(WTRF) - The West Virginia state tax department makes a tax mistake with a $5 million dollar impact on one local county, plus a man suspected of multiple crimes throughout the Ohio Valley has been arrested.
7News Anchor Annalise Murphy looks back at the week’s top stories.
Man arrested in local chase that injured a deputy named a strong suspect in local robberies
This week in Marshall County, 23-year-old Koleton Caruso was arrested after a local police chase that damaged two cruisers and left a deputy with minor injuries.
Marshall County Sheriff Bill Helms says Caruso is charged with two felony counts of malicious assault, among other lesser charges.
Moundsville Police Chief Tom Mitchell says Caruso is also a strong suspect in the Belmont County robberies.
“My detective and my lieutenant have worked on this most of yesterday, and by piecing together some other occurrences that we were aware of, they were able to identify him, and he was currently incarcerated for a vehicle chase with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department. Subsequently, they interviewed him, and he ended up making admissions. I mean, it’s brazen, some of the things that he’s done."
CHIEF TOM MITCHELL | MOUNDSVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Those admission tapes regarding the Smith Oil and Dollar General Robberies are being forwarded to Bellaire and Belmont County authorities.
Caruso is currently in the Northern Regional Jail.
West Virginia Tax Office addresses multi-million-dollar mistake at local commission meeting
During commission this week, the West Virginia State Tax Division addressed the council about a multimillion-dollar tax mistake they discovered last March that has a $5 million dollar impact on the county.
Under House Bill 2581 and 4336, the state is in control of oil and gas appraisals which are then transferred to local county assessors.
In 2021, the tax office says they made a “clerical error” that undervalued first year wells.
Director of Property Tax for the State Tax Division, Deanna Sheets, attended the meeting asking the county to apply for a new application created by the state that would allow them to reassess the wells.
County Commissioners denied the request.
Commissioner President Mike Ferro says they did not want to punish the hard-working citizens of Marshall County for the negligence of the state tax office.
One Local Bridge Still Has Many Questions Surrounding It
Looking to Bellaire now, 7News Reporter Jake McGlumphy had a special report this week on The Bellaire Bridge that has been causing new concerns regarding its deteriorating structure.
Although the nearly 100-year-old bridge stands over the City of Benwood, Director of Operations and Development David McLaughlin believes none of the maintenance or demolition is the responsibility of Marshall County.
As of now, the bridge remains standing, but with many questions on who should be responsible for the demolition of the bridge and actions that would need to be taken if the bridge were to collapse.
Celebrating Mia Williams: The First African American Woman to Officiate the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference
Finally, this week, as WTRF continues to Honor Black History Month, new history has been accomplished!
Mia Williams became the first Black woman to officiate the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference this year.
Mia Williams has always had sports in her blood, as she was a Division 1 athlete at the University of Tulsa, where she played basketball.
"It’s an honor. I have a wonderful family. I have a wonderful connection to the community and to follow in their footsteps. Just being a good human being, as well as being involved in the community, is remarkable for me. I’m very proud of that."
MIA WILLIAMS – OVAC BASKETBALL OFFICIAL
Little did she know she would go on to make history. Congratulations Mia.
Those are this week’s top stories; for the latest in the news any time of the week, stay with 7News on the air and here at WTRF.com.