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A legislative session of foundational improvement

Local Columns

As your state senator, I am proud to provide a summary of the transformational legislation that passed earlier this year. Under the leadership of Governor Morrisey and others, we passed an incredible array of bills that will make generational improvements for our Northern Panhandle families. We passed school security measures and protections for our most vulnerable children in foster care. The legislature expanded economic development and exponentially increased the potential for high-paying employment. We passed legislation to unleash West Virginia energy and cut regulations and red ...

A beauty that will live through your reflection ...

Local Columns

The husband of a friend of mine died unexpectedly on the Fourth of July. Now, that sentence pretty much sums up what happened in about ... what, 12 words? Of course, that sentence is not so simple. First of all, when I say “a friend of mine,” I do not mean someone whom I have ever had the opportunity to meet. Well, not in person, anyway. So, I guess you wouldn’t exactly call us “friends.” Maybe I should have said acquaintances. Although, it’s not as if I know her just in passing. I’m not actually sure what I should call her now that I think about it. It just ...

History in the Hills: What’s in a name?

Local Columns

I come from a long line of men in my family called Paul. My name is Paul, my father and his father, too. My wife and I made it a point to name our son Paul as well, extending the tradition well past the 100-year mark. Maybe if he is blessed with a son at some point in the future, he will continue the tradition, but there is no pressure. Who knows what the future will bring? I enjoy looking back through family history, not only mine but others, too, and seeing how names change with popularity. The year I was born in the 1980s, the most popular boy’s name was Michael, and the ...

16 years with minimum wage falling further behind the cost of living

Local Columns

When the minimum wage does not go up, it goes down in buying power. The federal minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 per hour since July 24, 2009. For full-time workers that amounts to $15,080 if you are paid for 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year. The minimum wage is falling further and further behind the rising cost of living. The federal minimum wage peaked in buying power way back in 1968, when it was worth $15.09 in 2025 dollars, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Inflation Calculator. Too little, too late minimum wage increases are the next best thing to eliminating ...

Understanding co-owners of stock accounts

Local Columns

John didn’t realize it, but when he added his son’s name to his stock account, he made Tommy a joint owner. John didn’t work well with computers and needed help with keeping all of his records straight because of vision problems. He added his son for convenience’s sake. John decided not to make his son his financial power of attorney. He wanted to handle his own money matters. His will included a provision that his stocks would be donated to his favorite nonprofit organization. After John died, his stocks did not go to the nonprofit, but instead Tommy got them. Why ...

Trying to find myself a new quiet spot

Local Columns

Do you ever find yourself needing to get away from everything? An urge to just take off somewhere, shutting off your phone, or at least picking somewhere with little reception, and disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the world? It brings to mind an exercise I went through as part of a merit badge class during my time in Scouts. Each of us were tasked with going out into the woods – a safe distance – sitting down and just observing our surroundings. We were asked to chronicle what we experienced. Through my life, I’ve attempted to use a similar method to help ...