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Protecting our older residents

Our region’s population is aging, and that growing older population is increasingly vulnerable to a number of abuses. Sometimes they fall victim to complex scams, in this digital age. Sometimes they fall prey to those on whom they should most be able to rely. WalletHub estimates elder abuse is an issue that costs more than $2.3 billion per year. But the human toll is incalculable. Certainly, policymakers do their best to put in place measures to stem everything from gross neglect and exploitation to financial abuse. But some parts of the country are doing better than others. ...

Are we heading into line break season?

Some weather forecasts are showing a big jump in temperatures later this week, as we appear to be climbing into the 40s – and even as high as 60 degrees in one instance – for the the next several days. That, no doubt, will be welcome after our area has experienced below-freezing temperatures following Saturday’s snow storm. One thing of caution to consider, though, is what often happens after such extreme cold temperatures are followed by a sudden warm up; water line breaks. We in the Ohio Valley are familiar with line breaks. They happen every winter, often as temperatures ...

Take extra precautions to prevent holiday fires

Late fall and winter make up the peak season for home fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association, the U.S. Fire Administration and the American Red Cross. Cooking and home heating are the leading causes of fire during the winter months. Candles, decorations and Christmas trees are among other causes of fires during the last two months of the year. The joy of the holidays can quickly turn to tragedy if simple safety precautions aren’t taken with decorations. Overall, the American Red Cross reports that 47,000 fires will occur during the winter holidays. They will ...

Balance the discussion on County Road fire station

It is a proposal that now has gone between two municipal administrations. The possibility of reopening Weirton’s County Road fire station has been discussed at various points over the last few years, in particular as efforts continue to attract new business opportunities to the northern parts of the city. It was raised again during last week’s meeting of Weirton Council, and will go through another full discussion as part of a work session scheduled for Tuesday night at the Weirton Municipal Building. The idea may sound simple enough. The previous city administration ...

A new chapter for Community Bread Basket

It appears the luck of the Community Bread Basket is turning, and the local organization will be able to put down some more permanent roots. For years, the non-profit best known for its food pantry operations and other charitable endeavors, operated out of a building on West Street in Weirton. A variety of issues with that building led to them eventually having to move. Since then, the Bread Basket has been operating out of temporary space at 3545 Pennsylvania Ave. - always keeping an eye out for something more permanent. After two years, and a big boost from a Weirton native, that ...

Having a safe, and responsible holiday

’Tis the season … for the potentially nasty combination of holiday parties and weather-affected roads. And while we should bear in mind Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over all the time, local law enforcement agencies will be increasing efforts to stop impaired driving over the next few weeks. According to the Governor’s Highway Safety Program, there are some disturbing trends in West Virginia, where there were 58 alcohol-related traffic fatalities in 2023. Of the DUI arrests in the state since Jan. 1, 2025, 43% were double the legal limit or higher, 21% were 0.20 or higher and 1.6% ...