Marietta Morning: Stories From Around Town

MARIETTA, OH — Happy Thursday Marietta! Here are some of the big news stories happening in our area.

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Preliminary hearing set for man accused of Caldwell murder: Janelle Patterson of the Marietta Times reports that the preliminary hearing has been set for 28-year-old Tyler Thompson. He's charged with murder for the death of his fiancee, Leah Brooke Hines, a mother of three. There is an active Gofundme campaign to help pay for her funeral.

Former Pike County Sheriff goes to prison: Holly Zachariah of the Columbus Dispatch reports that Charles Reader will have to spend three-years in prison. He had pleaded guilty to stealing money that had been seized in arrests and trying to cover it up. The ex-sheriff had received national attention in 2016 when a family of eight was brutally murdered. Reader claimed to have taken the money from drug dealers and used it for charity.

No new fracking in Wayne National Forest: David Forster of WOUB reports that federal judge Michael Watson has halted the issuing of any new permits for oil and gas drilling in Wayne National Forest. Judge Watson prohibited any new drilling permits, and put a stop to using water from the Little Muskingum River for existing drilling operations.

Sewer repairs in Marietta: Brett Wharff of WMOA reports that the Wastewater Department is wrapping up a sanitary sewer repair project on Cutler Street. The area between 5th and 6th Streets was closed yesterday and will be closed today. This work is expected to be completed by the end of the day.

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