Mingo sets special session

MINGO JUNCTION — Village Council will meet in special session Monday to address three pressing issues, including a controversial proposal to reinstate a fire chief terminated earlier this year for alleged misconduct, the water ordinance and a contract with the state auditor’s office.

Ruckman said the brief business meeting to approve a UAN contract with the auditor and the reading of the water ordinance will begin at 5:45 p.m. At 6 p.m. council will switch gears, holding a hearing on Montgomery’s job status.

Montgomery served as fire chief from 2020 until Mayor Judy Ruckman terminated his employment in February after allegations that he’d had inappropriate sexual contact with subordinates on municipal property while on duty were brought to administrators. No charges have been filed in connection with those allegations, but Montgomery remains under indictment in Jefferson County Common Pleas Court on a wiretapping charge. Prosecutors previously alleged Montgomery illegally “recorded conversations between employees and other individuals who did not know they were being recorded.” That case is currently set for trial Nov. 4.

Ruckman maintains Montgomery’s firing was well within her power as mayor, though several council members insist he be brought back, arguing that she exceeded her authority. Council had scheduled hearings twice in recent weeks but canceled them after Montgomery failed to appear.

County road work scheduled

STEUBENVILLE — The Jefferson County Highway Department’s schedule for the coming week includes:

• Berm repair: County Road 8 (Dry Fork Road)

• Spot paving: County Roads 57 (Mount Zion Road) and 75 (Wolf Run Road)

• Bridge replacement: County Road 11(Piney Fork Road), Knox Township Road 289 and Springfield Township Road 472 (Ridgewood)

• Contract tree trimming: County Road 53 (Bergholz-New Somerset Road)

SVRTA board to meet

STEUBENVILLE — Steel Valley Regional Transit Authority will hold its regular board meeting at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the Robert J. Cutri, Modal Center.