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Meet the judges of the PSC

The Public Service Commission includes more than me and my fellow Commissioners. In addition to the three of us, the agency has a number of divisions to carry out all the things that allow us to supervise public utilities. We have lawyers, accountants, and engineers who each contribute specialized skills to the overall effort. There are also secretaries, inspectors, and the friendly staff at the front desk who receive your comments or complaints. One part of the Commission that you might come in contact with if you ever need to file a formal complaint is our Administrative Law Judges ...

It’s hard knowing what you want to be growing up

Oftentimes, I try to associate my column with what this week’s Valley Life article is about. So when I decided to write about local authors, I thought perhaps I should talk a little bit about why I decided to become a writer myself. If you could call me that. I am certainly not an author. Typically, I am a waitress. It is usually the profession I always find myself going back to simply because it makes me enough money in which to live sort of comfortably. What I always truly wanted to do, however, is write. I mean, when I was little, I didn’t think about becoming a writer. ...

Is there a need for a very special session?

Pick up a flower, assuming you have any after this dry summer. Begin picking off the petals and with each one, alternate between “there will be a special session next week” and “there won’t be a special session next week.” Signs as of today, according to the magic 8 ball that is my brain, point to no. Speaking Friday with House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, he is skeptical but keeping his options open. “At this point, we have not received a call and at this point I’m not necessarily expecting one for August,” Hanshaw said. “That could change on a dime ...

Another down to go with the new ups

We continue to experience ups and downs in the effort of building up our area for the future, reminding us of just how fragile things can be. Only a few weeks after Cleveland-Cliffs announced its plans to bring a transformer manufacturing facility to Weirton, resulting in approximately 600 jobs in the Half Moon Industrial Park, we learned this week that one of our area’s newer neighbors has opted to depart our community. Pure Watercraft has closed up shop in the Beech Bottom Industrial Park, according to state, local and company officials. While the company is not quite ready to ...

To build or not to build…are we even permitted?

Appalachia is an American energy powerhouse, supplying the natural gas that underpins U.S. energy security, national security and our nation’s leading role in reducing carbon emissions. These are truths widely recognized and fiercely defended by residents in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia, so much so that candidate Harris’ campaign walked back her opposition of the industry to appeal to voters in the area. Although the debate over “fracking bans” has dominated headlines, it’s a red herring in the broader battle for U.S. energy leadership and environmental progress. Make ...

History in the Hills: Appreciating our museums

When I was young, I pretty much knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. Those who have been reading this column during the nearly five years I have been writing it will not be surprised that I knew I wanted to work with history, specifically in museums. I remember as a child getting really into the Titanic, before the movie came out. For a birthday gift one year, my parents got me a box with replica Titanic artifacts, like a menu, brochures, post cards, etc., and one day I set up a “museum” using these objects. I practiced showing my parents around while explaining the exhibits I ...