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‘Please, don’t take these beautiful things that I’ve got’

Local Columns

Ever since I mentioned how my grandson sings Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” last week, I’ve noticed just how often he goes around the house singing it to himself. It is adorable. Again, he doesn’t talk really. But he does sing that song. He loves that song. And I love how he loves it. I love that song, too. Except, I love that song for a completely different reason. And not just because it is a “catchy tune.” I may not have the greatest taste in clothing, makeup, food, cars, men. That list goes on and on. But I do think I have excellent taste in ...

Keep up fight against opioid scourge

Editorials

As West Virginians have waded through the battle against the substance abuse epidemic over the past several years, it has become clear there is fault to find at many levels — from “legal” drug dealers masquerading as doctors to pharmaceutical industry giants. That is, of course, in addition to the illegal drug operations that realized what was happening and seized the moment. As state attorney general, Gov. Patrick Morrisey did an excellent job battling companies such as Johnson and Johnson, CVS and Kroger — to name a few — in an effort that has yielded hundreds upon hundreds ...

Prioritize what we really need

Editorials

While some are able to find numbers that show positive things happening for the economy, here in West Virginia, the reality is a little less pleasant. Some key indicators are downright disturbing. Workforce participation is steadily dropping. Unemployment is increasing. “These numbers are troubling,” said West Virginia Chamber of Commerce President Steve Roberts. “We’re seeing consistent signs of economic softening across several core industries. When the workforce is shrinking and job losses are sustained over time, we must treat it as a warning sign, and we must respond with ...

If you feel different, you drive different

Editorials

“If you feel different, you drive different. Drive high, get a DUI.” That’s the theme of an effort by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to help local law enforcement be highly visible from now through Labor Day as they crack down on those taking the risk to drive impaired. Even in states such as Ohio where (despite lawmakers’ best efforts to subvert the voters’ will) adult-use cannabis is legal for recreational use, it is still illegal to drive under the influence. It doesn’t matter what substance is to blame. But, ...

Getting ready for football season

Editorials

Our annual football edition will be included with your Wednesday newspaper, marking the return of local high school sports for 2025. The high school football season, which officially opens this week in Ohio and next week in West Virginia, will be the topic of many conversations and will occupy the hearts and minds of fans from all parts of the region for at least the next 10 weeks — and, hopefully, beyond. With all of that in mind, members of our local sports staff, led by Sports Editor Andrew Grimm, have spent much of the past several weeks conducting interviews, taking ...

Security measures being increased

Editorials

It seems safety is on the minds of residents everywhere nowadays, whether you’re driving through your neighborhood or going on a lengthy journey. For many years, security measures have been established pretty much everywhere we go – many in response to major incidents and disasters – from airports, to hospitals, to even grocery stores. One of the more visible examples is when we visit our governmental offices, whether we’re greeted by a security guard watching a bank of monitors or made to walk through a scanning system. The City of Weirton is taking some new measures in an ...