Marietta

WotM Weather Center: River Gauge, Marietta Floods, and You

This post is an educational tool for those unfamiliar with the flood plain of Marietta, OH.  Currently, there is a FLOOD WATCH for the Marietta area, with projections of river levels reaching Action Stage by the 16th.  Watch Writing on the Mall for projection updates as they are posted by the National Weather Service.

So you may be wondering what River Gauge is.  It’s the measurement taken at select sites up and down rivers across the country to help better map river levels.  There are two gauge sites near Marietta: one at the confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum Rivers on the Harmar side of the Muskingum, and one at the Willow Island Lock just upriver.

These gauge readings can tell us how close we are to flood stage at certain points.  At Marietta, as you can see on the image above, we start getting worried around the 33 foot mark, which is labeled an Action Stage.  Between 33 and 35 feet, the river threatens to overflow at its lowest points.  Action Stage also serves as a way to alert the community that the floodwaters could raise at any point.

Floodwaters between 35 and 38 feet are considered Flood Stage at Marietta.  Flooding first hits Don Drumm Stadium, as it is one of the lowest areas in town.  It takes 37 feet to affect Fourth Street housing.

Moderate Stage is when flood waters are between 38 and 40 feet.  At this stage, most of the West Virginia area along the river is flooded.  Flooding could affect the Hermann Bowl and areas along the creek.

When you get above 40 feet, you enter the Major Flood Stage, which is where seven of the ten largest floods in Marietta history have peaked.  At 40 feet, a majority of Marietta is flooded, along with Harmar and low-lying areas of Williamstown.  The largest flood in Marietta history topped out at over 58 feet.  You can still see markers on first street to commemorate the largest floods, with more recent markers showing where the 2004 flood was.  The September 2004 flood was nearly 45 feet, while the January 2005 flood was around 44 feet.

Marietta Gourmet Coffee Shop “Stoked” to Serve More College Students

A day doesn’t go by without a desire to fulfill thirst. More often than not, students crave particular beverages at the most random times, and sometimes there is a mind battle regarding what the mouth is truly mad after.

There are occasional limitations in variety and availability if the observation remains within immediate reach. However, there is a positive alternative to cure even the driest palate.  Stoked Coffee, located on 302 Pike St. in Marietta, has been serving up delicious drinks, ranging from the obvious to chai tea, real fruit smoothies, milkshakes referred to as a crème, Italian sodas, sweetened and unsweetened teas, and hot chocolate, as well as bagels, cookies, and scones, since November of 2007.

Continue reading “Marietta Gourmet Coffee Shop “Stoked” to Serve More College Students” »

Looking Back: 2004 and 2005 Floods Changed College Preparedness

It was Friday Sept. 17, 2004. Remnants of Hurricane Ivan had just come through dropping almost five inches of rain over the Mid-Ohio Valley during the day. The Ohio River and its tributaries were already swollen due to three and a half inches of rain from the week before, when remnants of Hurricane Frances came through.

Early that Friday morning the National Weather Service in Charleston predicted that the Ohio River at Marietta would crest just above flood stage. Then later that afternoon, the National Weather Service called off the flood warning and said that the Ohio River at Marietta would crest more than a foot below flood stage.

Continue reading “Looking Back: 2004 and 2005 Floods Changed College Preparedness” »

UPDATE: Robison Agrees to Plea Deal, Will Be Sentenced in March

According to an article posted today by the Marietta Times, former MC student Tom Robison has agreed to a plea deal.

Robison still faces up to 10 years in prison for the stabbing, but had a third degree felony charge for tampering with evidence removed.

According to court testimony, Robison felt the man he stabbed had money, and followed him from The Locker Room bar.

Robison has been in jail since the stabbing occurred.  He is in jail withough bond, waiting for his hearing on March 15th.

For more on the court hearing today, check out the Marietta Times article.

Student Speak Out is Tomorrow Night

Just a reminder that the Student Speak Out is tomorrow night at 7 PM in the McDonough Auditorium.  If you have a concern, most of the college’s administrators will be there to try to help fix your problem, or at least hear your complaint.  There are more than 80 people that say they’re coming, according to their Facebook group.

If you have a problem that needs addressed but can’t be there, just comment on this post, our Facebook, or our Twitter, and we will ask it for you.

Poor Economy Claims Another Victim: Bar-B-Cutie

Sadly, another local restaurant will close after this week.

The Bar-B-Cutie on Pike St., which replaced an empty RAX, will close on November 7th.  The notification went out via Twitter, and linked to this page.

Bar-B-Cutie was a great place to get some good food.  Their prices were alright and the people were friendly.  They will be missed.

UPDATE: Robison Waives Hearing, Awaits Grand Jury Indictment

MC Student Thomas Robison waived his right to a hearing yesterday according to the Marietta Times, which means his case can now be presented to a Grand Jury.  The Grand Jury can add more charges to the indictment if they deem it necessary, which means an additional charge of felonious assault could added.  Felonious assault can add up to eight years to his list of charges, which include up to ten years for robbery and 33 days for probation violation.

Reportedly, the man he allegedly stabbed is out of the hospital.  There is no date set yet for the Grand Jury Indictment.

Keep an eye out for next week’s Marcolian, which I am being told features interviews of Robison, his lawyer, the man he allegedly stabbed, and other students.  Hard hitting journalism from the Marcolian?  You heard it here first.

Arrangements Announced for Caleb White

From the Marietta Times Obituaries…

Petty Officer 3 Caleb Benjamin White, 21, of Marietta, died Sunday (Oct. 4, 2009) in Charleston, W.Va.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday (Oct. 8, 2009) at the Marietta Chapel of Cawley & Peoples Funeral Home with military services immediately following in Muskingum Park. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

UPDATE: $152,000 Bond for MC Student

The Marietta Municipal Court has set bond for Thomas Robison at $152,000, according to this Marietta Times article.

This means that Robison (or friends and family of Robison) may pay only have to pay $15,200 to get out of jail prior to his trial.  However, depending on a October 9 date in court, he may be required to serve 33 days of jail time stemming from a probation violation before being allowed to post bail.

The court also scheduled Robison for a preliminary hearing on October 7.

Marietta College has still made no mention of the crime or their course of action to students, which still worries some students.  While obviously innocent until proven guilty, prior incidents carried swift response for the college.  When Robert Walker’s collection of guns and ammo was found in his car, he was swiftly suspended by the college.

UPDATE: MC Student Faces Up To 10 Years for Alleged Stabbing

The Marietta Times (click link for full story and mugshot) now has their article up disclosing some more information regarding the alleged stabbing that took place Saturday night.

The Marietta City Police arrested Thomas Robinson for allegedly stabbing a local resident in a robbery attempt.  Reportedly, he confessed to the crime after being arrested in his dorm room.

Robinson now faces up to 10 years for the robbery charge, if convicted.  He will be arraigned on the charge today at 1 PM at the Marietta Municipal Court.

The man he stabbed is currently in stable condition at the hospital.

The College has stated that they are working with both CPS and the Marietta City Police, but have not done much else at the moment.  Students I have talked to are wondering why they were not notified of the incident or the arrest.  I would assume once the college’s investigation concludes, we will be notified with their response and course of action.