PARKERSBURG — The staff of the West Virginia Public Service Commission recommended “further investigation” of Parkersburg’s plan to contract out its sanitation service, but the city attorney says that won’t delay implementation of an agreement with Waste Management.
“The city has clear legal authority to enter into contracts to provide essential services such as solid waste disposal,” City Attorney Blaine Myers said Thursday.
In a memo posted Wednesday to the PSC’s website, staff attorneys say services related to the collection and disposal of garbage are under the agency’s jurisdiction and state code “requires the Commission’s consent and approval prior to entering into contracts.” They note vehicles owned and operated by a municipality are exempt from regulation but that only applies if the municipality’s vehicles are used to provide the service.
Parkersburg City Council approved an ordinance authorizing a five-year contract with Waste Management to provide trash collection services on a pair of 6-3 votes this month. Property owner Carole Hanlon in December asked the PSC and other state agencies to review the city’s actions and hold public hearings on the matter.
“Staff recommends further investigation to determine compliance with applicable statutes and Commission regulations,” the memo says.
It mentions Hanlon’s request for a hearing but does not mention whether one will be held or a timeline for the investigation.
Myers said Thursday the city is doing something many other municipalities in West Virginia have done.
“The implementation of the contract with Waste Management will not be impaired or delayed by any review by the Public Service Commission,” he said.
The memo also says any intrastate carrier contracting with the city must submit its contract to the commission for approval. Interstate carriers need to register as “a Harper carrier,” which is a federal designation, as the PSC does not regulate interstate commerce.
Council has held two special meetings this month regarding proposals to contract out both solid waste and recycling services. Most speakers at the Jan. 6 public hearing opposed the Waste Management contract. Council approved the first reading of that ordinance in a second meeting that night but tabled a proposed contract for subscription-based recycling service with Rumpke.
On Tuesday, council held a special meeting focused on recycling, during which council President Andrew Borkowski announced a proposal to reduce the monthly charge for those who wanted to participate in curbside recycling from $15.35 to $3.50, while adding a $1.50 recycling surcharge to all residents’ sanitation fees. Many speakers argued the cost should be borne by all residents as recycling is a beneficial public service.
During Tuesday’s meeting, Parkersburg resident Trish Pritchard asked about the status of Hanlon’s petition to the PSC. At that point, before the release of the memo, Myers said he was not aware of any action the agency had taken beyond assigning a case number.
The PSC site lists more than 50 letters or messages submitted in relation to the case, with only one saying it was in favor of the new service. Among those submitting messages online was Councilman Chris Rexroad, who voted against the Waste Management contract ordinance.
“An overwhelming majority of the residents of Parkersburg do not support the privatization of the city sanitation services,” his message said. Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com
*** Filings in the Public Service Commission case regarding Parkersburg sanitation can be viewed online at https://tinyurl.com/harpe885. The case number is 25-0999-MC-P.
The West Virginia Mountaineers (10-3) welcome the Maryland Terrapins (10-5) to Kendrick Family Ballpark Tuesday afternoon the first encounter between the two programs since 2023 and the first meeting in Morgantown since 2018. The first pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. EST and the action will stream on ESPN+.
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The Mountaineers captured their fourth consecutive series of the season after taking two of the three games from Columbia over the weekend. West Virginia sophomore Matt Ineich and senior Brodie Kresser both blasted grand slams during the series. Ineich lifted WVU in game two with a walk-off grand slam in the 10th in game two, and Kresser ignited a 16-1 rout, capping a six-run second inning in the series finale.
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Gavin Kelly leads West Virginia at the plate with a .436 batting average with a Big 12 leading nine doubles. Ineich and senior Paul Schoenfeld has raked in a team-leading 16 RBI apiece, while senior Matthew Graveline has clubbed a team-high three home runs.
On the mound, West Virginia is expected to start sophomore David Hagen. The right-hander has made four appearances on the season, including one start. He last started in the home-opener against Ohio where he pitched two scoreless innings and recorded a strikeout to collect his first win of the season. He holds a 1.00 ERA with five strikeouts on the season.
After starting 3-4, Maryland is 7-1 in its last eight games. The Terrapins won two of three at UNC Wilmington in the season opening series, followed by a midweek win against Georgetown before getting swept at Louisiana. The Terps bounced back with a pair of midweek wins versus Delaware and swept a one-win Wagner team.
Junior Brayden Martin is batting a team-best .443 to go with four doubles and 12 RBI. Redshirt freshman Ryan Costello leads the Terps in home runs (9) and RBI (21) and is third in batting average at .328, while freshman Ty Kaunus has a team-high seven doubles and has .269 batting average.
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Maryland is scheduled to start freshman Nic Morlang. The right-hander has four appearances on the season, including four starts. He allowed five earned runs in his appearances, coinciding with his two starts, in six innings of work. In his last two appearances in relief, He’s allowed one earned run on five hits.
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West Virginia leads the all-time series 8-5, including a five-game winning streak over Maryland.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to a series of parties in Morgantown over the weekend.
Morgantown police officers, West Virginia University Police and state police responded to reports of overcrowded parties, underage drinking, physical altercations and multiple injuries.
Morgantown Communications Director Brad Riffie said several citations were issued for open containers and underage consumption.
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Two large parties were dispersed and six arrests were made without incident.
None of the reported injuries are believed to be serious or life-threatening.
The Morgantown Fire Department assisted in the operations.
Hancock County, WV — A Weir High School senior has been recognized as the 2026 West Virginia Student Journalist of the Year.
Hailey Hans was selected for the statewide honor after building a journalism portfolio since her freshman year. She also serves as the staff manager of Weir Student Media, where she oversees articles and is in charge of deadlines.
“When I was a freshman I was placed in the journalism one class, and I actually tried to get pulled from the class. But, then after I sat in the class and I learned a little bit, that’s where my love grew and then from there I continued to take classes, I helped pass a law, and I got to these national conventions. Where it just lit a fire inside me,” Hans said.
Hans is planning to attend West Liberty University in the fall to study education with a minor in journalism, with the goal of becoming a journalism teacher. She will now submit her portfolio for the national-level contest.
