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Some odds and ends to close out August

It was a surprise to a lot of people Wednesday when crews showed up to begin paving Penco Road. It’s a project long in need, and there was word it was supposed to be done sometime in August, but no start date had been announced by the West Virginia Division of Highways. From talking to a few people this week, not even Weirton city officials were aware until some of them drove by the area and saw the work being done. We didn’t receive any notification until just before 1:30 p.m. Wednesday – seven hours after the WVDOH said the project was supposed to begin. Thankfully, the ...

September is National Voter Registration Month

In September, the National Association of Secretaries of State and the WV Secretary of State’s Office celebrates National Voter Registration Month. Since National Voter Registration Month was started in 2002, we use every September as a timely reminder that the foundation of our democracy rests not just on the right to vote — but on the responsibility to be ready to exercise that right. In every election, whether local, state, or national, the power of the vote is the most direct way citizens shape the future of their communities and country. But that power begins with one simple ...

Labor Day and West Virginia

I would like to wish you all a prosperous and happy Labor Day. When I think of Labor Day, I envision the machines manufactured by workers that freed us from a totally agricultural-based society. This advancement in machines enabled us to develop electricity, lighting, and, above all, refrigeration. The latter allowed us finally to conquer every corner of the world. Above all, Labor Day honors men and women who have been the backbone of our workforce, whether in the field or the factory. A great part of that honorable group included the men and women who filled the Ohio River ...

Tell them your stories, they’re gonna need them

Once again, I am going to quote Benson Boone. He is the young singer I mentioned in my last two columns. He sings “Beautiful Things,” the song which my grandson just loves. Only this time, I am going to reference a song he entitled, “Momma Song.” It, too, is beautiful. But unlike last time, I won’t ask you to listen to it. Instead, I am going to quote a couple of the lyrics. You may wonder why I am using this space to quote the words of someone else? After all, this is Julie’s article, not Benson Boone’s. And yet, his words are ones I wish I could have ...

History in the Hills: Art all around us

We get to do some fun things here at Historic Fort Steuben. We operate the historic fort, plan the concert series and operate our Christmas at the Fort event. At the visitor center, we host a variety of events every year. We have the fort festival, quilt show, art show and a variety of exhibits and displays. This September, we are sponsoring a photography show in the exhibit hall with the theme “Scenes, Places and People of the Ohio Valley.” The exhibit showcases photography from all over the valley within a 65-mile radius. Special thanks are needed to Gina Judy, Dennis ...

West Virginia is moving to offense in the ‘Backyard Brawl’

For too long, West Virginia has sat at the bottom of health, education, and economic rankings. Policymakers have spent decades trying to solve these problems, but frustratingly little progress has occurred. Action, not platitudes, is needed for true growth. If we want to truly move the needle, we must stop treating the symptoms and instead focus on the real disease: for too long, our state simply didn’t do enough to create an attractive enough investment and regulatory climate. That’s why I signed an Executive Order establishing an economic Backyard Brawl on my first day in ...