POMEROY — During the flooding last weekend, several sightseers received warnings from the Pomeroy Police Department concerning driving on closed roads and at least one man received a citation costing $175, possibly more, depending on if any damages by local businesses are filed.

Pomeroy Chief of Police Mark E. Proffitt said the “road closed” signs in downtown are no joke and those who violate the signs do face fines in Pomeroy Mayor’s Court. Case in point, a Aspers, Pa. man driving a tractor trailer was fined $175 on Sunday for allegedly driving through downtown Pomeroy while water was still on the road.

Jerome E. Lesniak, allegedly drove a tractor trailer from East to West Main Street during the flooding event on Sunday - Patrolman C. Brent Rose pulled Lesniak over at Farmers Bank and cited him for driving on a closed road. Rose reports Lesniak said he didn’t see any “road closed” sign but Proffitt told Pomeroy Village Council members on Monday night, Lesniak had to drive through at least three “road closed” signs before being pulled over.

Ed Zatta of Swisher & Lohse Pharmacy reported the large tractor trailer pushed water back into his business after staff had cleaned - Zatta said this push of water caused another two hours of additional cleaning. The Pomeroy Police Department is still investigating whether any other businesses were affected by the drive through.

Proffitt said the village has its own ordinance concerning driving on closed roads and also follows the Ohio Revised Code, section 4511.71, which prohibits driving on a closed road. At this week’s meeting of Pomeroy Village Council, Councilman Phil Ohlinger asked how the police department determines it’s time to close a street during flooding events? Proffitt said the minute the Ohio River creeps onto Main Street, the barricades go up for the safety of motorists, residents and to prevent damage to downtown businesses.

Other recent traffic accidents and incidents currently under investigation by the Pomeroy Police Department are:

A vehicle driven by Ami D. Williams, Point Pleasant, W.Va., allegedly rear-ended a stopped vehicle driven by Marty A. Faulkner, Pomeroy, at 423 West Main St. No injuries were reported.

Jim Fish, owner of Dad’s Trash Service, reported while his trash truck was parked along the road on Butternut Ave. picking up trash, another vehicle hit the back of the truck and then sped off.

Rose Mary Eskew, 106 Butternut Ave., reported her 2003 Dodge van had been vandalized with the side window busted out. No objects from inside the van were reported missing at the time the incident was logged.