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Progress to help our most vulnerable

West Virginia’s Department of Human Services has its work cut out for it as it attempts to respond to a federal audit of Child Protective Services, but there seems to be a good plan in place. Department Secretary Alex Mayer told the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resource Accountability his agency takes seriously the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General report on West Virginia’s compliance with child abuse and neglect requirements. “These are children’s lives, families’ futures, and the credibility of state ...

Better communication needed on superloads

It has been quite some time since a superload for the natural gas industry has made its way through Weirton, or any of our Hancock or Brooke county communities for that matter. So, when a hauler carrying one of these massive pieces of equipment began making its way along some of Weirton’s main thoroughfares last Thursday, it was a surprise to the motoring public. As it turns out, it also was a surprise to municipal officials, including the mayor, city manager, and chief of police, who said they received no prior information on the first of a series of such transports. We, too, ...

Girls wrestling a great addition to OVAC tournament

Among the missions of the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference should always be expanding the opportunities for student-athletes to compete. The OVAC scored a big win this past week when it announced it will hold a separate girls tournament at its Ron Mauck Wrestling Championships. “I wouldn’t say it’s overdue, but it is time to bring the girls on board,” OVAC Wrestling Commissioner Dan Doyle said. “We’ve had some girls compete in the boys tournament over the past few years, but after doing a survey of the coaches at our workshop in November, we have now reached the ‘critical ...

Problems with system must be addressed

As the investigation unfolds into the attack on two West Virginia National Guard members in Washington, D.C., last month, Americans are getting a glimpse into some cracks in the system that must be addressed. Among them is the need to explore better mental health and community support programs for veterans and refugees. Suspect Rahmanullah Lakanwal has been described as a person who was radicalized after he came to the U.S. A volunteer who worked with him and other Afghan refugees said they believed that Lakanwal suffered a mental health crisis after years of likely suffering from ...

A day we will always remember

The words President Franklin Delano Roosevelt delivered to a joint session of Congress on Dec. 8, 1941, remain as powerful and meaningful today as they were when they were first spoken some 84 years ago. Americans were stunned and still reeling from the news that Japanese forces had attacked our Pearl Harbor naval base at Oahu, in the then-Territory of Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1941, when Roosevelt spoke for a little more than seven minutes, including breaks for applause, the following day: “Yesterday, Dec. 7, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was ...

The local holiday festivities continue

Our region will continue to celebrate the magic of the Christmas season during the next couple of weekends. Thousands of residents from across the Tri-State Area are expected to pack the streets of downtown Steubenville at noon Saturday for the annual Sights and Sounds of Christmas Parade. The parade will feature marching bands and cheerleaders, dancing groups, homecoming queens, colorful floats sponsored by community organizations and local businesses and, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus. The parade is just one of many things happening downtown. Already, thousands of visitors have ...