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Protecting yourself and your loved ones

He was a U.S. Navy veteran from Charles Town. After serving his country, he went to work for the federal government. He saved his money, invested it wisely, and accumulated enough to enjoy retirement. But he was lonely and so he passed his time at the local American Legion to be around other people. The veteran’s cognitive abilities were in decline, something recognized by Sam Bunner, an employee at the Legion. Sam befriended him, and became a caretaker of sorts, taking him to doctor appointments, and ultimately to a lawyer to sign a power of attorney. Sam used that power of attorney ...

History in the Hills: Looking at early news

A few weeks ago, I read the editorial in the Steubenville Herald-Star that commemorated the birthday of the newspaper. According to the story, June 7, 1806, “was the day Lowry and Miller published the first edition of their newspaper, the Western Herald, from a small house on North Third Street in Steubenville. After surviving several mergers and changes in ownership, that publication became the Herald-Star in the late 1800s.” Thinking about the age of the paper, it is fascinating to imagine that there was a fully operational newspaper in the town considering it had been a ...

Today we celebrate national ‘Let it Go Day’

I read online that today is national “Let it Go Day.” I can take that as meaning one of two things. First, I can let things go and not worry about them. Like the dishes or the laundry. Or running the vacuum or cutting the grass. Just let it go and not have to worry about it for those 24 hours. And yet, whenever I actually do put things off and instead, focus on myself and do things which make me happy for a little while, I feel as if I haven’t done anything productive with my day. It is as if I have thrown away the time God gifted me. Believe me, I would ...

The state is only making matters worse

Just when I think that the West Virginia Department of Human Services and the Governor’s Office can’t handle this situation surrounding the death of 14-year-old Boone County girl Kyneddi Miller any worse, something happens each week that makes me shake my head. I’m no lawyer, but to paraphrase the great comedian Lewis Black, I know how to read. While not being a lawyer, I am a former state government communications professional (four years for the Senate, one and a half years for the Secretary of State’s Office). I say that above in order to say this: DoHS could have kept these ...

Bidding farewell to a community friend

Following weeks of certificates, plaques, awards and other recognitions in honor of his contributions, the Weirton area is saying its goodbyes, this weekend, to Capt. Gene Hunt. For those who ever had the opportunity to meet Hunt during his five years heading up the local Salvation Army corps, they knew immediately he was not original to our region, as, despite moving around through his career, he has maintained his native North Carolina drawl. Despite that, he found a way to integrate himself into our communities in a way many of those who are born here never do. Not content just ...

Some can only remember on this Father’s Day

Today is Father’s Day. For many of us, it is an extremely difficult 24 hours to get through. When I think of my dad and grandfather who have been gone from this world for too long, I am filled with regrets of things I didn’t say and sadness for some of the things I did. For whatever reasons, my father and I didn’t share that closeness that some fathers and daughters share. Coming from divorced parents, there were times growing up when he was too busy to see my brother and me. Then, as an adult, I became too busy. Busy with work. Busy with my children. Busy with my own life. ...