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A look at the election by the numbers

I think I’ve finally caught up on my sleep following the general election, and can mentally handle taking a look back to offer some analysis. I won’t go into great detail on the results as far as who won the races, except to say there were some I was glad to see and others resulted in disappointment. Yes, I’m a journalist, and work to be as impartial as possible in my reporting, but I’m also a voter. Like all of you, I do have certain hopes when casting my ballot. At the end of the day, though, I have to deal with most of the individuals who will be taking their oaths of ...

Facing off against the challenges of progress

West Virginia has approximately 500 water and sewer utilities. The Public Service Commission of West Virginia is often asked to examine the operations of these essential systems and to determine whether the public is being provided safe and reliable service. The Commission gets requests regarding systems that can no longer function safely. In some cases, managers of a system determine they need help. They tell the Commission someone else must run their operations. Sometimes systems need help, but won’t admit it. Concern for public health caused the Legislature to pass a law in 2020 ...

Experiences growing up in Chestnut Woods

If you grew up on one of the many streets bordering Culler Road, you probably were referred to as a Chestnut Woods kid. Chestnut Woods began near Penco Road, where Mr. Zagula ran the Chestnut Lanes bowling alley, ran past the 7-11 to Sabu’s Lounge and included the streets below Palm Drive, ending at the Culler Road and Pleasantview Drive intersection. Mike Orrechio and I grew up as Chestnut Woods kids. His house bordered Pleasantview and Mellon streets. Our sprawling, 900-square-foot house was on the left-hand side near the middle of Mellon Street. We had seven boys, of which I was ...

What I would like every veteran to know

I am not quite sure how it even happened, but on Monday, I served as the guest speaker for the Jefferson County Veterans Association’s Veterans Day service at Friendship Park in Smithfield. First of all, I was late in arriving. I walked in when the national anthem was playing. I was already a nervous wreck as it was and me trying to get there on time only made matters worse. I have no idea how I got to be the speaker for this important occasion, but then again, I oftentimes find myself in situations that I never saw coming. Everyone in attendance was so very kind to me. All of ...

The paradigm shift in West Virginia after the election

While the results remain unofficial until county commissioners begin their canvassing work, it looks like West Virginia’s voter turnout for the 2024 general election last week nearly broke the previous record. According to the unofficial results from the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office, 760,273 voters out of the more than 1.2 million registered voters in the state cast ballots last Tuesday, or 62.84% of the electorate. Compare that to 63.25% voter turnout for the 2020 election or 57.07% in the 2016 election. With that said, voter turnout in West Virginia will likely ...

Wishing the best for our future leaders

Each year, the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce offers a program aimed at encouraging networking (a major component of any chamber activity) as well as increased involvement in the community. The 2025 class of Leadership Ohio Valley began its year Thursday and Friday, and it already appears as if this will be a great group which, hopefully, will find their own paths when it comes to being leaders. This year’s class, and their sponsors, include Ira Aracich, Hancock County Commission; Kevan Brown, IBEW Local 246; Yolanda Edwards, Form Energy; Nathaniel Kurty, Bulldog Rack; Clark ...