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Don’t get caught without Real ID

In less than a month, all those flying domestically will only be able to board an airplane if they have a Real ID — that gold star in the upper corner of your driver’s license — or a valid passport. It’s been 20 years since Congress passed the Real ID Act. It’s been delayed numerous times but is now set to take effect May 7. If you don’t have one, and you don’t have a valid passport, it’s simple: you won’t be able to fly. With only four weeks remaining, DMV offices are busy getting people signed up. In West Virginia, the Division of Motor Vehicles offers a couple ...

Pool work a temporary pain

Those who regularly use Weirton’s public swimming pools probably aren’t going to have a great time over the next several months, but, hopefully, the lack of use this summer will be worth it when the reason for all of the planned closures is completed. The Weirton Board of Parks and Recreation has taken up several improvement projects in recent years, many of them long overdue. Among those is the effort to finally move forward on a replacement and rehabilitation of the Starvaggi Memorial Pool, which will include a new design officials feel will better serve the public for many ...

Make the state’s future the priority

It’s a shame it took until the 55th day of West Virginia’s 2025 regular legislative session — which lasts for 60 days — for a lawmaker to publicly acknowledge what many Mountaineers have been thinking this year: Exactly why are lawmakers focusing on issues that will do little to nothing to move the state forward? State Sen. Vince Deeds, R-Greenbrier, took to the Senate floor Monday to address lawmakers on the session: “We’re in the 11th hour of this session, and this time next week, we’ll be home doing our regular duties as citizens of West Virginia,” Deeds said. ...

Licensing bill should do some good

Hidden among the many bizarre attempts this session by state lawmakers to damage and control West Virginians was an important piece of legislation that should actually do some good — the Universal Professional and Occupational Licensing Act. Gov. Patrick Morrisey was right to quickly get his signature on the measure, which will allow those moving to the Mountain State to easily transfer their occupational licenses. It mandates that professional boards grant licenses to those who have been licensed in other states for at least a year, under certain circumstances. “It’s my ...

Increased ways to stay informed

The City of Weirton has offered a way to alert its citizens of emergencies, office closures, and other notifications for almost a decade, and now officials are taking it a step further. Since 2016, individuals have been able to register to receive notifications from a variety of municipal departments and boards via e-mail and text messaging. Officials, though, note only approximately 1,000 accounts have been created in the years since. With the water issues experienced by the community earlier this year, many were clamoring for ways to be notified; often claiming they were unaware of ...

Keep investing in our parks

While a great deal of attention is focused on planned or ongoing improvements to the Millsop Community Center, Marland Heights Park, and Starvaggi Memorial Park, let’s not forget some of the plans for Weirton’s smaller playgrounds. In recent weeks, the Weirton Board of Parks and Recreation has sought bids for improvements to the Bennett Drive Playground as well. The playground, located at the intersection of Bennett Drive and St. Ann Way in the Weircrest area of Weirton, is a smaller recreation site, but, for those living there, it’s just as important. City officials note ...