Opinion

Craig Howell: The election clock is ticking down

We're officially within one month of the general election, and there is certain to be some action in the coming weeks. Candidate forums and meet-and-greets are continuing, as shown Thursday evening with an event in Wellsburg featuring Republican candidates from Hancock, Brooke, and Ohio counties, as well as U.S. Rep. Riley Moore. Moore's opponent, Ace Parsi, has been in the area multiple times in recent weeks. This was the first for the sitting Congressman. Local candidates have made their own appearances, had their own events, and, otherwise, gone door-to-door visiting with residents ...

Craig Howell: Be wary of big announcements during campaign season

I have no problem when high-profile politicians decide to pay our region a visit. In fact, I would encourage more to do so. For many years, much of our area has appeared to be forgotten, especially in the Northern Panhandle where major campaigns and projects seemed to stop at Wheeling. We have people here, too, though, and the more opportunities to get in front of the people who are supposed to making decisions on our behalf, the better, right? Gov. Patrick Morrisey was in town just a couple of weeks ago, making a series of funding announcements, including what is expected to be ...

Craig Howell: We are all a part of promoting our area

The City of Weirton recently released a series of videos in an renewed effort to market the area. The videos, which included glimpses of local business, community events, development efforts, and more, were produced in cooperation with the National League of Cities (of which Weirton is a member) and CGI Digital. This is the third time city officials have put together such a marketing campaign, and those wishing to do so may view the videos on the city's website. There has been much transformation in our area over the years. While many of us still remember the days of Weirton Steel ...

Vivek Ramaswamy: East Palestine Deserves The Truth — I'll Fight To Bring It To Light

It’s been over three years since a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, and officials burned vinyl chloride in plumes over a village of fewer than 5,000 people. In February 2023, this community on the Ohio-Pennsylvania border was the subject of international news and thrust to ...

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Craig Howell: In person still works for political campaigns

Campaign season is officially under way. We're a little less than two months from the general election. The ballots have been set up. Candidates are making their way from town to town, event to event, all in an effort to appear before the voting public. Ace Parsi, the Democrat seeking the U.S. House of Representatives seat for our part of the state, had a scheduled appearance at the Brooke County Fair Friday. It wasn't necessarily a formal appearance, so I'm not certain how many residents knew he was there or had the opportunity to speak with him. I'm certain his opponent, ...