We only have a few days remaining in 2025, and, for many, the last year certainly has been active.

In Weirton, and some surrounding areas, the year began much as the previous one ended, with a series of line breaks and boil orders affecting the municipal water system and resulting in a lack of expected service.

Water had to be brought in to allow for some of the schools to be open, distributions were made for residents, and there was a great deal of anger and frustration expressed. Eventually, the West Virginia Public Service Commission held a hearing, with a study finding various discrepancies and the Weirton Area Water Board given five years to address those issues. Among the items to be addressed is an upgrade on the water distribution system itself, replacing all cast iron and galvanized steel lines. An engineering study is being put together for this project, and, officials are looking into funding options, with a hope for some grants, but it’s more than likely it will be loans and, as we’ve said before, there definitely will be a need for a rate increase to cover those costs.

In Hancock County, there were a few major developments.

First, various staffing issues and other concerns arose at the Hancock County Animal Shelter. The shelter had gone for some time without a permanent director and the humane officer had retired in 2024, leading to the need for both positions to be filled. While new people were put into those jobs, turnover increased within the ranks of staff, and word spread of displeasure with other decisions related to the shelter. Commissioners, eventually, began a process of bringing in a non-profit entity to take over management of the shelter. After two rounds of bidding attempts, the contract went to the Jefferson County Humane Society.

Other issues in the county were focused on budgets, with both the county commission and the Hancock County Board of Education announcing funding issues. Commissioners announced in March a need to cut its budget because of some over-extensions in some areas and lower revenues in others. Among those was a proposed 30 percent cut in funds to the sheriff’s department, with a decision to spread that over two years. Those reductions include lowering the number of deputies working in the department.

More recently, the Hancock County Board of Education announced its own financial issues, with officials pointing to lower revenues, inaccurate budgeting, and a lack of staffing cuts among the reasons. The West Virginia Department of Education is offering assistance in getting things to a place they need to be for the school district, but there certainly are still questions and answers up in the air for that situation.

I had the opportunity to cover more news in Brooke County this year, and officials there went through their own issues when it comes to animal control operations. That was more focused on making sure procedures and laws are up to date and the people involved have all of their proper certifications.

It wasn’t all bad things, though.

A long-time paving project was completed for the Panhandle Recreation Trail, although additional improvement plans already are in the works with the goal to build a bridge to connect the trail to a point along Cove Road in Weirton.

Del. Jimmy Willis announced plans, to take place in 2026, for the repaving of portions of U.S. 22 following years of issues and complaints from residents.

Weirton Medical Center officially became part of the WVU Health System. Now known as WVU Medicine Weirton Medical Center, the local hospital celebrated at the end of January its inclusion in the multi-state health network based in Morgantown.

Premium Guard opened operations in Weirton, with plans for the creation of 100 jobs at the facility on Park Drive.

This, of course, is just a quick snapshot of the events of the last year. A more thorough look will be published in the coming days in our newspaper, and then it’s on to 2026 where, hopefully, things will be at least a little more stable.

(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is managing editor of The Weirton Daily Times, and can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter/X @CHowellWDT)