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Officials must not avoid hard decisions

Editorials

One of elected officials’ favorite tricks is to drag out the line “But are you better off than you were (insert politically beneficial timeframe here)?” It gets people thinking: Am I better off? For West Virginians living in a state that hopes to win an economic “Backyard Brawl,” the answer may very well be “no.” But according to WalletHub’s “States with the Most People in Financial Distress,” the Mountain State is ranked 45th In this case, that’s a good thing. West Virginia’s total score was 33.17. For comparison, the least distressed folks were in Hawaii, ...

Keeping the state clean

Editorials

As the weather makes it easier for many of us to get out and about to explore our beautiful state, it may shine even brighter thanks to the work of West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection workers and volunteers. In fact, more than 6,000 of those volunteers took part this spring in cleaning more than 140 tons of litter from roads, streams, public lands and trails. All that work was made possible through the Make It Shine and Adopt-A-Highway programs. “Protecting our environment starts at the community level, and this year’s cleanup efforts show just how deeply West ...

Too far gone?

Editorials

If anyone in our area needed a reminder that the efforts to maintain our state’s roadways has been ridiculously underfunded, all they had to do was listen to the discussions during last week’s Brooke County Commission meeting. Commissioners were approached by a county resident who expressed continued concerns over the status of U.S. 22, which, despite various attempts at “fixing” its crumbling surface over the years, continues to present unevenness, with a variety of cracks, craters and bumps. State Route 27, also known as Washington Pike, is another road of concern, with ...

Taking a hacksaw through recent news

Local Columns

We have another alleged case of hacking of a lawmaker. Last Monday, Del. Charles Sheedy, R-Marshall, posted on the Marshall County WV Republican Club Facebook page that he sent a letter to Gov. Patrick Morrisey and the state congressional delegation regarding the lack of a federal disaster declaration for Ohio and Marion counties. The following is taken directly from that letter as he (allegedly) wrote it: “Constituents in District 7 are asking why President Trump has not issued a FEMA Disaster Declaration for Ohio and Marion Counties? My constituents are also yours and they ...

Show support for our local farmers

Editorials

Take some of the region’s freshest produce and throw in an opportunity for area residents to enjoy a pleasant day with family and friends, and you have the perfect recipe for local farmers markets. Held at many locations throughout the Tri-State Area, the markets offer a chance to buy fresh fruits and vegetables and to support the men and women who grow them. You’ll also find a variety of baked goods; jams, jellies and pickles; candies, cookies and fudge; and crafts from local organizations, vendors and crafters. The markets offer the chance to enjoy some time outside and make a ...

Thank you

Letters to the Editor

To the Editor, On the evening of July 2, my brother had a medical emergency in my home. We called 911 and volunteer firefighters from the Hooverson Heights VFD, paramedics from the Brooke County EMS, and deputies from the Brooke County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched. While my brother sadly did not survive, the first responders still came when asked. I just wanted to take a moment to thank them for their efforts. Paul Rockwell Follansbee