Breaking News

Editorials

Be courteous with the clean up

It’s that time of year in the city of Weirton, when residents have an opportunity to dispose of many of those household items which may no longer be functional or have just been taking up too much space. Weirton’s Fall Clean Up will be held Oct. 6-10, with a metal items collection set for Oct. 2-3. The main clean up collection is limited to household items, with crews not picking up materials such as construction-related items, vehicle tires or parts, tree trimmings, brush, propane tanks, air conditioners, lawnmowers, paint, oil, antifreeze, or hazardous materials. The metal ...

Parks continue to face challenges

For years now, the Weirton Board of Parks and Recreation has warned of the need to renovate Starvaggi Memorial Pool in order for it to continue for generations to come. The proverbial can was kicked down the road by various city administrations, most of whom cited a lack of funding or simply not feeling the project was a priority. Finally, some officials took the need seriously enough to pledge approximately $1 million, and the efforts to come up with a design began. Parks officials had hoped the renovations could begin this summer, so much so that they initially decided to go ...

Coal still a part of our nation’s energy future

As the U.S. Senate considers codifying the reestablishment of the National Coal Council, lawmakers have an opportunity. U.S. Rep. Michael Rulli’s bill drew support from enough Democrats in the House of Representatives that it is now moving to the Senate, which will consider whether it is necessary to back up the executive order that, among other things, called for reinstating the group that provides guidance on the future of coal technologies and markets. And Rulli, R-Ohio, is right. It is important for those making decisions about our energy future to have information and guidance ...

Be aware of teen vaping dangers

As though West Virginia’s young people don’t have enough challenges to overcome, an American Lung Association representative suggests we’re failing them on another front: vaping. Though it has been evident for many years that vaping is not even remotely a safe alternative to smoking, tobacco companies have continued their marketing onslaught — and access is easy. “We are talking about one of the most deadly products currently on the market … and hooking and addicting our kids,” Jennifer Folkenroth with the ALA told WCHS. “There is no safe alternative. The only true way ...

Welcome season with Fall Riverfest

The fall season officially arrived Monday afternoon, and with it an expectation of cooler temperatures and a change in the look of the world around us. What better way to welcome the season, then, than by attending one of our local autumnal community events? New Cumberland’s Fall Riverfest is set to take place Saturday and Sunday with a variety of vendors, entertainment and other activities for all ages. The festival will kick off Saturday with the Riverfest 5K Walk and Run, with registration at 8 a.m., and the race at 9 a.m. The race course begins at the Hines Park gazebo, ...

Treatment courts deserve funding

State lawmakers created the Family Treatment Courts program in West Virginia back in 2019. Two years later, they were pleased enough with the program to make it permanent — under the state Supreme Court of Appeals’ supervision. For a while, this important program — 14 Family Treatment Courts in 18 counties, working to provide resources for parents overcoming substance use disorders while moving toward the safe reunification of families — was funded by federal grants and McKesson Corporation settlement funds through the West Virginia Office of Drug Control Policy. This year, ...