winter Freeze Shelter employee, receives mittens, gloves, hats and other cold weather gear from staff members and clients of The Hand Rehabilitation Center at Wheeling Hospital. Pictured with her is center employee Brooke Reilley.
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aolson@theintelligencer.net
WHEELING The first few days of Youth Services Systems’ Winter Freeze Shelter were somewhat slow. Yet with last Wednesday’s sudden snowfall and subfreezing temperatures forecast for the end of this week, that may change quickly.
The shelter opened its doors to the public earlier this week, seeing a slow first night. Communications Manager Betsy Bethel-McFarland suspects the slow start was due to a lack of public awareness, but anticipates that the change in weather will see more people come to the facility in short order.
Forecasts have low temperatures in Wheeling in the 20s starting Christmas Eve and into the new year.