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The Public Service Commission needs you

Some of you might remember those old posters where a stern, bearded picture of Uncle Sam looks out solemnly over a caption that says, “I want YOU for U.S. Army.” Like Uncle Sam, I would like to say that the Public Service Commission needs you, too. If you are looking for an interesting place to work, you couldn’t find better than the Commission. Looking for the exotic? Yes, we have it. Looking for a place that will challenge your talents? Couldn’t find a better place. Want to work at a place where you can have a real impact and make a difference in the lives of many people? ...

Calendar needs a little updating, in my opinion

On those rare winter days when the temperature somehow finds a way to reach the upper ‘50s or low ‘60s, I say a small, quiet prayer that it will remain permanent until summer. Like so many others, I am so ready for this season to be over. Actually, I was ready for winter to be done with in October — even though it was technically still autumn. At least according to the calendar. I am fairly certain that whoever was the creator of today’s calendar, well … they pretty-much got it all wrong. So, I did an Internet search to discover who this creator of the calendar was ...

Trump card played against Capito family

Trump has entered the chat as the kids say, but it’s not the Trump you think. Donald Trump Jr. - the son of former Republican president Donald Trump who is the likely GOP nominee for president in 2024 – took a swipe at both U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito and Republican candidate for governor of West Virginia Moore Capito on social media last week. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., voted for the amended national security supplemental last week that contained funding for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, as well as funding to replenish U.S. military munition stockpiles. Some on the MAGA ...

How much harder will we have to fight?

Like many in our area, I woke up Thursday morning to news none of us ever wanted to hear. Cleveland-Cliffs, the current owner of what is left of our once-thriving steel mill, announced its plans to idle “indefinitely” the tinplate production facilities located in Weirton. Company officials pointed to a decision by the U.S. International Trade Commission from a couple of weeks ago, determining the domestic tinplate industry was not being damaged by imports from a select group of countries. The idling is expected to happen sometime in mid to late April. We know the history of the ...

Honoring the greatest thing I have ever done

I have certainly never done anything remarkable with the life I have been given ... A film is not going to be created about me. A song will never be written. You will not find me among those who will forever be embedded on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Nor will a statue ever be erected in my honor. City streets will not be named after me. Future generations will not call their baby girls “Julie.” As a matter of fact, in just a few short decades, there will be no one left here to even remember my name. My mind regrets not having achieved far more. I hate regrets. The ...

History in the Hills: The river to freedom

I have a great view from my office in the Hancock County Courthouse. Looking out my windows I can see the town of New Cumberland, the many mountains surrounding the valley and the mighty Ohio River. I have written a lot about the river in the past, from the early Native Americans who have lived here for thousands of years, to early settlers and industries that took advantage of the waterway for commerce. There is just so much history tied up in that waterway. For most of the history of human habitation here, the river has served three main purposes: As a source of food and water, as a ...