Body of missing man found

STEUBENVILLE — The body of a man who had been missing from his home in Stratton was located last week, Sheriff Fred Abdalla Jr. announced.

Robert “B.T.” Reese had been reported missing March 9, Abdalla said.

“Investigators from our office and the Stratton Police Department began to conduct an investigation,” he said in a social media post. “… A variety of efforts were put into trying to locate BT alive (but) were unsuccessful. We are saddened to report Reese was recovered from the Ohio River near Toronto on Wednesday.”

Abdalla said Hancock County Sheriff’s deputies sent the body to Charleston for an autopsy.

“We will await the completion of the official autopsy report to be submitted but we do not feel this incident was a result of foul play,” he added.

Man held after downtown chase

STEUBENVILLE — A Cleveland man is in custody on multiple charges after allegedly leading police on a high-speed chase across North Seventh Street Friday.

City police report Rickey L. Parker, 35, was booked into the Jefferson County jail without bond on pending charges of possession of fentanyl, possession of cocaine, possession of methamphetamine, tampering with evidence, vehicular assault, obstruction of justice, fleeing and eluding and a parole violation.

According to the report, Jefferson County Drug Task Force detectives conducting undercover surveillance had identified Parker and requested assistance from Steubenville Police in taking him into custody when Parker allegedly tried to flee.

“The suspect then led officers on a pursuit which was soon terminated after (the vehicle) reached speeds in excess of 80 miles per hour on North Seventh Street,” the report alleged. “Following termination of the pursuit the suspect crashed his vehicle in the intersection of University Boulevard and North Seventh Street and began to flee on foot.”

A city patrolman took Parker into custody at the intersection of University Boulevard and state Route 7, police said.

Highway ramp to close for maintenance

WEIRTON — The West Virginia Division of Highways has announced the scheduled closure of the Exit Ramp 1D on U.S. 22 west, near the Veterans Memorial Bridge, for maintenance.

The closure has been set for 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday and Friday.

Motorists are advised to follow detours, established as following U.S 22 east to Harmon Creek and then onto U.S. 22 west.