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Are we having a bit of a senior moment?

The possible sale of four state-owned long-term care facilities to a private company could be a win for West Virginia taxpayers, but questions remain. Last week, Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced that New York-based Marx Development Group (MDG) will purchase Hopemont Hospital in Preston County, Jackie Withrow Hospital in Raleigh County, John Manchin Sr. Health Care Center in Marion County, and Lakin Hospital in Mason County for $60 million. Once the sale closes on Tuesday, Sept. 30, the deal includes MDG replacing the facilities with between three and five new long-term care ...

Counting down to the start of fall, y’all

West Virginia Tourism released its annual Fall Foliage Forecast Friday morning, providing predictions on when the change in tree coloration will be seen in the various parts of the Mountain State. According to their map, the first major change will be in late September and early October in much of the eastern portions of the state, including areas around Morgantown, Philippi, Elkins, Thomas and Davis, and moving south. The majority of the Eastern Panhandle would come next, in early to mid-October The Martinsburg area, the Northern Panhandle, and much of the southwestern part of the ...

The way grandparents love their grandchildren

As a grandmother, I feel it is my job, my duty, to share all of the precious moments I get to experience with my grandson. I mean, that is what grandparents do, right? We brag. We boast. We embellish. We show photos to anyone who will glance at them. I can remember long before cell phones were invented. People would pull their wallet out of their back pocket or purse and open it up to reveal an extremely long strand of plastic coverings. As the photos unfolded, the viewer would silently sigh, emit a plastic smile and await their fate. Having to look at people they ...

History in the Hills: Digging in the past

Here in our area, we have been known for many different industries over the centuries. Some of the earliest industries we have been noted for are agriculture, woolen products, glass, pottery, oil and iron products, among others. Industries that thrived here have had their day of prominence in our history, such as the woolen industry, as an example. There were so many woolen factories in Steubenville at one time, they called the city Jeans Town because of all the clothes being made here. This industry was big in the first half of the 19th century, and by the Civil War, only a few ...

A slow news week in the state capital

Last week was a slow news week when it comes to my specific beat of West Virginia state government news. Reporters who cover the same beat had similar opinions when I talked to them. There are weeks when it is not uncommon for me to write as many as 15 stories per week or sometimes four stories in one day. I certainly don’t mind a busy week, but last week was mostly quiet. Sure, there was the Gas and Oil Association of West Virginia’s summer meeting at the Greenbrier Resort at the beginning of last week, which saw many state elected officials address the group and talk about West ...

Guest column: Celebrating those who help keep elections safe, secure, and fair

West Virginia is a place where people know their neighbors, and that’s exactly what makes local elections work. When voters walk into a polling place and see a familiar face, a teacher, a pastor, a coach, a neighbor, a parent, it builds trust in the system. It reminds folks that elections aren’t run by distant bureaucrats; they’re managed by people right here in our own communities. We West Virginians pride ourselves on being a state full of hard-working, community-minded people. From the southern coal fields to the beautiful river views of the northern panhandle, Mountaineers ...