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Understanding data vital to the effort

Members of the West Virginia First Foundation are not taking a “mission accomplished, time to call it a day” approach to recent data that shows a continued decrease in drug overdose deaths in the Mountain State. Instead, they are working to understand the data and build on each victory. Foundation Executive Director Jonathan Board spoke on WAJR about the launch of a New Horizons Committee that will explore strategies for implementing the best methods, research and innovations in substance abuse treatment, according to a report by WV MetroNews. “We want to bolster those efforts, ...

State in need of honest priorities

“We know West Virginia has some real challenges,” Gov. Patrick Morrisey said last month, on his 100th day in office. And, as he said, he HAS been busy during those early days of his term. Unfortunately, we learned during this year’s legislative regular session, the sense of urgency in addressing the state’s genuine challenges was sorely lacking for too many elected officials. Morrisey was correct to note our struggles in education, economic development, health and health care, infrastructure, population loss and so much more. He would have been right to add that very little ...

Limiting access to help our youth

Though a step behind some of our neighboring states, lawmakers and Gov. Patrick Morrisey did an important thing with House Bill 2003 this year. It bans the use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices in K-12 classrooms during instructional time, and requires county boards of education to implement policies for storage of those devices during the school day and establish consequences for breaking the rules. “I think this is going to make a significant difference for teachers and students,” Morrisey said Tuesday. “We know that the use of personal electronic devices in ...

The Red Cross is ready to help

Our region is no stranger to natural disasters and other emergencies. And, as federal officials tell states more frequently that they are on their own after flooding and catastrophic storms, the assistance we can expect is changing. But while states such as West Virginia, Arkansas and Washington are figuring out how they will fend for themselves, residents know one thing is not changing. The Red Cross will be there to help. The American Red Cross depends on people helping people — mostly volunteers willing to do the work, lend a hand, and be there when someone else is in need. And ...

The freedom to practice our faith

Americans of all faiths will gather Thursday to participate in the annual National Day of Prayer. Held on the first Thursday of May, the event has been set aside as a day to ask for God’s help for our communities, our states and our nation. The annual commemoration has been held nationally since 1952, with local events in our area being held for many decades. Local observances are set for several locations. They will begin at 8:30 a.m. in Wintersville, outside of the village’s Municipal Building at 200 Grove St. Then, at noon, Weirton residents will gather in front of the ...

A home run for youth baseball

Oftentimes, it takes a community to get things done. No better example of this was in the launch of this year’s season of the Wellsburg Baseball and Softball Association, which was in danger of not being able to have a season at all after the discovery of missing funds – allegedly the result of embezzlement by a former league official. When word got out, the community came together, with parents and coaches reaching out to area residents and business owners for support. Donations came in with the hope of refilling the league’s coffers before it was time for the youthful ...