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Better guidance needed for BEAD funds

Remember the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which Congress passed to provide “additional relief to address the continued impact of COVID-19 on the economy, public health, state and local governments, individuals and businesses?” Remember how a lot of that almost $2 trillion ended up getting spent? Sure, plenty of it fit the definition of what most expected public “covid money” would fund. Some of it went toward swimming pools, event centers and any number of other use-it-or-lose-it projects that had us scratching our heads. It was all perfectly legal, and adhered to the ...

Tell them your stories, they’re gonna need them

Once again, I am going to quote Benson Boone. He is the young singer I mentioned in my last two columns. He sings “Beautiful Things,” the song which my grandson just loves. Only this time, I am going to reference a song he entitled, “Momma Song.” It, too, is beautiful. But unlike last time, I won’t ask you to listen to it. Instead, I am going to quote a couple of the lyrics. You may wonder why I am using this space to quote the words of someone else? After all, this is Julie’s article, not Benson Boone’s. And yet, his words are ones I wish I could have ...

September is National Voter Registration Month

In September, the National Association of Secretaries of State and the WV Secretary of State’s Office celebrates National Voter Registration Month. Since National Voter Registration Month was started in 2002, we use every September as a timely reminder that the foundation of our democracy rests not just on the right to vote — but on the responsibility to be ready to exercise that right. In every election, whether local, state, or national, the power of the vote is the most direct way citizens shape the future of their communities and country. But that power begins with one simple ...

Will socialism prevail?

To the Editor, A cultural shift in the United States of America is occurring right before our very eyes. What is it? Political dogma saturates us. Are we to be a nation abiding by the ideals stated by our Founding Fathers? That is, each person can live freely, prosper in accordance with his native abilities and thereby flourish. Some will flourish while others may not do as well. Each man should be free to pursue his own lifestyle within the boundaries of reasonable laws, so say our Founding Fathers. But new ideals have emerged, ideals that perhaps are superior to those stated by our ...

Labor Day and West Virginia

I would like to wish you all a prosperous and happy Labor Day. When I think of Labor Day, I envision the machines manufactured by workers that freed us from a totally agricultural-based society. This advancement in machines enabled us to develop electricity, lighting, and, above all, refrigeration. The latter allowed us finally to conquer every corner of the world. Above all, Labor Day honors men and women who have been the backbone of our workforce, whether in the field or the factory. A great part of that honorable group included the men and women who filled the Ohio River ...

History in the Hills: Art all around us

We get to do some fun things here at Historic Fort Steuben. We operate the historic fort, plan the concert series and operate our Christmas at the Fort event. At the visitor center, we host a variety of events every year. We have the fort festival, quilt show, art show and a variety of exhibits and displays. This September, we are sponsoring a photography show in the exhibit hall with the theme “Scenes, Places and People of the Ohio Valley.” The exhibit showcases photography from all over the valley within a 65-mile radius. Special thanks are needed to Gina Judy, Dennis ...