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Time for WVSSAC to clean up its mess

It came as no surprise Tuesday when the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals upheld the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission’s autonomy in managing high school sports. The first round of the West Virginia State High School Football Championships will kick off on Friday, with the season now set to reach its finale in Charleston on Dec. 13-14 when the championship games are held. “It is beyond question that the WVSSAC had the authority to reclassify under West Virginia Code of State Rules 127-3-10,” the Supreme Court’s order states. “Upon our review, we find ...

Take it one step at a time, commit to quit

This Thursday is a good day to clear the air, so to speak. It’s the annual Great American Smokeout — marked on the third Thursday in November — when smokers, hopefully, will make the commitment to stop smoking for the day. The goal is to convince smokers that if they can quit for 24 hours, they can quit for good. You don’t have to stop smoking in one day. Start with Day 1, literature from the American Cancer Society reminds. It’s a great first step to stopping an extremely bad habit that could lead to dire consequences. Like with most efforts, there is good news and bad ...

An address of hope, inspiration

The Civil War was far from over on Nov. 19, 1863, when the dedication ceremonies were held for the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg. Politicians and dignitaries had gathered in the small Pennsylvania town to remember the battle of July 1-3 of that year in which Union forces had defeated Confederate armies in what proved to be a major turning point in the war. The dedication came more than a month after the reburial of Union soldiers from their battlefield graves had started on Oct. 17. The featured presentation was supposed to be made by Edward Everett, a prominent ...

We all have a chance to save a life

The American Red Cross Ohio River Valley Chapter is looking for some help from its “Friends” in another plea to get potential donors to step away from their busy schedules to roll up their sleeves. As a celebration of 30 years since the start of the beloved sitcom “Friends,” the Red Cross hopes donors will grab a friend “and be there for patients by making a blood donation.” Those who do so between Nov. 18 and Dec. 8 will get two pairs of Friends+Red Cross socks. Think of it as being an act in the spirit of “Friendsgiving.” “Festive activities and busy calendars ...

Holiday activities are fast approaching

We’re solidly into November, and, while the weather has not really offered much to indicate it, the calendar reminds us that the spirit of the holiday season is ready to shine brightly in communities throughout the Tri-State Area. Area activities got underway Wednesday in Weirton, when the annual North End Christmas Tree Lighting was held at the corner of Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. That spirit will continue to shine in Weirton on Nov. 23, with the Christmas on Main Street event. Scheduled to run from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. in front of the Millsop Community Center, it will ...

We’re entering the season of giving

Tri-State Area residents take pride in doing what we can to take care of one another. If there is a need, we try to meet it. Given that there are still so many struggling throughout the region, that need is not likely to lessen any time soon. It is fortunate, then, that according to WalletHub’s report on Most Charitable States, that our region has a couple of the highest-ranking states: Pennsylvania is ninth, according to the Washington, D.C.-based personal financial website, while Ohio is 16th. West Virginia ranks 44th. Pennsylvania ranks 10th for volunteering and service, and ...