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Lawmakers: Please keep our young children safe from measles, mumps, polio, and pertussis

As an owner of the childcare facility and a passionate advocate for early childhood education, I was concerned this week to learn that the West Virginia House of Delegates passed HB 5105 weakening legacy vaccine requirements for previously eradicated diseases such as measles, mumps, polio, and pertussis with parental “religious or philosophical exemptions”. The bill may now head to the Senate where it could become law, and in effect threaten public health and our most vulnerable population: children under 12 months old who cannot yet be vaccinated. As other recent insightful ...

As his mom, I wish I was able to protect it all

When God decided to make me a mother, I instantly got that instinctive nature and began to protect him. Even before he was born. Even before that first glance at his precious face. I was overcome in that moment when he reached out his tiny, fragile hand and somehow it fit perfectly around my finger. As if it was meant to be. As a mom, I simply knew what to do when he fell down as he began taking his first steps. Being his mom, I knew what to do to protect him from an accident occurring. Cutting his food into small portions so he didn’t choke. Putting up gates so ...

Claw marks on educational spending

A poor explanation of a federal obligation led to a panic last week that the state was going to have to give back $465 million to the U.S. Department of Education. Even the word “clawback” was used, but as it turns out, it’s not really a clawback at all, at least in the short term. But depending on negotiations with the department for a second and final waiver, the state might have to – heaven forbid – spend $465 million additional on education. And if we don’t do that, then the clawback commences. As a colleague - Mountain State Spotlight state government watchdog ...

Enjoying the changing of the seasons

It dawned on me the other morning that sunrise has been taking place a bit earlier in recent days. We’re officially entering that time where we are receiving noticeably more sunlight, with Friday being the first day of meteorological spring. I’ve noticed the return of some of our warm-weather animal friends, especially some birds, in the last week or so (although they probably regretted that after the quick snow we had last weekend). The daffodils at the house started to sprout several days ago, and I’m anticipating some buds to form soon. It all leads to the first day of ...

History in the Hills: Standing up for steel

I think, like all of us, I was shocked by the recent news that the last vestiges of Weirton’s Steel industry will be idled in April. I should rephrase, I was shocked but not surprised. I think like most who have grown up here, issues dealing with the steel industry over the years, including foreign steel imports, tariffs, dumping of steel, etc., have been in our lexicon for decades. I can’t remember a time when these things weren’t issues for our community. I am sure for some the news of the decision to idle the remaining operations at Weirton was reminiscent of the event that ...

Life’s struggles can even lead to a broken arm

I held little hope that there would be a column from me this week. It’s been a pretty difficult one. Has anyone else ever gone through a really extensive rough patch that you begin questioning if Satan has been working overtime and it’s on you that he is focusing? The thought of this brings tears to my eyes ... even now, as I sit here to write this. It is truly unfair when one person is receiving so much heartbreak. And I am speaking for everyone who feels this way. Not just me. The ones who are always struggling despite all of their continuous — yet futile, efforts. ...