Breaking News

Local Columns

History in the Hills: Looking back on new years

One of my favorite movies of all time is Woody Allen’s classic 1987 film “Radio Days.” This movie is a delightful blend of history, radio, music and nostalgia from the late 1930s and 1940s. It takes place in Rockaway, N.Y., in the outskirts of New York City on the Atlantic coast, not too far from where my wife grew up. I always loved this film because of the glimpse into the past and the great music that was popular at the time. That is my favorite genre of music, so that is part of the reason I like it. One of the last scenes of the movie shows many of the radio personalities ...

Heading back to the future in West Virginia

By the end of this week, we will all travel forward to the future, to the year 2026, and we will have moved past the first quarter of the 21st century. It wasn’t until last week putting together my roundup of top West Virginia statehouse stories that I stopped to think about us getting through the past 25 years. It seems like yesterday that I was part of the Class of 2000 preparing for all of the computers to crash. I was born in 1982, so it’s weird to think that I have lived longer in the 21st century than I had in the 20th century. Yet, still no flying cars, still no ...

2025: Looking back at the year that was

We only have a few days remaining in 2025, and, for many, the last year certainly has been active. In Weirton, and some surrounding areas, the year began much as the previous one ended, with a series of line breaks and boil orders affecting the municipal water system and resulting in a lack of expected service. Water had to be brought in to allow for some of the schools to be open, distributions were made for residents, and there was a great deal of anger and frustration expressed. Eventually, the West Virginia Public Service Commission held a hearing, with a study finding various ...

Do some reflecting on your resolutions this year

I have never been someone who believes in the “New Year, New Me” mentality. Actually, if I am being honest with myself, the “Old Me” is usually just trying to do the best she possibly can to make it through the day. And yet, every year, as the calendar page turns to January, and the echoes of “Auld Lang Syne” fade into winter’s chill, I find myself sitting at my kitchen table … a notebook and very ambitious pen in hand. Usually, these resolutions look more like a laundry list of things I believe I should be doing. I don’t do this every year. Why? Because ...

Some Christmas potpourri from the capital

As we get close to the start of the new year, the 2026 legislative session, and the next election cycle, we’re seeing a lot of movement in the deck chairs. For example, Del. John Williams, D-Monongalia, will challenge state Sen. Mike Oliverio, R-Monongalia, in the 13th Senatorial District covering parts of Monongalia and Marion counties. Of course, both will have to make it through their respective party primaries, which is likely. But a contest between Williams and Oliverio will mean at least one of them will not be returning to the statehouse after the November 2026 ...

Thinking about the gifts that really matter

I had a quick conversation with my mom Friday morning about the approaching Christmas holiday. We’ve not really done much this season, for various reasons, outside of baking some cookies, and I know it’s bothering her. She mentioned not really getting much for anyone as far as gifts, as she doesn’t really know what anyone wants or needs. To be honest, it’s something I’ve struggled with, as well. It’s hard to know what people already have, and there are only so many coffee mugs, Christmas ornaments, hats, etc. before you get overrun. I always like to get something useful ...