Breaking News

Local Columns

Veterans Day … so much more than just another day

Tomorrow is Veterans Day. For some citizens, they will see the holiday as merely another three-day weekend. Another day in which to sit and relax. Watch television or work around the house or yard. Perhaps get an early start on their Christmas decorating. Because that ... that is a holiday they will remember. For others, Monday will be a day which is recognized. Although not in the way that it should be. Some schools will be closed. Some businesses — especially the ones that pertain to the federal government, such as banks — will not be open for business, either. If you ...

From the pulpit/One thing

Fifteen years ago, I was honored to take a young man from my church to a steak dinner for his 12th birthday. Because his wonderful, and very godly father had passed away when he was just a few years old; I was blessed to be very involved in his life. Along with the usual joy and fun of a birthday celebration, I wanted the evening to be remembered as his entering into manhood. After a huge steak with all the trimmings, followed by a delicious dessert I was ready to share one very important word with him about serving Jesus Christ. I placed the gift I had bought for him in the middle ...

We’ve been taking the long stroll to the polls

Election Day is Tuesday, beginning at 6:30 a.m. and ending at 7:30 p.m. And it feels like a long way to get to this point. Keep in mind, the first person to announce for the 2024 elections was Republican Huntington businessman Chris Miller when he said he would run for governor all the way back in December 2021. U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va., announced his U.S. Senate race in November 2022, the same week he won election to the redistricted 2nd Congressional District after defeating former 1st District Congressman David McKinley in the May 2022 GOP primary. State Treasurer Riley Moore ...

The election is finally coming to an end

We’re only a few days away from the general election. In some ways, this comes as a relief, as it means all of the campaigning will come to an end. At the same time, it will begin a time of adjustment in many situations. In recent weeks, our newspaper staff has been working to present information on each of the campaigns in our area to better inform residents of the platforms of each candidate on the ballot. Much of the work has been done through questionnaires sent (primarily by e-mail) to the candidates. County, state and national candidates are listed through the West Virginia ...

Don’t get scammed!

Utility scams and senior citizens are a lethal combination. Keep this in mind: if you get a demanding call, it’s a scam. When somebody calls to tell you your electricity, gas, water or any utility is going to be cut off immediately if you don’t pay up, hang up. Don’t take steps to make payment. Don’t even discuss it with them. But do take steps to report what’s happened. Real utilities don’t operate this way. But scammers do. These are people who prey on you through fear and intimidation to illegally obtain your money. The Public Service Commission hears horror stories ...

There’s just some things I’ll never understand

So, I actually passed out candy this year for Halloween. You probably don’t think that’s a very big deal. But I have never given out candy before. Not one time in 53 years. I was always in the frame of mind that if I was in possession of chocolate, I was certainly not going to share it with somebody else. Especially strangers. I mean, who does that? This year however, I changed my mind. About 30 minutes before it was time for trick-or-treating to begin. Don’t ask me why. I rushed to the store and purchased five packs of “fun size” Reese’s Cups, Kit Kat, Nestlé ...