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Small business the lifeblood of communities

The WV Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Annual Conference is coming up on Tuesday, April 29th. This year’s Conference is being held at the Butcher Center at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, West Virgina. This daylong Conference is full of networking and learning opportunities for entrepreneurs and small business owners from throughout the state. The Conference features an incredible Exhibitor Showcase for entrepreneurs to engage and learn about the resources and insights that foster a thriving entrepreneurial environment in West Virginia. I am honored to attend the Conference this ...

An anonymous Easter letter that required my response

Today, I am going to reply to a recent letter I received at work. Kind of like an Ann Landers thing ... minus the fact she is dead and this person never even asked for my opinion. So, in reality, it isn’t anything like an Ann Landers thing at all. To Whom it May Concern, I received your Easter card in the mail the other day. The Bible scripture you enclosed was nice to hear. We all need a reminder sometimes that God is with us always. The hand-written letter inside the card really did get my attention. Hence, the reason I am writing this column. I honestly hope you ...

History in the Hills: Opening of the Fort

This past Thursday was Take Your Child to Work Day. My twins were in school, but I was able to take my daughter, Stella, and son, Paulie, to work with me. We had a blast. We spent the morning doing office work at the visitor’s center, then spent time out in the Fort, opening up and getting ready for the day. My son has become quite the guide and was able to take me around a few buildings, explaining all of the history he could remember. I am looking forward to his help when we get busy with tours in the summer. I am sure he will volunteer! I am proud he can remember all the facts about ...

Following the golden rule works everywhere

I try not to write angry. As I’ve said before, this column is not just a place for me to spew an opinion. I really do try to use this space to take you behind-the-scenes into how I choose the stories I cover, analysis of the political actions of others, and tidbits of items I can’t fit into stories. But after bearing witness to the actions of the West Virginia Senate on the last night of the 2025 legislative session, I was pretty flabbergasted. I had already turned in last week’s column Saturday afternoon and had considered having my editors toss that in order to write a new ...

Weirton developing a strategy for its future

This past week, members of Weirton Council and other officials of the municipal administration gathered for a pair of meetings to discuss the development of a City of Weirton Strategic Plan. Representatives of Mackin Engineering are working with the city on this project, meeting with department heads Tuesday and then with council, the mayor, and others Wednesday. Weirton officials have periodically tackled the task of updating the city’s Comprehensive Development Plan and Unified Development Ordinance. Those documents primarily focus on zoning laws and other regulations aimed at ...

Earth Action Day: Unleashing our power for our planet

April 22nd will mark the fifty-fifth anniversary of Earth Day. The power of those 20 million voices that came out on the streets that first Earth Day led the U.S. to create the EPA and the first generation of environmental laws addressing clean air, clean water and toxics. Fast forward to today. Under the banner of, “Our Power. Our Planet,” EARTHDAY.ORG, the global organizer of Earth Day, is calling on people from all walks of life to join in “Earth Action Day” — an effort to once again mobilize people power to tackle the current generation of environmental crises. 2024 ...