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One step toward a healthier West Virginia

Last week, Gov. Patrick Morrisey ramped up his health initiatives with a new challenge for West Virginians — get out and walk in our beautiful state. His Mountaineer Mile challenge has expanded to include 32 of our state parks, in which it is fairly easy to find incredible places to walk (at least) a mile each day. “As we’re getting out and getting active, what better place to kick off the Mountaineer Mile than in one of our beautiful West Virginia state parks,” Morrisey said. “That’s why today I’m announcing that we will be designating a Mountaineer Mile trail in each ...

He is risen!

Some 2,000 years ago, an itinerant preacher in the Middle East was crucified for, as his executioners put it, claiming to be a king. There was no immediate worldwide news coverage of the event. There were no live images beamed to televisions, tablets and cell phones around the world, no tweets, no texts, no Facebook posts carrying the news of his execution at the hands of the powerful Roman state at the request of the Hebrew state under its control. There were no 24-hour news channels and no grim-faced anchormen and women providing background, and there was no analysis from hundreds ...

Touching base with residents

West Virginia Treasurer Larry Pack is certainly doing his homework. He is in the midst of a statewide tour to better understand our communities’ needs and concerns — and also hand out checks for unclaimed property. “Although it is a small state, it is a very diverse state,” he said. “Each county has its own identity and own issues.” Earlier this spring, he visited Weirton, where he met with representatives of the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce, the staff of the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle, officials with WVU Medicine-Weirton Medical Center, and ...

Road conditions a constant concern

The conditions of our roads, bridges, and other infrastructural elements are always a concern as they are vital to the everyday lives of our residents, as well as the commerce of our region. While West Virginia famously launched its Roads to Prosperity campaign several years ago, leading to what officials have called significant investments, it’s become obvious that more is needed, and, unfortunately, increased costs will most likely limit what realistically can be accomplished. West Virginia’s new secretary of transportation, Todd Rumbaugh, recently took part in a virtual news ...

Being a good neighbor

For five years, the Brooke County Emergency Management Agency has received a boost from one of the natural gas companies which has made its home in the Ohio Valley. Expand Energy, which once was known as Southwestern Energy, recently made a contribution of $20,000 to the county agency tasked with overseeing response to various emergency and disaster situations in the county, whether it be chemical spills, large fires, or floods. The funds can be used by the agency to purchase vehicles, such as the 2025 Ford Explorer now used by county EMA Director Greg Moore and Deputy Director Mike ...

Time to fulfill the broadband promises

With the conclusion of this year’s regular session of the West Virginia Legislature, there is time to reflect on the action (or inaction) of a group of elected officials who showed us what they prioritized over getting to work to improve our economy, education, healthcare and the general quality of life. But perhaps there were also lessons learned. For example, one failed bill should lead lawmakers to take a harder look at what it will take to bring broadband internet access to as much of the state as possible. Senate Bill 891 was another attempt to let the fox guard the henhouse ...