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History in the Hills: Measuring our past

Local Columns

When someone comes to Historic Fort Steuben, they will have a lot to see. Their first stop will be the Visitor Center where one could visit our display area to see many historical collections, in addition to a model of the fort. Visitors also can stop at our museum shop as well, to browse local books, gifts and souvenirs. When entering the fort, one can visit nine buildings that are set up to show what life was like for the soldiers and surveyors who occupied it in the 1780s. Some of the buildings historically were used for the same use, such as the fact that there were two buildings ...

Flood studies are necessary

Editorials

Time and again West Virginians in all corners of the state have had to deal with storms, flooding and mudslides that wreak havoc on lives and communities. This has gone on for generations, and after each disaster, there is always the question: Why does this keep happening? Gov. Patrick Morrissey announced this week a couple of flood mitigation studies that might help get to the bottom of that. Federal and state funding will amount to $6 million for studies of both the Upper Guyandotte River and Kanawha River Basin watersheds. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will play a significant ...

The 2026 election has already arrived

Local Columns

I know we’re only seven months into the terms for most of our elected officials, and a lot of us probably would still like a breather after the 2024 election, but the campaigns for 2026 already are beginning – for better or worse. Personally, I’d like to not have to think too much about political campaigns for another four or five months, but we received a press release this week from Toby Heaney, a Republican from Fairview, West Virginia, announcing his plans to seek a seat in the West Virginia Senate representing the Second District. The seat currently is held by Charles ...

I really thought that it would be easier ...

Local Columns

So, I was putting together the Valley Life section of the paper this week, adding in sermon topics when they became available. On Wednesday, I received the sermon title for the Cadiz Presbyterian Church. It is entitled, “I Thought it Would Be Easier.” Well, I instantly fell in love with what they would be speaking about. For some reason, it just resonated with me. Now, I have absolutely no idea what the church will be discussing in its message to the congregation. That is, unless I go and listen to their preacher and hear his meaning behind why he chose this particular ...

Beware of disaster scams

Editorials

As Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance finally makes its way to desperate West Virginia counties, the state attorney general also is issuing a warning: Beware of scams. Sadly, those who are most in need of help are often the most enticing targets for online predators who have gotten very good at robbing people. Scams have already surfaced, with one technique being for the caller to pose as a FEMA employee. “During disasters we often see the best in West Virginians — our generosity and volunteerism is second to none,” Attorney General J.B. McCuskey said. “But ...

Stop playing games with our schools

Editorials

U.S. senators who put pressure on the Trump administration and the U.S. Department of Education were joined by millions of Americans in a sigh of relief when the remaining $5 billion in federal education funding the government was withholding from states and local school districts was released last week. Those entities should have received their funding — which had already been approved as part of the fiscal year 2025 continuing resolution in March — July 1. But instead of much needed financial support, they got nearly a month of worry. U.S. Sens. Jim Justice and Shelley Moore ...