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Education matters: The importance and value of having school choice

According to the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE), 241,024 children receive an education within the Mountain State. However, do they all thrive under the same educational model? How does the state’s education system impact family decisions to move here? As reported on the WVDE zoomwv website, with overall enrollment in steady decline over the past seven years, a vibrant and adaptable education system made up of a variety of school models is essential to attracting and retaining families and businesses. The traditional “one-size-fits-all” school model no longer serves ...

Sorry Mr. Groundhog: Still six more weeks of winter

So, today is Groundhog Day. It’s one of the lesser-celebrated holidays of the year, unless, of course, you happen to live in Punxsutawney, Pa. Then, it’s a celebration unlike any other. I know this because I watched the movie “Groundhog Day,” with Bill Murray several times. Now, I have never been one to pay very much attention to what the groundhog tells us. Why? Because even before he comes out of his tiny hole, his cage or whatever it is they have that poor little guy contained in, I already know that there will be six more weeks of winter. How do I know this? ...

History in the Hills: Consider shared tasks

These past few weeks have been tough for folks in the Weirton area. The ongoing water issues have pretty much taken much of our attention. Since we live on Weirton Heights, we are still under a boil order, although we are blessed to have some water when so many don’t. It makes me thankful for so many things we take for granted these days, like turning on a light, running hot and cold water, being able to go to the store and buy essentials and the like. With those little things in mind, we are still very blessed despite the current water issues. With all the days off my kids have had ...

Flipping out over the 91st House District

The fight over whether to appoint a Republican or a Democrat to the 91st District House of Delegates seat is a fascinating one for me, a former legislative staffer who nerds out on these kinds of questions. But we will have to wait until May for the matter to be decided. I’ve had a story in the papers nearly every other day regarding the writ of mandamus lawsuit filed by the West Virginia Democratic Party, so I won’t go into the minute details. But here is a summary: Voters in the 91st District in Berkeley County voted for Republican Joseph de Soto in May over Tammy Hess and ...

It’s probably all going to get worse

I decided to make a little detour after leaving the Hancock County Commission meeting Thursday afternoon, driving down to River Avenue in New Cumberland for a quick stop at the Arthur Watson Overlook. Driving to and from work each day, I get a bit of a view of the Ohio River while crossing the Veterans Memorial Bridge, but, as I make every effort to be diligent and pay attention to traffic patterns and surrounding vehicles, it only amounts to a quick glance. Visiting downtown New Cumberland is one of the few places really available to get a good look at what’s going on with our ...

Freedom also means freedom from

In America, the concept of freedom is sacrosanct. We wear it like a badge of honor, invoking it in defense of our choices, our beliefs, and our very way of life. Yet, too often, our conversations about freedom focus only on what we are free to do, ignoring an equally critical dimension: what we are free from. True freedom, as envisioned by the framers of the Constitution, is not just the ability to exercise our rights but also the assurance that we are protected from forces that would strip those rights away. Freedom From Disease The Preamble to the Constitution promises to “promote ...