🌱 High-Speed Pursuit Ends In Arrest + Parkersburg Park Projects Start

Morning, neighbors. It's me, Danielle Fallon-O'Leary, your host of the Parkersburg Patch newsletter — here to impart everything that's fit to print about what's happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Hazy sunshine. High: 82 Low: 51.
• Thursday: Partly sunny and not as warm. High: 73 Low: 49.

Here are the top three stories today in Parkersburg:

1. An Akron man, Gary Lee Bland Jr., was arrested in Wood County after a high-speed vehicle pursuit on Interstate 77. He was charged with fleeing with reckless indifference and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. The pursuit began when a West Virginia State Police trooper attempted to pull Bland over for driving a reported stolen vehicle; Bland initially complied but then accelerated, reaching speeds of up to 108 mph. Law enforcement found 644 pills and white powder in Bland's vehicle, and he reported ingesting a large amount of fentanyl. (Parkersburg News)
2. Major projects are in progress at Parkersburg's largest parks, including repairs to the waterslide at Southwood Park and renovations at Bennett Stump Field. Amusement Restoration Companies is working on restoring the slide's surface and fixing soft spots; though the city hopes to open it by the second week of June, it is not clear whether the project will be completed by the deadline. While the City Park pool is set to open on Saturday, but the rebuilt Southwood Park pool may not open this year due to delays in receiving the necessary components. The Bennett Stump Field renovation, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, is expected to be completed in mid-July, allowing for baseball games to be played there this summer. (Parkersburg News)
3. The American Legion Charity Ride made a stop in Parkersburg as part of its four-day tour across the state of West Virginia. The riders collect donations for the American Legion's scholarship funds, which support programs for high school kids to attend camps that provide a deeper understanding of government operations. The money raised goes towards registration fees and tuition for these camps. Riders have reported purpose in riding for a good cause and supporting veterans and their families. (WTAP)

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Today and tomorrow in Parkersburg:

Wednesday, May 24

• Artist Display - Patty Stewart At WesBanco (All Day)

Thursday, May 25

• Memorial Day Celebration At College Theater (12:00 PM)
• Phoenix Twirlers Wendy's Fundraiser At Wendy's Parkersburg (4:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• The Parkersburg area in West Virginia has a variety of homes available for sale, according to a real estate roundup. Newly listed properties include a house on Division Street priced at $160,000, a property on St. Mary's Avenue listed at $105,000, and a home on 20th Street with a price tag of $180,000. Additionally, a house in Mineral Wells is on the market for $126,000. (Parkersburg Patch)
• Wood County Schools is investigating a video that shows a car illegally passing a stopped school bus and loading children onto the bus. The school district is looking for the vehicle and owner, and drivers who violate the state law can face fines of up to $500 and/or up to six months in jail for their first offense. (WTAP)
• Wood County students organized the first Bloom Academy, where fifth graders from surrounding feeder schools participated in creative S.T.E.A.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) challenges. The challenges included building sails for a rubber duck race, creating paper airplanes, and constructing a bridge with limited materials, promoting creative thinking, problem-solving, and engineering skills. (Parkersburg News)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday. See you all soon for another update!

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a content manager with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.