"I think Cadiz should get out of the drinking water business."

Cadiz Mayor R. Kevin Jones made that statement during a standing-room-only community meeting as frustrated residents demanded answers about the village's ongoing drinking water crisis.

In this episode of the Forgotten Ohio Podcast, you'll hear what village leaders, Ohio EPA officials, state lawmakers, and residents had to say about:

• Cadiz's ongoing water quality problems
• Why officials say a connection to Martins Ferry may be the best long-term solution
• Ohio EPA's findings on manganese, turbidity, and treatment plant issues
• Corrective actions already completed
• State Rep. Ty Moore's pledge to help secure funding
• Residents' concerns about discolored water, bottled water, and future water quality

Mayor Jones said connecting to Martins Ferry through the Harrison County water system could cost an estimated $6 million to $12 million, compared with $20 million to $30 million for a new treatment plant, and could potentially be completed in about 18 months if funding is secured.

In this episode of Forgotten Ohio, we break down the biggest decisions from this week's Belmont County Commissioners meeting, including the first steps toward renewing two county levies that voters could decide this November.

Commissioners approved resolutions to place renewal levies for Belmont County 911 and Senior Services on the November ballot. The 911 levy would continue funding the county's emergency radio system and support the transition to Next Generation 911, while the Senior Services levy would renew funding at a reduced rate, lowering the tax burden while maintaining essential programs.

I also examine a new tourism report showing Belmont County generated $275.6 million in tourism-related economic impact during 2025, including $168 million in visitor spending and $36 million in tax revenue.

Also in this episode:

• Why county officials say the 911 levy is not a tax increase
• How Senior Services delivers 1,200 meals every day to local residents
• The latest update on the Underground Railroad Museum in Morristown, expected to open this fall
• Plans to add Airbnb units to support the museum's long-term operations
• A sewer infrastructure project that will replace the aging Pennwood treatment plant

Featured Interviews

• Jerry Echemann, Belmont County Commission President
• J.P. Dutton, Belmont County Commissioner
• Vince Gianangeli, Belmont County Commissioner
• Brian Minder, Belmont County 911 Director
• Lisa Kazmirski, Executive Director, Senior Services of Belmont County
• Jackee Pugh, Executive Director, Belmont County Tourism Council
• Kelly Porter, Belmont County Water & Sewer District Director

Key Topics

• Belmont County Commissioners
• Belmont County 911 Levy
• Senior Services Levy
• Next Generation 911
• Belmont County Tourism
• Economic Development
• Underground Railroad Museum
• Morristown, Ohio
• St. Clairsville
• Local Government
• Ohio Valley News

📰 Read the full story and more local reporting:

https://forgottenohio.com

📬 Subscribe to the Forgotten Ohio newsletter for independent, hyperlocal journalism covering Ohio Appalachia and the Ohio Valley.

https://forgottenohio.substack.com/

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Forgotten Ohio

Real reporting. Real people. Real Ohio. Covering local news from the Ohio Valley & Ohio Appalachia

Belmont County philanthropist Donn Sinclair is asking county commissioners why his $200,000 donation to demolish blighted homes in Bellaire has yet to move forward.

During the July 15, 2026 Belmont County Commission meeting, Sinclair questioned commissioners about the status of the proposed gift, saying he wants to help eliminate dangerous vacant properties that continue to impact neighborhoods and residents.

Commissioners discussed the legal and administrative process involved in accepting the donation and working with the Belmont County Land Reutilization Corporation (Land Bank). The conversation highlighted the challenges local governments face when addressing abandoned and deteriorating properties, even when private funding is available.

In this episode, Forgotten Ohio examines the discussion, the questions raised by Sinclair, and what happens next.

In This Episode

• Donn Sinclair's proposed $200,000 donation
• Why the demolition project has been delayed
• Belmont County commissioners respond to questions
• The role of the Belmont County Land Bank
• How blighted properties affect Bellaire neighborhoods
• What residents can expect moving forward

Topics

Belmont County, Bellaire Ohio, Donn Sinclair, Belmont County Commissioners, Ohio Valley news, blight demolition, Ohio Land Bank, Ohio Appalachia, Forgotten Ohio, Karen Fatula, local government, community redevelopment, Bellaire homes, Belmont County news, Jerry Echemann, Vince Gianangeli, J. P. Dutton

Read the Full Story

Read the complete article on the Forgotten Ohio Substack:

https://forgottenohio.substack.com/p/philanthropist-questions-belmont

Learn More

🌐 Website: https://ForgottenOhio.com

📰 Subscribe to the Forgotten Ohio newsletter:

https://forgottenohio.substack.com

About Forgotten Ohio

Forgotten Ohio is an independent, nonpartisan news podcast covering Ohio Appalachia and the Ohio Valley. Host Karen Fatula brings in-depth reporting on the people, communities, and issues often overlooked by larger news organizations. From local government and public policy to community events and human-interest stories, Forgotten Ohio delivers factual, balanced journalism from outside Ohio's largest metropolitan areas.

Dr. Acton also talks about her campaign priorities and why she believes Ohioans are looking for leaders who solve problems rather than create them.

Forgotten Ohio is a hyperlocal, nonpartisan podcast bringing news and stories from Ohio Appalachia and the Ohio Valley.

Listen and subscribe at www.forgottenohio.com

The outage followed a nationwide cyberattack on the OnSolve CodeRED emergency notification platform which was accompanied by a data breach involving the personal information of registered users. Nearly 11,000 Belmont County residents were enrolled in the system.

In this episode, county officials are asked about their response to the outage, revealing gaps in communication, coordination, and public notification. As questions mount, responsibility appears to shift between agencies while residents wait for clear answers.

This episode examines how the emergency alert system failed — and how journalist Karen Fatula sought transparency and accountability on behalf of the public.